As is always the case, the '06 SEMA show provided HPP with boatloads of new products that will hit the street for 2007 and be coveted by many Pontiac hobbyists. This year, we begin our annual new parts tech guide with 20 parts for all of you LS1- and LS2-powered Pontiac owners. So dig in and keep your checkbook handy.
Eagle Specialty Products
(662) 796-7373 *www.eaglerod.com
What is it? Tall-Deck 4.250-Inch Stroker Kit
Why You Need It: Eagle Specialty is working with both the Bill Mitchell World Products Warhawk block and the new Chevrolet LSX block to offer two different tall-deck designs (9.8- and 9.7-inch decks). Both feature an Eagle forged, 4340-steel, 4.250-inch-stroke, internally balanced crankshaft; Eagle forged, 4340-steel H-beam rods; JE pistons and rings; and Clevite bearings. LS1 owners may also pick from available stroke kits of 3.622 (stock), 3.900, 4.00, and 4.100 for their buildups. All components are balanced by the manufacturer. Eagle says it also takes great care in special packaging and shipping of these stroker kits to protect the sensitive reluctor ring of LS1 and LS2 motors.
Applications: '98-'02 and '04 LS1, '05-'06 LS2
MSRP: Starting at $2,623
Crane Cams
(386) 252-1151 * www.cranecams.comWhat is it? Pro Series Shaft-Mount Rocker-Arm Kit
Why You Need It: Designed for hard-core racing, the Crane Pro Series Shaft-Mount Rocker-Arm Kit uses composite bearings that replace traditional needle bearings, eliminating needle-bearing wear, and the company claims a 20hp increase over needle-bearing rocker-arm kits. It features Quick-Lift Geometry, allowing racers to gain 0.09 extra ratio in the critical first 0.300 of lift. The kit includes billet stands, premium fastening hardware, and Mikronite-processed rocker bodies and shafts. In addition, 1.7 and 1.8 rocker ratios are available.
Applications: '98-'02 and '04 LS1, '05-'06 LS2
MSRP: $1,195
Comp Cams
(901) 795-2400 * www.compcams.com(A Division Of Comp Performance Group)
What Is It? Billet Belt Tensioner
Why You Need It: A factory tensioner can rob power due to belt slippage. According to the company, this belt tensioner requires only 15-30 minutes of installation time and eliminates belt slippage. It's a direct bolt-on installation and is spring-loaded so it can be torqued to your desired belt tension. It has been tested by the manufacturer up to 7,500 rpm.
Applications: '98-'02 and '04 LS1
MSRP: $176
Hooker Headers
800-Holley-1 *
www.ilovemyhookerheaders.com(A division of Holley Performance Products)
What Is It? Hooker Super Competition Headers
Why You Need It: These headers utilize lightweight, 18-gauge, mandrel-bent mild steel. The 30-inch, tuned-length, 171/48-inch primaries merge into a 3-inch, slip-fit Power Spear collector for a simple, leak-free installation. Tuned-length primaries increase exhaust velocity for performance gains, and the slip-fit collectors provide 1-3 inches of additional ground clearance for lowered applications. All hardware, gaskets, O2, A.I.R., and EGR fittings are included.
Applications: '98-'99 and '00-'02 LS1 Firebirds (under seperate part numbers)
MSRP: $565 (high-temperature coating), $730 (ceramic)
Manley Performance Products(732) 905-3366 *
www.manleyperformance.com
What Is It? H-Lite Series Connecting Rods
Why You Need It: Upgrade your stock connecting rods with these lightweight, 605-gram, H-beam items. The manufacturer says these rods are heat-treated, stress-relieved, shot-peened, and Magnafluxed-4340 forgings with ARP 200 cap-fasteners enabling a 600hp rating.
Applications: '98-'02 and '04 LS1MSRP: $656
Trick Flow Specialties
(330) 630-1555 * www.trickflow.com
What Is It? CamshaftWhy You Need It: This product is designed for Pro Street or drag-race use and is described by Trick Flow as too radical for daily-drivers. The horsepower range is between 2,500 to 6,500 rpm. On a company test engine, this camshaft produced flywheel horsepower ratings of 515 and torque ratings of 460 lb-ft. The specs are 228/230-degrees at 0.050 duration, 0.585/0.585 lift, 112-degrees LSA, and 107-degrees ICL.
Applications: '98-'02 and '04 LS1, '05-'06 LS2
MSRP: $269
Manley Performance Products
(732) 905-3366 * www.manleyperformance.com
What Is It? Hollow-Stem Intake Valves
Why You Need It: These valves are designed for drag-race use, are 11 percent lighter than their solid-stem counterparts, and feature a 2.00-inch diameter.
Applications: '98-'02 and '04 LS1
MSRP: $414
Manley Performance Products
(732) 905-3366 * www.manleyperformance.com
What Is It? Billet-Steel Roller Timing-Chain Kits
Why You Need It: Features include fully machined, billet-steel sprockets; a roller chain designed with 0.250-inch-diameter rollers; and a nine-keyway crankshaft sprocket. The camshaft sprocket includes captive Torrington roller bearings.
Applications: '98-'02 and '04 LS1
MSRP: $149
Pro-Race Performance Products
(800) 977-0767 * www.pro-race.com
What is it? PRO/SPORT 25-Percent Underdrive SFI-Spec 18.1 Crankshaft Harmonic Damper
Why You Need It: Recover wasted horsepower. This all-steel bonded crankshaft damper is spin-tested to 12,500 rpm and features 60-degree timing marks and a clear-baked paint finish.
Applications: '98-'02 and '04 LS1, '05-'06 LS2
MSRP: Unavailable at time of print