EngINtel: In Lightweight Land Rockets Or Huge Ships, Bedplates Have Presence In Today
Today’s engines are smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient and have the highest output per displacement than at any other time in the history of the automotive industry. With these advantages have come designs that must be able to withstand loads and pressures that go way beyond the large displacement OHV, oil leaking, fuel guzzling street
Egge’s Ernie Silvers Named SEMA/ARMO Person of the Year
Egge Machine and Speed Shop CEO Ernie Silvers, was awarded ARMO’s Person of the Year at the ARMO Reception held at this year’s SEMA Show. With nearly 300-member companies, the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) is the fastest growing council in the SEMA network that is committed to preserving and promoting the automotive restoration industry
COMP Cams, NASCAR Commit To Decade-Long Performance Partnership
COMP Cams and NASCAR have inked an historic agreement to be continue as official Automotive Performance Partners for the next ten years. This status makes COMP Cams an exclusive NASCAR Performance partner, arming COMP with the brand and marketing assets for its high performance products. “We are truly excited to have been able to renew
MAHLE Clevite Inc. Introduces New MAHLE Original Piston Catalog
MAHLEClevite Inc. announces the release of its new MAHLE Original LightVehicle Piston Catalog (PI-20-09), featuring more than 600 new partnumbers. In addition, the new catalog uses a brand-new, user-friendlylayout for quick and easy reference to diagrams, make/model indexes andmore. In connection with the new MAHLE Clevite brand strategy,the catalog introduces the new MAHLE Original part
Manufacturer Tech Tip: Spin Testing Caution
Many engine builders use a test stand thatmotors the engine using an external power source. Duration of this testing mustbe held to an absolute minimum and a test oil, with a high "EP"additive content, used to prevent damage to critical cam lobe and followersurfaces. Typically the engine is fed a light oil by a pump
Cleaning Rules
One of the least pleasant parts of any engine builder’s day is the cleaning process. Removing the oil, carbon and general gunk from blocks, cylinder heads and assorted parts before your inspection, machining and rebuilding process can even begin may seem as painful as a trip to the dentist’s chair. But if you think that
Up-Selling in a Down Market
Do you ever wonder what’s next? First gas prices climb to more than $4.50 per gallon and everyone is dumping their gas-guzzlers. A couple of months later gas free-falls to $1.50 a gallon, but no one cares because people are being laid off in record numbers. Our major investment banks go bust, the credit system
Fueling the Future – Can You Fill Up with Alternative Fuels?
Currently gas prices have stabilized at around $1.83 a gallon, a price at which most Americans feel comfortable driving their SUVs, trucks, race cars, tow vehicles and other motorized toys. But when gas hits $4 and $5 a gallon, driving guzzlers becomes a challenge for many. It was only a few months ago that a
Performance Warehouse Association Presents Awards at SEMA Industry Awards Banquet
PWA Person of the Year: Bob Cook The PWA recently honored Bob Cook as PWA Person of the Year duringthe 2008 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet. Like many of his colleagues,Cook developed his passion for the automotive industry at an early age,and turned it into a lifelong career. “I’d always liked cars,” Cook recalled, “and when
Motor State Distributing Recognized as 2008 WD of the Year at SEMA Show Awards Banquet
Motor State Distributing, a worldwide warehouse distributor ofhigh-performance automotive parts, was presented with the 2008Warehouse Distributor (WD) of the Year Award at the 2008 SEMA ShowIndustry Awards Banquet held in Las Vegas. Motor State Distributing was founded in 1964 in a tiny garage bylongtime racer and enthusiast George Lane. The company has since grownto become
Federal-Mogul Reports Solid Sales Despite Global Economic Downturn
Federal-Mogul has reported solid year-over-year results with third quartersales of $1,692 million, gross margin of $279 million, pre-tax earnings of $22million and net income of $4 million. Cash flow in the third quarter 2008improved to $25 million versus a negative cash flow of $(114) million in thesame period of 2007. Thecompany said these sales and
Egge Machine Hires Tony Colombini as Marketing Director
Egge Machine, the “Obsolete Engine Parts” manufacturer/supplier has hired brand strategist and automotive enthusiast Tony Colombini as Marketing Director. Colombini will pull from his vast experience to share the quality and history of the Egge Brand in the emerging antique, classic, performance and traditional hot rod markets in a variety of mediums. “People don’t
Showpower 2009 to Include Jasper Tour and Seminar
Shop operators and technicians participating in Showpower 2009 will have an opportunity to tour a Jasper Engines and Transmissions remanufacturing facility and take part in a specialized technical and sales seminar. Showpower, Transmission/Undercar Expo, is set for March 26-28, 2009, at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KY. Showpower Coordinator Michelle Dickemann said the
Education Session Scheduled for AAPEX 2008
AAPEX attendees will learn what to expect in the next three to five years in the vehicle market and how to prepare for our rapidly changing industry, during an educational program presented by Mark Seng and David Goebel, R. L. Polk & Co., entitled, "The New Change in the Vehicle Market – What Does It
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.
Takin’ it to the Streets: Performance Valvetrains for [almost] Everyday Use
Even though the valvetain plays a supporting role in the overall performance potential of an engine it can still be a make or – frequently – break proposition for engine builders. In a street performance application in particular your customers are usually quite proud of their vehicles and spend a lot of money on appearance.
Scheid Diesel Silverline Dragster Rail Sets National Record
The Scheid Diesel Silverline diesel dragster made history at the Muncie Dragway, October 18, 2008 in Muncie, IN, and is now the official DHRA National Record holder for the fastest diesel powered vehicle in the quarter-mile. Scheid Diesel Silverline™ Race Team driver Bo Layne made the diesel record-breaking quarter-mile run of 6.908 seconds at
SodaBlast Systems Expands Into Russia
MMLJ, manufacturer of SodaBlast Systems, has announced its expansion into Russia. The explosion of popularity for this green cleaning system has created an international demand for SodaBlast Systems, according to the company. Benny LeCompte, vice-president of SodaBlast Systems, says: “We are excited about the future for SodaBlast systems based on a global call for greener
Polk Introduces New Vehicle Statistics Reports for the Automotive Aftermarket
R. L. Polk& Co. has announced the launch of its New Vehicle Statistics reports forthe automotive aftermarket. The New Vehicle Statistics reports are available ona monthly basis to help provide faster clarity to developing market situations,enabling aftermarket-related companies to make business decisions more efficiently. Now availableto the aftermarket, Polk has provided this information to Original