SEMA News—March 2014
RACING & PERFORMANCE NEW PRODUCTS
RACING INTO THE BLACK
Find Profit With Performance Parts From the 2013 SEMA Show
For buyers that specialize in high-performance accessories, the 2013 SEMA Show was “the place” to discover new trends, and potential profit centers. Hundreds of exhibitors dedicated to power and performance were on hand, offering the latest in turbochargers, superchargers, exhausts, headers and much, much more. Racing and Performance exhibitors also submitted a wide variety of products into the Show’s annual New Products Showcase. Page through this special section and enjoy identifying the products that belong either on your store’s shelves or in your personal garage. Also, take time to review journalist Steve Campbell’s interviews with industry executives, offering their thoughts about the trends they perceive and some words of advice about what might lie ahead.
Baer’s adjustable rear toe link for the C7 Corvette offers the ability to improve the car’s performance. With a fixed mounting position (eliminating the factory eccentric), fine tuning/adjustments can be made to improve handling. Features specific sleeves and pins for the C7. |
Rubber pump cover used to protect the pump from water and outside elements. | |
DevilsOwn’s first progressive controller that can individually control both a solenoid and a pump. It can directly handle a flow |
The most versatile, intelligent and energy-efficient battery maintainer yet from the | |
Baer’s Sport Rotors for ’12–’13 Ford Raptors (also fits ’12–’13 F-150s) feature a stock diameter, direct-replacement rotor casting that is slotted, drilled and zinc plated for an eye-catching cosmetic upgrade. |
Baer’s deep stage drag-race brake for the front of ’87–’93 Fox Mustangs is designed to mount directly to the factory spindles (modifications necessary). This system is designed for heavy, fast cars that might also see street use. System includes aluminum hubs with SKF bearings (available in 4 or 5 lugs) and ARP studs. | |
Air density is improved by removing restrictions and supplying cooler air for better performance. No hot-air fuel derate; greater economy/power; lower exhaust gas temperatures. |
Filters down to 50 microns, decreasing contaminates from entering the alcohol injection system and the motor. Accepts 1/4-in. tubing directly and contains a clear glass cover in order to view the filter. | |
New oxygen sensor rings are ideal for exhaust |
Manifold Destiny has been developed for | |
Plug-and-play controller, full adjustability, multiple injection set points and rate. Optional low- or high-volume pumps, control solenoids and multiple nozzles to suit the application. |
The nostalgic look of the small-block Chevy ram’s horn manifold in a modern ceramic finish. All gaskets and mounting hardware are included. | |
This is a polished two one-in. row high-performance (850hp rated) direct-fit radiator for most early GM cars. It comes fully assembled with a chrome fan shroud and 2,500-cfm chrome electric fan. The chrome billet CFR Performance 16# radiator cap is also included. Contact CFR Performance for fitment and other available models. |
Air-conditioning compressor conditioner. Lowers compressor temperatures and extends compressor life. | |
In drag racing, just about every article you read or program you watch is about later-model hot rods going at it. I don’t think the younger generation understands or cares what we did 20 and 30 years ago. They want now! Street performance seems to be all chassis today. You must have either an Art Morrison or Roadster Shop chassis just to start with. Then add the engine of your liking—but it must have 700 hp or more and be supercharged or turbo equipped. Suppliers will see their inventory costs soar because of the demand for the above parts. Keeping equipment, such as superchargers and turbochargers, extra-large brake systems and so on, will do a number on a small dealer’s inventory. I also think that mail order will keep going at a fast pace. Once the tax issues are finalized, mail-order companies will be back at full speed. —Bob Millard |
Retailers should stock and support products that are CARB compliant. Educate your sales staff to help guide them in selling the correct products. CARB-legal performance products are essential to the health of any performance aftermarket company. There are many companies that do it right in our segment, but the few that don’t can spoil it for everyone. We need to pay attention to CARB and work within the legalities. If you are a manufacturer of street-performance products, make sure you’re CARB compliant. Today’s trucks are more powerful, more fuel efficient and just flat out fun to drive. Customization and adding performance upgrades is strong in the truck market. Cold-air intakes, tuners and cat-back exhaust all work together, making more power and torque with better fuel economy. Racing is a love and passion for the manufacturers and people involved in motorsports. The challenge is getting our youth involved, excited and passionate about racing of all types. —Chris Fairless | |
This series of high-performance cams for GM Gen V engines, including the LT1, will significantly increase torque and power throughout the rpm range while maintaining excellent off-idle responsiveness and drivability. It is designed to utilize the latest OE technology, including direct injection, active fuel management and variable valve timing. |
Replacement exhaust manifolds for ’03–’07 6.0L Ford Power Stroke diesel engines. | |
Zero-shear technology from Driven’s SHX shock fluid provides viscosity that does not fade over time, which means consistent dampening performance. SHX delivers the ultimate in dampening durability. |
Mr. Gasket 12E microethanol fuel pump. | |
Hedman Hedders, TransDapt, Hamburgers Performance Products
| Hedman Hedders, TransDapt, Hamburgers Performance Products
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All segments of the industry seem to be enjoying dynamic growth, but especially the electronic technology sector. Guys are starting to add hard parts around power programmers with items such as suspension, wheels and tires. That’s encouraging for us as a camera company. More and more people want to capture and share the passion that they have for their cars, and our product is also perfect for television production. Our original focus was support for data acquisition, adding video to data, such as wheel speed, oil pressure, engine rpm, steering input and shock travel. All of that information is extremely valuable to racing organizations, including driver training, and most teams are now using it. Racers are passionate and are willing to invest in performance products, but the general public is a little more cautious about what they buy. The street-performance market is faced with challenges daily—everything from government regulations to product costs and the economy. What is mind-boggling is the huge horsepower that some daily-driven cars are making. It’s amazing that aftermarket companies have created the ability to have that kind of performance and still maintain reliability. It’s a testament to the industry and the people in it. —John Spar |
But retailers should concentrate on quality. A guy who will beat you up on price will also return the product for one reason or another. With quality, you don’t have that problem. In racing, the Sportsman guys are going about it smarter, and it’s also neat to see the Chrysler Super Stock, COPO Camaro and Ford Cobra programs—cars you can order from a dealership. And trucks are also coming on. One of the Great 8 vehicles at the Ridler Award was a C-10 pickup, and you see trucks being used for autocrossing at Goodguys shows. Trucks are being used as another form of expressing yourself, just like street rods or musclecars. The key is to not limit yourself. You can try it to hit a niche, but things have opened up tremendously. For instance, we were always involved in street rods, but now we have drag-race and musclecar programs. Retailers need to do the same. Don’t try to pin yourself down; embrace everything going on —Brian Downard | |
Single-adjustable monotube aluminum shock absorbers tuned by Hotchkis and built by Fox to deliver the ultimate mix of ride comfort, vehicle control and driver confidence. These shocks feature a lightweight, smooth-bore, type III, hard-anodized aluminum monotube body, 22 points of compression/rebound adjustment and digressive valve technology. |
Get into heavy-duty diagnostics and re-flashing with the TVIT heavy-duty vehicle interface. Use the OEM software directly with the TVIT for dealer-level coverage. Whether you need to upgrade your current equipment or are thinking about getting into heavy-duty vehicle diagnostics, no toolbox is complete without the TVIT. | |
New adjustable slip collar D.U.I. distributor features a slip collar with 7/8-in. of adjustability. This is great if the user has decked the heads or milled the block, which changes the distance between where the distributor rests on the intake and where it meshes with the cam gear. Ensures precise installation. |
FST-R is an all-new design that houses a single internal fuel pump and has an integrated fuel-pressure regulator in the top cap of the surge tank. This revolutionary idea eliminates the need for an external fuel-pressure regulator and associated parts. This simplifies the installation, reduces cost and eliminates potential leaks in the system. | |
With DDC coil-overs, the driver can choose between three modes electronically inside the vehicle: Comfort for bad road conditions or just a relaxed ride; Sport for sporty daily use as the best compromise between performance and ride comfort; or Sport + for best handling and response—all while at a lower ride height. |
This is a brand-new Cipher Auto fixed-back bucket racing seat. Made of durable gel-coated fiberglass covered in memory foam and wrapped in a choice of red cloth with a black stripe or black cloth with a red stripe. | |
Invictus by S-Max
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The Brake Man, the innovative designer and manufacturer of made-in-America brake systems and components used by motorsport champions and record breakers, introduces Revolution Street: the first street-specific convoluted brake rotor from the company that invented convoluted rotors. Revolution Street is a direct replacement for factory rotors. | |
Large cylinder and piston monotube design. Exactly 32 different adjustable damping settings. Ride height fully adjustable; 53mm monotube designs with gas (nitrogen) and oil separated. Robot welding. High-rigidity aluminum alloy strut and pillow ball upper mounts, 6061-T6. |
A fuel surge tank that features the ability to hold up to three internal EFI fuel pumps in a compact, machined aluminum housing. Fully anodized and compatible with all fuels. Price does not include pumps. | |
GFB’s DV+ (patent pending) for VAG applications replaces the weak OE diverter valve internals, solving common boost leak/valve failure issues. The exclusive pilot-actuation system works in harmony with the OE solenoid and ECU to accommodate higher boost pressure while significantly improving throttle response and boost recovery on gear shift. |
Stay connected to your touchscreen devices on the job or in the garage. Equipped with three-finger conductivity and four designated contact zones, The Original Touch Glove allows you to manage your touchscreen devices without removing your gloves. Highly conductive AX Connect mimics the human touch for easy touchscreen navigation. | |
B&M Racing & Performance/Flowmaster/Hurst
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Mobil 1 Racing 0W-30 and Mobil 1 Racing 0W-50 are race-proven, fully synthetic oils developed for track use only and are not recommended for general automotive street use. (Case of six 1-qt. bottles.) | |
Sonnax Industries Smart-Tech with HD input shaft. Sonnax Industries says that the Smart-Tech with 298 or 300mm input shafts conquers all of the 3-4 clutch issues of the 4L60 transmission as no other housing has done before. |
A fuel surge tank eliminates engine fuel starvation during performance driving. The Radium dual Bosch pump fuel surge tank is a bolt-on solution for any performance or race vehicle. Not only does it prevent fuel starvation, but it also increases fuel flow capacity to the engine as often needed for power upgrades. Constructed of machined aluminum. | |
Highly refined yet easy to install and operate, EFI and vehicle-control technologies are becoming the “brains” of the modern vehicle, and optimized systems now go beyond just “kitting” of parts to creating integrated performance packages/systems. You can find this trend becoming more prevalent in all aspects of life. EFI and electronics are also rapidly being adopted into racing segments that have previously been bastions of old-school technology. Circle Track racing is finally starting to warm up to the use of electronic fuel injection, and this evolution has to happen to keep the sport/hobby relevant to the next generation. It is imperative that retailers focus on what they can offer to add value to their customers. My advice is to look at what successful brands outside of the automotive world are doing and adapt some of the same ideas to your business. Building business on price alone is a losing strategy; you can’t outdo the large Internet retailers on price alone. Manufacturers have tremendous resources available to help you add value; all you have to do is ask. Get creative. Throw out the existing playbook and build your business to fit the needs of today’s enthusiasts. —Chris Douglas |
The light-truck market is where we will see the most significant change over the next few years, with better trucks that are more capable, more powerful and with more aftermarket options than ever before. Look at what Ford is doing with the EcoBoost, GM and its new DI motors and Dodge with the half-ton diesel engine. The one thing that I see as a real opportunity for shops is to be relevant. Be the expert and be involved in your performance community. Consumers are looking for confidence or reassurance in their purchase decision as much as price and a place to buy products. If you can provide that to them, they will come back to you for everything they need. —Jesse Powell |
Baer Brakes Inc.
DevilsOwn Injection
DevilsOwn Injection
Auto Meter
Baer Brakes Inc.
Baer Brakes Inc.
Banks Power
DevilsOwn Injection
Burns Stainless LLC
Burns Stainless LLC
Banks Power
CFR Performance
CFR Performance
Militec USA
With the competition level of the big three in factory musclecars, everyone is trying everything they can do to get ahead of the other guy. In light trucks, fullsize pickups seem to go in five-year cycles, and we are in an up time right now. 
The challenges haven’t changed much: Sell quality products that perform well and are profitable and legal in your state. Performance automotive aftermarket manufacturers need to stay on top of new technologies and take advantage of the opportunities that exist. 
COMP Performance Group
BD Diesel Performance
Driven Racing Oil
Prestolite Performance/Mr. Gasket
’67–’72 BBC Chevy/GMC/2WD truck and SUV Hedders 13/4-in. HTC-coated.
This kit allows you to put a ’86–’00 SBC into a ’82–’02 4WD S-10/S 15/Sonoma or Blazer.
The LS engine, the Coyote engine, electronic fuel injection such as the new self-learning Holley and MSD systems, electronic transmissions and our own drive-by-wire pedal make performance modifications pretty much plug-and-play programs. 
Hotchkis Sport 
Drew Technologies Inc.
Performance Distributors (D.U.I.)
Radium Engineering
KW Automotive
Cipher Auto
InVictus titanium tapered lug nuts (set of four) are CNC machined from 6A14V titanium alloy—lighter and stronger than steel. Available in different sizes, lengths and finishes with an open-end design. Thread pitch options include M12x1.5 and M12x1.25.
The Brake Man
L&T Suspension
Radium Engineering
GFB Go Fast Bits
Mechanix Wear
Flowmaster Super HP-2 muffler.
Mobil 1
PN: 77733-11K
Radium Engineering
The innovative 1.58 gear set allows racers to achieve the lowest numerical ratio available for Powerglide without the hassle and expense of converting to a different transmission.
