There is probably a transmission shop in almost every town in the country that can build a bulletproof transmission for American made vehicles. Whether it is a late model Mustang or a 60’s Chevelle, there are lots of aftermarket components and many years of technology available for the transmission rebuilder to utilize.

The same cannot be said for the 4EAT automatic transmissions found in Subaru vehicles. In factory form, these transmissions demonstrate several problem areas that can cause failure in as little as 20,000 miles with a stock engine and even sooner in modified applications.

Poor shift quality, anemic factory components, and above all, improperly configured torque converters plague the automatic transmission equipped vehicle. This is in conjunction with the automatic’s propensity to burn out the high clutch pack (third gear) and the 2-4 clutches (second and fourth gear) with even moderate increases in engine output.

Realizing the need to take import and sport compact automatics to their fullest potential, IPT Performance Transmissions- a New Jersey based company, committed a large portion of their research time and dollars toward improving the Subaru automatic transmission.

First up on the hit parade of internal modifications is the need to address the issue of valve body calibration. The valve body mods are really the foundation of any performance trans rebuild. An automatic transmission utilizes a network of valves, servos, solenoids, orifices, accumulators and passages that control and route hydraulic pressure to the appropriate places to apply the clutches and bands.

Without going into elaborate detail which would fall outside the scope of this article, suffice it to say that modifying the valve body effectively changes the rate of clutch apply and also increases the clamping force with which these components have to work with. This is why shift kits and modified valve bodies produce that firm, performance type shift that increases the transmission’s overall capacity for power handling.

Next, all critical support bushings need to be replaced to insure that the centerline of the transmission runs in perfect alignment with the centerline of the crankshaft. Ignoring this step puts a lot of undue stress on the internal transmission components.

Many of the other parts also such as the pinion shaft, the front differential ring gear and the planetary gearset undergo various metallurgical processes such as heat treating, Meta-Lax stress relieving, and cryogenic treatment (freezing them in liquid nitrogen at -300 degrees Fahrenheit to ‘reset’ the part’s structure on the molecular level).

Lastly, all of the required seals and gaskets are changed to materials that are better able to cope with the heat and stress that is common in high powered applications. Performance clutches and steel reaction plates are installed and their clearances set to much more exacting specifications than those that are used by the factory. Most importantly, IPT utilizes a proprietary six disk high clutch pack and a five disk 2-4 clutch pack which increases the second, third, and fourth gear torque capacity by over 25% versus the factory set up- this is the key to getting a high powered vehicle make a 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 shift instead of just bouncing off the rev limiter.

As for the modifications outside of the gearbox, the next thing of importance is of course the torque converter. In an automatic equipped vehicle, one of the most important components in the entire car in regards to optimizing performance is a correctly configured converter.

In addition to being made with many strength improvements over the factory piece, a performance converter enables a vehicle to better take advantage of the RPM range at which maximum power is made. In simple terms, a properly designed converter will allow a vehicle to launch under more power by increasing the rpm at which the launch takes place. In essence, a torque converter is an infinitely variable transmission in and of itself, and altering its torque multiplying characteristics becomes absolutely necessary when other variables in the vehicle are changed (bigger turbos and bigger cams).

Even in otherwise stock turbocharged Subaru vehicles, ET reductions of over one full second are not at all uncommon with the addition of a properly configured converter.

Transmission, torque converter and valve body upgrades are not only for American made vehicles anymore. Increased performance, durability and more efficient shifting is now available for the vehicles of almost every manufacturer- thanks in part to the few companies that are willing to do the research and development work required for this rapidly growing segment of the automotive aftermarket.



By: John Lombardo

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Once your new car is delivered in your garage, you would want to see it always new, damage free, and clean. Of course you definitely would also want to always experience excellent driving with it. So why not maintain your car as striking as always while it is still new?

In whatever item, the first thing that people notice about is the outside appearance. In the case of your car, it is definitely the exterior. For your new car to have an ever striking appearance, the best thing to do is to maintain its exterior.

To prevent road salt and acid rain from marking the paint and eating into the sheet metal, apply some coat of wax. Religious waxing every after six months will protect the paint of your car and will surely keep it looking new for several years. Another option is a weekly car washing. As washing a teenager’s face regularly makes her younger looking, weekly car washing also makes your car fresh looking. But see to it that your car will undergo an under car wash section every car washing. This washes away road salt and keeps the car from rusting from the inside. This will also contribute to your car’s better performance because rust free auto parts function well.

If your car happens to be one with a convertible top, make sure the top is clean by applying some convertible top conditioner every six months to maintain its good condition.

Replacing the wiper blades once a year is also a good practice. Wiper refills only cost less. But despite this fact most car owners only replaced them when they start streaking and skipping. Use the appropriate wiper blades for the season to avoid possible wear and tear.

Remember that every part of your car is important. It goes with the saying that all should be clean and in good condition. While it is true the exterior is the first thing that is seen by the people, the interior is also important because it is where you and your family will be seating and that will determine your riding and driving comfort.

Much as you keep the outside part clean, do the same on the interior. On your leather seats, apply some leather dressing once a year to keep them flexible and prevent them from cracking. Frequent vacuuming of the carpets, mats and rags prevents dirt from your interior. Putting some accessories and spraying your desired auto fragrance can also help in maintaining a nice interior.

Other important aspects of your car that go hand in hand are the fluids and the engine. Without it, your car will not run.

In addition, regularly check the fluid levels. See to it that they are up to the full marks and top off your windshield washer fluid. But if it does not reach the exact mark, no need to worry; at least make sure it is nearing the full marks. Also see to it that it will not over flow in the cylinder. And remember that an always low fluid is a sign of leakage.

Try to look around the engine and see if there are any signs of growing problems. You may not know that something is wrong but eventually, you will understand what is normal for your car, and what is not.

Also inspect the tires. Analyze if there are loose parts. The exhaust pipe might already be hanging lower than normal or a piece of body molding is already starting to come off. To know if the car has shocks or struts that are starting to go bad, bounce the corners of the car and if it bounces more than two times, then something is wrong.

By doing this maintenance, you are assured of an always new looking car. And to make sure that your “always new looking car” will really be new looking always, maintain your garage’s cleanliness. Properly store unnecessary things around your car such as the tools you used while repairing it like the carburator rebuild kit and the vacuum cleaner.

Truly, things happen when you least expect them. Before anything gets worst, better prevent the undesirable things. Always maintain your car.



By: Evander Klum

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Recent History of Cylinder Types

The oldest and most common method of cylinder design is a cast iron block that is machined with a cylindrical bore directly from a solid casting. There is also a cast iron block that incorporates a sleeve that is pressed into the iron block. Generally iron block motors weren’t very successful in small engines. Most small engines were used in vehicles and equipment that needed to be light and mobile. This made cast iron blocks undesirable for this purpose. There were a lot of single cylinder motors used in lawn mowers, construction equipment, scooters, small tractors and small motorcycles that used cast iron block motors in the early years. These began to disappear in the 60’s and they were replaced by aluminum block motors with cast-in iron liners. This opened the door for new lightweight motors that could be used in many more applications and in bigger displacements than ever before. This was accomplished by placing a cast iron sleeve into the mold before the molten aluminum was poured into the mold. This made the sleeve an integral part of the cylinder block. The sleeve usually had locking rings or flanges around the outside to prevent it from slipping in the casting as the engine expanded from the heat generated by the combustion process. A major problem occurred often when air pockets would develop during the casting operation around the sleeve. This caused hot spots and often caused premature engine cylinder failure.

There is another type of aluminum block with a cast iron sleeve that wasn’t cast-in; it is installed in the block after casting. The cylinder bore of the aluminum block is machined to 3-5 thousands of an inch less than the sleeve diameter, block is then heated to around 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and the sleeve is dropped in. When the block cools the sleeve is held in place by the interference fit and the flange at the top or bottom of the cylinder. This cylinder can be rebuilt by simply re-heating the block to 600 degrees and removing the old sleeve and replacing it with a new one. Of course the finish bore will have to be machined to size and honed.

Near the end of the last century it was discovered that you could make a mold pattern using a computer aided molding system out of Styrofoam. This made it possible to have precise duplicate patterns of a particular cylinder that you wanted to mold of aluminum.

These are placed in a mold made of sand, molten aluminum is then poured slowly into the mold melting and replacing the Styrofoam pattern. This process is called total loss mold casting. Now all they have to do is a little milling and drilling, plate the bore and hone to size. For the two stroke market the best part of this is the finished product is an identical copy of the original. The factories love this because it just eliminated a whole lot of assembly line workers. No more absenteeism, no health insurance or pensions, and no coffee breaks. As far as the consumer goes they get a cylinder that doesn’t need a lot porting before they can be competitive.

There are a lot of four stroke motors that use aluminum blocks and aluminum sleeves that are plated a variety of hard finishes. These sleeves can be removed and replaced. The replacement sleeve can be either iron or aluminum. If you want an aluminum sleeve it will have to be plated after installing otherwise it won’t be true and round.

There are several types of plating that has been used over the years, and the companies doing plating guard their formulas carefully. The finish in the early years was a simple chrome or hard chrome electro-plating. The plating was generally only a few thousands of an inch thick. If it was more than about ten thousands of an inch thick it was prone to chipping or flaking because of heat expansion and contraction. In the early seventies Electrofusion became popular. Electrofusion was different from electroplating in as much as it was a fusion process instead of electroplating. Next there was ceramic composites and Boron. All of these perform in about the same way as far as wear and durability. Then there was Nikasil. Nikasil was a new plating formula of nickel-silicon-carbide. It was harder than the others that came before it. For years you couldn’t get a cylinder re-plated when you damaged one, the only way to get going again was to buy a new one. Now you can choose from many companies doing their own version of Nikasil.

Now let’s look at a person’s choice of repair or rebuilding methods for their Motorcycle, ATV, Snowmobile, Personal Watercraft, or Outboard. You can have your Nikasil or other plated cylinder re-plated (or some called it re-coated). This includes the composite types.

Or you can have it sleeved with a hardened alloy steel or cast iron (when you add alloys to iron its considered steel). If your cylinder has an iron sleeve already, whether it’s cast-in or not, you’re only real choice is replacing it with another sleeve or a sleeve liner.

Let’s assume you’re an avid racer and race 25 weekends a year, you’re going to need a rebuild of your cylinder by the end of the year no matter what type cylinder you have. If it is a plated type cylinder you have three choices. 1- buy a new cylinder for $500-600 for the top end and expect to do the same next year. 2- re-plate it for about $300-400 with piston kit and gaskets and figure on doing it again next year. 3- have it sleeved for about $250-350 with piston kit and gaskets and next year have it bored (most models) to the next size for about $55 plus piston kit and gaskets.

A properly sleeved cylinder will perform as well as any plated cylinder. A properly sleeved cylinder is one that has the proper interference fit, proper pre-sleeve bore finish, accurate flange machining, and sleeve made from the proper alloys. The most popular sleeve is the Moly 2000 chrome-moly iron. The proper boring and honing to match the piston clearance requirements goes without saying.

Pros and Cons

Re-Plated Cylinder Bore

Pros

• Small advantage in heat transfer

• Slightly better wear factor

• Somewhat lower co-efficient of friction

• Weighs a few ounces less

Cons

• Costs slightly more

• Can’t be bored when damage occurs

• More fragile

• Can flake and peel

Iron Sleeved Cylinder Bore

Pros

• Costs less

• Boreable for future over sizes

• Honeable to keep bore true and proper ring seal

• Can be worked with common tools

• Can be replaced when needed

Cons

• Slightly slower heat transfer

The Bottom Line

Both systems perform equally well when professionally done, so it really comes down to economics. You can expect a sleeved cylinder to give more life for the money. Re-plated cylinders are as close to original as you can get. So if you’re happy with your OEM plated cylinder you should have it re-plated. If not have it sleeved by a company that has the reputation, experience, and warrantees to protect your investment. http://kustom-kraft.com



By: Thomas C Schueneman

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Summer is here and that means many men and women will be spending more time out on the links exploring new as well as familiar courses and improving their game along the way. Just as golfers get a workout each day of play, so does their golf cart. Golf carts work hard for us. They do, however, need some basic care to ensure they will last for several golfing seasons.

Golf cart maintenance is made simple when simple things are checked and cleaned often and regularly. By setting a schedule for check-ups and doing some basic clean-up and study of your small engine vehicle, your golf cart will last for several golf seasons.

Create A Maintenance Schedule

Keeping your golf cart in good working order can be accomplished by giving some of its basic functions a simple weekly check-up. If you golf every day, you may want to consider checking items more frequently. The objective of setting a maintenance schedule is to help you remember to give the cart time and attention on a regular basis.

Below are some basic items that should be checked during a regular weekly maintenance schedule.

Clean The Battery

Dirt can have an impact the usability of a golf cart. Dirt, dust and grass do not hurt but they can interfere with the battery connections leaving the cart under-powered. Spilled battery acid has the same affect. Cleaning the top and sides of the battery along with the cart itself is important to the long-term life of the cart as well as its day to day performance.

Water Levels

It is important that you check the electrolyte water levels in each cell of the batteries because the leaded plates in the battery must be submerged in order for it to work properly. Check the water levels weekly and refill them as needed using distilled water. The owner’s manual will indicate how full the cells should be for your golf cart model. Take the appropriate safety precautions when doing this by wearing gloves and goggles.

Connection Check

Again, a golf cart runs on the power of several batteries that work together through connecting cables. These cables should be checked weekly for corrosion or debris. The connections and the battery caps should also be tightened if needed. Damaged connectors can be change by yourself or you can take it in for professional repair. Keeping these connections in quality condition is vital to keeping a golf cart running smoothly and at its top performance potential.

Beyond Weekly Maintenance

Golf cart owners should also plan a major check-up every three months. The golf cart’s break system, suspension, engine and tires can be thoroughly looked at, cleaned and fixed as needed during these visits. Conducting these thorough checks a few times a year and before a cart is put away for the winter will help catch any major functionality problems early to better save you time and money.

Golf carts work hard for us every year. They also make the sport of golf a little more fun. Take some time to help ensure that you golf cart lasts as long as you need them.

~Ben Anton, 2008



By: Ben Anton

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Mike Tredway of Lebanon, Missouri has spent the better part of his life as an over the road truck driver. He knows the highways and back roads of our great United States and Canada like the back of his hand. Whats more so, is that he also spent many years working on these big rigs and then later he began rebuilding cars and trucks that had been wrecked.

One look at Mike, and 10 minutes into any conversation with him, you will immediately peg him as a trucker. His real passion, however, is building Peterbilt Pick-Up Trucks. Meshing together the chassis of full size pick up trucks such as Cheverolet,Dodge,Ford and GMC with the bigger dogs such as Peterbilt,Freightliner,Mack, etc., is the perfect blend for Mike. His experience and love for trucks, big and small has helped to create a true work of art.

Where does one start when contemplating such a task as building a “little big truck?” The chassis is the first place to start. Mike can start with a regular chassis, super-duty or what ever and add the motor of your choice, suspension, transmission and most importantly…the cab of what ever big rig you choose.

The first truck he built, he didn’t cut down any on the size of the cab. The finished product was beautiful but the lines of the body didn’t suit him. It was too obvious that it was two different vehicles put together to make one.

Mike is somewhat of a perfectionist, and realizing how this truck looked just didn’t set well with him. He decided there would have to be some subtle modifications made to the cabs of the big trucks in order for them to match the lines of the pick up truck beds/wheel wells, etc.

Since that first inseption, he has grown and developed his process of building Peterbilt Pick-Up Trucks to the point that they look like they could have been built in Detroit. But one closer look to the custom interiors, paint jobs, wheels, stacks and his favorite 502 Crate Motor, and you can see there is nothing ordinary about these pick up trucks.

Each pick up truck that is built starts with an indepth conversation with the potential buyer. Mike likes to get to know the customer so their wants, dreams and desires regarding their Peterbilt Pick Up Truck can be incorporated into the build to make it truly a custom, one of a kind rig.

Contact is usually made via e-mail over the internet after someone has visited his internet site. There you can see pictures of the first one built. It of course was the very first one befor he decided the lines didn’t fit just right.

Mike then likes to meet (if possible) with the customer and goes over things like weather they want a Chevy, Ford, or Dodge chassis. Then they discuss the size of the engine, transmission, suspension, etc. After that a price quote is given to the customer and half is due at the time of order with the balance due in full upon delivery.

The pride and care that goes into these Peterbilt Pick-Up Trucks shows up in his shop as well. The 40X80 shop is almost as spotless as what you see on TV watching someone like Boyd Cottington. He is very organized and detail oriented. It’s just himself and his son that built these rigs so it takes about 160 days from start to finish and I can guarantee you he knows where every wrench, nut, bolt, screw,jack and lug nut is at in his shop.

This little shop is probably one of the best kept secrets in his community. Peterbilt Pick-Up Trucks are a custom and very unique vehicle which is also why they are considered a high end luxury vehicle. Not everyone can afford them. Which is probably a good thing because if everyone could, Mike would never get a break to rest.

Now as far as a fiberglass kit is conserned…need I say more? You get what you pay for. Even though I’m a car kind of lady, I want one of these Peterbilt Pick-Up Trucks.

By: Holly Hendrick

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Golf course managers know that having well trimmed and well cared for greenways is one of the marks of having a successful course. There are many things that a golf course or facilities manager is going to have to be responsible for as they maintain the facilities for the golf course, and some of the main aspects are making sure that golfers enjoy the time there, the course is pretty, kept up and well maintained, and that all of the facilities look the same. As golf course equipment undergoes normal wear and tear, it might be tempting to get rid of older truckster, mower and cart equipment when the small engine’s productivity deteriorates. Though it may seem that getting rid of these things and buying new ones is the right solution for the good of the course, repowering the small engine using an engine rebuild kit may save you money and time in the long-run.

Golf course facilities manager know that funding for new grounds equipment can be hard to come by at times. Investing in new equipment that is heavily worked may not be an option for smaller courses. It is unlikely that a golf cart or truckster used for hauling equipment can be easily replaced with a brand new piece of equipment with without much discussion and consideration. By repowering the equipment (using a rebuild kit to replace a faulty engine with a newer, better suited small engine) managers are able to improve the productivity of their existing carts and mowers while not needing to request large amounts of funds to keep the course in perfect shape.

The rebuild and re-power kits that you can find online can help you do many things. First of all, they are both repair and upgrade kits for golf cart small engines and the golf course trucksters small engines. The small engine rebuild kit can also help you do something as equally important, which is improve the performance of these engines. By fixing the ones that break and improving the performance of the ones that are not broken but are in need of performance repair, you can help make sure that you never have to replace a small engine again. It may seem like a large undertaking to replace the small engine in one of these vehicles. With a proper repower rebuild kit, the instructions are very clear and concise and the necessary parts are included and spelled out in detail, making the process much easier than one would anticipate.

Why is it important to make sure that you never have to purchase another golf cart or course mower in the next twenty years? First of all, these are expensive items that are a significant investment to simply replace. Also, as a golf cart or other golf course equipment begin to experience engine problems, their fuel efficiency and productivity waivers. This can cost more in the long-run.

There are rebuild kits that are available to you online and along with detailed information on installation, benefits and features. Repowering these small engines is a great way to extend the life of course equipment without breaking the bank.

~Ben Anton, 2007



By: Ben Anton

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The Toyota Motor Corp., the second largest automaker around the globe, is now in hot water along with other auto giants. The situation has been triggered by the increasing number of recalls and customer service campaigns.

Seiichi Sudo, the president of Toyota’s North American engineering and manufacturing unit, said “the increasing recall trend” is the key risk about the latest challenges encountered by the automaker. During the presentation, Sudo showed a chart about recalls and less-formal customer service campaigns or CSCs. The chart revealed a dramatic increase in recalls and CSCs in 2005 and 2006. Said occurrences are pointing to “design issues” and “high project workload” as the culprits.

Another chart showed that warranty claims have decreased. This is a positive indication that quality is being maintained. However, one commentary stated, “chronic issues still exist.” A particular “planning document” that covers Toyota’s challenges in the next five years is now held by the Free Press. According to the automaker’s spokesman, “It is unfortunate that a confidential and proprietary Toyota document was released outside the company.”

Lately, Toyota has been receiving affirmative predictions from analysts in the industry. These analysts have even predicted that the automaker will dethrone GM as the world’s largest automaker. And the said prediction is expected to transform into reality any time this year. The prediction was anchored on the increasing global production and demands. In 2006, Toyota produced 9 million vehicles which is an increase by 9.5 percent from the previous year’s production. In the same year, GM produced 9.18 million vehicles. This year, Toyota is working on the margin.

Despite the concerns that the automaker is facing, Toyota has fewer 2006 recalls in the United States than GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Honda or Volkswagen. As reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Toyota recalls dropped by about two-thirds to 814,507 vehicles in 2006.

Before the launch production of the new Toyota Tundra, Gary Convis, senior vice president of manufacturing in North America for Toyota, said maintaining quality is critical to Toyota’s success. “The quality has got to be perfect. Every truck has got to be perfect.” The aim to perfect quality is common among automakers. Ford engines, Volvo power steering pump and GM radiators as well as other auto parts are all aimed at quality.

However, Toyota had a series of high-profile quality issues in the previous year. As a fact, it has conducted a worldwide recall in May covering approximately 1 million vehicles that include two-thirds of the Prius hybrids sold in the United States. In January, Toyota recalled 533,000 Tundra pickups and Sequoia SUVs manufactured at Indiana factory due to a flaw that causes difficulty in steering.

Toyota has settled a class action, which has started in the late 1990s, for potential sludge damage in some of its vehicles including the Camry. Analysts and critics alike are studying closely the moves of the automaker including its manner of solving problems. Toyota Way plan formulated by the automaker ensures that each year is stretched further to expand and improve.

According to Neal Oddes, the director of product research and analysis for J.D. Power and Associates, “Redesigns and new vehicle launches often lead to a higher number of quality issues, but expansion has not affected Toyota’s overall quality so far.” The Lexus brand ranked second and the Toyota brand fourth in the previous year’s J.D. Power Initial Quality Study for fewest problems per vehicle after three months on the road. Porsche and Hyundai were first and third, respectively.

Oddes added, “The competition has closed the gap, but Toyota has continued to improve to keep its position at or near the top of the rankings. We haven’t seen any dip in quality. They continue to perform the same, if not better, than what they’ve previously done. Toyota stays at the top because it has an obsession with quality. Their whole culture is built around reliability.”



By: Glady Reign

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When your car’s engine suddenly turns up smoke, you need not to panic; and knowing why this happens will help you stay calm.

Smokes in the engine occur because it may be worn. There is a possibility for a worn engine to smoke due to oil leaks into the cylinders around worn valve guides, or worn oil rings, or both. Under these circumstances, white smoke will be produced. This is process is oil burning. This is differentiated from fuel burning, wherein a rich fuel problem creates black smoke.

When you start the engine after it had been resting for hours and you drag white smoke, the problem could be worn valve guides. While the car is at rest, oil that lies on the cylinder leads the leaks into the cylinders. Since the engine is at rest, the oil sufficiently gathers that causes a momentarily smoke once the engine is started.

There is no need to rush or to be hysterical as long as the smoking engine does not affect spark plugs too often and can still pass emission tests. The only bad news is that you cannot use your car for a while to ensure safety. Under this circumstance, it is best to bring your car to a mechanic to immediately resolve the problem.

Sometimes, the problem could be other parts like the muffler. Ask a mechanic to know if your Dynomax muffler already needs a replacement.

When you are on the road and your car suddenly begins to belch out white smoke and something broke, immediately park it and start scheduling a rebuild or a replacement for your engine.

A white smoke coming from your engine implies a tired engine. It therefore needs a complete rebuilding. Unless you can do the rebuilding by yourself through your owner’s manual as a guide, take your car engine to a reliable auto repair shop. Let the cylinders, block deck cylinder head(s), rods, engine heads, and crankshaft be repaired. Buy a master engine kit that contains piston rings, main, rod and camshaft bearing, a new camshaft (stock) and lifters, timing gears and timing chain, oil pump of normal volume, freeze plugs, gaskets and seals. It is also best to have a new water pump.

Keep this in mind: Never ever attempt to rebuild the engine by yourself without properly understanding what are written in the manual and well functioning accurate tools. And if you are doing it for the first time, be sure to have the assistance of someone who has the knowledge on this matter.

Make sure to always rebuild your engine as it was originally built to avoid future damages, minimize cost and effort and to assure longer engine life.

Exact factory replacement engines are available for some cars. And you will be surprised because they are sold under a just enough price. These are known as factory crate engines. These are top of the line brand new engines that are made by the car manufacturers and have a fair warranty. Your car dealer can give you the options. Then canvas the price among dealers and suppliers to find the quality yet affordable one.

Remember not to do a rebuild by yourself when you are not prepared. For sure, you just cannot do the right job and you will probably end up having an injury. A good rebuild needs a quality engine lift and then followed by pulling the engine. You are assured of less hassle in the future when you are able to do the right rebuild.

If your car is high mileage, say over 100K miles, you may pull the engine and transmission together. After doing such, you can rebuild them both at once.



By: Evander Klum

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In an emergency you’ll need to provide and receive help, and after it’s over, you’ll have to return, repair, and rebuild. Central to this is communication and documentation. Our society loves red tape, especially after disasters. Below are 50 ways the camera phone can be used in an emergency to document, record, and relay important information.

Any camera could be used for some of these things, but the phonecam carries a distinct advantage. It can immediately transmit your pictures. If you don’t have a phonecam, go with what you have, or what you can afford. Disposable cameras and digital cameras are acceptable. However, the phonecam rules, so let’s look at ways yours can be used in an emergency. These are excerpts from “Disaster Prep 101” at http://www.disasterprep101.com.

1. Last minute child ID. Whenever the family might be separated, take last-minute pictures of all family members, especially the kids, and pets.

2. Send a map. To send or receive directions to or from a location when voice directions aren’t working, draw a map on paper, take a picture, and send.

3. Injury photos to the doctor. Suppose help isn’t available, and someone’s sick or injured. If there are visible signs or symptoms, relay pictures to medical personnel who can walk you through whatever treatment is possible where you are.

4. Damage documentation. In catastrophes, it’ll be days before insurance adjusters get there to file claims. Photo all damage in case some of it gets repaired or cleaned up before agents arrive.

5. Report suspicious activity. If you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood, upload pictures of suspects and the situation to the Police immediately.

6. “Here’s the landmark.” Gathering the family is critical. If you don’t have a fixed meeting place, send pictures of where and what you’re near so others can find you. This also works well if you’re lost in the wilderness and need to relay pictures of landmarks.

7. “Meet us here.” If you have a fixed rendezvous point, send a pic you already have on file, so others will know where to meet. Take these photos while compiling your family emergency plan.

8. Photo shopping list. When stocking up in anticipation of an emergency, take a picture of your pantry as a quick shopping list.

9. Driving directions. If you’re trying to tell others where a certain location is, send a picture by picture set of directions. Create this file while assembling your family reaction plan.

10. “Meet this person.” If your family evacuates, and they know where to go, but haven’t met the family contact person, send them a picture of the person they’re to meet, or send that person pictures of the people heading their way.

11. Last minute property inventory. If you’re evacuating, snap quick shots of your property to include purchases not on your last home inventory, and the current condition of your property.

12. “Adventure” journal. Take pictures to record what you do, where you go, and people you meet during an evacuation, etc.

13. Situational severity. In a large-scale emergency, first responders will be overworked. They might not be available for a “minor situation.” However, the situation might be worse than they understand, and you might need serious help. Send a picture of how bad things are.

14. Quick text messaging. You might not have time to type a message, and the lines might not be open long enough for a conversation. Write a note on paper, take a picture, and send that.

15. Minor traffic mishap. In a minor fender-bender, with no injuries or disabled vehicles, most jurisdictions will tell you to “swap info and move along.” If that’s the case (always call 911 to make sure), photo the vehicular damage, people involved, witnesses at the scene (and their car tag numbers), and of others involved in the accident to show their injuries (or lack thereof).

16. Wallet backup. Take pictures of your wallet’s contents (or important documents) to record numbers, and show that cards are or were in your possession. Be careful with this info as it’s very sensitive and can be used for identity theft!

17. Inclement weather reporting. If you’re the first to see the funnel cloud, hail, or a river overflowing, send a picture to the weather service or authorities as rapid proof an emergency is developing.

18. First Responder intel. The more first responders know about a collapsed house, an auto accident, a fire in progress, or any other emergency, the more rapid and appropriate a reaction they can make.

19. Missing persons. Send picture of picture. In addition to last minute family photos, send a picture of a photograph in your purse or wallet of a missing family member.

20. Relay property damage to or from neighbors. After a disaster, whoever goes home first, either you or your neighbors, could photograph area damage and relay info to the other.

21. Help insurance adjusters find your property. After a devastating incident, street signs will be gone, house numbers won’t be visible, etc. Take current pictures of landmarks or unique damage near or at your property to make it easier to find you.

22. Copy bulletin boards. If you’re in an emergency shelter, and there’s an info bulletin board, you’ll need the info but might not be able to write it down. Take a picture!

23. Bus, subway, or city map. If you’re anywhere you’re not familiar with and there’s a posted map, take a picture of it for later reference if you get lost.

24. Document your route. When traveling to a new area, and you want to find your way back, take pictures along the way of landmarks at turns you make, forks in the road, etc.

25. Record medicines or food brands. To relay information about medications, or if you have special dietary needs and are sending information regarding certain brands to someone, a picture really is worth a thousand words.

26. Parking spot locations. Don’t trust your memory, trust a picture. Take a pic of where you left your vehicle either in a lot or in a parking deck.

27. Engine repairs. Should you break down and your vehicle shows outward signs of problems such as steam shooting from a hose, or liquids dripping from the engine, send a pic to a mechanic who may talk you through a quick fix.

28. Business or service function and hours. Copy posted business hours or listed service functions (and pricing) for later review and recall. This is also a good way to report price gouging.

29. Child custodian. If you can’t get to your kids at school or other function, relay a picture of the person who is coming to pick them up. Send this picture to the school or function, and to your child (if they have a phonecam).

30. Info on injured or hospitalized people. You might be in a position to send pictures to people looking for loved ones or vice-versa.

31. Hotel room number. Whenever you get a hotel room, take a picture to find your way back. Photo the room number on the door, and the name of the motel and adjacent buildings.

32. ID your evac gear. As with all belongings, take a picture to prove ownership. This might come in handy with theft in emergency shelters. It’s a rare occurrence, but be ready to prove things are yours.

33. Photo scavenger hunt. You’ll need something to entertain the kids. Give them a short list of things they should take a picture of. First one to take all the pictures wins!

34. Identify the close-up. Another idea is to take a really close up picture of something while the kids aren’t looking, and have them figure out what it is.

35. Document your whereabouts. Let’s say looting or rioting is occurring. You can help Police by secretively taking pictures of the perpetrators (not really recommended for safety reasons), or take pictures as you’re leaving to document the fact you weren’t involved.

36. ID the rescuer. If a rescuer is picking up your child or pet, photo the rescuer (and the child or pet) and the vehicle they used. Photograph their name tag as well as registration numbers on helicopters, vehicle tag numbers, or names of boats.

37. Document your cleanup. It may be a while before your insurance adjuster can arrive. Take pictures of the damage as you found it, and steps you took during cleanup. Regarding insurance, NOTHING beats documentation!

38. Document expenditures. If you buy goods or supplies, rent equipment, or hire a service, in addition to receipts, photograph the goods acquired, equipment being used, services being performed, and the people involved.

39. Property pics for retrieval companies. Some scenarios will see you unable to return home. Some companies are trained and equipped to go into these areas to gather people’s belongings. Property photos will allow you to identify specific items you’d like retrieved.

40. Evacuee status. Authorities will want to know who is injured, dead, or missing, and who is okay and where they are. Taking pictures of those you meet along with way, or at your emergency shelter, will help ID the living and well.

41. Language barriers. Ever try to find the restroom in a foreign country and you didn’t know the phrase? Imagine how guests in our country feel in emergency situations. Pictures make communication easier, whether you’re trying to understand their needs, or relay yours.

42. Transmit road conditions. Let’s say after a hurricane, you’re one of the first families returning home, and you’re taking back roads. Authorities (or others following) might not have checked every avenue of return. If damage needs to be reported, or there’s no damage (report that too), sending a picture can relay tons of information.

43. Relay traffic conditions. If family members are separated, or heading different directions, pass along traffic conditions or info from traffic warning signs.

44. Crime scene evidence. People have returned to a home undamaged by a disaster, but later looted. Since Police might not be able to show up right away, take “crime scene” photos (for both Police and insurance).

45. Too much on the screen? Should the TV flash pertinent information and you don’t have time to write, or there’s a lot of text on a computer and you can’t print it, take a picture of the screen for later review.

46. ID for doctors or pharmacies. Medical needs are a real probability during an emergency. Since you can’t get to your doctor, and they might phone in a prescription to a pharmacy that doesn’t know either of you, use your phone to verify your identity to your doctor, and your doctor can relay the picture to the pharmacy.

47. Emergency supply information. Suppose a developing emergency finds you low on goods and you send different people to different supply locations. If supplies are low, these folks can send a picture of the types or brands of items available so you can make educated purchase decisions.

48. “Last Minute List” items and shutdown. Though everyone should keep a “bugout kit” packed and ready, there will be items which cannot be packed in advance. In addition to a written list, create a photo file showing items you need to take (and their location) and steps to secure the house before leaving.

49. Evac atlas. Create a “travel atlas” of emergency assets available along evacuation routes. Include lodging, ATM locations, emergency rooms, etc. Travel the routes and take photos, or draw maps and shoot those.

50. Reaction plan for the reading disabled. If a family member suffers from any reading disability, using photos is a must. Create a photo file that will relay your entire emergency plan without using text.

51. As a bonus tip, we’d like to remind you that any modern communication device whether a cell phone, PDA, etc usually emits enough light from its display panel to act as a small flashlight in situations of total darkness..



By: Paul Purcell

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Golf course equipment upkeep is a chore but a necessary part of keeping any golf course in premier shape. Maintaining the carts, mowers and trucks used on any private or public course can help ensure that they run to their optimum potential and that they last for several years. However, situations do arise when the engine in one of these pieces stops performing at its best or goes out all together. In that situation, buying a new engine to replace it may seem like the best option. In many cases, however, it is not. Many small engines used in golf course equipment can be replaced with repowered Kohler or Briggs Stratton small engines. By using a repower kit, you can restore you mower, hauler or truckster to a more powerful, cleaner and quieter machine at a much more reasonable price.

Repower is the term used to describe replacing an old engine with a new engine, a used engine, a remanufactured engine, or electric motors, drives, or fuel cells. It essentially is an engine heart transplant for your equipment. A complete Kohler repower kit, for example, includes all the fittings, bolts and Toro parts you need to replace the engine in a Toro product with a new, improved Kohler small engine. The benefit of repowering is simple – replacing a poorly performing small engine with a repower kit can be as much as 90% less expensive than replacing the entire piece of equipment.

Depending on where you get the kit, you can replace the original 14 horse power motor with an 18 horse power motor that works harder, quieter, cleaner and for about 20 percent the cost of buying new. On top of that, the quality rebuild kits come with a full two year warranty on your new engine. And if your state has an Emission Reduction program, you may actually be able to be reimbursed for all or part of the cost of repowering your equipment with a cleaner engine. Check your state’s web site for local information, but in most states around the U.S., if the new engine significantly reduces the NOX emissions, you may qualify for grant money to repower with a new Kohler engine.

Golf course equipment use small engines, which are relatively simple to build and maintain, making them perfect for repowering. A recent improvement to small engine mower technology is the addition of gasoline engines with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) systems. It helps with fuel economy in traditional carbureted engines. This technology has been used by Kohler small engines – the savings you get when using Kohler engines that enable EFI technology is significant. For every $3.00 gallon of gasoline used in a mower, EFI technology will make it efficient enough to actually save $0.75.

Saving money and getting a superior engine are solid reasons to consider repowering the small engine in your Toro golf course equipment. Talk to an expert or read reviews online if you are looking to improve the performance of your course’s maintenance equipment.

~Ben Anton, 2008



By: Ben Anton

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Small engine vehicles have been revitalized and revamped over the last several years. Golf carts and hauling vehicles once innovative in the 1980s were still able to be improved upon in the areas of design, steering mechanism, vehicle weight and basic functionality. Mowers, however, have remained constant in their design and mechanics for quite some time. The single biggest area of improvement for golf course and large area mowers is in the engine. Recent small engine mechanics innovation has allowed designers to create more powerful, easier to maintain, and more efficient engines for these pieces of equipment. Though older model mowers may have quality engines that are still getting the job done, many landscapers or greens keepers may find that the engine does not provide the power or efficiency that a newer vehicle could. Buying a new mower in order to get the power of a modern small engine is not necessary if you consider repowering the vehicle instead.

What Is Repowering?

Repowering a small engine refers to installing a newer rebuilt engine into an existing vehicle in order to improve its performance and save on buying a brand new vehicle or motor. By repowering, a landscapers or golf course maintenance crew gets more than just swapping out an old engine for the same rebuilt model engine. Rather, a repower kit swaps out an old engine for a newer, better engine model built with the latest technology. Repowering results in a better small engine in a vehicle for the fraction of the price of buying a new one.

I Already Have A Quality Engine

If you are a smart consumer, you have already bought a large mower from a reputable brand that stands by its products. So, you may wonder why you would ever want to consider repowering. Consider the Jacobsen Greens King IV. Jacobsen has an incredible reputation for being a leading turf maintenance mowers and equipment manufacturer for over 100 years. The company’s Greens King IV has been one of their best selling vehicles for over a quarter of a century. These mowers, however, will last longer and perform better if their engines are updated to newer models.

The need to innovate and improve performance is well understood by Jacobsen. The company’s newer model Greens King IV has a 16 or 18 horse power Briggs & Stratton Vanguard gas engines. Older models have a 14 or 16 horse power Kohler engines. Improving the engine is important to the long-term life of the mower and to achieve better performance. This is why so many are choosing to repower their landscaping mowers – to give their well-maintained older models more power and extend their life.

Jacobsen Greens King IV is a popular landscaping mower and hauling vehicle manufacturer. As such, there are a variety of repower kits available. There are Briggs & Stratton Vanguard small engines or Kohler small engine rebuild kits available, depending on what engine is currently installed in the GV IV. Diesel models are also great candidates for repower kits. Those landscapers with other mowers brands, something other than a Jacobsen, can easily find a repower kit compatible with their model too.

Where Do I Find A Repower Kit?

Small engine repower or rebuild kits are available from several certified dealers online. When looking for a kit, make sure the one you purchase comes with a warranty that you would expect from the original factory dealer. They are available. This will give you piece of mind and assurance that the quality of your machine will remain intact. After all, repowering a small engine is a step toward improving the value of your mower and extending its life.

~Ben Anton, 2008



By: Ben Anton

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Keeping a good care of your jet ski motor will take it to its peak performance. In fact, if you keep it in good condition, you really would not have to bother about rigid maintenance after.

But there are natural circumstances that we cannot discard. All jet skis depreciate and suffer from natural death. But that of course would take ages before happening.

Well, before your jet ski gets old and die because of an impaired motor, it would be good to note that there are shops that offer services regarding motors, spare parts and accessories.

Too many jet ski owners believe that what they need is a new jet ski motor when all the while, they only have to revamp their old ones. However, it can also be remanufactured and perform in the level of new ones. To help the motor regain its usual performance, the owner must be able to seek a top-caliber repair shop that exceeds one’s expectations.

Here are some tips that will help you discover the best people to do the work for you:

Complete service

If you can’t find this service then rest assured that such is the normal case. Most motor shops these days specialize in specific parts. However, there will always be some self-respecting motor shops that can provide you with all the stuffs you need.

Various local jet ski motor shops offer engine parts such as piston kits, crankshaft parts, cylinder heads, rebuild kits, and a number of others. Many of these shops also have their online services that further improve their outreach.

Aside from providing new, revamped or remanufactured jet ski motors, most shops both online and offline offer repairing services in case you lack the knowledge of fixing the motor yourself. Between their large selections of parts and equipments, you can also be assured of in-house services that will deliver your jet ski motors in their prime condition.

There are other packages that may be had from jet ski motor shops. Among these are the performance packages that will recreate your personal watercraft vehicle into a speed maniac that is ideal for racing and personal enjoyment.

Additionally, such shops may also provide wide array of parts selections used for other watercraft systems such as the pump, electrical connections and exhaust.

Well, jet ski stuffs never cease to increase in volume and kinds so it would be good to add that many shops can also provide jet ski gears and accessories. These include huge selections of eyewear and wetsuits, which make the sports an infinite source of enjoyment for water sport lovers.



By: Low Jeremy

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There is probably a transmission shop in almost every town in the country that can build a bulletproof transmission for American made vehicles. Whether it is a late model Mustang or a 60’s Chevelle, there are lots of aftermarket components and many years of technology available for the transmission rebuilder to utilize.

The same cannot be said for the 4EAT automatic transmissions found in Subaru vehicles. In factory form, these transmissions demonstrate several problem areas that can cause failure in as little as 20,000 miles with a stock engine and even sooner in modified applications.

Poor shift quality, anemic factory components, and above all, improperly configured torque converters plague the automatic transmission equipped vehicle. This is in conjunction with the automatic’s propensity to burn out the high clutch pack (third gear) and the 2-4 clutches (second and fourth gear) with even moderate increases in engine output.

Realizing the need to take import and sport compact automatics to their fullest potential, IPT Performance Transmissions- a New Jersey based company, committed a large portion of their research time and dollars toward improving the Subaru automatic transmission.

First up on the hit parade of internal modifications is the need to address the issue of valve body calibration. The valve body mods are really the foundation of any performance trans rebuild. An automatic transmission utilizes a network of valves, servos, solenoids, orifices, accumulators and passages that control and route hydraulic pressure to the appropriate places to apply the clutches and bands.

Without going into elaborate detail which would fall outside the scope of this article, suffice it to say that modifying the valve body effectively changes the rate of clutch apply and also increases the clamping force with which these components have to work with. This is why shift kits and modified valve bodies produce that firm, performance type shift that increases the transmission’s overall capacity for power handling.

Next, all critical support bushings need to be replaced to insure that the centerline of the transmission runs in perfect alignment with the centerline of the crankshaft. Ignoring this step puts a lot of undue stress on the internal transmission components.

Many of the other parts also such as the pinion shaft, the front differential ring gear and the planetary gearset undergo various metallurgical processes such as heat treating, Meta-Lax stress relieving, and cryogenic treatment (freezing them in liquid nitrogen at -300 degrees Fahrenheit to ‘reset’ the part’s structure on the molecular level).

Lastly, all of the required seals and gaskets are changed to materials that are better able to cope with the heat and stress that is common in high powered applications. Performance clutches and steel reaction plates are installed and their clearances set to much more exacting specifications than those that are used by the factory. Most importantly, IPT utilizes a proprietary six disk high clutch pack and a five disk 2-4 clutch pack which increases the second, third, and fourth gear torque capacity by over 25% versus the factory set up- this is the key to getting a high powered vehicle make a 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 shift instead of just bouncing off the rev limiter.

As for the modifications outside of the gearbox, the next thing of importance is of course the torque converter. In an automatic equipped vehicle, one of the most important components in the entire car in regards to optimizing performance is a correctly configured converter.

In addition to being made with many strength improvements over the factory piece, a performance converter enables a vehicle to better take advantage of the RPM range at which maximum power is made. In simple terms, a properly designed converter will allow a vehicle to launch under more power by increasing the rpm at which the launch takes place. In essence, a torque converter is an infinitely variable transmission in and of itself, and altering its torque multiplying characteristics becomes absolutely necessary when other variables in the vehicle are changed (bigger turbos and bigger cams).

Even in otherwise stock turbocharged Subaru vehicles, ET reductions of over one full second are not at all uncommon with the addition of a properly configured converter.

Transmission, torque converter and valve body upgrades are not only for American made vehicles anymore. Increased performance, durability and more efficient shifting is now available for the vehicles of almost every manufacturer- thanks in part to the few companies that are willing to do the research and development work required for this rapidly growing segment of the automotive aftermarket.

For more information, please follow this link: http://www.importperformancetrans.com/subaruauto.shtml

-John Lombardo, IPT Performance Transmissions



By: John Lombardo

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