Eco-Friendly Option: Engine Repower Council

http://www.enginerepower.org/

The 'green' alternative. What are everyone's thoughts on this? I think I like it...

but this is what most of us do,we trade or have ours rebuilt. at least thats what i have planned.....

Me too, but I'm wondering how everyone feels about the ERC's positions on certain things:

- they are against buying new cars, because this costs too much and pulls energy and materials from the environment.

- they are against buying used cars, as it is risky because of unknown vehicle history.

- they are against buying new engines. Too expensive, and 'repowered' engines are often built better for less money.

- they are against buying used engines, as 'repowered' engines are more efficient and will get better fuel economy.

- they are against trade-ins, as there is loss of value.

- they are against "Cash 4 Clunkers" movement.

- while they don't specifically mention whether or not they support rebuilding your own engine, it would seem they are more supportive of repowered engines, built by professionals.

- it would also seem they are against hybrid and electric automotive technology.

Just wondering if our members considered these points when they replace their engines. Would you consider a 'repowered' engine? Woul you feel environmentally responsible in doing so? Do you believe repowered engines are better than OEM? Or, do you think this is just some marketing BS for the repowering industry?

Unless I'm missing something, this looks like it's just an engine rebuilder like VEGE, Jasper, Recon, etc. except with a environmentalist marketing edge. I would bet it's not the cheapest reman option either...

Well, then who is the rebuilder? The site claims to be an advisory council. I don't see anywhere where they try and push their own service. Seems like many shops can perform the repower service. They do have a listing for shops by area.

JASPER is one service provider they mention.

They also have a generic price comparison chart. Our engine would likely cost $3-4k to be repowered.

Looks like marketing BS to me. I live in the Mecca of the "green" movement which is 90% marketing hype. I hired a builder last year to frame and roof my garage and he told me that building a "green" house that met all the federal guidelines cost the buyer about 33% more while only taking about 5-10% more in material and labor costs. The rest was profit for the builder and the licensing authority that regulates the "green" building industry. The differences in construction were a little more caulk and insulation, primarily.
There's a lot of money being made by going "green", especially by some of our politicians.

Sounds like their MO is locating the shop for you, then taking a finders fee from the shop. I'd guess they don't have to stand behind the shop's work either.

AA wrote:

http://www.enginerepower.org/

The 'green' alternative. What are everyone's thoughts on this? I think I like it...

Yeah, you liked the guy with the pass-key defeat box, too.

For the rest of you/us: the people behind this "initiative" are:

http://www.aftermarket.org/

grano salis nullus nimis magnus. (no grain of salt too big).

Albertj

albertj wrote:

AA wrote:

http://www.enginerepower.org/

The 'green' alternative. What are everyone's thoughts on this? I think I like it...

Yeah, you liked the guy with the pass-key defeat box, too.

For the rest of you/us: the people behind this "initiative" are:

http://www.aftermarket.org/

grano salis nullus nimis magnus. (no grain of salt too big).

Albertj

After opening the aftermarket.org site click on the tab at the top of the page for "Market Reasearch" and look on the left for the Advertisement for "The Green Story".
Looks like Albert found the source.

AA wrote:

Well, then who is the rebuilder? The site claims to be an advisory council. I don't see anywhere where they try and push their own service. Seems like many shops can perform the repower service. They do have a listing for shops by area.

JASPER is one service provider they mention.

They also have a generic price comparison chart. Our engine would likely cost $3-4k to be repowered.

Used to be able to get a long block minus the SC from GM for that much money.
Don't know what they cost now, but a new engine from a dealer with a discount wasn't as much as you think.

Rickw wrote:

AA wrote:

Well, then who is the rebuilder? The site claims to be an advisory council. I don't see anywhere where they try and push their own service. Seems like many shops can perform the repower service. They do have a listing for shops by area.

JASPER is one service provider they mention.

They also have a generic price comparison chart. Our engine would likely cost $3-4k to be repowered.

Used to be able to get a long block minus the SC from GM for that much money.
Don't know what they cost now, but a new engine from a dealer with a discount wasn't as much as you think.

Jasper is also known for Ford AX4N transmissions. A good provider - but a *very* large one too. It is no surprise that Jasper would be trying to find ways to drum up business.

I think what this means is that the recession/depression is hitting the aftermarket.

Albertj

Quote :

Used to be able to get a long block minus the SC from GM for that much money.
Don't know what they cost now, but a new engine from a dealer with a discount wasn't as much as you think.

I think what the ERC would like us to believe is that a 'repowered' engine can be even better quality than a brand new engine. They actually say this in their video, referring to the repower techs as able to give something extra that was missing at the factory.

Maybe, with a careful rebuild they could do things like port matching... but anything beyond that would be a "performance" rebuild. If they are doing something else like slightly bumped cam, then it's not cool to claim it's a stock-ish motor. What makes a motor "better" than a stock rebuild, besides performance parts i.e.cam?

It is not unusual for any aftermarket manufacturer or remanufacturer to claim their product is better that the original. Actually I noticed, working in the auto parts business, there are not many that don't.

They need to put some detail into how they are improving their motors - what they are saying isn't cuttin' it. I know the average joe isn't going to understand what something like port matching is but they should still mention some things.

Does this make any sense? How many old vehicles are out there with no other problems than a damaged, but rebuildable, engine? Usually they are trashed. I don't see how there could possibly be enough otherwise immaculate 85 Topaz's (or other plebe car) for there to be any environmental benefit from rebuilding their engines and keeping them on the road. The vast majority of older cars are beat to hell and beyond any economical restoration.

But if the "Repower" guys can sucker in a few car-clueless greenies and get a finder's fee for hooking them up with an engine rebuilder . . . Maybe that would make sense.

everyone, imo is going to get a green weenie sooner or later.

robotennis61 wrote:

everyone, imo is going to get a green weenie sooner or later.

You mean Al Gore?

none other. sources tell me that hes taking daily baths with green food coloring. hes beginning to take himself seriously

robotennis61 wrote:

hes beginning to take himself seriously

Now that's powerful propaganda...

Jack the R wrote:

Does this make any sense? How many old vehicles are out there with no other problems than a damaged, but rebuildable, engine? Usually they are trashed. I don't see how there could possibly be enough otherwise immaculate 85 Topaz's (or other plebe car) for there to be any environmental benefit from rebuilding their engines and keeping them on the road. The vast majority of older cars are beat to hell and beyond any economical restoration.

But if the "Repower" guys can sucker in a few car-clueless greenies and get a finder's fee for hooking them up with an engine rebuilder . . . Maybe that would make sense.

Good question...

It might depend on the car owner's circumstances and expectations. Suppose that by replacing the engine they could (with certainty) continue driving their current vehicle for say three years with no other major repairs. Might make more sense to repair it than replace it, as long as the body does not rust out (a problem in the US northeast).

Thing of it is, the car owner just does not need the Repower initiative to do that math or provide a competently rebuilt/remanufactured engine.

The benefit may not be so much in keeping 1985-model Topaz/Tempo on the road, rather the benefit may be from protecting/increasing people's discretionary income by avoiding the expense of a replacement behicle until it's truly needed. I suspect people would be more likely to want to 'repower' a well equipped Taurus, say, or a Malibu that otherwise is in good condition but for a worn out engine after 100,000 miles or so, and I suspect that they might be instructed, along with the renewed engine, toward better maintenance. I also suspect that with proper marketing there may be a market for 'remanufactured' vehicles, and ways to provide such from among the most popular models sol;d in the US.

Albertj

I may be the wierdo, but I've only gotten rid of 4 cars in my lifetime - I'm 37 - none of which had a bad engine. All of which had well over 100k miles on them.

if you look into how associations are worked you will see that this is a money maker for them regardless of whether or not you go your engine rebuilt.

AlbertJ - going by the stuff Aaron posted, it sounds like there's supposed to be a strong environmental angle to this, and I just don't see it. You've got to be saving an awful lot of old cars to make a difference to the environment. Where are all these old cars in great condition at? I believe I posted a piece a while back saying the used car supply was being used up by all the people who had been priced out of the new car market by the great recession. We should have fewer good condition used cars now than we normally do.

Another thing to think of is, if it's an environmental concern, aren't all the saveable used cars out there being "recycled" by the salvage industry already?

That doesn't do the owner much good though, unless his insurance company gives him a great deal when they total the car out. But neither will rebuilding the engine in a car that is going to need a full restoration soon. If a car is also going to need paint, shocks/struts, brakes, transmission, interior bits like headliner and window motors - might as well buy a new one.

I still think this is a scam, at least with the environmental angle, but probably all the way around.

I did write:

"Thing of it is, the car owner just does not need the Repower initiative to do that math or provide a competently rebuilt/remanufactured engine."

Albertj

True. I'm rambling on.

To those who watched the video, a 3800 is seen at 2:37. Had to point that out.