Sensory Overload
The same way these races can overwhelm your senses, here at Engine Builder, we too are delivering content for all five senses! Well, maybe with the exception of taste.
A Fresh Start
April has been a bit of a whirlwind month for Engine Builder magazine and for me in particular.
6M-3L MSD Marine Ignition
Holley/MSD has announced the release of the 6M-3L MSD Marine Ignition, a fully sealed unit with a single wiring connector for a fast, hassle-free installation.
Engine Parts: Lifters, Pushrods and Valve Springs
The valvetrain is one of the most critical components in any engine build, be it stock or performance. The lifters, pushrods, rockers and springs must all be strong and stiff enough to handle the loads and RPMs the engine will encounter, and they have to be durable enough to go the distance.
369 cid LS-Based Bonneville Engine
To break land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats, a lot of things need to go your way. Customers Andy Loyd and Gene McFaddin turned to Jim Gray at Venom Racing Engines to build them a Bonneville engine capable of topping 240 mph. Find out why this 369 cid LS engine could be a record setter this summer.
Racing Rods – Engine Builders Have Options
Choosing a set of connecting rods is one of the critical steps in a performance engine build. The rods have to be strong enough to handle the anticipated speeds and loads, but also affordable for customers who have a limited budget. Most stock rods in late model engines can safely handle 400 to 500 horsepower.
Racing Rod Options
Choosing a set of connecting rods is one of the critical steps in a performance engine build. The rods have to be strong enough to handle the anticipated speeds and loads, but also affordable for customers who have a limited budget.
Engine Bearings Under Pressure
Today’s hi-flow, aftermarket, CNC-ported cylinder heads, high lift killer cams and induction system power adders (blowers, turbos and nitrous) are making more power than ever before, and really hammering the bottom end of the engine. If the bearings can’t take it, the engine won’t last.
Engine Break-In Oil and Assembly Lube Needs
Engine building is a process that should go well when everything is done correctly. A lot of things can go wrong during those first few minutes following the initial start-up of a freshly built engine. The engine has to build oil pressure quickly so all of the critical wear surfaces will receive lubrication.
Performance Rocker Arms
Pushrod engines new and old are still a hot topic. Overhead cams have been used in many European and Asian engines for years, so when Ford opted to go the overhead cam route with their 4.6L V8 engine, some predicted pushrod engines were on their way out. But, GM stuck with the pushrod design for
A Look Into the GM 3.1L Engine
Over the years, GM has saved a bundle on manufacturing the 3.1L engine by using the production line tooling it originally developed for the 2.8L V6. By simply changing the bore diameter, the displacement of the same engine block could now be increased for more power and torque. The General Motors 3.1L V6 engine enjoyed a long
Learning From Broken Parts
In 1973, I was a sportsman drag racer. My car was the two-ton orange ’57 Mercury named, “The Big Animal.” The transplant engine was a pure stock Ford 427 FE 8V low riser I called “Old Reliable,” shifted by a top loader four-speed with a Hurst Competition Plus shifter. In August of that year, I
Russo and Steele Teams With Edelbrock For Childrens Charity Fundraiser
Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions has an entire program dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Edelbrock’s youth initiatives along with The Center for Learning Unlimited, during its 12th Annual "Sports and Muscle in Monterey" auction event this August 16-18, 2012. The fundraising will begin with a charity auction on Thursday, August 16th prior
New Aftermarket Automotive Belts and Hoses Last Longer
There was a time when rubber belts and hoses were maintenance itemsthat had to be replaced every five or six years, depending on theircondition. The original equipment belts and hoses on today’s late-model vehiclesare mostly made of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a syntheticrubber that is far more durable, heat-resistant and wear-resistant thanNeoprene. This means
Valves, Guides and Seat Materials and Selection
Ginsu knives became a household name by blasting infomercials showing how their superior steel blades could cut through a shoe and then slice a tomato paper-thin. The blades would bend and flex and never lose their sharpness. Millions of homeowners bought the knives; however, you would be hard-pressed to find an executive chef who used
Getting Into The Niche: Engine Builders Corner Their Markets
In our industry, specialty niche markets can also be the key to steadily growing your business. Motorsports is a very broad market but when you drill down into the various categories of racing, there are many smaller markets that make up the sport. Drag racing and circle track markets may be among the most recognized
Diesel Performance: Camshafts, Lifters and Valvetrain
Diesel performance is nothing new. What is new is the level of interest in diesels for all kinds of racing; everything from traditional truck and tractor pulling to drag racing, even sports car and endurance racing. Diesel engines are a different type of animal when compared to gasoline engines. While both use the same four-stroke
SSSSSnake Bit!
In 1974, America watched 93 cars get destroyed in a 34-minute car chase. “Gone In 60 Seconds,” an independent film written, produced and directed by and starring Toby Halicki was an otherwise forgettable ’70s movie. The plot revolved around Mandrian Pace (Halicki) and his car thief cronies and 48 cars that they needed to steal
Oil Pumps
It’s 6,000 rpm – do you know what your oil pressure is? That’s a question every engine builder should know the answer to if they’re building an engine that’s going to survive. Maintaining adequate oil pressure and volume is absolutely essential for engine durability. The problem is the output of many stock oil pumps, particularly
Back to Basics: Reconditioning Connecting Rods
When you’re looking at connecting rods and considering returning them to service, there are many things you must consider. They are one of the most critical pieces of the engine puzzle and under great strain when in operation, so you must pay attention to the details during the rebuilding process. There are many times when