Happy Halloween

AMSOIL Dealer Jacob Stafford found a way to promote his business at a local pumpkin festival that he attended with his wife and small children. We certainly appreciate his enthusiasm for AMSOIL. Thanks for sharing.

More New Products Headed to Showcase at SEMA

As mentioned in a previous entry, AMSOIL is gearing up for the 2010 SEMA show armed with several new products for display in the New Product Showcase (NPS). The NPS features new products introduced throughout the year and selects winners for the ‘Best of’ award in various categories. An added benefit, however, is having this platform to showcase the progress AMSOIL makes each year with every new product development. Below are the three additional submissions into this years’ New Product Showcase. Check back for updates on the 2010 SEMA show here in the first week of November.

AMSOIL Engine & Transmission Flush
Introduced in April 2010, AMSOIL Engine & Transmission Flush helps restore fuel economy and increase operating efficiency in gasoline & diesel engines and in automatic transmissions. It safely cleans sludge and build-up, thereby promoting lower operating temperatures and reduced oil consumption. The new product is potent enough to work in just one treatment, yet safe enough to use at every oil change. AMSOIL Engine & Transmission Flush is easily disposable with waste oil and compatible with both conventional and synthetic lubricants.

AMSOIL Synthetic Fuel Efficient Automatic Transmission Fluid
Many of today’s vehicle manufacturers are now calling for a low-viscosity transmission fluid, and AMSOIL answered the call in 2010. Formulated with friction modifier additives, AMSOIL Synthetic Fuel Efficient ATF provides excellent friction durability. It is fully-fortified with anti-wear/extreme pressure agents, giving drivers peace of mind for up to 100,000 miles in normal service or 50,000 miles in severe service. It provides outstanding performance and protection, even in severe operating conditions.

AMSOIL Synthetic SAE 60 Motorcycle Oil
AMSOIL Synthetic SAE 60 Motorcycle Oil is recommended for early-model air-cooled V-Twin engines where a 60-weight motor oil is specified. SAE 60 motor oils are commonly used in Harley-Davidson® Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead and big-bore motorcycles. The result of extensive research, AMSOIL Synthetic SAE 60 Motorcycle Oil was introduced to the masses in July 2010. This new viscosity fills an important slot in our motorcycle oil lineup, featuring superior wear protection and heat resistance. It's designed for those who demand the absolute best in lubrication for their motorcycles.

Hot Cool-Blue Stang Project Car On Display At SEMA

With the 2010 SEMA show just days away, the AMSOIL/Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords 2011 Mustang GT is lookin' good. This special project Mustang that will be on display in the Source Interlink Media booth during the 2010 SEMA show in Las Vegas.

In just two months time, the MM & FF staff transformed the Kona Blue ’11 GT from a stock Mustang with 412hp, into a street-legal, drag race monster capable of over 650 horsepower and 10-second quarter-mile times. The new 5.0L Ti-VCT V-8 has been enhanced by Blow-By Racing with a Ford Racing Performance Parts supercharger kit with a custom tune. Then they installed a 175hp shot of nitrous from NOS in our own SIM Tech Center. Of course the powertrain benefits from AMSOIL fluids throughout. And with more air and gas going in, they installed Kook’s latest headers and exhaust system with catalytic converters and slick tail pipes.

Along with the go, the AMSOIL/MM&FF GT has plenty of show. Paul Holman of Visualfxpaint.com, sprayed the Roush wing, front fascia, and Cervini’s hood with a racy scheme including bright blue “real fire” effects. Amazingly, all the logos, colors and stripes on the body are hand painted!

With the paint complete, the GT was back in our SIM Tech Center in Tampa where the rest of the work was completed. The SEMA Stang rides on new Weld Magnum wheels with Moroso and Nitto rubber meeting the road. Strange brakes and coil-over struts compete the front suspension and BBR and BMR parts make up the rear suspension. There is even detail under the hood and a slathering of modification to the interior as well including Corbeau seats, a Maximum Motorsports roll bar, twin carbon fiber nitrous bottles and much more.

If you're "in the neighborhood" be sure to check it out. Booth 22743

AMSOIL Set to Showcase New Products at SEMA

It's hard to believe the 2010 SEMA show is but one week away. AMSOIL is once again poised to generate some buzz amongst those in attendance with several new products entered into the New Product Showcase. Each year Las Vegas draws thousands of manufacturers and companies to the largest automotive specialty products trade event in the world. The Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) attracts over 100,000 industry leaders from all over the globe seeking to gain knowledge of the latest developments in the industry. Here's a sneak peek of what AMSOIL has in store for this year's event.

AMSOIL XL Extended Life Synthetic Motor Oil
Launched in October, AMSOIL beefed up its XL motor oil family with a reformulated version of this long-standing product line. AMSOIL XL Synthetic Motor Oils feature a longer drain interval of up to 10,000 miles or six months specifically for motorists seeking the convenience of fewer oil changes without compromising protection and performance. Its multi-viscosity formulation fits a wide range of applications, including API SN and ILSAC GF-5. The 5W-30 viscosity is also recommended for the new energy conserving specifications of GM dexos1™.

AMSOIL Quickshot SE

AMSOIL Quickshot SE was introduced in April, increasing small-engine performance and acting as a fuel stabilizer between uses or during short-term storage. Quickshot thoroughly cleans varnish and debris from the fuel system and focuses on the three major fuel-related issues small engines face: ethanol, water and dirty pump gas. Recommended for use in all two-and four-stroke gasoline powered engines including motorcycles, ATVs, boats, mowers, snowmobiles and more, AMSOIL Quickshot SE restores peak performance in small engine and powersports equipment.

AMSOIL Dominator Coolant Boost
AMSOIL Dominator Coolant Boost hit the market in July, aimed at improving efficiency and horsepower on the track. It provides racers and motorists with significantly lower engine operating temperatures, quicker engine warm-up times and advanced corrosion protection. Its tiered surfactant technology delivers quick and efficient heat transfer inside radiators and cylinder heads, resulting in reduced operating temperatures and more efficient operation.

This is only the beginning of what AMSOIL has in store. Check back soon for the second batch of AMSOIL products getting ready to hit the scene at the 2010 SEMA Show in November.

EMC: It's a Wrap!

When we posted Friday, it was three down and three to go in the finals at the AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge. To recap, the day began with Myron Cottrell, Bret Bowers and last year's champion Jon Kaase. Each team had 15 minutes to make three passes, three minutes to evaluate numbers and 20 minutes to make adjustments before pushing the engine through three final passes from 2500 to 6500 rpm.

Scott Main of MPG Heads entered the dyno arena fourth, and it wasn't long before they knew there was going to be a problem making things come together, but with seconds to spare the Ford 404 Cleveland engine showed a little life and they went to work trying to get numbers.

Next up John Lahone and JL Reliable Engines was hooked onto the dyno, a Chevy 430 Small Block. Lahone was 18th alternate for this competition which begins with 40 selected teams and a gallery of extras in the wings. After their initial calculations the Lahone team determined to make two minor adjustments, one degree on the timing and one adjustment to the jet. When all was said and done JT Reliable was in first place with one team to go, BES Racing Engines headed by Tony Bischoff.

Bischoff (right), who looked pensive during the initial warm-up runs, brought in a Chrysler Gen III 417 Hemi. Among other things, the engine featured double spark plugs for each cylinder, not your everyday setup. Needless to say, the engine performed flawlessly, and he looked quite pleased afterwards.

It's not over till the engines are examined to make sure everything is according to spec. Bischoff's Hemi had no issues, looked great on the dyno as well as after teardown. Congratulations to this year's Engine Master, Tony Bischoff and the BES Racing Engines team.

Three Down, Three to Go

As we approach mid-day at at the University of Northwestern Ohio, the drama is building. Three teams have completed their dyno runs. The first on the block was TPIS… a Chevy engine that ran Wednesday, Myron Cottrell's #17.

Second up this morning was RED, Race Engine Designs, Bret Bowers and his Chevy build, #14. Last year's champ Jon Kaase Racing was third to the dyno cell, also a Chevy.

We can't talk about results thus far, but the excitement is building as we listen to the Scott Main's #11 gurgle to life. MPG Heads has a Ford engine on the block which there were able to get started with 15 seconds to spare. No one can predict what will happen, and certainly unpredictable is the norm at the AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge.

5th to run will be JL Reliable, John Lohone’s Chevy engine, #19. 6th and last to run today will be Tony Bischoff’s Chrysler, BES Racing Engines, #12.

After each run, engines are rolled back to staging for teardown and inspection. The drama is building as we approach the last hours of a grueling week. Some big guns already went home empty handed, but most of the teams are sticking around to see how everything shakes out. There really is a whole lot of shaking goin' on.

Photo captions: Students prepare engines for teardown and final inspection (above) and Jon Kaase's valve cover (below).

Day Four AMSOIL EMC Winds Toward Close

What a week it's been. 38 teams of builders have been putting their engines through the paces and we're down to the last three runs. Right this minute Hot Heads Research is getting their Mopar hooked onto the dyno, tightening and tuning. On deck in the other dyno cell is Judson Massingill from the School of Automotive Design. The final contestant of the day will be last year's winner Jon Kaase of Jon Kaase Racing.

Tonight there will be an awards banquet for the builders while the top six engines remain locked in quarantine, untouchable till rolled out for the final day's runs tomorrow. Two teams will receive checks for $1,000 courtesy AMSOIL for highest torque and highest horsepower of the week. But tomorrow is the big prize... The numbers will tell the story.

We asked one of the students, Craig Buckets, to tell us a little about this school that hosts the AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge, University of Northwestern Ohio. "We have an automotive program, a diesel program, an alternative fuels program and then we are actually back right now in the high performance program. I’d say right now we’ve probably got somewhere between 1,000-1,500 kids in the high performance area. We do just about everything as far as even in the high performance building. We do stuff like wiring stereo systems, pinstriping and airbrushing, anything involving power trains, engines, transmissions, rear ends, high performance steering & suspension set ups. We do welding, fabrication, chassis work, whatever. We’ll teach you how to mill stuff. The amount of equipment that we have here definitely helps us keep busy."

"This is just a great experience for the students. We get to talk to a lot of these engine builders and hopefully they will impart some of their knowledge to us, it’s just what you can squeak out of them. It just depends on what some of these guys are into. Some of the stock car racers are a little more into chassis building and getting all your steering stuff set up and they are not quite into the engines. Then we have other guys that are into doing engines and transmissions and all that drive train stuff."

Many of the instructors told us how really wonderful this experience is for the students, even beyond these walls. For example, last year's winner Jon Kaase stopped at the UNOH booth last year at the PRI Show to visit with the students. He then took them for a walk around the show floor and gave them insights into all the various things going on, sharing lessons with the appreciative students there.

Just a few minutes ago the Hot Heads teams got some rum luck as detonation caused two head gaskets to blow, with sparks flying and a a lot of excitement in the room. As we entered the dyno cell, was could see water pouring out in a stream... and Dan Miller's crew ended with a DNF. A dramatic moment here as the last two teams set their sights on pushing two more engines out of quarantine.

Oh no. Judson Massingill's Ford engine failed to run its paces. Never even got to run a pull. They're bummed. Two DNFs in a row. We're down to one final competitor, last year's champion... and we're setting up. Nothing is wholly predictable, however, and no one is taking anything for granted.

Till next, from UNOH and the AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge.

AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge Is Firing On All Cylinders

We're here at the University of Northwestern Ohio for the AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge presented by Popular Hot Rodding. It's an experience unlike any other. Forty engine builders from around the country bring their engines for a head-to-head dyno shootout with the ultimate build going home with the title Engine Master. It's King of the Hill and Super Bowl all rolled into one week, four solid days of dyno runs and one more day for the six finalists. But don't let the time frame deceive you. These teams prepare all year, constantly studying the finer points of the rules in order to see how and where each one can get their edge.

Fords, Mopars, Chevys, big blocks and small bocks, Fuel Injected and old school motors all compete on identical dynos under identical atmospheric conditions. Many competitors are simply here for the adventure, but others only have their eye on the prize.

The scale of the event is itself enormous as technical staff are flown in from various parts of the country to work alongside the Univerity technical experts. Students also assist in the process, helping uncrate, assemble, hook engines to dynos. All of it gives these young people an incredible opportunity to gain new insights into how to enhance performance on internal combustion engines.

The process runs like this. Engines are unloaded into the staging area in another part of the building. The crated engines are uncrated, placed on cradles on dollies. At the appointed time, each team’s engine is rolled to one of the two dyno cells where the engines are hooked up. No one is inside the room when the engine is run through its paces, watching the activity through a large window with shatterproof glass.

Dyno operator Sidney Bonnecarrere ensures that every run gets loaded and pushed through identical paces from 2500 rpm to 6500 rpm. Bonnecarrere does all the throttle work on all the dynos throughout the week with a detached objectivity. Each builder team and EMC staff watch from the control room where the measurement equipment spits out data.

After three warm up pulls, teams have three minutes to study the data, then fifteen minutes to make adjustments. When the allotted time is up, three more dyno pulls are completed and the numbers are final.

In another space there is a locked room where the top six qualifying engines are placed so that they remain untouched until Friday’s runoff. The first six engines may have been put in there Monday, but as scores mount, new engines are set in quarantine and other engines removed. Thursday night, there will be only the top six engines in this room, under lock and key till the next morning.

The competition director is Wesley Roberson of West Monroe, LA who has served with the NHRA since 1968. According to Ed Zinke, publisher of the performance group of magazines with Source Interlink, this competition is significantly different from timed engine building events. To see day by day action and constantly updated results, visit http://www.popularhotrodding.com/.

AMSOIL is represented this week by technical manager Len Groom and director of advertising Ed Newman.

Last NSRA Nationals Event of 2010

This weekend marks the final event for the NSRA Nationals events of 2010. Tampa, FL will host the 23rd Annual Southeast Street Nationals Plus at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Over 1600 pre-1980 specialty vehicles will be on display over the weekend, the largest automotive event in this area. Street rods, customs, pick-ups, restored muscle cars and more will be on hand to show how hugely popular this market is.

NSRA events offers more than just a view of spectacular cars. Drawing people of all ages, there is something to do for the entire family. The Women’s World arts and crafts show, model car display, vintage swap meet and trade show, plus games for the young and old alike ensure everyone in attendance has a great time. Don’t miss the Circle of Winners awards area on Sunday to see which cream of the crop vehicles take home an award.

What:
23rd Annual Southeast Street Rod Nationals Plus

When:
Friday October 8 8:30AM-5:00 PM
Saturday October 9 8:00AM-5:00 PM
Sunday October 10 8:30AM-2:00 PM

Where:
Florida State Fairgrounds
Tampa, FL

Cost:
Adult $14.00
Child 6-12 $5.00
5-Under Free
Discounts available to NSRA members, Military personnel, Senior Citizens & UPS workers with valid ID

AMSOIL Joins Forces with Deer & Deer Hunting TV

Fall is now upon us, and with it comes the start of the hunting season millions of enthusiasts wait for all year. This summer AMSOIL increased its visibility in the hunting market by becoming a sponsor of Deer & Deer Hunting TV. Deer & Deer Hunting also produces a high quality magazine and holds a strong online presence. Founded in 1977 by avid hunters, Deer & Deer Hunting has become the go-to place for hunters seeking to perfect their craft.

AMSOIL not only has lubricants for guns, we also take care of the ATVs and UTVs as well as the food plot equipment many deer hunters use.

The 2010 Deer & Deer Hunting television season kicked off with footage of publisher Brad Rucks taking a nice buck in Kentucky, bringing motivation to the team from the start. Be sure to tune into the Versus Network to catch this season of Deer & Deer Hunting TV, and let AMSOIL help you have a successful season. Check www.deeranddeerhunting.com for full details and schedule.

You can also follow the D+DH team on Facebook.

PHOTO: Executive producer Chris Hermans captures footage of an exchange between editor Dan Schmidt and hunting enthusiast Ted Nugent. Ted discussed ethics and the future of hunting in his standard tell it like it is style.

2010 Top Truck Challenge Now Airing on Outdoor Channel

The editors and publishers of Four Wheeler Magazine are into torture. That is, they spend eleven months of every year trying to dream up ways to torture vehicles in the annual Top Truck Challenge in Hollister, California. It has been described as a week of organized chaos, and it turns ordinary off roaders into heroes when they simply survive this grueling experience.

The Outdoor Channel is currently airing the Top Truck Challenge, beginning last Monday and going for the following several weeks at 7:30 EST. If you want to check it out, here's a link to their schedule. Or contact Four Wheeler Magazine to get the whole spectacle on DVD.