Amazing Alumni:

John Meaney ’85, College of Engineering

Current life role: Owner “Big Stuff 3,” engine management

John Meaney ’85, College of Engineering

Not many engineers have their senior project follow them around, but John Meaney’s had enough staying power to define his professional career. Meaney, an admitted “motor head” with a penchant for speed, wanted to do something to power up his ’69 Camaro. Professors Gilbert Lehmann ’55 and Rodney Bohlmann ’70 focused him on creation of a basic electronic fuel injection system for his Camaro as his senior mechanical engineering project. Needless to say, when Meaney took his classmates to the parking lot to review his project, he left a lasting impression.

The revolution
The device was crude but also revolutionary, and it got Meaney focused on building an even sleeker, more reliable model. By the time he founded “Digital Fuel Injection,” his first company, Meaney had perfected his work. “The technology for electronic fuel injection already existed, but we (DFI) were the first ones to make a reliable, dependable, low-cost system for the masses that could interface with the stock ignition systems. Our unit was programmable in ‘real time,’ which made it kind of revolutionary because you could get instant feedback from the engine.”

This initial success gave Meaney the background to create a series of ever-improved fuel injection units that ultimately earned him the title “Godfather of modern aftermarket EFI systems” and the respect of high-performance car enthusiasts everywhere.

The next big thing
Now Meaney, along with his brothers Leo and Joe ’86, run “Big Stuff 3,” a company focused on the design, manufacture, and marketing of state-of-the-art electronic engine and power train controllers for the performance aftermarket. In other words, car buffs who love speed and power, love Meaney’s products. And, in fact, Meaney uses his own products when he races his Competition Eliminator Dodge Avenger, Stock Eliminator ’95 Camaro, or his new ’07 ZO6 Corvette.

Of his phenomenal success in this unique automotive niche, Meaney credits Valpo with giving him a leg up on the competition. “All the professors at VU were great human beings who would go the extra mile to help out a student. I was thankful I could get access to faculty after hours—I probably gave Professor Lehmann plenty more gray hair!

“Maybe most importantly, Valpo taught me the critical key to learning—understanding concepts rather than simply memorizing formulas.”