Clevite Engine Parts has announced a new initiative to increase awareness and availability of its engine parts in the growing sport compact market. This two-pronged effort entails targeting and educating import specialist engine builders as well as continuing to introduce new products that make these sport compact engines more durable.

Product lines being marketed through the initiative include Clevite 77 engine bearings, Perfect Circle piston rings and Victor Reinz gaskets — some of the most respected brands in engine parts.

"We’ve always had good coverage of our engine parts for imports," explained Terry Shively, vice-president of Clevite Engine Parts. "We now have an aggressive plan to reach the booming sport compact market."

"First, Clevite is going to invest in concerted/targeted efforts to educate and inform engine builders, import specialists and car owners that we have standard, premium and high performance engine parts for most popular sport compact models," said Shively.

In addition, the company said it will continue to introduce new products to enhance the performance and durability of sport compact engines on the street and on the track. Just recently, Clevite introduced specially-coated engine bearings and a custom selectable head gasket for the Honda V-Tec engine. Shively also mentioned adding TriArmor coated bearings for the 2.4L DOHC Chrysler, the 2.0L Ford DURATEC, the 2.2L GM ECOTEC and the 3.0L DOHC Toyota engine. Additional products are under development.

"These new and exciting offerings will supplement our already broad coverage of engine bearings, piston rings and gaskets for sport compact engines," said Shively. "In addition, we will be supporting racing teams in their engine development programs. For many years we’ve worked closely with and developed products for the premier NHRA and NASCAR engine builders. Our engineers believe that there will be substantial technology transfer to sport compact drag racing as well."