19th AETC: New Theme Is A Winner
You can always expect to do a fair share of “bench racing” while sitting around the breakfast and lunch table at the Advanced Engineering Technology Conference (AETC). This year did not disappoint. Held just before the PRI Trade Show on December 8-10, 2008, at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, the 19th AETC nearly doubled its
PERA Spring Tech Meeting Preliminary Schedule
The Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) has announced its preliminary program for the upcomping Spring Tech Meeting to be held at Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC, March 18-20. In addition to an impressive line up of speakers, Richard Childress Racing has agreed to let PERA tour their shop. Hendrick Motor Sports will also host
Inaugural Motorsports Industry Trade Show to Debut in Indianapolis in December 2009
Theperformance and racing industry will converge upon Indianapolis inDecember 2009 for the first ever International Motorsports IndustryShow (IMIS). Scheduled to be held Dec. 2-3, 2009 at the IndianapolisConvention Center, the show is owned and promoted by Performance EventsPromotions (PEP) and assisted in presentation by the IndianaMotorsports Association. According to show organizers, IMIS will bringtogether the
BorgWarner Expands Timing System Business in India with Buy-out of Joint Venture
With its engine timing system sales in India expected to show stronggrowth in the future, BorgWarner Morse TEC has bought-out its jointventure with Murugappa Group’s Tube Investments of India (TII) locatedin Chennai, India. In 2001, BorgWarner Morse TEC partnered with TII tomanufacture silent chains for the Indian automotive and two-wheelermarkets, producing more than 4 million
Cummins Revises 2008 Outlook to Reflect Worsening Economic Conditions
Cummins Inc. has revised its outlook for 2008 due to the continuing decline in many of its key markets around the world. The company said it now expects 2008 sales to increase by 9 percentover 2007, compared to its previous guidance of a 12 percent increase.Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) is forecast to be
Horsepower TV Competition
WyoTech grads are gearing up to build engines head-to-head for the second consecutive year on PowerBlock’s Horsepower TV. Set to air as a TV special in April of 2009, the second annual “Scholastic Engine Builder Challenge” pits students from WyoTech’s Sacramento, CA and Blairsville, PA campuses against each other for bragging rights on who can
Motorsports
After 30 years in the Sahara, this year’s route is in Argentina and Chile. Starting in Buenos Aires, the 5600 mile race will take competitors through Patagonia and the Andes mountains to the Atacama Desert, and then on to Valparaiso on the Pacific Ocean before returning to Buenos Aires. The Dakar unites more than
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