Marine Performance Engine Building
This is the first installment of a three-part series on marine performance engine building. This series will look at this market from three different perspectives, the “meat and potatoes” refresh, turning big power into bigger power and then culminating with a look at the mega power that pushes 50-foot offshore endurance racers to over 200MPH.
The Science Behind Wet Sump Oil Pumps & Oiling System Upgrades
All automotive internal combustion engines are equipped with some type of pressurized oiling system. Oil lubrication is essential for reducing friction, preventing wear and cooling vital engine components. Pumping oil to the main and rod bearings creates a friction-reducing hydrodynamic film between the bearings and crank that allows the crank to spin with minimal friction.
Hidden Horsepower – How Simple Machining Steps Can Provide a Win-Win Power Upgrade
In the automotive industry, power and reliability have always been the quest of all engine builders and racers. There are many time-honored methods of increasing horsepower and the same with making engines more reliable. But modifications can sometimes have residual effects and overtax another area of the engine, even compromising reliability. For example, raising compression
Sleeves & Liners – Selection and Installation
Engine sleeves have long been used to repair worn or cracked cylinders that can’t be bored to oversize. Installing a sleeve can save a block that would otherwise be unrebuildable. But sleeves can also be used to strengthen cylinders, especially in performance engines that are being pushed way beyond their original design tolerances. A prime
Head Porting – Going with the Flow
Flow…that magical, mystical word that is seemingly carved in stone anytime the discussion topic turns to performance cylinder heads. Whether you are a seasoned veteran in the engine wars or finalizing the specs for your first ever build, it is virtually impossible to avoid it. The flip side of that coin always carries another word
V-Twin Validation – How a Harley Discussion Changed an Engine Builder’s Fortunes
What we will be covering here is a general overview of the most common practices and procedures we use in servicing and rebuilding Harley-Davidson engines and things that are unique to V-twin.
Valves & Seats
When it comes to engine components working together, there are few areas that share the same level of relationship as the valves and valve seats. The factors that affect this duo’s ability to reside in harmony inside an internal combustion engine encompass everything from material compatibility to thermal conductivity. In regard to the actual physical
Making the Plunge into CNC
Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) machines are changing the way many machine shops build engines. CNC provides a level of automation, sophistication and accuracy that manually operated machines can’t match. CNC also has the potential to dramatically increase productivity and profitability.
Race Engineering’s Secret To Success Is Spec Miata Engines (and Everything Else!)
What makes Chris Graham’s engine shop Race Engineering a successful business is no secret to him. He realizes that it’s more important to sell relationships than it is to sell a product. That’s not to say his relationship skills are better than his product, because he is well known in the import engine arena for
Top Tips To Maximize Fastener Performance
By Robert Florine, President, ARP Fasteners We know that fasteners hold an engine together. And that fasteners play a critical role in an engine’s reliability – especially when engines are pushed to higher performance levels. How then do we get the most out of them? At ARP, we work closely with leading race teams (Formula
The Best Way To Boost Your Business? Build a Rapport and Relationships
It’s important for you to get familiar with and interact with many more people in your business than just your customers. Getting familiar with your banker, suppliers, services and the media can be a big help. One thing that helps me has been my racing and involvement in motorsports. Even if you are not a
How You Can Increase Your Payoff by Including a Transmission With Your Engine Builds
Bundling two or more products into a single package simplifies the buying process for a consumer, saving both time and money. This isn’t limited to household goods and groceries. An engine builder can increase his bottom line by selling more than one product, such as a transmission. And additional accessories and services also can be added.
A Review of the History and Technology in 2.5L Hydroplane Racing Engines
Modern marine engines are as varied as their road- and track-going counterparts. Whether they’re powering working habor tugs, ocean-crossing container ships, leisure and fishing boats or hardcore racing boats, marine engine builders are dedicated to improving their performance and reliability through innovation. 2.5L engines have been used in both midget racing and hydroplane applications for
Engine Bearing Technology – The Spin on Spun Bearings
One of the worst failures that can occur inside an engine is a spun bearing. It can happen in a stock engine, race engine, gasoline engine or diesel engine. A spun bearing is bad news because it usually seizes itself around the crankshaft journal. What happens next depends on the bearing’s location.
Profitable Performance – Sell Value Before Price
Selling value is all about selling you. Yes, this is the time to roll it all out. Your years in business represent security. Your vast resources and a belief in using quality products is important as well. Everyone knows quality costs a little more, and the implication is that it is worth it.
Kistler Engines Inc. Sprint Car Engine
Do you think once you’ve seen a Sprint Car engine you’ve seen them all? According to Paul Kistler you’d be wrong. Each one he works on at Kistler Engines Inc. is unique.
Preventing Connecting Rod Failures
Connecting rods are some of the hardest working parts inside an engine. Fortunately, rod failures from severe overloading don’t happen that often. However, they can occur in racing or extreme street performance applications. So here’s what you need to know.
Proform Starters
Proform has announced two new Chevy staggered mount starters, and four new 15:1 compression ratio starters for Ford, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick 455 to expand its line of 100% new, tested starters.
Trans Dapt LT Engine Swap Mounts
Trans-Dapt Performance Products has announced its new Gen 5 LT Engine Swap Mounts for classic American, factory small block Chevy-equipped passenger cars.
1969 AMX Engine
Rhyne Competition Engines prides itself on being a rather diverse shop capable of working on performance, marine and off-road engines, so when a customer brought in an AMC AMX engine, Mike McKinney was excited to dive into the project.
