SEMA 2008 Friday Coverage

[mark@lsxtv]

It is the last day of SEMA. Everyone is beat and our shoes and cameras are worn out. Below is even more great product reviews.

You can fast forward to coverage of the show each day here:

• Tuesday New Products & SEMA Cars - Click here
• Wednesday New Products & SEMA Cars - Click Here
• Thursday New Products & SEMA Cars - Click Here
• Friday New Products & SEMA Cars - Click Here

We also shot over 30 videos during the SEMA show below is the list of videos shot on Friday:

• FAST - LSXR Manifold & EZ-EFI Air Fuel System
• Eaton's Induction into the Hot Rod Hall of Fame
• Edelbrock Suspension Components for the all applications from the F-Body to the A and G Bodies
• Edelbrock LS Products - Pro Flo XT
• 100MPG 400HP E85 V8 Mustang by HP Sales
• Garrett Turbos has a new Turbo system for Outlaw 10 5 Drag Racing

Edelbrock LS Series Intake Manifold

Edelbrock has come out with a new intake manifold for LS series engines. They claim that it will pick up 25 horsepower over a stock LS6 intake manifold and more on earlier generation LS manifolds.

**** VIDEO: Edelbrock's New Pro XT Intake Manifold Video ***



The long runner design keeps the velocity up for the strong bottom end torque, while the large plenum is designed for max horsepower. The manifold is designed for 1500-6500 RPM range. It comes in as cast and black powder coated finish. This manifold will not clear the stock hood. According to these numbers by Edelbrock, this may be one of the highest HP LSX cathedral port intakes on the market.

Visit www.edelbrock.com for more information

[mark@lsxtv]

I went over to MSD to cover some of their new products. Todd Ryden of MSD takes me over to a 6AL-2 box. Initially, I was confused as the 6AL-2 is not THAT new. But this isn’t your normal 6AL-2 box, it’s an all-new programmable box. The only way you can tell on the outside of the box is the serial port and no dial knobs for RPM. Now you can fine your ignition timing on your carbureted engine. No more vacuum advance, you can electronically control your timing curve over your entire power band, similar to a fuel-injected vehicle. There is three stop functions and mapping to name a few of the options.

*** VIDEO: MSD's New Programmable 6AL-2 ****

The Programmable 6AL-2 is an all new digital ignition designed for the street and strip. The ignition delivers the multiple sparks and capacitive discharge power you expect from MSD. Modern components efficiently produce nearly 23% spark energy and voltage improvements of 15% (135mJ and 535 primary volts) so there’s plenty of fire to light up your muscle car, street rod or weekend racer.

The Ignition delivers laptop programming giving you total control over your timing curve, rev limits and more! Plug-in your PC and call up MSD’s Pro-Data+ software and you can easily map out a timing curve, boost timing map and a variety of performance building controls.

Visit www.msdignition.com for more information

[mark@lsxtv]

Happy with your stock LS ignition but miss having two step? Well, MSD now has a complete plug-and-play model that hooks up to all your factory plugs. The module also has their “Smart Launch” technology, which keeps you from activating your two step by accident.

Basically, if you set your launch RPM at 3500 RPM, you have to come under that RPM again before you can activate the two step again. It all hooks up with a simple clutch/trans-brake switch. We'll have to see if these work with LS3 engines, because we could use a 2-step badly on our 2008 Corvette.

Visit www.msdignition.com for more information

[mark@lsxtv]

Tired of grinding down your F-Body rear caliper to clear a drag wheel? Well, now you don't have to. Billet Specialties now makes a direct bolt on 15x10 rear wheel with a 7.5 inch rear back space. It is a SFI certified street and strip wheel. It is two piece wheel made from 6061 T6 aluminum and also accommodates a 5/8ths stud. This is the F-Body Street Lite Wheel.

Also, Billet is introducing their new Comp Series Drag wheels are created for speed and engineered to put down the power, launch after launch, round after round. Features include 6061-T6 forged centers and a lightweight package. Available in 15X3.5 spindle mount or bolt-on front and 15X8 thru 15X15 rear, SFI 15.1 and 15.2 approved.



Check out the new Billet LS Top Tru Trac Serpentine system for LS 1, 2, 3 & 6. Engineered for Muscle cars to clear cross members and steering boxes while keeping a compact efficient profile.

This all in one kit includes everything you need -- the ATI Damper, the new Edelbrock LS water pump, A/C compressor, power steering pump (with AN fittings), Powermaster alternator, billet tensioner, ARP stainless hardware, Good Year Gatorback belt and all the pulleys. This kit will be available in a black anodized finish also. Plus it all fits within the silhouette of the motor allowing it to fit within the frame rails of popular muscle cars.

For more information, visit www.billetspecialties.com

[Tom@LSXTV]

A name proven in street legal drag racing, ERL Performance came to SEMA this year to show off some of their blocks. No matter which one you are talking about all of ERL’s shortblocks are CNC machined ductile iron sleeves and decks. They all also hot tanked and stress relieved three times before you are able to buy them.

The new 427ci LSX engine is designed for naturally aspirated applications and featuring ERL’s Superdeck 1 ‘4 bolt’ is comes complete with Wiseco 4.125 bore with 11.0:1 compression and Carrillo 6.125 rods, the fully assembled shortblock is ready to be finished off and dropped in whatever fits your desire. With the 427 you also get Callies 4.000 crankshaft, Clevite race bearings and an ARP main stud kit.

The 426ci HEMI short-block is the brain child of ERL and Power Ported Performance this 426 ci block features K1 6.125 rods and 4.080 billet stroker crankshaft. Distributed exclusively by Power Ported Performance it also has Clevite race bearings and comes with ARP min and head stud kit. Fully blueprinted, balanced and featuring a micro-polished crankshaft it comes to you assembled as well.

Visit www.erlperformance.com for more information

[Tom@LSXTV]

I found one of the most interesting parts at the Tech Line booth. Their coatings have an almost endless list of possible uses. With these coating you can coat parts such as the piston tops, valves, or heads. Doing so you can turn reduce the amount of heat that soaks into your engine.

What you end up doing a few different things. You create a thermal barrier, protect the part, and/or add lubrication. For example if you were to coat your pistons, heads and valves you would be keeping heat in the chamber by not allowing it to be soaked into the bock or other parts. This effect results in a more complete burn due which can mean more power. But the most interesting part is the coating that Tech Line has to retain oil on it to aid in lubrication. Now you can coat your piston with it to help keep your new block in prime condition.



The other product that Tech Line was showing was their new Headlight Restoring Kit. The kit is a complete do it yourself kit so you don’t have to worry about paying big money for this kind of work anymore. The other thing about Headlight restore is that you save the money for new lights, and in some counties, they are requiring clear headlights and if you have an older head light that is hazed, they will right you a fix it ticket. Pretty cool.

Visit www.techlinecoatings.com for more information

[Chris DeMorro]

Superchargers are a great way to add horsepower to any car, and when your top off an LS-series engine with forced induction the results are always spectacular. Magnuson has just introduced a new line of blowers for LS engines which utilize new Eaton technology to increase power anywhere for 60-100%, depending on supporting mods.

Eaton’s new Twin Vortices Series of High Helix Rotors propel more air into the engine through a new and unique rotor design. Where as the old systems used a 3-lobe rotor with a 60 degree twist, the new Magnuson 6th generation blowers use a 4-lobe rotor with a 160 degree twist, cramming more air more efficiently into the engine. The blowers are so efficient in fact that on certain applications the exhaust emissions are actually less than when the engine is naturally aspirated. All Magnuson blowers also incorporate an internal bypass valve to increase fuel economy and reduce parasitic power loss.

For more information visit www.magnusonproducts.com

[poweradmin]

Global warming and high gas prices have forced manufacturers to reach out beyond their traditional petroleum based fuels in search of cleaner and cheap alternatives. This is happening both in the mainstream public use and the racing world as well, and Rockett Brand Racing Fuels is at the forefront of alternative fuel technology.

Their unique blend of E-85 racing fuel is both environmentally friendly and incredibly powerful, producing a consistent 112 octane rating. Unlike a lot of other E-85 blends which in actuality may use as little as 60% ethanol in their mix, Rockett is a true 85% blend of ethanol using their unique blending technology to provide a powerful racing fuel.

Visit http://www.rockettbrand.com/ for more information



The fuel is so powerful in fact, that Danny Thompson, son of famed racing pioneer Mickey Thompson, used the fuel to achieve a land speed record in his 5.4 liter supercharged Ford Mustang. Thomspon went 252 miles per hour this year at the Bonneville Salt Flats, shattering other flex fuel records and securing a place for E-85 in the hearts of horsepower enthusiasts.

[poweradmin]

When it comes to freeing up parasitic horsepower loses and dramatically improving the under-hood look of your car, few modifications are as helpful or attractive as underdrive pulleys. For twenty years, March Performance Pulleys and Brackets has been producing high quality pulleys for just about every American application that are both symmetrical and effective.

For 2008 March has introduced an underdrive pulley set for LS1, LS2, and LS7 engines. Designed with electronic throttle bodies in mind, these kits provide enough clearance and good looks. The lightweight pulleys reduce strain on the engine freeing up horsepower and lowering the rotating mass. March also makes underdrive pulley kits for Oldsmobile, HEMI, and Pontiac applications.



Also, if polished metal isn’t your look, March also now offers the Black Onyx finish on most pulley and bracket kits. March powdercoats a standard kit, regrinds sections of the brackets and finishes it off with a clear coat that provides a unique and symmetrical look for nearly any application. Most kits are available with or without power steering or air conditioning pumps. The Blank Onyx finish only costs an extra $150 over a standard kit making it a worthwhile upgrade for anyone wanting to stand out.

For more information, visit www.marchperf.com

[Tom@LSXTV]

Red Line Synthetic Oil is releasing a whole slew of zero weight oils.

Zero weights became popular by the OEM's as a substitute oil for colder climates. The false perception is that 0W30 is thinner than 5W30 at normal operating temperatures. “0W30 will offer a broader temperature coverage, as most modern-day vehicles don’t operate at optimum oil operating temperature anyway”, explained Cameron Evans, Red Line's Director of Marketing. Their offering's in zero weight range from 0W20 to 0W40.

Another new addition to Red Line's line up is engine oil break-in additive. “Good oil is too slick, and petroleum based oils don’t have enough anti-wear additives that enthusiasts need," said Cameron. Red Line suggests to use their break-in additive with petroleum based oils for the correct amount of break in wear. This is especially important for engines equipped with flat tappet camshafts and lifters, but really important for all engines. One bottle treats 12 quarts of oil.

For more information on these new oils from Red Line, check out: RedlineOil.com