Bells and Whistles September '07 Gear and Upgrades
Written by Randy Fish
New V-Force EFI - Bolt-on Fuel Injection
Adding a finely tuned high-power electronic fuel injection system to your muscle car or race car has never been easier. The airflow experts at Wilson Manifolds are proud to announce their latest innovation, the V-Force EFI throttle body. Unlike most fuel injection conversions, which require dozens of parts (including a new intake manifold), the V-Force system is an all-inclusive fuel injection solution that integrates cutting edge Wilson airflow technology and turn-key EFI reliability in one slick-looking package. Engineers at Wilson Manifolds developed the V-Force high-flow throttle body using the latest computer modeling software, to produce a design that yields maximum flow per square inch of cross-sectional area. Eight fuel injector bosses (injectors ranging from 30-lb.-hr. to 160-lb.-hr. available separately) are designed to introduce fuel into the air stream for maximum atomization, and custom Wilson billet fuel rails and stanchions make installation a snap. The V-Force EFI features a standard 4150-style flange, so it will work on all popular four-barrel intake manifolds. Best of all, thanks to the unique eight-injector design, the V-Force throttle body is compatible with most of the popular aftermarket ECUs. Simply bolt the V-Force body on a standard four-barrel intake, add a coolant temperature sensor, throttle position sensor and O2 sensor (all available from Wilson), hook up an ECU, and you're ready to make horsepower. The V-Force system is designed to work on small-block and big-block V-8s, as well as import and European applications. For more info contact Wilson Manifolds, 4700 N.E. 11th Ave., Dept. DR, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334, call (954) 771-6216, or visit www.wilsonmanifolds.com.
New Air/Fuel Gauges
New air/fuel gauge kits are now available from Innovate Motorsports. The kits include a 2 1/16-inch gauge (red or blue LED), LC-1 wideband controller, oxygen sensor, bung/plug, and LogWorks award-winning data logging and engine analytics software. Developed in partnership with Nordskog Instruments, the DB gauge offers an affordable and appealing option for tuners seeking to monitor air/fuel ratio, while providing an entrance to full-blown data acquisition. For example, users can add a single SSI-4 interface, and log five critical parameters directly into any PC or laptop. For in-car recording, they can add a DL-32 and log hundreds of hours (32 channels) on a standard SD card. The DB gauges ship with LogWorks software, used by champion engine builders and racers for synchronous high-speed logging of wideband data, other MTS sensors, ECU data, and even data from piggyback fuel controllers. The DB gauges sell for $289, including wideband controller, oxygen sensor, and everything else a tuner needs to get started monitoring air/fuel ratio. For more information contact Innovate Motorsports at (949) 502-8400 or visit www.innovatemotorsports.com. Dealer inquiries welcome.
Double Adjustable Shocks - 576 Possible Combinations
Have you heard about the line of truly independent, double adjustable shocks from QA1 Motorsports? Available now, the entire double adjustable line features 24 positions of compression adjustment and 24 positions of rebound adjustment, providing 576 possible combinations to maximize the performance of your vehicle! These shocks are available for a variety of applications, including stock suspensions for 1955-present (American cars and light trucks), front coil-over conversions for GM muscle cars, late-model Camaros and Firebirds, as well as a complete line of coil-overs for hot rods, pro street, drag race, and back-half cars. This line of shocks offers a range of adjustability that has never before been possible. Throughout the adjustment range, count on evenly spaced valving changes, as well as complete independence of compression and rebound circuits. There'll be no more worrying about your compression changing when adjusting the rebound, and vice versa. The QA1 Motorsports double adjustable shock is for the most demanding performance vehicles on the drag strip and the street. QA1 recently acquired Carrera Shocks to further expand its product offering, and is also the number one manufacturer of rod ends and spherical bearings to motorsports. For additional information and a free catalog visit www.qa1.net or call (800) 721-7761.
Bolt-together Torque Converters for Drag Race Applications
Let's face it. Track conditions are never constant. Changes in temperature, track surface characteristics and a host of other variables can make vast differences in optimum E.T. and top-end MPH. Until now the only way to make changes in torque converter stall speed to match these ever-changing conditions was to bring along a selection of converters. To say that changing converters borders on inconvenient, not to mention expensive, is an understatement. And if your transmission should experience a failure, the only way that you could clean out your torque converter would be to send it to your local race transmission shop to be flushed or cut open and cleaned out. With the introduction of the new TCI PRO-X(tm) bolt-together torque converters for GM Powerglide, TH400 and TH350 applications, these barriers to flexible drag strip transmission performance have become a thing of the past. The new TCI(r) PRO-X(tm) bolt-together torque converters give experienced racers the ability to disassemble their torque converters and make stall speed changes at the track. A hand-built steel stator and billet sprag deliver the ultimate in strength and torque multiplication. In addition, the 7075-T6 billet aluminum cover eliminates ballooning concerns even in applications exceeding 2,500-plus horsepower. Call TCI at (888) 776-9824 or click on www.tciauto.com.
Impactanium (r) High Performance Fabric
"Ounce for ounce, Impactanium is the highest performing liner we've ever used in racing suits or underwear," states Bill Simpson of Impact Racing.
Impactanium is the result of a worldwide search for a suitable carbon (black) Aramid fiber and liner fabric that could be matched with today's lightweight Nomex(r) exterior fabrics. "Some of the common carbon fibers we tested did not perform well when matched with Nomex. That's when our search for a Nomex-compatible, high-performance, carbon-based liner began," continued Simpson.
To get the right combination of weight, breatheability and performance, testing was conducted on numerous carbon-based FR (fire-resistant) yarns and fabrics from all over the globe. The intensive search ultimately lead to an American fabric mill with decades of carbon yarn experience, the end result of which is now known as 'Impactanium.'" Available in long sleeve turtle neck and short sleeve T-crew neck tops $99 racer net, long pants $99 racer net, single and dual balaclavas $42 racer net. Impact Racing is a Bill Simpson company. Impact Racing competes directly with and is not affiliated with Simpson Performance Products. For more information call (317) 852-3067 or visit www.impactraceproducts.com.
Musi/Edelbrock Performance in a Package
Eight-time Pro Street world champion and famed performance specialist Pat Musi has described Edelbrock Victor 24-degree heads as "The best out-of-the-box heads on the market!" Now Musi has gone one step further with his engine-building expertise as Edelbrock offers his fully CNC-ported version of the Victor 24-degree, ready-to-race competition head (P/N 61409 and P/N 61419) for big-block Chevys. With years of racing and airflow experience, Musi refined the flow characteristics of the Victor 24-degree head with a unique large oval shape intake runner. Then, the fully ported design was digitized and is now available completely assembled. The complete Edelbrock/Musi Victor 24-degree CNC head (P/N 61409) features the same superior elements as the regular Edelbrock Victor 24-degree head, including 2.30-inch intake and 1.90-inch exhaust valves, Manley springs, titanium retainers and locks. It features 114cc combustion chambers and 367/377cc intake ports that flow 417-CFM at .900-inch lift. This conventional port location big-block head is ready-to-use right out of the box and capable of generating 950-plus horsepower. Please note, P/N 61409 is complete and assembled, while P/N 61419 is bare. For more information visit www.edelbrock.com, call (800) 801-2645 for a free catalog, or call (800) 416-8628 for tech assistance from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
Flame-Thrower‚ HEI Race Distributors for Chevrolets
PerTronix announces the availability of their Flame-Thrower‚ HEI racing distributors for Chevy V-8 applications. Cast finish P/Ns D1070 (black cap) and D1071 (red cap) fit all standard deck V-8 engines except the 348 and 409. According to PerTronix, these units use new components (not remanufactured) and feature an electronic module and coil combination that optimizes spark energy and peak current to the spark plug in the 6,000 to 8,500 RPM range. Compared to their street/strip version, PerTronix claims their race-only units produce 42 percent more energy in the coil with 46 percent faster spark breakdown time allowing 48 percent more peak current to reach the spark plug. This abundant energy doubles the spark intensity during the critical 1-millisecond of burn time. A specially designed vacuum lockout mechanism prevents timing adjustments that change rotor phasing, adversely affecting the burn time and efficient fuel combustion. Rotor plates are TIG welded to the mechanical advance mechanism preventing high RPM distortion and improving mechanical reliability. Each distributor uses a new aluminum housing cast and machined from a strong but lightweight A384 alloy and are supplied with a high dielectric strength cap with solid brass terminals, a balanced rotor and low resistance center coil brush, nylon rotor hold-down screws and a factory installed high performance mechanical curve kit with precision machined weights and center plate. A hardened machined steel gear is standard with bronze gears for roller cam applications is available separately. Great for both circle track and drag race applications where factory type HEI distributors are mandated, Flame-Thrower‚ HEI race distributors are available through most performance retailers.
Big-block Ford Belt Drive System
Designed for the Ford Racing E-460 block (P/N M-6009-E460), JESEL's new belt drive is available in two separate models, one for mechanical fuel pumps and another for electric fuel pumps (both accept aftermarket water pumps). They have all of JESEL's standard features, which include quick external cam timing adjustments ± 10 degrees, the ability to swap cams through the front cover without removing the oil pan, and a patented Gates High Torq drive belt that is stronger and more durable than chains or gear drives. The JESEL belt drive also absorbs crankshaft harmonics for more precise valve and ignition timing. For more information contact JESEL, 1985 Cedar Bridge Ave., Dept. DR, Lakewood, NJ 08701, call (732) 901-1800, E-mail
, or visit www.jesel.com.
1,000-HP 1996-04 Mustang Fuel Rails
To make big power, engines need plenty of fuel. High-flow injectors help, but without matching fuel rails, power is still limited. Professional Products, manufacturer of intake manifolds and fuel system components, is now offering high-flow fuel rails for the 1996-04 4.6L Mustang that can support up to 1,00-HP. Powerflow fuel rails feature polished stainless mounting brackets and utilize the stock mounting points for easy installation. Complete kits also include a braided stainless crossover hose, while a stainless inlet fitting allows use of the stock fuel line. A special elbow bracket for the stock fuel pressure sensor is included with each return-less style kit. Professional Products offers kits for both the early 1996-98 return systems (using a regulator), and the later 1999-04 (without return) 4.6L Mustangs. All rails are anodized in beautiful Ford Blue. For more information contact Professional Products, 12705 S. Van Ness Avenue, Dept DR, Hawthorne, CA 90250, call (323) 779-2020, or visit www.professional-products.com.
New Super Street Series Carburetors
Wish you had race car-quality carburetion for your street car? The performance carb specialists at Quick Fuel Technology have just granted your wish with their new Super Street series. They feature a Proform(r) aluminum main body specially constructed with a solid state electric choke for year-round easy starting. Billet metering blocks eliminate cross-well bleeding that can occur with die-cast blocks, and also provide consistent precision metering. Dual metering blocks are provided in all applications to accommodate a race style four corner idle system as well as superior secondary metering. A billet throttle body, fitted with QFT's proprietary Teflon(tm)-coated throttle shafts and low profile button head screws, coupled with Teflon-coated throttle shaft ribbons, ensures light pedal effort and greater airflow. QFT's exclusive lightweight contoured aluminum float bowls contain clear sight windows for easy float level adjustment. Thanks to their aluminum construction, QFT's new Super Street carbs are over 5 pounds lighter than their conventional zinc counterparts. These high performance carbs utilize either multi-link tunable mechanical secondary activation, or Quick Fuel's Quick Set adjustable vacuum secondary housing. All QFT SS Series carburetors accept dual feed fuel lines and use commonly available service and tuning components for easy installation and simplified maintenance. With sizes available from 650-CFM through 830-CFM, there is a Super Street application for almost every engine. For more information contact Quick Fuel Technology, 129 Dishman Lane, Dept. DR, Bowling Green, KY 42101, call (270) 793-0900, or visit www.quickfueltechnology.com.
{Tight-Fit Spark Plug Sockets
Complicated by elaborate exhaust headers and tight inner fender clearances, removing spark plugs can seem to be an almost impossible chore for the racer or mechanic. Powerhouse(r) Products has come to the rescue with a tool that can handle even the most frustrating spark plug challenges. The uniquely designed Powerhouse spark plug sockets feature a side opening that doesn't require the usual spark plug length clearance. The Tight-Fit spark plug sockets can be turned and slipped over the spark plug so that it can be removed in the standard manner with a box or open-end wrench. They're fully CNC-machined from 15-5 stainless steel aircraft alloy and properly heat-treated. The header socket internal hex, which connects to the spark plug, is electronically cut and built to give a lifetime of use. For more information call (800) 872-7223, or visit www.powerhouseproducts.com.
America's Most Powerful Street Muffler
Flowmaster's new Super 44(tm) muffler features a 4.00 x 9.75 x 13-inch case and offers distinct advantages over the company's original 40 Series(tm) muffler. The Super 44 delivers a rich, deep tone with its improved flow path radius, optimum internal flow and sound control engineering, created with Delta Flow(r) technology. Two years in development, the desire was to build a compact, super high performance street muffler that met all the critical Flowmaster performance improvement numbers. These American-made, all-black mufflers fit a wider range of vehicles while exceeding OEM build-quality specifications. They are designed for use on street machines, muscle cars and sport trucks when builders need Flowmaster's dynamic sound, torque and horsepower improvements in a smaller, high performance muffler. Contact Flowmaster, Inc., 100 Stony Point Rd., Ste. 125, Dept. DR, Santa Rosa, CA 95401, call (800) 544-4761 or click on www.flowmastermufflers.com. DR
