North American International Auto Show Wraps Up This Week
As a certified (or certifiable) gear head, one of the things that makes winter more tolerable is seeing what the manufacturers bring to Detroit’s greatest car show – the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The 2015 edition of NAIAS opened its doors to media-types Jan. 12-13. NAIAS has typically positioned itself as the “strategic choice” for manufacturers from all over the globe to launch new vehicles and concepts on a world stage.
Ed Pink Receives Prestigious Robert E. Petersen Award
Legendary engine builder Ed Pink is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at the recent SEMA trade show in Las Vegas. At the breakfast awards ceremony, Pink was introduced by Meguiars Car Care founder and host of the “Car Crazy” TV show, Barry Meguiar.
The Boxer Engine: Novel Technology or Dying Fad?
In an era where even the once mighty V configuration seems to be giving way to the next generation of in-line fuel savers, many are wondering what this spells for the boxer engine. Going by many names, such as opposed, boxer, and flat, the engine configuration famous to such cars as the Porsche 911 has had a storied run throughout the decades.
GM’s New 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
General Motors has announced that its latest transmission, titled the 8L90, will be available in the 2015 Corvette Stingray and eventually availed in the Camaro and a host of Cadillac models. The new transmission is an eight speed automatic with paddle sifters, intended to rival the semi-automatic transmission technologies being employed by European manufacturers. The steering
VP Racing Fuels Taps Chris Wall to Lead Corporate Marketing
VP Racing Fuels has announced the appointment of industry veteran Chris Wall as Chief Marketing Officer. VP’s recent growth and changes have poised VP to become an international force not only in race fuel, but also in performance chemicals for both the racing and consumer markets and in the retail gasoline market. This announcement is
Tech Spotlight: Variable Geometry Turbochargers
With the Green Revolution upon us, the turbocharger is making big waves. Whether it serves the purpose of making performance vehicles even more high performing, or just making our daily drivers more efficient. Turbocharged cars often experience ‘lag’ at lower speeds, due the time required for sufficient exhaust pressure to build up and spool the
BorgWarner Awarded for its Turbocharging Technologies
BorgWarner Turbo Systems received an AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award 2014 during a ceremony held recently in Frankfurt, Germany. Organized by the Center of Automotive Management (CAM) and PricewaterhouseCoopers, BorgWarner was honored in the Powertrain Technology category for a variety of turbocharging technologies, including regulated two-stage (R2S®) and three-stage (R3S) turbocharging systems and variable turbine geometry (VTG) turbochargers.
GM’s LT4 Small Block Sets New Company Benchmark for Power and Torque
The all-new 2015 Corvette Z06 is the most powerful production car ever from General Motors and one of a few production cars available in the United States that delivers more than 600 horsepower. The Z06’s LT4 supercharged 6.2L V8 engine is SAE-certified at 650 horsepower (485 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 650 lb-ft of torque
Turbochargers: Small Engine Performance – Turbo Technology
Turbochargers are making a comeback, big time! Auto makers are under pressure from the government to boost their Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) numbers to over 40 mpg by 2021. One of the ways they are going to accomplish this is to downsize engines and add turbochargers to boost performance so smaller engines can still
Antique Automobile Club of America Museum Wins Five National Awards
The Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Museum was awarded five NAMMY Awards during the National Association of Automobile Museums (NAAM) Conference held last week at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, California. The National Association of Automobile Museums is a professional center of excellence for automobile museums and affiliated organizations that supports, educates and
CRP Automotive 2014 Pentosin Technical Fluids Catalog
CRP Automotive has released its 2014 catalog of Pentosin Technical Fluids for automotive applications. The 218-page catalog features a variety of antifreezes, brake fluids, hydraulic fluids, motor oils and transmission fluids that are engineered to meet the demanding standards and specifications established by many of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers for service refill, including Acura,
Choosing the ‘Right’ Oil
Every engine builder knows the importance of using not only high-quality motor oil in an engine, but also an oil that has the right additive package and viscosity for the application. This is especially important in performance applications where extremes of heat and pressure can push many ordinary motor oils to the brink. Motor oil
Ward’s 10 Best Engines of 2014
Penton’s WardsAuto has named three diesels, a tiny 3-cylinder turbo and a battery-electric vehicle to its annual 2014 Ward’s 10 Best Engines, illustrating the importance of fuel economy as automakers develop and market advanced new powertrains. This is the 20th year for Ward’s 10 Best Engines, a competition created to recognize outstanding powertrain achievement, world-class technologies and those
The 1965 McKee Mk V Is Considered a Crowning Jewel for Committed “Hemi” Collectors
The McKee remains simply one of the most fascinating pieces of Chrysler factory-backed racing history in private hands today. Following NASCAR’s ban on Chrysler’s new 426 Hemi engine for the 1965 racing season, fast-rising driver Richard Petty searched for other racing series to carry the Chrysler banner. Since Illinois’ Bob McKee had just begun construction
Historical Vehicle Auction Held During Grand Prix Weekend
The Motostalgia Auction d’Elegance auction was held the weekend of the 2013 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, bringing 75 of the finest and most sought after vehicles from around the globe to the city. The Motostalgia live auction, “Auction d’Eelegance,” was held November 16 at the Austin Convention Center.
Parts Making With Your CNC
Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) machining allows engine builders to achieve almost unbelievable levels of accuracy and consistency. The programmability of a digital computer not only automates the operation of the equipment but also provides a level of repeatability that can’t be matched by manual equipment. That’s why CNC has been the backbone of virtually all
HPBG: Ed Pink Racing Engines
The staff of Engine Builder and a panel of industry professionals, including presenting sponsor Driven Racing Oil have selected Ed Pink Racing Engines of Van Nuys, CA, as their choice for the inaugural “Performance Engine Builder of the Year” award – and for good reason. With a body of work going back over 50 years,
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
GRAND-AM Road Racing, American Le Mans Series Announce Historic Merger
Plans for a landmark merger of GRAND-AM Road Racing and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) were unveiled Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway. Under terms of the merger, the following entities will combine with GRAND-AM: the American Le Mans Series; the International Motor Sports Association, which sanctions ALMS events; the Road Atlanta race track
Stock Car Engines and Sanctioning Bodies: Different Groups, Different Rules
But for engine builders, keeping up with these groups, and the many sets of rules, can be quite a task. How do you stay on top of what’s legal AND competitive? We will take a closer look at a number of groups that are off NASCAR’s beaten path and see what they have for rules.