Test Your EQ!
Take the EngineQuest (EQ) cylinder head product quiz on RacingJunk.com and enter to win EQ’s “Head to Vegas” promotion. The quick and easy product quiz will give participants the opportunity to test their knowledge of EQ cylinder heads – the preferred cylinder head of professional engine builders. The “Head to Vegas” promotion, soon to end
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
Mysterious Processes, Proven Results
While cryogenics – the technology for producing and using cold in a variety of ways – saw significant achievements in technology and applications in the latter half of the twentieth century?(and continuing, of course, today), scientists have been developing ways to make things colder and colder since the late 1800s. The successful process of liquifying
Valve Seat Selection and Machining
When rebuilding a cylinder head for a stock automotive application, a performance engine, or a heavy-duty diesel, what kind of replacement seats should you use if the original valve seats need to be replaced? Should you install new seats that are the same as the original seats, or should you use a different type of
Choosing Aftermarket BBC Cylinder Heads for Street/Strip Applications
In 1958, Chevrolet released the first big block for use in its trucks and heavier passenger cars. It was called the “W” engine and it came in three engine displacements until 1965: 348 cid, 409 cid and 427 cid. After Chevy introduced its “mystery engine” to NASCAR in 1962 with a combustion chamber and canted
Why You Should Read This Book
Let’s get it right out on the table here: I am suggesting that you, a professional engine builder who works at a shop that has been in business, on average (according to the latest Machine Shop of the Year results) nearly 28 years, read a book about building Chevy small-blocks. I understand the concern that
SSSSSnake Bit!
In 1974, America watched 93 cars get destroyed in a 34-minute car chase. “Gone In 60 Seconds,” an independent film written, produced and directed by and starring Toby Halicki was an otherwise forgettable ’70s movie. The plot revolved around Mandrian Pace (Halicki) and his car thief cronies and 48 cars that they needed to steal
2009 Machine Shop Market Profile – Part Two
Our story so far: • GM declares bankruptcy. • Chrysler emerges FROM bankruptcy. • Congress passes the Consumer Assist & Save Act of 2009 (Also known as H.R. 2346. Also known as “Cash for Clunkers”). • GM emerges from bankruptcy. • Ford pledges millions to help auto parts supplier Visteon emerge from ITS bankruptcy. Just
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
APRA Launches ‘In It to Win It’ Campaign
TheAutomotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) has launched acampaign to promote the 2009 International BIG R Show to potentialexhibitors and attendees. The 2009 International Big R Show will takeplace Oct. 31 – Nov. 2 in Las Vegas. The BIG R Show will be co-located at The Riviera Hotel & Casinowith ATRA’s Powertrain Expo. Both shows take
Show Your Muscle
Since the dawn of time (well, since the invention of the SECOND automobile), man has been on a quest. A quest to be faster. A quest to be more powerful. A quest to be the best. The true hotrodder uses talent and skill to design, fabricate, analyze and invent in the hopes of rising above
2009 Machine Shop Market Profile – Part One
As the debate over bailouts, bankruptcies and generally bad policy concerning the automotive aftermarket continues in Washington, engine builders may well shrug their shoulders and say “welcome to our world.” Now that new car dealers and manufacturers are taking it on the chin because many consumers have apparently decided that “making do is better than
2009 Machine Shop Market Profile
Now that new car dealers and manufacturers are taking it on the chinbecause many consumers have apparently decided that “making do isbetter than buying new,” there is increased optimism in many segmentsof the service sector. For engine builders – who have been operating ina challenging environment for several years now – the opportunities tobe both
House Energy and Commerce Committee Accepts Cash for Clunkers Program
TheU.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce hasaccepted the "Cash for Clunkers" fleet modernization amendment into thelanguage of House Bill 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Actof 2009, by a vote of 50-4. The amendment’s goal is to replace older,less-fuel-efficient vehicles with new, more-fuel-efficient vehicles –thus spurring new car sales in the
Profiting From Personal Performance
Ifyou’ve been following my articles over the last year, you may bestarting to get some new ideas for finding profits in selling highperformance engines, parts and accessories. We’ve discussed various sales techniques to battle internet and catalogparts sales, or “walk-in parts,” as I like to call them. I wrote aboutstrategies and gave them creative names
Executive Interview with Bill Skok, President of Elgin Industries
BillSkok is president of Elgin Industries, a leading global manufacturer oforiginal equipment and replacement engine and chassis products for theautomotive and commercial vehicle markets. Skok joined the company,founded in 1919 by his grandfather, Martin Skok Sr., as governmentsales administrator in 1985 and became vice president of OEM sales in1988. He was named president of the
Valve Seats & Machining Guide
Engine cooling doesn’t only happen at at the radiator. The valves (particularly the exhaust valves) take a lot of heat from the combustion chamber and the valve seats have the responsibility of helping to cool them off. The seats draw heat away from the valves and conduct it into the cylinder head, providing most of
Stroker Tips – Getting It All to Fit
Almost since the first production engine rolled off the line, people have known that when it comes to power, it’s cubic inches or cubic dollars. In some cases both. There’s only two ways to get more cubes – bigger bore and longer stroke – so engine builders use both to get the performance they want
Stroker Tips – Getting It All to Fit
Almost since the first production engine rolled off the line, peoplehave known that when it comes to power, it’s cubic inches or cubicdollars. In some cases both. There’s only two ways to get more cubes –bigger bore and longer stroke – so engine builders use both to get theperformance they want from the available components.
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