Part II of our tech guide picks up where Part I left off: more hot new Pontiac products for 2003, courtesy of the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Vegas, held November 5-8, 2002. The staff of HPP spent the better part of three days picking through the enormous Las Vegas Convention Center to find these puppies and bring them to print, so take a look at the best that the hot rod industry has to offer.
COMPETITION CAMS
901-795-2400 www.compcams.com
What it is: LS1 Xtreme Energy cams from Competition Cams
Why you need it: Comp Cams has just released eight new Xtreme Energy hydraulic roller grinds for the LS1 motor. Part No. 5442411 features 212o/218o duration at .050 and .558/.563 lift with a 115o LSA, but all eight have new lobe design technology that will add horsepower and extend the rpm range of your Gen. III mill
Which applications: '98-up V8 Firebirds
Suggested price: $465
HOLLEY PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS
270-782-2900 www.holley.com
What it is: Universal 4- and 6-cylinder nitrous system from NOS
Why you need it: For an additional 35, 50, or 75 horsepower from your late-model 4- or 6-cylinder Pontiac. Part No. 05130 goes in front of the throttle body and pulls fuel from the fuel rail. It utilizes a single-fogger wet distribution method with the Soft Plume nozzle for a more direct spray and an excellent fuel/nitrous mix
Which applications: Fuel-injected 4- and 6-cylinder Pontiacs
Suggested price: $660
PAINLESS PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS
817-244-6212 www.painlessperformance.com
What it is: A Vortec wiring harness from Painless Performance Products
Why you need it: This is a turn-key, plug-in engine management wiring harness which enables engine swappers with a donor Vortec motor to eliminate the Medusa-like chassis wiring of an OEM harness. Part No. 60213, an extra-long harness for the fuel-injected '96-97 V8 Vortec mill, gives enthusiasts swapping this powerful motor into Pontiac bodies an extra four feet of wire for the computer connectors, which enables the builder to mount the ECM in a different place. Lengthened sensor wires are a part of the package as well
Which applications: Any Pontiac with a swapped-in Vortec 5.0- or 5.7-liter engine
Suggested price: $700
MSD IGNITION
915-857-5200 www.msdignition.com
What it is: Programmable launch rpm limiter from MSD
Why you need it: Part No. 7561 is a microprocessor-controlled limiter that plugs in place of the rpm module in an MSD ignition unit and allows you to program a rev limit that ramps back up in a specified amount of time--perfect for the small- or radial-tire racer. It is programmed from a laptop or MSD's Hand Held Monitor, part No. 7550, and the software is downloadable from MSD's web site for free. Once the program has been loaded, the limiter controls the hit to your tires and will help traction from track to track
Which applications: Any Poncho with a distributor and an MSD box
Suggested price: $220
NITROUS EXPRESS
940-767-7694 www.nitrousexpress.com
What it is: Nitrous power controller from Nitrous Express
Why you need it: Part No. 15963 is a progressive unit with a ton of cool features for NX users. The Maximizer's built-in window switch utilizes a starting, final, and ramp time for a fully adjustable shot and a smooth nitrous application. This box controls up to three stages of nitrous, and will retard ignition for each one. Custom rich/lean, bottle pressure, and fuel pressure parameters can be set and programmed to halt juice flow if the settings have been compromised, and the MAP sensor can be monitored in boosted applications. Own a trans brake? Program the nitrous to hit once the button goes off. And best of all, everything can be controlled from a PDA
Which applications: Any carbed or EFI Pontiac using an NX nitrous system
Suggested price: N/A
COMPETITION CAMS
901-795-2400 www.compcams.com
What it is: A high-performance LS1 valve spring from Competition Cams
Why you need it:The ovate wire design provides better durability and performance in high-lift applications, and its progressive spring rate will still maintain the cam lobe profile. These springs are smaller and lighter than stock, and two versions are available: part No. 26915 for .550 lift or less cams, and part No. 26918 for .550 to .600 lift cams
Which applications: '98-up V8 Firebirds
Suggested price: $175/set for the 26915, $194/set for the 26918
PERTRONIX
909-599-5955 www.pertronix.com
What it is: Flame Thrower HEI distributor from PerTronix
Why you need it: For V8 owners wanting a hotter spark, part No. D1200 from PerTronix will do you good. Starting with an all-new machined housing utilizing A384 alloy for strength and light weight, a balanced rotor and a low-resistance center coil brush are standard. PerTronix wanted this high-zoot HEI to outdo the hot factory units, so it has focused on partnering up the module and the included coil to get a good amount of energy to your plugs. This distributor comes complete with a high-strength cap with solid brass terminals and nylon hold-down screws to prevent high-rpm arcing. All have vacuum-advance, and the vacuum advance canister is adjustable. A high-performance mechanical curve kit includes additional springs, as well
Which applications: 301-455 V8 Pontiacs
Suggested price: $230 with Flame Thrower coil
SPI DISTRIBUTION
781-395-0008 www.spectrapremium.com
What it is: GM Restoration-approved radiator from SPI Distribution
Why you need it: To keep that classic Indian correct and cool. SPI has just had nine radiators licensed through GM as restoration parts. They are dimensionally identical units with the same number of cores as the originals, so they aren't race pieces--still, these radiators will fit most '66-80 applications. For example, part No. SPI165R is a 28 1/4-inch 4-row GM crossflow radiator for Bonnes, Catalinas, Grand Ams, Grand Prix, Grandvilles, and GTOs with large-inch motors
Which applications: Damn-near every Pontiac from '66-80
Suggested price: $167
EDELBROCK
310-781-2222 www.edelbrock.com
What it is: 650- and 800-cfm carbs from Edelbrock
Why you need it: These universal designs are based on the wildly popular Performer carbs--with a few upgrades. The Thunder Series has an adjustable, spring-loaded secondary upper air door that enables tuners to play with the secondaries--a feature the counterweighted Performer series didn't have. They come with dual fuel inlets and are available in manual or electric choke configurations
Which applications: Any carbureted Pontiac V8
Suggested price: $416-$511
FLOWMASTER
800-544-4761 www.flowmastermufflers.com
What it is: Firebird V6 exhaust system from Flowmaster
Why you need it: To up the horsepower on the wily Series II V6. Part No. 17358 utilizes dual 2.5-inch tailpipes with an 80-series muffler for more power coupled with a deep musclecar tone. Tests have uncovered a 7-10 percent increase in horsepower and torque at the wheels with this system
Which applications: '98-02 V6 Firebirds
Suggested price: $415
TURBOSMART
www.turbosmart.com.au 443-557-0086
What it is: Boost gauge/controller from Turbosmart
Why you need it: The e-Boost (part No. fg-eboost) is a 2 5/8-inch gauge with an astounding amount of technology built in for controlling those rare turbo Pontiacs. This unit is a boost gauge and boost controller in one that utilizes a simple hookup and can control up to three programmed boost levels. With each boost level, other parameters like wastegate opening percentages, max boost memory and audible alarms can be controlled independently. Three internally or externally activated set points will let you control boost stages and alcohol or nitrous injection as well. The e-Boost also has a built-in digital boost gauge that will operate in psi, bar, or kpa for your viewing pleasure
Which applications: '80-81 and '89 Turbo T/A and any turbocharged Pontiac
Suggested price: $499
STREET AND PERFORMANCE
479-394-5711 www.hotrodlane.cc
What it is: LS1 engine mount adapter plates from Street and Performance
Why you need it: These plates, made from 6061 aluminum alloy, are used to swap the powerful and efficient LS1 into the Pontiacs that shared engines with Chevy cars. The plates bolt to the LS1 with the included metric or standard bolts so the motor can be dropped into a regular position with the original Chevrolet motor mounts used on your Poncho. They are available polished or chromed
Which applications: Ponchos with corporate small-block V8s
Suggested price: $90
BAER BRAKE SYSTEMS
602-233-1411 www.baer.com
What it is: Adjustable tie rod set from Baer Brakes
Why you need it: Two numbers will greatly enhance your A-body's handling: Part No. 3301016 for '64-70 with stock spindles, 3301003 for '71-72 with stock spindles. How, you might ask? Hardened chrome-moly tie rod pins and spherical rod ends are mated to 6061 aluminum sleeves to provide 3/4-inch shim adjustability, which should bump the bump steer right out of those massive GM products
Which applications: '64-72 A-body Pontiacs
Suggested price: $149
JBA HEADERS
619-229-7797 www.jbaheaders.com
What it is: LS1 shorty header from JBA Headers
Why you need it: This Cat4ward is a 50-state-legal, 1 5/8-inch shorty header made of 14-gauge mild steel. The nickel chrome-plated design fancies itself as a direct bolt-in replacement for the factory manifolds, with 1807 being the part number for '98-99 Firebirds, 1808 for '00 models, and 1808-1 for '01-02 cars. When tested on a '99 F-body with stock manifolds, the JBAs made 12 more ponies at the wheels, according to the company. They come complete with all gaskets, hardware, and mounting instructions, and ceramic coating is available in silver or titanium finishes
Which applications: '98-up V8 Firebirds
Suggested price: $749
WINGS WEST
714-708-8300 www.wingswest.com
What it is: Prototype Pontiac hood from Wings West
Why you need it: Wings West isn't sure you need it yet, as a sales rep was quoted as saying that "no official plans are in the works to produce this carbon fiber hood as of right now." Regardless of that info, the EVO Series hood that would look great on a Grand Prix was a knockout at SEMA. That rep hinted at the possibility of production if there was a strong demand, so we'll let you decide whether or not it gets produced
Which applications: None as of yet
Suggested price: N/A
SUSPENSION TECHNIQUE
800-595-7016 www.stracing.com
What it is: Vibe lowering springs from Suspension Technique
Why you need it: They will lower your 2003 Vibe's stance a sleek two inches for improved looks, and with the front coils possessing 200 lb.-in. and the rears having 220 lb.-in., part No. 63092 will improve handling as well
Which applications: '03 Pontiac Vibe
Suggested price: N/A