Author Archives: ben

Did you take our recent quiz for your shot at a FREE Tri Star T shirt, hat and flashlight? Let's see how you did!

If there was a tie in scores the winner went to the FIRST entry. Don't miss out on future SWAG, subscribe to our newsletter today!

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Question 1: Guess what line of high performance engines has been the most popular for us in 2018.

Answer: FORD! 

That's right Chevy lovers! Maybe the owner being a Mustang fanatic sways our marketing? In any case the most popular selling engine we have offered so far in 2018 has been the big blue oval!

Question 2: Guess what engine inside this line has been the most popular.

Answer: 408 stroker small block!

Ohhh we love to see this. 302's and 351W's are great, but there's nothing like the horsepower and torque gains from a Scat stroker crankshaft and Dart Pro 1 heads. Our customers certainly have the 'show,' but they also have the 'go' to back it up!

Question 3: Guess what build level has been the most popular.

Answer: Complete and Dyno Tested!

Man, we have some smart customers! For 2018 more people have bought our Complete and Dyno Tested build than any other. Out of the box reliability? Check. Proven performance? Check. Plug it in and have some fun!

Question 4: Approximately how many engines does Tri Star build in a YEAR? (based on current capacity)

Answer: 5,000-9,999!

We don't just build bad ass engines, we build a lot of them! Our current production capacity is just over 6,100 engines a year! Over 6k engines and we still have the best service in the industry? We'll thank our employees for that one.

Question 5: Where was Tri Star founded?

Answer: Plum City, Wisconsin!

It looks like we stumped even some long time Tri Star fans with this one. Our original production facility was founded in a little town of about 500 people called Plum City over 30 years ago in 1988! We have inhabited two different facilities in Baldwin, the first of which we moved to almost 22 years ago, but it all started in that little town. Maybe that's what helps us keep our small town service.

Question 5: How long has Tri Star been a member of the Production Engine Remanufacturers Association?

Answer: Over 20 years!

We've been a proud member of PERA for over 20 years. This organization means so much to us because (as you've probably seen in previous emails) it really separates the true high volume engine remanufacturers from smaller rebuilders. The owner is a past president of PERA and our general manager is currently on the board of directors!

Want to check out the shop? Take the tour!

Shop Tour

Question 5: How many American workers are employed at Tri Star Engines?

Answer: 51-80!

AND PROUD OF IT! We currently have just over 70 amazing team members in production and the office. If there's one thing we're passionate about (and you can tell it from our marketing) it's American made products, and we've been MADE IN AMERICA since day 1 in 1988.

 

The response from this survey has been astounding. Thank you so much for taking the time to learn a little more about us, now tell us more about you! Connect with us on Facebook or contact us today!

Check out the TOP SELLING TRI STAR HIGH PERFORMANCE ENGINE now, or see if you won below!

The TOP 3 WINNERS who will receive prize packs are:

1. Tim J. from Hudson, Wisconsin!
2. Alan O. from Appleton, Wisconsin!
3. Joe D. from Waupaca, Wisconsin!

An ALL WISCONSIN top 3? We sell engines from Baldwin to New Zealand, but we're proud to see the top 3 scores are right here in our home state!

The following runner-ups can get a FREE T-shirt if you see this post and email us at marketing@tristarengine.com from the email address you submitted on the quiz. That's right, no charge! Just show us some love and email us that you were a runner-up and we'll at least hook you up with a T-shirt!

1. Ricky N. from Stonewall, OK
2. Glenn G. from New Cumberland, PA
3. Howard S. from Orland Park, IL
4. Robert B. from Huntsville, AL
5. Bill from Stillwater, MN
6. Linell C. from Tylertown, MS
7. Travis C. from Pine Bluffs, WY
8. David R. from Rockledge, FL
9. Drew M. from Nazareth, PA
10. Brian M. from Hatboro, PA
11. Rick S. from Hewitt, MN
12. Dan S. from Melrose, MN
13. Phil W. from Ross, ND
14. Art D. from West, TX

 

 

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This has to be one of the most amazing drag cars we've ever seen. What's even better about it? They can drive it from track to track!

While I would love to say this was our engine design I can't. We are total gearheads and one of the most rewarding things for us is seeing the awesome rides our engines end up in, and the creative and gorgeous creations our customers come up with.

The most popular pictures we receive from customers are for our high performance engines, but we want to see what you have our stock replacement engines in as well. Whether it's mild or wild, "Frankenstein" or ahead of it's time, share your pics and we'll make you "Tri Star" famous!

Click here to submit a picture of your ride and we'll have a special surprise just for you! You can also see more pictures of previous customer's rides on our Facebook page:

Customer Rides on Facebook-->

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Airbag theft is on the rise, what are you you doing to protect yourself, your family, your customers and your business?

Check out this article we were reading from auto.howstuffworks.com -

"...many law enforcement agencies are calling airbags "the new car stereos." It's largely due to their growing popularity among auto thieves. If you've ever had your car broken into, you know that feeling of anger and frustration that comes over you when you see that gaping hole in your dashboard; however, the theft of an airbag reaches another level of horrible. Why? Because you'd never know your airbag is missing until the worst possible time. If you are involved in a serious crash, that stolen airbag could lead to a severe injury or even death."

-Read the full article here: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/airbag-theft.htm

While the article had our jaws on the floor it really had us thinking, what other automotive parts are popular on the black market? While "doing the right thing" is inherent in most people, how can you be sure you aren't buying products that could have filtered through these avenues? And maybe most importantly, what kind of risk could you be exposing your friends, family and BUSINESS to?

Create an account to access tiered pricing and stay up to date on promotions and offers!

The third page of the article talks about how to prevent exposure to airbag theft. While we aren't experts on preventing fraud or theft, we are experts on engines! Vehicle owners, repair shops and parts distributors often compare our engines to others they find online, but in so many cases they are referencing companies that don't actually BUILD engines! When it comes to engines, one easy way to find the real MANUFACTURERS is to research the associates they are part of. We've been a member of the Production Engine Remanufacturer's Association for over 20 years. Our owner is a past president and our GM is currently on the board of directors for PERA. If you follow our posts you'll know that we talk about this subject a lot - Why? Because every day we hear horror stories of people buying engines from one of these distributors.

Do your research and be safe!

Ready to shop for engines built by a real MANUFACTURER? Check out our different product lines below!

Shop Stock Replacement Engines

Shop High Performance Engines

Shop Marine Engines

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author: ben steine

We've been a member of the Production Engine Remanufacturers Association for over 20 years of our 30 year existence. Just saying that may not seem important to you but what does that really mean? 

A quick Google search for "remanufactured engines" will provide you with a ton of options. Some websites offer ridiculous 7 year warranties, others say their engines increase performance and still provide more economy, and many offer prices so low that it would seem crazy to buy an engine anywhere else. How do they offer such amazing value? Well what I've found is that none of them actually BUILD engines! These days anyone with a few dollars and some ambition can create a website, but will they stand behind the product? When you buy from Tri Star, you're buying an American made, quality product, backed by 30 years of production engine experience, direct from the manufacturer who made it.

To be granted membership to PERA as a remanufacturer you have to produce a minimum of 25 engines per month, maintain a good reputation in the market for both quality and service, and have a sound and fair warranty policy. We try to not just meet the criteria but set the standard.

I'm so passionate about this subject because I see it every single day. I see the dedication in the shop and in the office in all of my coworkers, and I hear horror stories from customers (ask me about one that put $5,000 down on an engine just to lose it when the company went out of business) every day. I'm proud of our team and the value we offer, and I know we are here to stand behind it.

Next time you're looking at a remanufactured engine, whether it's directly from us or from a distributor of ours, do me a favor, do yourself a favor, and do the vehicle owner a favor - Ask for a Tri Star engine!

Questions, comments, concerns? Email me directly at ben@tristarengine.com!
Otherwise you can start your search here:

https://www.tristarengines.com/stock-replacement/engines/
https://www.tristarengines.com/performance

Here's a clip from www.pera.org:
"The Production Engine Remanufacturers Association is an association of individuals and firms who are remanufacturing internal combustion engines and their major components, or are supplying necessary components, supplies and equipment required in the remanufacturing process.

The goal of the Association is to provide its members with the opportunity to exchange the ideas, methods and procedures necessary to efficiently produce remanufactured products which are equal or superior to original products in quality and performance.

PERA adheres to and supports the premise that its members are dedicated to the highest business ethics, customer satisfaction, employee consideration and to the continual up-grading of the engine remanufacturing industry."

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The USMTS 2015 is starting strong for Craig Thatcher and the #91 Tri Star Engines car. Craig finished first after leading all 40 laps at KRA Speedway Wednesday night, 6/10/15. Continue Reading

Tri Star 555 Engine:

http://www.tristarengines.com/catalog/high-performance-crate-engines/gm/gm-prostar-series/prostar-555.html

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With the dirt track racing season coming to an end in the Midwest, Craig Thatcher and the #91 Tri Star Engines car set sights on a first place finish at the Legendary 100 at Cedar Lake Speedway over the weekend. Thatcher started the race in the 3rd position but blasted past the first two cars in turn 2 on the first lap and never looked back. Craig ended up with the 1st place trophy after leading all 30 laps in the Modified race.

Thatcher is no stranger to Cedar Lake Speedway, he's been a seven time champion at Cedar Lake Speedway, 6 of those coming from the Modified class and of course all with a Tri Star Engine!

http://www.cedarlakespeedway.com/news_article/show/419712?referrer_id=700581

Photos taken by Jerry Zimmer, http://www.zimmyzimagez.com/, https://www.facebook.com/zimmy101/about

 

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Craig Thatcher and the #91 Tri Star Engines car  took 7th in the main event 100 lap race at the World Modified Dirt Track Championship 7/26/14 at Deer Creek Speedway. Craig dominated his A main qualifier and had the lead as it got rained out on Friday night. During the finish on Saturday he maintained that lead to get the pole position in the main event with some of the top names in the USMTS. The main event was not as good to Craig where he slid back to a comfortable 7^th place finish.

http://www.usmts.com/news/news_article.asp?NewsID=17433

http://www.usmts.com/news/news_article.asp?NewsID=17418

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Craig Thatcher and the #91 Tri Star Engines car had a great start to the season with a 14th place finish at Humboldt Speedway in Kansas. Craig started off by qualifying 18th in the feature and battled his way to 14th in the 100 lap race. A total of 97 cars competed to see who would be "King of America IV" at Humboldt; check out the official results and summary on the USMTS website here: http://www.usmts.com/news/news_article.asp?NewsID=16439

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At Tri Star Engines we strive to provide our partners...

• Outstanding customer service
• Continuous technical training and product update bulletins
• Superior quality products
• Continuously evolving vehicle coverage
• 98%+ on-time shipments
• 48 hour warranty claim resolution
• 30 minute custom build quotes

Everyone can say it, but I know what you're thinking... How do we implement these pledges?

1) We hire the right people.

Recently a national parts distributor was touring the Tri Star Engines facility in Baldwin, WI to see if we were a good match for their company. We wined, we dined, we had a great response, but the thing that stood out the most to me was the first thing they said after the tour; The greatest asset to our business is our employees. When you're walking through our shop you can feel the Tri Star bond; Joe will be happy to show you how our Rottler CNC machine finishes blocks to tolerances equivalent to the OE builders... Mack will talk your ear off about how long every person has been here with Tri Star... Jon will convince you to hang out a little bit longer so you can see one of our high performance engines get dyno tested (if you haven't done it I highly recommend it)... 

2) We train, motivate and monitor our people for continuous self improvement.

From the shop to the office we have systems in place to increase the value for our customer and hold people accountable for mistakes.

In the office we utilize a Digium Switchvox phone system to track phone calls, if there's an issue in customer service we can trace the problem and be sure it is addressed. Our service reps utilize Customer Relationship Management software to effectively manage their time and goals, and customer service and warranty technicians are reviewed monthly through a 3 point system; customer reviews, internal management reviews, and self reviews.

In the shop every employee has a color coded marker that is assigned to only them. Each part of the engine that employee touches is marked with the specific color, allowing Tri Star to trace the problems in the event of a failure. All engines are assigned with a serial number which tracks every part used in that engine.

3) We understand that telling a customer 'no' is a reason to not call you next time.

Our February 2014 mailing says it best; "They say NO, We say NO PROBLEM." Our research and development team strives to be able to offer every engine, from being the first to offer the late model applications to having engines even the O.E. builders don't work on. Our R&D process for new part numbers begins with cataloging new engines by verifying application information from a variety of sources. Specifications for the new build are gathered and verified through multiple avenues, and an engine is brought in, disassembled and documented.

We constantly work to improve our processes to allow us to produce more engines in less time without changing the high quality we've built our name around. A warehouse full of engines in stock and 3 day turnaround time on 'hot build' engines means your customer will never have to be told "oh, they won't have that for a month..."

4) We live by the expression, "The Customer is King"

Every 'pledge' comes back to the same goal of providing the best possible engine buying experience. Mistakes happen and warranties were created for a reason, it doesn't matter who you are or what industry you're in. We strive to minimize these issues and in the rare cases there is an issue we handle them, and we handle them better than anyone. In the end how you take care of your customers when an issue arises is what separates a "supplier" from a "partner." At Tri Star we build long lasting relationships with our partners.. We take care of them, they take care of us, and we appreciate every single order we get.

Thinking about partnering with Tri Star? Contact us for information on setting up an account, obtaining sales literature or ordering immediately!

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