SEMA’s 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
Four dedicated individuals who contributed to and have had an impactful influence on the automotive specialty equipment industry are being honored as new SEMA Hall of Fame members. They will join an elite group of icons who comprise the SEMA Hall of Fame, as they are officially inducted at the SEMA Installation & Gala on
Protect Yourself as a Small Business
This month’s column is for all those folks in automotive performance with a small business, as well as those looking to get into this segment of the industry. Automotive performance is this gray area that comes with risks and rewards as well as customers who don’t know what they don’t know. If you’re not careful,
April Has Been Good to Me
Two years ago this month, I was promoted to editor of this fine publication and brand we call Engine Builder. After having been in the managing editor role for the five years prior, I got my chance to run the ship, as they say, when Doug Kaufman accepted an editorial director role within Babcox Media
Cylinder Head Trends
Cylinder heads, as manufactured, are usually suboptimal due to design and manufacturing constraints. Porting the heads provides the finely detailed attention required to bring the engine to the highest level of efficiency.
One Year of COVID
As we all know, March 2021 marks a full year since the Coronavirus began altering what we used to know as ‘normal life.’ I don’t think any of us will forget March 2020 when we began hearing that this then foreign flu strain was starting to make the rounds in the U.S. I remember we
406 cid Twin-Turbo LS Engine
“The idea with the car is to have it appear and sound like a clean Foxbody. That’s the reaction I’m going for. If I pull into a car meet, I want people to say, ‘Hey, look at that. That’s clean, man. It’s probably got a cam in it.’ Then, you pop the hood and people will say, ‘Oh $&#@.’” Find out why that’ll be an appropriate response for this 406 cid twin-turbo LS engine!
Crankshaft Balancing Act
Steve Morris of Steve Morris Engines gives a master class on crankshaft balancing, why it’s balanced and what you’re actually accomplishing for a performance engine.
Valves, Rocker Arms & Pushrods
Just keep in mind your application, your rpm range and horsepower goals. The valvetrain puzzle falls into place from there.
The Hits Just Keep on Coming
As I sat down to write this month’s column, an email from SEMA popped up in my inbox. Would it be another safety update? Would it be promises of another great show happening in the fall? No.
Diesel Dominance
Whether you have a Ford, Dodge or Chevy, the Powerstroke, Cummins and Duramax diesels are all being pushed beyond their prior limits to reach new milestones.
Social Distancing Out on the Open Water
I’ll spare you the Coronavirus recaps and regurgitating all the information we have been constantly bombarded with every day. If you’re anything like me, it’s beginning to get tiresome, though important. What we do know is social distancing and stay-at-home orders are effective and have drastically reduced the impact of the COVID-19 virus. I’ve been
Dealing with Advice Seekers
I read a great column in my current Drag Illustrated magazine by Will Hanna called the “Advice Buffet.” The theme of the article is how some racers and hot rodders seek advice from several sources. In most cases, the many sources will differ cost and effort to the seeker. The seeker will seek until he
Starrett High Throughput Rotary Table Springs Force Tester
The L.S. Starrett Company, a global manufacturer of precision hand tools/gauges, a broad range of force testing, metrology equipment, and more, has introduced a newly designed Rotary Table Springs Force Tester. The system is setup to test multiple springs in a single setup without the need for additional operator input as required when springs are
Pro Racing Rules for 2020
The top professional racing series, while they’re only a small percentage of the total racing universe, represent the trends that get passed down to other grassroots level divisions.
Are Carburetors Dead?
The carburetor market has evolved right along with the ever-changing technology that surrounds it, driven by the need to stay relevant and remain a viable option for those looking to win races.
Shop Solutions – January 2020
Tips and tricks from the industry’s engine and machine shops.
Methods Machine Tools’ Nakamura-Tome MX-100 Multitasking Machining Center
The new multitasking turning center is equipped with a powerful 15 HP upper tool spindle with 20,000 rpm and turning capability. A 8,000 rpm milling turret offers 12 tool stations with 24 indexing positions.
Who Doesn’t Love a Little Recognition?
In my opinion, there are only a small handful of feelings greater than that of being recognized for good, hard work. In my time at Engine Builder magazine, I’ve seen few people who are more passionate, harder working and more deserving of getting overdue recognition than the engine builders around this country.
Valve Seats & Guides
Performing valve jobs is one of the most crucial areas of the engine building business. According to our most recent Machine Shop Market Profile, cylinder heads for gas engines account for nearly 16 percent of an engine builder’s production time – and it’s easy to see why.
Sodium Bicarbonate – A User-Friendly Blasting Abrasive
Sodium bicarbonate blasting or soda blasting, is a user-friendly process for the removal of grease, oil, burnt carbon and many other contaminates experienced in engine building. There are many different processes for cleaning parts and components before engines can be rebuilt, however they are not all equal.
