Just Imports
So, you aren’t willing to work on import engines? To you they just seem too complicated and overwhelming? So you end up making the statement that you don’t do foreign vehicle repairs – or more specifically, import engine repairs. What happens when you get an offer to do a Mazda B2300 motor or work on
The Drive For Performance Import Profits
The automotive industry has seen a great number of specialty niches since the first automobile owner decided to customize his Model T. Since that time, the search for the next great profit opportunity within the aftermarket has continued. The newest niche in the specialty aftermarket is the import performance market. Although modifying these small, powerful
GM 302: Our High Output OBD II Compliant Engine
In my last column (Automotive Rebuilder, May 2001, page 24), I described an OBD II emissions-compliant 302 we built for a Chevrolet project car. This engine, running at 6700 rpm, developed 370 horsepower at the rear wheels through exhaust without converters. This thoroughbred not only shared the same displacements as its predecessor, it also had
Engine Cylinder Bore Surface Finishes
What’s the best type of cylinder bore finish for today’s engines? Most would say it’s a finish that allows the rings to seat quickly and completely so the engine doesn’t use oil. For many applications, that may mean a plateau finish. The surface finish must also meet the piston ring manufacturer’s specifications and have the
Rebuilding Hot Rod Honda Engines
Traditionally, hot rodding has been as American as apple pie, baseball, hot dogs and Chevrolet. Certainly, imported vehicles have been "hopped up," but serious hot rodding has always been dominated by enthusiasts who believe that engines have eight cylinders, pushrods and 16 valves. For the past 40 years, machine shops catering to devotees of high
Performance Marine Engines – Meeting Customer Expectations
Life is a series of compromises. Human relations almost alwaysinvolves compromises of some sort. You want Chinese for dinner,she wants Italian; something has to give. Even if you go yourseparate ways, it’s a compromise and a decision to not dine together. Believe it or not, it’s the same with machinery. Any exercisein design is a
Making A Big Splash In The Marine Market
The average individual that would have owned a performance car in the 1960s, and the baby boomers that did, in many cases no longer have a modern affordable toy they can tweak to their own satisfaction. Serious performance today is often available to only a few with large checking accounts or extra good credit, and
Performance Small Block: Chevy Engines
Small block Chevy engines long ago became mainstays in both thetraditional and high performance marketplace. So many of themhave been rebuilt over the years, and so much has been writtenabout the rebuilding process, it would appear that nothing moreneed be said. But the small block engine has changed over the years and so haveconsumer preferences
Caliper Clinic: Rebuilders Not Only Can Improve An OE Design, But They Can Also Improve The Consumers’ Opinion
Rebuilders not only can improve an OE design, but they can also improve the consumers’ opinion about the rebuilt auto parts business, in general. Many people still believe that all rebuilt parts are sub-standard compared with original equipment parts. However, most rebuilders are continually working to improve the reputation of rebuilt parts by producing quality