Faded Memories
Just Dashes has long been an industry leader when it comes to restoring vinyl and plastic interior components. in the past, the pieces had to be sent to the company's facility for the expert restoration. Well, it has just gotten much easier for hobbyists who want to restore their Pontiac's faded vinyl components, such as seats, door panels, or dashpads, in their own garage as opposed to installing reproduction pieces.
The company's new Fade Away kits contain top-quality vinyl dye available in virtually any factory color, allowing owners to recolor their original pieces with professional results or even change to another color entirely. Custom colored dyes are also available and simply require a color sample for the company to match.
Base Fade Away kit prices begin at $129.95, and it contains everything needed to produce show-quality results, including two quarts of vinyl dye, a disposable sprayer for those who choose not to apply with a HVLP spray gun, and detailed application instructions. Just Dashes, Dept. HPP, 5941 Lemona Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91411; (800) 247-3274; www.justdashes.com.
Coil Toil
Anyone who has built a dedicated Pontiac racer knows that an adjustable coilover suspension can oftentimes improve the overall performance of a purpose-built vehicle. But because the original shock mounts were not designed to support the entire weight of the body, the original mounting locations can distort, leading to broken components or torn mounting holes. So what are hobbyists who want to convert their Pontiac to a coilover-type suspension to do?
Dick Miller Racing has just released a rear coilover conversion kit that fits most rear-wheel-drive GM vehicles. The kit contains upper and lower strengthening mounts that can be bolted or welded in place, and allows coilover shocks to be used in applications where they couldn't before. Also included in the kit are two coilover shocks (single- or double-adjustable), two springs, a spanner wrench, and Torrington bearings for easier adjustment of the springs. Complete kit pricing begins at $775 for single adjustable and $975 for double adjustable. Dick Miller Racing, Dept. HPP, 5930 Hwy. 305 South, Hernando, MS 38632; (662) 233-2301; www.dickmillerracing.com.
Damped If You Don't
If your Pontiac was originally equipped with a "corporate" engine, and you've decided to improve its performance, ATI Performance Product's new line of Super Street Dampers for small-block Chevrolets will surely provide you peace of mind by dampening the crankshaft's harmonic vibrations of your street engine.
Though not SFI certified, these sealed, non-rebuildable dampers are excellent stock-replacement units that come finished in silver zinc-chromate, are laser-etched in 1-degree increments throughout the entire 360-degree circumference, and are available in 6- and 7-inch small-block and big-block Chevy applications. Claimed safe by the manufacturer to a maximum engine speed of 5,800 rpm, the Super Street Damper is bolted to the same hub as the company's Super Damper, making the cost of upgrading to an SFI-certified unit easier on your wallet. Prices start at $209. ATI Performance Products, Dept. HPP, 6747 Whitestone Rd., Baltimore, MD 21207; (800) 284-3433; www.atiperformanceproducts.com.
Good For Your Goat
If you're like most performance enthusiasts out looking for a little action, you know to deactivate the traction-control system (TCS) of your late-model GTO to ensure that your LS1/LS2 is applying all available power to the rear wheels. TCS is designed to improve traction by modulating throttle angle and spark to limit engine output and improve traction when the computer detects rear wheel spin. if you've ever had TCS kick in, you know its effect on performance. Speed Inc. now offers a TCS reverse module for late-model GTOs (PN IZMTCS) to prevent this from occurring.
At a retail cost of $79, the TCS reverse module installs between the factory wire harness and the TCS control switch of all '04-'06 GTOs using OEM-type plugs, and uses a single power wire to the fuse block. Reversing the factory TCS default setting, Speed Inc.'s module deactivates the TCS system until it is switched on. The simple installation makes for an easy install should you choose to return the TCS back to its original function. Speed Inc., Dept. HPP, 803C Albion Ave., Schaumburg, IL 60193; (866) 571-SPEED; www.ls1speed.com.