Five Plans To Turn A Profit From Sales of Performance Parts
It seems that lately everyone wants to build high performance engines and sell high performance parts. But it has not always been that way. In the 1950s and ’60s, high performance engine builders were racers first and to feed their need for speed they built their own high performance parts. Many started small businesses producing
Cutting Tools and Abrasives
One of tricks of the trade of machining engine parts is choosing the right cutting tool or abrasive for that particular job. Different metals have different machinability characteristics. A cutting tool or abrasive that works well on one application may not work so well on another application. Years ago when most engine parts were
Like Switching From Black and White to Color TV with Microwave Popcorn
I recently turned an age where you no longer want to talk about your age. An age where back pain and creaky bones start to set in, but everyone keeps telling you that you’re not that old. I remember when I was a kid and we got our first microwave and made the switch from
Shop Solutions: April 2008
Charging For Expert Advice Bench racers wasting your time? Our shop labor rate is $80 per hour. I sell my advice for 1/2 price! When a guy wants me to engineer a motor by selecting parts combinations and machining specs to achieve a specific level of performance, I charge him for my time. I explain
Crankshaft Selection Dictated by Design
We like to think that inside a modern engine, for all the violent explosions and metal-straining power, a whole world of harmony can be found. Parts work together to produce the most power possible, races are won and trophies are captured. Of course, this “cooperation” is a little deceptive. While there are dozens of parts
AAEQ Unveils New Web Site for AA Midwest Cores
AAEQ Manufacturers and Recyclers has launched a new Web site for AA Midwest Cores at www.aamidwestcores.com.The Web site is part of AAEQ’s new marketing and sales initiative tobring awareness to the company’s engine, transmission and internalparts cores for sale to engine rebuilders and machine shops. AA Midwest processes more than 500 engines a day atstate-of-the-art
Mid-Range Diesels: Going the Distance
While it may seem that we’re constantly asking you, the reader, to give us detailed information about your business, the truth is, details are what make this business interesting. In that respect, following the February issue of Engine Builder, a cross-section of readers were asked for their opinions on a number of topics, ranging from
Choosing A Replacement Camshaft
Unless you are doing a totally stock rebuild and reusing the original camshaft, selecting a camshaft depends on what kind of engine you are building and how that engine will be used. A stock engine for a daily driver is obviously an entirely different application than an big stroker motor for a Pro Stock racer.
From ATVs to Karting to Everything In Between
While small engines are in many types of equipment and toys, there isn’t anything small about their potential for engine builders to make a profit. From karts to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to motorcycles, for many engine builders looking to add profit margins to their business or to get into a specialized area of the industry,
To Dyno or Not To Dyno…That is the Question
The word dynamometer is defined in the dictionary as: Dynamometer (Dy – Na –mom – e – ter) – any number of devices for force measurement or measurement of mechanical power. The word comes from the Greek (dunamis – force) + (metron – measurement) and dynamometers might seem more like Greek than anything else until
Early Bird Registration Ends March 24 For the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium
Early bird registration for the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) ends Monday, March 24. By registering now, attendees save $200 and can hear an exciting lineup of speakers and industry leaders as they discuss "Shift Forward" on Tuesday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 21, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, Ill. Registration fees
APRA
In a recent joint announcement, APRA’s European Director, Fernand Weiland, and APRA’s President, Bill Gager, stated that the European Exhibition scheduled for April 14, 2008 is sold out and a waiting list for booth space has been started. The event will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Warsaw, Poland and will be followed by
Stroker Tips from the Pros
Engine Builder’s Stroker Motor Resource Guide has become an annual feature. Last year this publication ran an introductory story about increasing your business with the growing demand for stroker engines. It was focused on popular O.E. and aftermarket-based engine combinations, and covered the basic dos and don’ts of building a stroker motor. We are fully
Valve Seat & Guide Equipment Selection
Cylinder head work is one of the mainstays of any engine building operation, and these components often require valve guide and seat work to restore them for service or to improve performance. In order for a valve to seat correctly, for efficiency and power, engine builders must replace or bring back to spec all valve
Stroker Tips from the Pros
Engine Builder’s Stroker Motor Resource Guide has become an annualfeature. Last year this publication ran an introductory story aboutincreasing your business with the growing demand for stroker engines.It was focused on popular O.E. and aftermarket-based enginecombinations, and covered the basic dos and don’ts of building astroker motor. We are fully aware that the “bread and
CNC Machining: Making Dollars and Sense
"For the first time, we saw people who weren’t overwhelmed by the concept of CNC machines,” Matt Meyer said about the recent PRI trade show. “This was the first year that most people really seemed to know what they were looking at and understood that CNC machines are a viable part of the automotive machine
Performance Oils and Additives: Got Zinc?
How do you choose the right oil for your racing or performance engine application? While you don’t have to be a chemist to know there are differences in oil formulations, these variations can be as broad as the type of oil, or as specific as the additive package that is used. Your father’s motor oil
MAHLE Clevite Announces New Contract with NASCAR
MAHLE Clevite has announced itscontinued support of NASCAR by signing a new contract for the 2008season. A longtime supporter of NASCAR racing, the company has extendedits agreement to again sponsor the Nationwide Series, Craftsman TruckSeries and at the grass roots levels of NASCAR. Under the agreement MAHLE Clevite will enter its second season ofsponsorship of
MAHLE Clevite Inc. Announces Transition to MAHLE White Decal Beginning at 2008 Daytona 500
MAHLE Clevite Inc. has announced that beginning with the 2008 Daytona 500 in February, the company will begin the transition to the MAHLE white decal on the front fender of NASCAR vehicles. Emblazoned with big blue letters, the MAHLE white decal will take the place of the legendary Clevite blue decal and marks a new
Loving Your Job, Losing Your Shirt?
As editor of Engine Builder, I ask a lot of you, the reader. I ask that you read every word of every article, that you buy your parts and equipment from our advertisers and that you complete every survey form and questionnaire immediately, be willing and able to talk to me about any subject whenever