Sema New-Parts Tech Guide Part II

Spotted on the SEMA showfloor is Project Empty Nest, a Pro-Touring tribute to the legendary '69 Trans Am convertible. Its 800hp IA II 535ci engine is backed by a TKO-600 five-speed and a 3.73 Moser 12-bolt. Additional mods came from Air Ride Technologies, SpeedTech Performance, Wilwood and Forgeline. It was built by Prodigy Customs of Orlando, Florida.

SPC Performance
(303) 772-2103
www.spcperformance.com
What is it?
Adjustable Upper Control Arms
Why you need it: Today's technology has produced huge gains in the areas of ride and handling, giving owners of classic Firebirds and GTOs options unfathomable 40 years ago. According to the manufacturer, "these fully adjustable, rugged upper control arms provide quick and easy adjustment for standard or lowered ride heights and will accommodate most standard, coil, and air-ride systems." They include a 20-degree midsize plate, adjustable sleeves, Clevite bearings and a lowering kit (balljoints not included).
Applications:
'67-'81 Firebird, '64-'72 GTO/LeMans
MSRP: $518 per pair

K-Mac Alignment Kits
61-2-9556-1799 (Australia)
www.k-mac.com
What is it?
Ratchet Adjust Coilover Kit
Why you need it:
Adjust your spring height and compression instantly with this new product. Simply install the "Coil Jacker" over the base of your strut mount, then use a ratchet or impact wrench to adjust your ride height for track, street, or towing.
Applications:
'04-'06 GTO, '08 G8
MSRP: $495

BMR Fabrication
(813) 986-9302 • www.bmrfabrication.com
What is it?
Turbo High-Clearance K-Member
Why you need it:
Limited engine bay room and accessibility are two of the hallmarks of the Fourth-Gen Firebird. According to BMR, "Narrow strut towers, a huge windshield overhang, and bulky K-members all limit the ability to run custom turbo and supercharger setups." One solution is to swap your factory unit for this high-clearance K-member that allows you to run a 5-inch downpipe along the side of the motor. It features LS1-style motor mounts as well as traditional small-block and big-block Chevrolet mounts. All versions of this K-member are available with "OE-style power rack-and-pinion mounts or custom mounts for BMR's widened Pinto-style manual rack-and-pinion," according to the manufacturer.
Applications:
'93-'02 Firebird
MSRP: Start at $599

Unisteer Performance Products
(330) 425-9080 • www.unisteer.com
What is it?
Rack-and-Pinion Kit
Why you need it:
This kit will greatly improve the steering response of your classic GTO or LeMans without having to cut, drill or weld the frame. Unisteer reduced the bump steer found in the stock system by 11/44-inch compression and 11/42-inch rebound through 1 inch of travel in each direction. The factory 4.2 turns-to-lock is decreased to 3.25 with this 14:1 ratio unit. This package bolts on via the stock gearbox and idler arm mounting holes. No special cradle system is required as is common with other steering systems.
Applications:
'64-'72 GTO/LeMans
MSRP: $1,750

Air Ride Technologies
(812) 482-2932 • www.ridetech.com
What is it?
PosiLink Performance Sway Bar End Links
Why you need it:
Most sway bar end links are constructed with traditional rubber or polyurethane bushings and standard bolts. These new offerings bring sway bar technology into the 21st century with high-strength zinc alloy construction and a balljoint-style rod end. According to the manufacturer, "this new design affects a positive transfer of motion from the control arms to the sway bar without the deflection you get from using a traditional bushing and bolt-kit."
Applications:
'67-'69 Firebird, GTO/'64-'72 LeMans
MSRP:$99-$129

K-Mac Alignment Kit
61-2-9556-1799 • www.k-mac.comWhat is it?
Coilover Struts
Why you need it:
The G8 may be new to the USA, but Australian engineers have already tested aftermarket components for the new Pontiac sports sedan as part of their Holden VE Commodore programs. These units are great for street, strip, race, drift, or load carrying use and come with the patented "Coil Jacker" adjustment that allows you to change your ride height or wheel bias with a 24 V impact wrench in only 10 seconds (or a ratchet for manual adjustments) without using a jack or removing the wheel.
Applications:
'08 G8
MSRP: $1,630

Moser Engineering
(260) 726-6689 • www.moserengineering.com
What is it?
Torque Arm with Fabricated Housing
Why you need it:
Moser says this is the strongest torque arm assembly on the planet and is perfect for Firebirds running in the 10s. It's constructed of 4130 chrome-moly material and, according to the manufacturer, "utilizes a unique sliding front mount that allows the torque arm to slide, enabling it to move freely and not bind, which would impair the overall handling of the car". The assembly comes with fabricated housing(powdercoated), chrome-moly crossmember, chrome-moly torque arm, Moser custom alloy axles with bearings and studs, and all appropriate hardware. It installs into existing factory mounting points, eliminating the need for welding or fabrication.
Applications:
'93-'02 Firebird
MSRP: $1,915

Tuff-Stuff Performance
(216) 961-1800 • www.tuffstuffperformance.com
What is it?
Power Brake Booster/Aluminum Master Cylinder Combo
Why you need it:
Are you considering turning your Pontiac into a Pro-Touring or resto-mod cruiser? This 11-inch brake booster/master cylinder combo will bolt right up to your Pontiac's factory mounting position and features triple chrome plating, hand-polished finish, new components, and is vacuum tested for reliability. If you want somewhat of a stock appearance, this master cylinder is also available in a plain finish paired with a gold zinc booster.
Applications:
'64-'72 GTO/LeMans, '70-'81 Firebird
MSRP: $400

AFCO
(800) 632-2320 • www.afcoracing.com
What is it?
Front Shock Mount
Why you need it:
This upper shock mount is a great item for performance usage as it allows for an aftermarket shock to be installed without grinding, welding, or machining. According to AFCO, "this mount eliminates the inherent bind that the factory mount causes." Reducing bind in the chassis is like unleashing free horsepower.
Applications:
'93-'02 Firebird
MSRP: $28 each

AFCO
(800) 632-2320 • www.afcoracing.com
What is it?
AFCO Coilover Shock Thread Protector
Why you need it:
When using your Pontiac in a drag or road racing application, you may decide to replace the factory springs and shocks with rate-specific coilover units. During usage, the coil spring may bow slightly during heavy loading and could come in contact with the shock body, which could damage the shock. Also, side-loading the spring could cause bind in the suspension. These thread protectors help guide the coil over the end of the shock and prevent the spring from binding. It's a perfect choice for drag racing where light, tall springs are required for maximum weight transfer.
Applications:
Pontiacs equipped with coilovers
MSRP: $39 (pack of four)

Hellwig Products
(800) 367-5480 • www.hellwigproducts.com
What is it?
Front and Rear Sway Bars
Why you need it:
Sway bars are nothing new, but the materials from which they are made and the force that they can absorb has improved since the 0.6875-inch unit was offered on the '67 Firebird. Hellwig's new sway bars are made from 4140 heat-treated alloy powdercoated spring steel and feature fully-adjustable end links (front) and torsion arms (rear), and heavy-duty hardware with high-durometer polyurethane bushings. The front size is 1 1/8-inch and the rear measures 3/4-inch. They bolt in with no modification to the front, require two holes drilled into the framerails at the rear, and offer greatly improved cornering traction for safer driving and cornering capabilities.
Applications:
'67-'69 Firebird
MSRP:$238 (front)/$320 (rear)

Flaming River Industries
(440) 826-4488 • www.flamingriver.com
What is it?
Rack-and-Pinion Cradle
Why you need it:
Rack-and-pinion steering was an integral part of the Fourth-Gen Firebird suspension system. Now, you can retrofit a rack-and-pinion cradle steering system to your First-Gen Firebird. Flaming River's system is designed to maintain the full-stock steering radius but employs a quick 12:1 ratio with 2.8 turns lock-to-lock and comes in manual- or power-steering versions. The cradle is jig-welded and installs in the original mounting location of the steering box and idler arm, using the stock mounting holes. According to the manufacturer, no drilling, cutting or welding is required.
Applications:
'67-'69 Firebird
MSRP: Start at $1,590

Flaming River Industries
(260) 726-6689 • www.moserengineering.com
What is it?
Tilt Column
Why you need it:
If your Pontiac wasn't offered with tilt column steering, an original unit just can't be found, you like chrome, or you want the locking steering wheel feature introduced by GM in '69 on your '68 or older Pontiac, here's an easy solution. Flaming River introduces the Classic Series of tilt steering columns. Each includes an original "Key at 3" (o'clock) location, all-new components (nothing rebuilt or remanufactured) including a genuine GM ignition switch and key assembly. The ignition plug assembly uses the standard GM design (all-mechanical and does not use a relay) to accept the O.E.-style plug on the wiring harness. Floor-shift columns are available in 28-inch, 30-inch, 32-inch, 33-inch and 35-inch lengths. Column shift units are available in 28-inch, 30-inch, 33-inch and 35-inch lengths. For replacement applications, the columns have a 1-inch, 48-spline output shaft. Be sure to measure the length of your original column for a perfect fit.
Applications:
All non-airbag-equipped Pontiacs
MSRP:
Starts at $549

Air Ride Technologies
(812) 482-2932 • www.ridetech.com
What is it?
AirPod Air Suspension Control System
Why you need it:
Traditionally, upgrading your shocks/springs to an Air Ride system involved mounting all of the individual components-compressor, tank, air valves, computer, plumbing and harnesses-and often required a full day or more of labor. With this new airpod control system, installation time is cut down to one to two hours. Simply mount the airpod in your trunk, plug in your four air lines, and supply power and ground. Each kit is pre-tested, pre-plumbed, and guaranteed to be leak-free.
Applications:
Any Pontiac with air suspension
MSRP:Starts at $1,895.