Education Schedule Announced for SEMA360

SEMA360 is this year's virtual alternative to the annual SEMA Show which has been the heartbeat of the Automotive Aftermarket for more than half a century. Yes, it's a bummer that we're not going the Vegas this year. There are so many highlights. The New Products Showcase, Builders Showcase, 10 miles of Manufacturers' displays, networking opportunities plus the educational tracks.

This week the seminar schedule was firmed up and finally announced. You can go to this page and see the full schedule, or you can go to this page to download a PDF of the schedule.

SEMA360 is taking place the first week of November, the usual week of their annual event. The show floor traditionally opens on Tuesday, but the seminars start Monday beginning with a Keynote opening. Monday's activities include seminars on selling and growing your business as well as interviews with industry leaders at a place called The Stage. Virtual, of course.

Tuesday begins with what's sure to be an informative Racing and Performance Forum that gives clues to where things are headed as we move into the future.

Other topics during the week include marketing strategies, classic cars and restoration, emissions compliance, how to add vehicle wraps to your business, and much more.

Follow the links above to get the full scope of the week's activities.

First Mods for Your New Diesel Pickup

This past week I came across a video titled Top 5 Mods for Your Powerstroke Diesel and it got me thinking about the countless ways our trucks can be enhanced, either for looks or for power. The YouTube video is one in a series of vids by TopCorey, whose YouTube channel currently has over 42 thousand subscribers. There's a link down below.

Thinking about modifications led me to do a quick search for other sites with recommendations of where to begin. This article by Trent McGee at Diesel Power Products's website seemed especially useful for guys and gals seeking max power for competition. According to McGee, these are the three critical areas where you need to invest.

What I like about this article is that it begins by explaining what an engine really is. "An engine is essentially a giant air pump," McGee writes. "It draws in outside air, compresses and injects fuel for ignition, then exhales the spent gasses." That's a very concise and explicit explanation. In other words, it's an efficient form of creating power but requires sufficient air and fuel, and a means for getting rid of the spent gases. For optimal power you also need a way to control that air-fuel mix ratio. 

In short, once you understand this, you understand why this article proposes the three following modifications. Once you process the previous paragraph, the essential modifications are three in number.

1) Cold Air Intake

2) Exhaust System Upgrade

3) In-line Programmer or Tuner
Installed between the ECM and the engine, think of it as A.I. for your performance diesel. 

The article goes into depth on each of these three vehicle enhancements. You can find it here:
THE TRIFECTA: THE BEST FIRST MODS FOR YOUR DIESEL TRUCK 

_______ 

The video shares TopCorey's Top 5 Mods for Your Powerstroke Diesel  which are directed more to Powerstrokes, but have application to all diesel owners. You can see that the first three mods are identical to the Trifecta above, except in a different order. The last two items on his list of five are more in the realm of cosmetics.

1) Custom Tuning via Easylink ("Unlocks a truck's true potential")

2) Exhaust Upgrade (5 inch pipe recommended)

3) Factory modified VGT Turbo from SPE

4) Wheels, Tires, Lift Kit

5) Window Tinting

Some of us like to get information through reading, others through seeing. The options are many and it sometimes helps to get guidance from people who have been there and done that. 

_________

Afterword: The Trifecta article has the words "Written by Trent McGee" in the title, but at the beginning of the article itself are the words "Written By: Diesel Josh" For what it's worth, I want to make sure whoever actually wrote this gets credit. Good stuff.

A guy walks into a bar and says……

"Does anyone know about Diesel Fuels?"

Diesel fuel is more efficient than gasoline because it contains 10% more energy per gallon than gasoline. But there are a few kinds of diesel fuel: Just as gasoline is rated by its octane, diesel fuel is rated by its cetane, which indicates how easy it is to ignite and how fast it burns. Diesel fuel is safer than gasoline because its vapors don’t explode or ignite as easily as gasoline vapors.

When exhaust from conventional diesel fuel was found to cause cancer, clean diesel engines were developed. Although conventional diesel fuel-burning vehicles are still on the road, states and the federal government enacted legislation that will eventually eliminate these older diesels engines.

Standard diesel fuel comes in two grades: Diesel #1 (or 1-D) and Diesel #2 (or 2-D). The higher the cetane number, the more volatile the fuel. Most diesel vehicles use fuel with a rating of 40 to 55.

You don’t have to worry about which type to use because all diesel OEMs specify Diesel #2 for normal driving conditions. Over the road truckers use Diesel #2 to carry heavy loads for long distances at sustained speeds because it’s less volatile than Diesel #1 and provides greater fuel economy.

Diesel fuel also is measured by its viscosity. Like other motor oils, diesel fuel gets thicker and cloudier at lower temperatures. Under extreme conditions it can become a gel, which limits flow. Diesel #1 flows more easily than Diesel #2, so it’s more efficient at lower temperatures. The two types of oil can be blended, and most service stations offer diesel fuel blended for local weather conditions.

If you plan to drive in very cold weather, choose diesel fuel rated at least 10 degrees lower than the coldest temperatures you expect to encounter. Consult your owner’s manual or engine builder for more specifics.

"Red" Diesel Fuel is exactly the same fluid as No. 2 fuel that's used in diesel pick-ups, heavy- duty trucks, buses and some cars on the road. The big difference is red fuel is used for engines that power off-road vehicles, as well as machines like tractors and bulldozers that are used on farms and construction sites.

Because of its price, which typically is much lower than the cost for No. 2 fuel, red diesel is subject to a rebated tax. Although red diesel certainly will "work" in our daily diesel vehicles, using it on the street is not allowed. You could face high fines and penalties for tax evasion if you are caught using red diesel on public roads.

Another type is Biodiesel. This diesel fuel is derived from agricultural materials and has the potential to provide a clean-burning alternative to petroleum.

Rudolph Diesel’s first engine was designed to run on peanut oil. Henry Ford envisioned plant-based fuel as the primary fuel for transportation, so he partnered with Standard Oil to develop biofuel production and distribution.

However, currently the only type of biodiesel fuel that can be used in vehicles in the United States and Canada without violating manufacturer’s warranties is B5, a blend of 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent regular diesel. Most diesel engines run just fine on blends of up to 30 percent biodiesel.

The bartender looks up and says, "Is this supposed to be some kind of joke?"

Champion Oil Featured in 2020 Global Heavy-Duty Diesel Market Report

The new Global Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Oil Market Research Report (GMR) includes current API CK-4 and FA-4 Categories. The study provides information on market trends and development, drivers, capacities, technologies, and on the changing capital structure of the market. One of the key players profiled in the study is Champion Oil, a.k.a. Champion Brands, LLC. 

The GMR provides lubricant organizations with a deep focus on market intelligence, data analytics, and social intelligence, by skilled industry professionals. By combining and analyzing relevant data, they provide a comprehensive understanding of the market and today’s business climate demands for various lubricants and applications.

The history, trends and forecast report covers the history and growth strategies for the lubricant future, industry convergence, technologies, company capabilities, and market trends. The GMR study covers premium conventional oil, full- synthetic oil, synthetic blend oil & higher mileage oil for heavy-duty/off-road trucks, light duty diesel trucks, high-tech diesel engines, newer diesel cars, etc. Some of the key lubricant manufacturers featured in the GMR are: Exxon-Mobil, Shell, Chevron, Champion Brands, Total S.A., Royal Purple, Valvoline, Castrol & Kendall Motor Oils. 

Global regions, market sizes, and end users are analyzed as well as market segments by type, application and oil companies. Each type provides information about the production during the forecast period of 2015 to 2026. Application segment also provides consumption during the forecast period of 2015 to 2026. Understanding the segments helps in identifying the importance of different factors that aid the market growth for full-synthetic & synthetic-blend plus applications for Off-Road Equipment, Light Duty & Heavy-Duty Truck.

The current 2020 Global Diesel Engine Oil Market Research Report is available for $2,900. The report can be acquired at the following link: https://www.themarketreports.com/report/global-heavy-duty-diesel-engine-oils-market-research-report 

The Shelby Drift Team Shows Their Stuff in St. Louis

I remember when Drifting was beginning to get a foothold here in the U.S. It had already been thriving in Japan since the mid-70s. The sport, which involves oversteering and high-powered risk-taking, first touched down in California two decades later, gaining popularity through events and magazine coverage. 

The fact that Drifting is still drawing crowds and competitors burning rubber shows the sport wasn't just a fad like goldfish swallowing or hula hoops. Here's a video from a Formula Drift event in St. Louis.

This video, featuring Jonathan Nerren and Tyler Nelson, shows both the power and elegance of the sport. To perform at the highest levels requires skill, courage and discipline. 

One reason why it takes experience to excel in the sport is because tires behave differently at different temperatures. Knowing how to get your treads warmed up and keep them in the game is an essential skill that you don't acquire by simply having fun in a parking lot, or a rural dirt road, once in a while. 

This video is courtesy Champion Oil, manufacturer of Blue Flame Diesel Oil and a full line of other lubricant products.

Rat Rod Selected For Hot Wheels Immortality

When I was in college a friend of mine went to Utah and came back driving a 1949 Nash. That's a car you don't see every day, though if you watch old movies that take place in the early 50s you'll catch 'em. We were in the East so it was quite a haul. The primary feature for my friend was that the car had no rust. Utah is dry.

This memory came to mind when I read this story about Greg Salzillo's Rat Rod that had been selected at last year's SEMA to become a Hot Wheels toy. In his case it's a 1957 Nash Metropolitan. Salzillo's custom car shop, Speedtech Performance, is also located in Utah. St. George in the Southwest corner, to be specific, just North of the Grand Canyon. It's a beautiful part of the world in any direction. And the best part, for a car builder like Salzillo, Highway 95 gives him a straight shot to Las Vegas and on to the City of Angels.

I think it's cool the way Hot Wheels, a company whose reputation was built around toys for boys, is an active participant in SEMA, the world where grown up boys live out their childhood dreams. (Reminder: Registration is open for Virtual SEMA 2020.)

The article I saw had been written by Hollie Stark. It begins, "On a sunny mid-week morning, a 1957 Nash Metropolitan sits outside Speedtech Performance, a renowned custom car and aftermarket suspension and chassis shop on River Road in St. George."

Not everyone knows what rat rods are, so Stark makes sure to describe that specific category for non-enthusiasts. Classic car collectors try to re-create their dream 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s cars, spending oodles of dollars to win awards if possible. There are people who will spend a million dollars, or two, on a single car. 

The rat rod scene became the "poor man's playhouse." That is, the goal was creativity, imagination and straight up fun. Hence Salzillo names his car the "Nashole" and dresses it up with massive white sidewalls. The color scheme matches that classic Sixties turquoise and sour cream white that was popular 60 years ago.

In actuality, the only real relationship between the Nashole and a Nash is the body. Everything else from the Nash was removed and the body was placed on a custom chassis with a small block Chevy engine. 

No, it's not even a diesel, and it shouldn't even be featured on the Blue Flame Diesel site here, but it's cool. Follow the links below to find some classy Diesel Rat Rods.

You can read the full article here. 

RAT ROD RELATED

Katastrophic Success: 1931 Fordor with Diesel Cummins Engine

Pinterest wall with page full of Diesel Rat Rod Ideas

_______

The photo was used without permission. My aim is to draw attention to the original story where there are scads of additional photos. 

Five Questions to Help You Pick the Right Diesel Engine Oil

Viscosity control? Shear stability? TBN retention? Confused? Best to start your search by understanding your application; tractor pulling, drag racing, stationary, street, off-road, etc. Take a look at these five simple questions.

What are your engine oil specifications? 

It’s important to follow what your original equipment manufacturer recommends. Reading your owner’s manual is the key to maximizing your equipment’s performance. Your manual contains vital API information about caring for your engine, including which oil grades are best suited for them. For example: SAE 15W-40, 10W-30, 5W-40 oil? Mineral, semi, or full synthetic base stock needs to be considered.

How important is fuel economy? 

If you’re keeping an eye on your miles per gallon, the right lubricant can help your equipment achieve its maximum fuel efficiency. By squeezing a few extra miles from each tank, you can see major savings over time. A semi or full-synthetic diesel engine oil is your best option to deliver maximum fuel efficiency without compromising engine performance, improving fuel economy by up to 2 percent under normal conditions and by up to 3 percent during cold starts.

Does your diesel engine run in a range of temperatures? 

Speaking of cold starts, temperature is another important consideration when choosing an engine oil. Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can be brutal on moving parts in your equipment. Heat can quickly turn an engine into an oven, and the cold can thicken some oils until they’re practically jelly.

How old is your diesel engine? 

Most diesel owners want to stretch the life of their engine as long as possible. To perform their best, older diesel engines require attentive care, and a quality lubricant can go a long way toward maintaining them. For example, is your diesel not running a DPF? Rebuilt for performance? Out of warranty?

Are looking for more horse power or torque? 

Be sure to look at the oil’s data or spec sheet to see if it addresses increased performance, high in anti-wear protection, etc. Look for semi and full synthetic diesel engine oils that use shear stable synthetic base oils. That are also high in film strength, have viscosity control, work with high compression, have a higher TBN retention, and if needed, designed to address demands of turbo or super-charged diesel engines.

I hope this has helped a little in your decision. Need a place to start? Take a look at these eight diesel engine oils: https://www.championbrands.com/diesel-engine-oils/