GM Unveils All-New 450 hp Small Block LT1 V8 for 2014 Corvette
The new Corvette LT1 engine, the first of the Gen 5 family of Small Block engines, combines several advanced technologies, including direct injection, Active Fuel Management and continuously variable valve timingto support an advanced combustion system. “Our objective for the development of the all-new LT1 was to raise the bar for performance car engines,” said
Extending Valve Life
Most manufacturers of valvesoperate tech phone lines, and all have received that caller who opens the conversation by saying, "Your valve ruined my engine; when are you going to pay to fix it?"As much as the rebuilder or vehicle owner might like to lay blame it on the manufacturer for providing a bad product, it
Engine Bearings and Crankshafts: Best Friends Forever (BFFs)
Bearings appear to be such simple engine components. On the surface, they’re just half-circles of metal whose only purpose is to reduce friction between and support moving parts. The engine bearing has to establish and maintain a film of oil between moving and stationary parts to prevent wear to expensive engine components. They look like
Sunnen, MAHLE Clevite to Host Tech & Skills Conference Feb. 25 in Glendora, CA
AERA says engine builders can gain industry knowledge and network with other people with the traveling expense of going to a national trade show. AERA has teamed up with a regional host to offer opportunities in different regions of the country that is closer to a number of shops. Along with the outlined technical programs,
Identifying Six Common Fastener Failures
While few engine builders have access to sophisticated analysis equipment, a standard Bausch and Lomb three lens magnifying glass will generally show 98% of what you want to see. Several of the photos have been taken utilizing a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and are presented to simply illustrate typical grain configurations after failure, according to
HPBG: Racing Piston Technology
Munro had a problem with melting his cast pistons so he kept trying to develop his own out of melted down GM pistons. Today’s piston makers use a little more modern techniques, but the principle is the same: try, test and improve. On the outside, pistons tend to look the same. They are round slugs
Competing for Diesel Dollars with OEM?Dealers
About 13 years ago we – like many members of this industry – our business was struggling because our focus was only on machine work – our sales basically imploded and we needed to change. In our internal discussions, we put this dramatic change to two things: First, efficient engine design (including things like electronic
PERA Announces
Gary Reed from Lock-N-Stitch kicked off the "What’s New and What It Means to You" series in April with a webinar about casting repairs. Other noted speakers are to include Bill McKnight from MAHLE, Dr. Dmitri Kopeliovich from King Engine Bearings and Mark Ferner from Shell Oil. May 18 Understanding the Design and Function
Liberty Engine Parts To Host AERA Regional Conference March 26
Along with the outlined technical programs, Engine Builders Association (AERA) is inviting leading manufacturers of engine building/rebuilding tools, supplies, services, parts and machinery to attend this conference. These suppliers will have table-top displays that will be accessible during the conference. AERA says that meeting these suppliers in a relaxed atmosphere is a great way to
Performance Valve Springs and Retainers
Old school thinking on these matters has usually been to increase spring pressure as much as possible by using the stiffest dual or triple springs that can be installed in the engine. But that kind of thinking is changing, thanks to improvements in spring technology. Stiffer springs are obviously needed if you are building a
A Winning Pair
The Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA) and the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA) will both be holding their annual expositions at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas prior to the AAPEX and SEMA Shows. Combining the two shows – APRA’s The BIG R Show and ATRA’s Powertrain Expo – into one all-encompassing exhibit
Big R Show Features Training Workshops from RIT
TheRochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT) National Center forRemanufacturing, Resource Recovery will be presenting four trainingworkshops during the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association’s(APRA) International Big R Show, which takes place Oct. 31 – Nov. 2 inLas Vegas. Automotive parts remanufacturing is becoming more competitive everyyear. Progressive remanufacturers are always looking for new ways tosave money through process
EFI Introduction 101
EFI has become the tool that has unlocked the next level of engine performance. Nowhere is it more evident than in drag racing, where EFI has taken over where the rules permit. Take Joe Dunn’s Pat Musi-powered ’68 Camaro that just rocked the competition with a 6.38 @ 218 mph pass. Its 755 cid big-block
Big R Show Features Training Workshops from RIT
The Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Center for Remanufacturing, Resource Recovery will be presenting four training workshops during the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association’s (APRA) International Big R Show in Las Vegas on October 31 – November 2, 2009. Automotive parts remanufacturing is becoming more competitive every year. Progressive remanufactures are always looking for new ways
Understanding Dyno Numbers’ Place in Your Business
It is very difficult to cover all of what you need to know about dyno testing in an article of this length, but perhaps I can take a swing at nailing some of the critical information down. Dyno testing is an important part of engine development programs and can provide an improvement in quality control
Research Firm Projecting Growth of Lubricant Additives Consumption
Whilethe consumption of finished lubricants is projected to be essentiallyflat between 2008 and 2013, consumption of lubricant additives willgrow at a rate of 0.7 percent per year, according to the latestresearch from worldwide consulting and research firm Kline & Co. The key change driver of the lubricants industry will be thedevelopment of new quality levels
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
What’s Rockin’ In Performance Rocker Arms and Valve Springs
Horsepower is in the heads. But for a cylinder head to breathe efficiently, the valvetrain must be rigid and strong to minimize flex, but also lightweight. For most performance applications, that means replacing the stock rocker arms, valve springs and pushrods with some type of aftermarket roller rocker arms, stiffer valve springs and stronger pushrods.
Understanding Valve Design and Alloys
To the naked eye, a valve is a valve is a valve. Sure, there may be two, three, four or more of them in the cylinder head, but unless you have x-ray eyes, one alloy looks pretty much the same as another. The importance of coatings to today’s valves should not be overlooked, of course.
Connecting Rods: So Many Choices
Choosing a set of connecting rods for a performance engine is not as simple as it sounds. The rods you ultimately choose to use in an engine will depend on a number of factors, each of which can be critical to the life of the motor and the success of your customer. Your decision will