Info on EVA companies.

[Terry Faugno]

        Called Aura and Pantera today. Got ahold of people who actually knew
what they were talking about.
        Aura, tried a permanent magnet system, only went to 7K or so RPM.
Switched to electromagnets, say they have signed contracts with Chrysler and
other OEMs, expect to see engines with the camless valve train in a few
years, possibly 1999 or so. No plans to sell aftermarket kits themselves,
but they are *quite* aware of the potential market of enthusiasts and have
tentative plans to work with an established aftermarket company to make a
retrofit kit.
        Pantera, talked to owner's son. Had a lot to talk about. Supposedly,
Aura bought their magnets or some system component from them. They have a
2.3l Ford engine that showed 10% HP and Torque gain, and 25% emissions
decrease. They now have a system that they claim can rev up past 10KRPM
safely. They will perform conversions to customer's cylinder heads, but at
$1000/valve. Lets out the amatuer enthusiasts, at least for now. They intend
to OEM to the big 3 and others, but aren't going to leave the enthusiasts in
the cold either.

        Right now, it's all blue-sky. In 5 years, expect to see VTEC owners
selling their cars off, or converting to camless valvetrains. Aura seemed to
indicate that their product was mature enough to hand over to Chrysler and
let them develop it on their cars.

                That's all I have on that subject for now. I asked for
literature from both companies, and will let you know when it arrives.
        

                Later,
                 Terry