Stroker Tips – Getting It All to Fit
Almost since the first production engine rolled off the line, peoplehave known that when it comes to power, it’s cubic inches or cubicdollars. In some cases both. There’s only two ways to get more cubes –bigger bore and longer stroke – so engine builders use both to get theperformance they want from the available components.
Management: 10 Areas of Your Business to Examine for the New Year
After a crazy 2008 with gas prices ranging from more than $4 per gallon to below $1.50, a presidential election, a financial meltdown, a drop in miles driven and a federal loan to the Detroit Three, we are now into 2009 with great hopes of good days ahead. These tough times make every owner take
Engine Dress Up
Engine dress up parts are like the proverbial chicken or the egg question. Did the shiny new pieces come about to enhance a stock engine? After all, pioneer hot rodders weren’t able to go to their local car part shop and pick up chrome goodies. Or did the parts evolve with the advent of modified
Piston Options and Opportunities
The sport compact market, it was thought, was going to breathe new life into the performance engine market, and for many years, the rapid growth of the market seemed to indicate that there was no limit to how big those little engines could get. Then something happened: to quote Engine Builder columnist and performance expert
APRA Requests a Remanufacturing Tax Credit
The Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) is working withits membership to contact Congress to support a tax credit for thepurchase of equipment used to recycle or remanufacture goods. APRA’s 1,000 members remanufacture used vehicle parts so that they maybe given another life. These parts keep many heavy-duty trucks,construction equipment, fire trucks, off-road vehicles and
Herman Trend Alert: Older Workers Recognized as More Valuable
Employers are increasingly turning to older and previously retiredworkers for hard-to-fill positions for two reasons. First, they will dopractically anything to reduce costs and second, employers, like mostof us, are uncertain of the near-term future. We are already seeing anuptick in the number of special projects given to these seasonedemployees. The good news about hiring
McKinsey & Co. Unveils Study Results of U.S. Aftermarket’s Future At AASA Vision Conference 2009
Participants in the “Executive Session” at the AASA Vision Conference 2009 will be the first to gain insights into the future of the global automotive aftermarket. The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) will present AASA Vision Conference 2009, its annual membership meeting, on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 17-18, 2009, at the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare, Rosemont,
Inaugural Motorsports Industry Trade Show to Debut in Indianapolis in December 2009
Theperformance and racing industry will converge upon Indianapolis inDecember 2009 for the first ever International Motorsports IndustryShow (IMIS). Scheduled to be held Dec. 2-3, 2009 at the IndianapolisConvention Center, the show is owned and promoted by Performance EventsPromotions (PEP) and assisted in presentation by the IndianaMotorsports Association. According to show organizers, IMIS will bringtogether the
Cummins Revises 2008 Outlook to Reflect Worsening Economic Conditions
Cummins Inc. has revised its outlook for 2008 due to the continuing decline in many of its key markets around the world. The company said it now expects 2008 sales to increase by 9 percentover 2007, compared to its previous guidance of a 12 percent increase.Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) is forecast to be
Herman Trend Alert: 2009 Workforce/Workplace Forecast
Each year at this time, The Herman Group issues its annual forecast.This year, once more, we offer you our full forecast for the comingyear: 1. Certain Skill Sets Continue to be in Short Supply. In spite of the global economic slowdown and massive layoffs, certainskill sets are in short supply. All but the most short-sightedemployers
Congress Discusses ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Program; ASA Calls for Repair Option
WithCongress returning to Capitol Hill to consider economic stimuluslegislation for the automotive industry – and returning after theholidays to discuss a broader stimulus package – the concept of a fleetmodernization program is receiving more attention from policymakers.Princeton University’s Dr. Alan Blinder, in a New York Times articlepublished earlier in 2008, referred to this policy option
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: December 2008
Top 10 Machine Shop Business Tips Engine Pro recently held a series of 8 focus-group meetings in the Midwest. Each meeting consisted of 8 to 10 machine shop owners and a moderator. Three questions were asked during the meeting. “What’s working? What’s not working? What do you need most to help you ‘make it’ for
Performance Warehouse Association Presents Awards at SEMA Industry Awards Banquet
PWA Person of the Year: Bob Cook The PWA recently honored Bob Cook as PWA Person of the Year duringthe 2008 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet. Like many of his colleagues,Cook developed his passion for the automotive industry at an early age,and turned it into a lifelong career. “I’d always liked cars,” Cook recalled, “and when
Federal-Mogul Reports Solid Sales Despite Global Economic Downturn
Federal-Mogul has reported solid year-over-year results with third quartersales of $1,692 million, gross margin of $279 million, pre-tax earnings of $22million and net income of $4 million. Cash flow in the third quarter 2008improved to $25 million versus a negative cash flow of $(114) million in thesame period of 2007. Thecompany said these sales and
Education Session Scheduled for AAPEX 2008
AAPEX attendees will learn what to expect in the next three to five years in the vehicle market and how to prepare for our rapidly changing industry, during an educational program presented by Mark Seng and David Goebel, R. L. Polk & Co., entitled, "The New Change in the Vehicle Market – What Does It
Building a Hemi 528 Stroker Engine
The Hemi has made a comeback in recent years in various Chrysler and Dodge vehicles, most notably in the Charger and Challenger. But for hardcore Hemi fans, the real deal goes back to the first-generation 331/354/392 mills that culminated in the “Elephant Motor,” the 426 Street Hemi of the Sixties and Seventies. Even though the
HD Remanufacturing Summit
The Heavy Duty Remanufacturing Group Summit ’09 in Orlando, Florida on February 16 will feature an outlook for the reman business by Bruce Plaxton, veteran industry observer and analyst. Bruce is President of BGP Marketing Solutions in Schaumburg, IL, a consulting practice with a focus on mobile capital goods. Plaxton has been an advisor to
Online Registration Now Open for HDAW ’09
Onlineregistration officially opened on Oct. 1 for the 2009 Heavy Duty AftermarketWeek (HDAW), scheduled for Feb. 16-19, 2009 at the Rosen Centre Hotel &Resort and Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. HDAW isthe largest North American gathering of the independent heavy duty industry. Morethan 1,800 managers and executives from 17 countries including distributors,manufacturers, service
Cylinder Wall De-Glazing VW 2.0L Engines
For correct piston ring sealing during the engine rebuilding process, use the following information: • De-glaze cylinder walls using an 83 mm, 320 grit flexible ball-hone at 250-350 rpm. • Lubricate cylinder walls with 10W-30 engine oil or honing oil, as recommended by the de-glazing ball-hone manufacturer. • De-glaze the cylinders for approximately 20-45 seconds
Economic Downturn Fuels Theft in Aftermarket
Unfortunately, bad economic times often translate into an increase in theft, robbery and fraud. When dishonest and desperate people need money, your customers’ vehicles are attractive targets. Thieves cruise automotive business lots looking for vehicle with aftermarket stereo systems, wheels and other add-ons that can be removed quickly and sold on the street for a