G'day mates. Aussie GTO fever has taken over yours truly and the hunt was on to find specialty products for this beauty at the SEMA Show. Even so, I still was on the look out for some unbelievable items for late model vintage Pontiacs. The SEMA Show is the Specialty Equipment Market Association's biggest event, which takes place once a year and they threw their largest party yet.
During the week of November 3-7, 2003 there is so much going on you could go bonkers trying to keep up. Now, even though the Vegas Convention Center was bustling with excitement, new products, masses of people, bea-uuu-tiful models, and so many jaw-dropping vehicles, we covered miles (literally) of carpet in search of elusive products and services for the performance hungry Pontiac hobbyist.
Many experts credited the strong aftermarket performance industry to the endless passion that enthusiasts--just like you--have maintained in the hobby. These blokes say that unlike most sectors of US industry, the automotive aftermarket continued to stay strong last year despite the strain an overseas war put on the U.S. economy. Even so, we never forgot our men and women overseas. Thanks to American soldiers giving their all for our way of life, the aftermarket industry was able to continue growing, thereby offering a host of innovative and unique products.
So grab a cold one, drop in your favorite chair, and enjoy the fruits of HPP's and the aftermarket's labor!
Nitrous Express
940-767-7694
www.nitrousexpress.com
What is it?
LS1 aluminum intake manifold
Why you need it?
Aluminum plaster-casting is aerospace technology, which reduces air pockets in the casting. This provides a stronger cast and a smoother factory surface than the plastic GM manifold. OEM fuel rails directly bolt in. Nitrous injection compatible. Underside allows full access to port intakes. Applications
LS1 Firebirds
MSRP
Part number unavailable at press time--$850
Made For You Products, LLC
760-868-6962
www.made4uproducts.com
What is it?
Spoiler Saver, serrated nylon washers to repair broken body spoiler mounting tabs
Why you need it?
Because sooner or later you're going to hit something and rip those lower spoiler tabs from the mounts.
Applications
Any vehicle with plastic lower body spoiler kits (T/As, GPs, etc.)
MSRP
$29.95 for pack of 10
Meziere
800-208-1755
www.meziere.com
What is it?
A 7-pound electric water pump that free flows over 55 gpm
Why you need it?
An easy 8-12hp gain at rear wheels by freeing up power load drain on the engine. Street versions carry a 2-year guarantee, are completely rebuildable, and keeps the engine cooler than stock. Fully CNC machined body is available in four colors.
Applications
Gen III Engine (LS1/LS6/LS2/LS7)
MSRP
Street PN WP319--$632 Race PN WP119--$400
Excentrix Automotive Innovation
909-930-3936
www.excentrixauto.com
What is it?
A drop-in air cylinder or air bag direct replacement for McPherson strut and/or coil/shock suspension systems
Why you need it?
Allows complete dampening and pressure adjustment at each wheel Gain better ride quality and traction bite at the line Major weight savings; 25-30 pounds for stock vs. 5.5-10 pounds per wheel with the new air system
Applications
Any vehicle with McPherson strut and/or coil/shock suspension systems Excentrix will include the proper brackets for shocks or struts
MSRP
Starting at $2,284
K&N Engineering Inc.
909-826-4000
www.knfilters.com
What is it?
A performance K&N air filter designed and pre-installed inside NHRA-style composite racing hood scoops
Why you need it?
Mounting a pre-fab performance filter and hood scoop means less time and air restriction when compared to carb mounted filters
Applications
Universal
MSRP
$793-$877, depending on hood scoop style
Dynojet Research, Inc
702-639-1105
www.dynojet.com
What is it?
A true, real-time 5-wire wideband O2 monitor system
Why you need it?
Easy to install module tracks TPS voltage and rpm levels against the O2 reading Download to your laptop to retrieve and analyze data using the included software You can even program the system to trigger power adders like nitrous
Applications
Any electronically fuel-injected vehicle
MSRP
$529.95
Professional Products
323-779-2020
www.professional-products.com
What is it?
Traditional Pontiac and Oldsmobile engine high performance harmonic balancers
Why you need it?
Bulletproof 1045 steel dampers are designed to withstand over 10,000 rpm Street damper handles 6,500 to 7,500 rpm range. All externally balanced engine dampers feature bolt-in counterweights allowing for swapping weights between dampers or adding them to internally balanced engine dampers if you change applications. PowerForce is made from nodular-iron and is for applications that rev to 6,500 rpm. PowerForce Plus is made from 1040-steel (and is SFI approved) and can withstand 10,000-plus rpm.
Applications
Traditional Pontiac and Oldsmobile engines
MSRP
Pontiac PowerForce Plus PN90020--$145 Pontiac PowerForce PN80020--$55 Oldsmobile PowerForce Plus PN90022--$152 Oldsmobile PowerForce PN80022--$60
Mickey Thompson Performance
330-928-9092
www.mickeythomsontires.com
What is it?
M/T's first street ET, DOT approved street legal drag radial for 15, 16, and 17-inch wheels
Why you need it?
M/T plans to match or beat BFG Drag Radial's 60-foot times
Applications
Anything you can fit 15 to 17-inch wheels on 15-inch (235/60, 275/50, 275/60, 295/65, 315/60, 325/50) 16-inch (255/60), 17-inch (275/40)
MSRP
Not available until May 2004
Breslin Performance Products
623-979-3690
www.go-breslin.com/Splitlock
What is it?
Split-Lock Mechanical Locking Fasteners
Why you need it?
A true locking fastener with a self-contained internal locking pin. No more regular adjustments to leaking valve covers or exhaust headers. No need to use locking liquids or fasteners to maintain proper bolt torque. Available in 8740 chrome-moly steel or stainless material.
Applications
Corporate and traditional Pontiac engines for headers, intake manifold and valve covers
MSRP
12 packs black oxide 3/4-inch $47.10 12 pack-chrome moly $58.03
ZEX
901-792-2400
www.zex.com
What is it?
A carburetor 4-barrel billet plate nitrous system up to 350 hp
Why you need it?
Comp Cams/Zex is now in the nitrous-for-carbureted-applications biz and guarantees even distribution with a 360-degree ring of fuel and juice. This system introduces the mix in a 360-degree cloud ,allowing the intake manifold to distribute the mixture, rather than injecting nitrous directly into a runner.
Applications
Standard Holley 4-barrel and Dominator carbureted engines
MSRP
$525
LizardSkin, LLC
877-278-9468.lizardskin.com
What is it?
Lizard Skin A liquid ceramic thermal insulation and acoustic sound absorber spray-on coating
Why you need it?
Ever drive in a big horsepower musclecar in the summer with no A/C? It's too hot. It's too loud. Now you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Lizard skin forms a moisture barrier, yet remains flexible through extreme temperatures (-45 to 500 degrees F).
Applications
Interior and exterior of any vehicle
MSRP
$189 for 2 gallons, good for up to 46 to 50 feet.
Holley
800-2HOLLEY
www.holley.com
What is it?
Weiand's John Lingenfelter Signature 300-111 cast aluminum intake manifold
Why you need it?
Weiand is offering this Lingenfelter-designed performance intake for LS1 engines. The intake has thicker than stock aluminum manifold walls to allow machining and to withstand high stress levels. NOS fogger nozzle points are already molded in and the manifold is designed to utilize regular paper gaskets to seal ports. Access from the bottom makes porting work easy.
Applications
LS1 Firebirds
MSRP
PN 300-111--$500
Leading Edge Cryogenics, Inc.
928-567-1279
www.lecryo.com
What is it?
Pure Power cryogencally treated performance spark plugs
Why you need it?
The benefits of cryogenic treatment is to molecularly realign parts to increase strength. In this case, cryogenic treatment means an increase in electrical conductivity. Its claimed to reduce automobile emissions by 25 to over 80 percent, increase cylinder pressure (i.e., deliver more power) by 15 percent, and increase fuel economy from 5 to over 15 percent, depending on vehicle applications.
Applications
Any engine! LEC uses OEM plugs.
MSRP
Starting at $8.25 per plug, depending on spark plug
F-A-S-T
662-224-3495
www.fuelairspark.com
What is it?
Billet 78mm and 90mm LS1/LS6 throttle bodies
Why you need it?
Because big horsepower LS1 engines need LOTS of air
Applications
LS1/LS6 Firebirds
MSRP
78 mm--$580 90 mm--$620
Stainless Steel Brakes
716-759-8666
www.ssbrakes.com
What is it?
Tri-Power front brake caliper kit. A high performance direct bolt-on 3-piston aluminum caliper.
Why you need it?
Because there is no such thing as too much brake. Plus, GM put it on its Autocross GTO and presented SSBC with the SEMA "Best High Performance Product" award.
Applications
98-'02 Firebirds, late model GMC trucks, and '04 GTO.
MSRP
$975