Racing with the Ramchargers
Before Neil Newman’s tenure with Chrysler Marine Division, he had gone to school at the Chrysler Engineering Institute (CEI) with many members of the original, legendary “Ramchargers” drag racing team.
MSD Pro-Billet Distribution for Ford Y-Block Engines
The Pro-Billet Y-Block Distributor, PN 83831, is built around a CNC-machined billet aluminum housing that is fit with a sealed ball bearing guide for stability and endurance.
Danny Thompson’s Challenger II Duel Engine Testing
SpeedWeek at the Salt Flats in Bonneville was to be the first of several testing grounds as Danny Thompson (son of Speed King Mickey Thompson) hoped to push his little metal “cigar on wheels” Challenger II streamliner past 400 mph, past 450 mph, and maybe even past 500 mph. His attempt at a record was
Enthusiasts Set Sights on Wilmington Mile Records
In the December issue of Engine Builder, our cover feature examined the unique one-of-one engine build-ups to maximize performance in all-out speed runs. The article also noted the presence of a new land-speed location at the former DHL facility at the Wilmington, Ohio airport. The super-smooth 9,000-foot runway is perfect for this high-speed activity and
The Low-Down on the Salt Flats Laydown
There’s some good news for racing record setters — SEMA reported recently that an estimated 2,000 tons of salt were successfully deposited on the mud surface at the end of the access road to the Bonneville Salt Flats. It was graded and then dried to a hard concrete-like racing surface. Although modest in scope, the
Reflecting on the Go Kart Kraze
The year was 1956. Art Ingeles is a veteran Hot Rodder who spends his days working for the Kurtis Kraft Company. The Kurtis Kraft Company was a well-known fabrication company known for building midget cars, quarter midget cars, Bonneville Cars, USAC Championship Cars and Indy Cars. The company was founded by Frank Kurtis who built
DIYAutoTune’s 240SX Land Speed Car Breaks World Record
King Engine Bearings has announced that its involvement with DIYAutoTune’s Land Speed project has already led to broken records in their class. At only their second event with the car, the DIYAutoTune team managed to crush the existing F/BGC record of 165.25mph by posting a run of 177.09mph. This run was made at the ECTA sanctioned event
Ford’s Famous Flathead V8
It was special in so many ways. First of all, it was the first V8 engine for the Ford line of cars. Nobody could imagine the effects it would have on the racing and hot rod world in the years to come. Even in its stock trim, it was a gutty little powerplant, but it would
Two of a Kind – Dodge Bros. Celebrate 100 Years
Engine builders John and Horace Dodge started making automobiles in 1914 — 100 years ago. However, the Dodge brothers actually got into the automobile industry in 1900 and actually manufactured engines under contract to Henry Ford in 1900. Eventually, they built all of Ford’s mechanical parts. John and Horace were talented machinists who started at
Land Speed Racing Takes Flight
The East Coast Timing Association (ECTA) might be a mystery to some motorsports fans. For nearly 20 years, its vehicle and motorcycle racing venues have been held at two defunct airports east of the Mississippi. But those in the know will tell you that the Speed Trials group is one of a number of automotive land
Future Alternative Fuels Could be a Gas
Alternative fuels such as E85 and biodiesel that were once considered fringe fuels are now mainstream. You can burn any mixture of gasoline and E85 in any vehicle that is Flex Fuel capable. As for biodiesel, blends ranging from B05 (5% biodiesel) to B100 (100% biodiesel) are being used in all kinds of diesel applications.
Oliver Racing Parts Moves to Larger MI Facility
Connecting rod maker to get updated machinery, more space in northern Michigan Oliver Racing Parts, manufacturers of high-performance connecting rods for motorsports applications, is moving its operations and manufacturing to a more modern facility in Charlevoix, MI. The relocation will take place in three phases and is expected to be complete by the first week
Pursuing The Small Engine Market
Small engines are everywhere. They power lawn mowers, garden tillers, portable generators, all kinds of pumps, go-carts, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, forklifts, even refrigerated trailers on reefer trucks. Most of these engines are single-cylinder four-stroke air-cooled motors that range in power from 5 to 15 hp or more. Some have vertical crankshafts and some have horizontal
Oliver Racing Parts Kicks Off 30th Anniversary with Three Contests
Oliver Racing Parts, manufacturers of high-performance connecting rods for motorsports applications, is celebrating its 30th anniversary by launching three contests filled with prizes and merchandise between now and December 31, 2013. “Oliver Racing Parts has had a successful history – from setting land speed records at Bonneville to wins in NASCAR – so for Oliver’s
Holley Announces Trevor Wiggins As Vice President of Sales
Holleyhas appointed Trevor Wiggins as its vice president of sales. In this role, Wiggins will lead the Holley sales team in supporting customers ofHolley Fuel Systems as well as other Holley products and brands including Earl’s Performance Plumbing, NOS Nitrous Oxide Systems, HookerHeaders, FlowTech Exhaust and Weiand. “Trevor’slifetime of racing experience combined with his proven
Camshaft Selection
When it comes to racing, sometimes the belief is that only custom-designed parts are good enough for a winning team. The question here is, do off-the-shelf components automatically have a performance handicap? In order to get to the bottom of the “Custom Grinds vs Catalog Specs” debate Engine Builder magazine reached out to experts at
Cashing In On The Cafe Racer, Vintage Bike Revival
The Rockers who rode on the racy-looking machines sculpted after grand prix motorcycles gained the nickname “cafe racers” because they were often seen parked outside a coffee shop and were considered wannabe racers. The name was originally intended to be an insult but later turned out to be a proud moniker. A right of passage
Building Pontiac Excitement
Each GM division had its own engineering staffs and even its own assembly plants. There was very little parts interchange between the different divisions. Each unit had its own engines. Each division had its own personality. When Bunkie Knudsen became general manager of Pontiac in June of 1956 he set the world on fire. His
Crate Engine Opportunities
To many engine builders, saying the words “crate engine” can leave a bitter taste in the mouth. The perception is, thanks to the wide assortment of ready-to-run packaged engines available from the OEMs, custom engine builders have difficulty competing. In an attempt to reduce the high cost of racing, many sanctioning bodies and racetracks began
Designing and Building a World-Record Beating Porsche V8
We would build for the Blown Gas Modified Sports (BGMS) class where the record is currently 231.5 mph. Another record we were after was the Porsche marquee record for the 928 of 205.6 mph. Our math told us that – because we knew our final drive ratio, tire diameters and engine redline; and if our