In line with the 305 Sprint Car competition, Karl Chevrolet and its GM Performance Parts division will host a meeting on the 27^th of November to deliberate on whether or not a GM Performance Parts Crate Engine must be used. All of GM Performance Parts’ drivers, sanctioning organizations, clubs, and car owners are tasked to attend.

“Since the original press release announcing this meeting I have attended meetings and received phone calls and e-mails from persons interested in listening to our proposal,” GM Performance Parts Representative Chuck Stowe said in a statement. “I expect representatives from several tracks and racing organizations as well as interested individuals to attend, including; the Midwest 305 Sprint Cars, Midwest Sprint Warriors, Mid American 305 Sprints, Ralph Capitani and John McCoy from Knoxville Raceway and Tom Schmeh from the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame. All interested parties are invited to attend this meeting.”

The GM Performance Parts Crate Engine is basically a “pan race engine” that is incorporated in a fast burn 350/400 racing engine. Its materials include a bulletproof bottom end that is “anchored by a forged steel crankshaft and hypereutectic pistons”. This engine is said to be more efficient in combusting the air-fuel mixture, which means more power. Since team GM definitely aims for the gold in the 305 Sprint Car competition, the Crate Engine is considered.

Given all these preparations that GM is going through, we must all wait and see what they can offer for the competition.

Source: Who won 

Daytona Beach: a legacy not only for its cool sands and crystalline waters—but also a historic arena where the coolest rides can be spotted.

This weekend ushers in the 34^th Turkey Run which is held yearly at the Daytona International Speedway. Car enthusiasts and speed fanatics alike are likely to be seen in this gathering of burning rubbers and powerful performance parts. It has become a local fan fare for the people of the Southeast, especially since families often grace this event together, making cars a good object for bonding. Citizens from other cities are also not to be left behind. Every year, the Daytona International Speedway would almost fill its 168,000 seating capacity of car lovers.

Hometown pride will echo with Dan Beaulieu and his 1971 Mach Mustang. His steed is all prepped up with 40-inch rear wheels and 1,200 horsepower-gunning engine. This Mustang will definitely make the crowd at the Speedway go wild. Beaulieu, 45, was only 17 years old when this Mustang was purchased in New York. He added some Nitrous oxide gas to make the fuel more combustile, therefore adding some 250 horsepower more. This helped the Mustang to reach 1,200.

Another sight to behold is Joe Delbuono’s 1968 GTO convertible. He plans to dig up some useful performance parts to enhance his car’s capabilities, and he did this by searching for some OEM parts.

“A lot of (reproductions) don’t have the holes stamped correctly,” he said in an interview by news journal online.com. “They’ll even tell you in some of the catalogs, ‘This fender is not a good reproduction,’ it doesn’t have the holes drilled where they should be, or what shape they should be for the lights, so you’ve got to find OEM. If you buy an OEM, everything’s where it should be, and the steel’s just a lot better.”

The Turkey Run is also a good place for people like Delbuno who are looking for good parts to buy. All in all, Daytona is one pimped out city who knows how to ride it the right way.

Source: News-journalonline.com

The “Super Snake” package of the 2007 and 2008 Ford Shelby GT500 is now enhanced with an optional supercharger kit by Kenne Bell Company. The result is more power, making the Shelby gut out 725 horsepower. This kit is composed of performance parts that are ideal to make a Shelby go farther. There will only be a limited number of Super Snakes though per year. This is the limited number that authorized Shelby Mod shops and Autos facility will be releasing across the nation later this year.

“Carroll Shelby is always telling our team that life needs more,” Shelby Automobiles President Amy Boylan said in an interview by pr-usa.net. “That’s why we’ve teamed up with leading companies like Kenne Bell to leverage their expertise and develop exclusive parts for our post title packages. Working with our performance-driven partners, we’re going to deliver one of the most exciting cars in the world.”

Known for upgrading the Ford Shelby’s handling, styling and power, the Super Snake kit includes sought-after performance parts that will definitely boost every Shelby. For the 600-horsepower model, a Ford Racing supercharger complete with warranty and suspension components “developed exclusively for the car with Ford Racing” is available too. This package is compatible to a coupe, or a convertible.

“Ford engineers built a phenomenal engine for the Shelby Mustang GT500, so it’s exciting to have the opportunity to take this amazing machine to the next level,” Kenne Bell Company CEO Jim Bell said in an interview by pr-usa.net. “The optional Super Snake package we developed, showcasing over 725 horsepower, will include an upgraded drive shaft, a billet twin 75mm throttle body and boast one of the most powerful superchargers on the market.”

The Super Snake package comes exclusively available through Shelby Automobiles. But they may also be availed through other products that have the Super Snake package at the Shelby Performance Parts and Mod centers.

Source: pr-usa.net

Hennessey, a renowned maker of quality performance parts, is about to release their first car, the GT Venom. Their creation of a new breed of sports cars includes impressive features as 1,000 BHP coupled with 2,700 lb Mid-engine chassis.

The design was courtesy of British auto designer Steve Everitt, which explains the flawless pieces of steel that were seamed together to make a beautiful sports car concept. Aside from the other Hennessey Performance Engineering’s trademark performance parts, the Venom 1000 Twin Turbo Viper V10 powerplant will sit at its royal throne underneath the Venom’s hood too. Its very light mid-engine chassis that weighs less than 2,700 lbs will make the car’s run smoother, lighter, and ultimately much faster. The power may be accessed through a 6-speed transmission, or an optional sequential gearbox.

With this lightweight framework, Hennessey said that the Venom GT can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just a matter of 2.5 seconds! In fact, it can reach 0 to 300 km/h in just 14 seconds. The company wants the Venom to step out of the shadows of being the “Veyron Slayer” though, after memorably beating the Bugatti Veyron. “The Venom GT will be a much more engaging sports car to drive by challenging the driver with 1000+ HP in a chassis that is nearly 1500 lbs lighter than the Veyron,” John Hennessey, company founder said in an interview with Autoblog.

Reminiscent to Saleen’s beginnings, Hennessey might just be the next big thing in the arena of sports cars.

Source: Autoblog 

Provider of new and pre-owned Chevrolet vehicles, Karl Chevrolet, is now looking at the lucrative GM Performance Parts business.

“We have always stocked GM Performance Parts, but the opportunity has presented itself to pursue these parts sales more vigorously with all that is going on in the Performance, Custom Car, Hot Rod and Racing Industries,” said Fixed Operations Manager, Bob Massey.

Jason Roach, Parts Manager even said that it wasn’t long before owner, Carl Moyer enters the Performance Parts business. “Carl has always been an avid race fan, fierce competitor, and all around car enthusiast. It only makes sense that he wants to become a leader in the sales of GM Performance Parts.”

Moyer also hired Chuck Stowe, who is tasked to “promote and raise the awareness of the over-the-counter, cost-effective crate engines and performance parts that are available at the dealership.” Stowe will be using his experience in competition, marketing, and public relations related to circle track racing, to inform high performance customers and competitors regarding the benefits of the products from Karl Chevrolet and GM Performance Parts. Stowe will be involved in increasing knowledge of the benefits of GM Performance Parts in the Custom Car, Street Rod, and Hot Rod communities.

Soon, Stowe will represent Karl Chevrolet at various events, such as, IMCA National Awards Banquet, 35th Annual RPM Promoter Work Shops and the 20th Performance Racing Industry Trade Show.

News from: http://www.whowon.com/sResults.asp?SanctionID=721&StoryID=236574

Performance parts are great upgrades any motorists can do to his/her car, but pairing them with a reliable transmission is even better. In line with this, BorgWarner is building a better DSG or direct-shift gearbox, as reported by Autloblog.

BorgWarner has been providing Volkswagen and Audi vehicles with its dual-clutch DSG transmission systems since 2003.This system has two clutches that select gears smoothly. Capable of handling virtually instant gear changes and has a control logic that pre-selects the next required gear, the clutches are electro-hydraulically activated. Already offers greater fuel-efficiency than traditional automatic transmissions, BorgWarner’s original DSG design still needs improvement. Due to its wet-clutch system design, the clutches need to operate in a bath of oil to keep temperatures down and eliminate wear along with using large pumps to keep the oil flowing. This can cause problems such as hydraulic drag, which greatly affects its efficiency.

According to Autoblog, BorgWarner recently announced a new dual-clutch transmission set to be introduced in the upcoming Nissan GT-R and BMW M3. Instead of a wet-clutch system, the new DSG will be incorporating a moist-clutch system that requires less amount of lubrication, meaning a smaller oil pump. A small oil pump also means hydraulic drag is reduces as well as drivetrain losses. Materials used to construct the clutch are also improved to be more durable against heat transfer and wear properties.

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/13/borgwarner-builds-a-better-dsg/

What makes a car so amazing is its performance parts which highly contributes to the vehicle’s operation. The new Porsche GT2, for example, can credit its suspension and braking system for the impressive performance. Autoblog recently had the opportunity to know the specifics of the systems from GT2 Product Engineer Carsten Schebsdat and Porsche Motorsports head Hartmut Kristen.

Developed at Porsche Motorsport, the GT2 has a rear suspension that features a multi-link control arm configuration connected to a pair of cast-aluminum abutments. Meanwhile, the two sides are joined together by an aluminum crossmember. Autoblog also reports, “Camber gain totals about 3 degrees over the GT2’s rear suspension travel of 120mm, with about half of this travel is used for compression, while the other half provides droop. A small amount of toe-in - about 1.5 degrees - is added as the suspension compresses; this decreases the slip angle of the rear tires and thus adds stability at the limit. Static adjustments of camber and toe are handled via a pair of eccentric bushings on each side.” The upper coils of the rear spring, on the other hand, are tasked to give a bit of preload when the suspension is at full droop. Meanwhile, the electroplating or the noticeable blue color is attached to resist corrosion. It is also included to prevent problems regarding the use of steel fasteners in aluminum castings.

In the front suspension, a McPherson strut is used along with the same camber gain in the rear. A front damper is also included, but this can increase the unsprung weight. It was also reported that, “The spring perch is threaded to change the ride height; there is a second ring that establishes the clamping height of the damper in the upright, but this is not intended to be used as an additional adjustment.”

Mounted in front of the axle centerline, is the steering which was positioned in such a way to create more room for the front seat footwells and pedals.

In order to improve the responsiveness and road feel of the GT2, the front and rear subframes are installed with metallic bushings. The sway bars, on the other hand, have adjustable roll rate through a trio of endlink mounted locations.

For braking, the GT2 is equipped with 15″ ceramic-composite front rotors are clamped with radial-mounted one-piece forged six-piston calipers. To achieve less deflection between the two components during braking, the calipers are mounted upright or radial orientation. Made with anti-corrosion coating, the rotors come with holes and directional cooling vanes.

News from: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/12/2008-porsche-911-gt2-introduction-suspension-technology/

This year’s SEMA show have once again put attendants in awe with all the performance parts and customized vehicles present. One attendant from Truck Trend recalls some of eye-catching vehicles in the show, and one of these is the Ford F-350 redone by Fabtech. Dubbed as Project “Power Storm”, extreme off-road and pro-street muscle were integrated to create this impressive vehicle.

The F-350 was lifted 10 inches, added four-link suspension, Dirt Logic coil over shocks and a Fabtech custom Dana rear axle. Meanwhile, American Force 20×12-inch front and 20×8-inch rear wheels were included as well as Fabtech custom lug nuts and wheels caps, mount Toyo 40/1550R20 Mud Terrain tires. Fabtech custom air extractors and rear fender wells, a Precision billet grille, Sir Michaels roll pan and AMP Research electric side steps were also added. The exterior was completed with impressive graphics by Haney Designs with House of Kolor paint.

Interior features were also enhanced with the Clarion sight and sound hardware together with custom upholstery.

Words are not enough to describe this vehicle; only the real deal can make your jaw drop. Closer to reality are the photos taken by Truck Trend.

For the drivers who want the best rides, the SEMA show may be the event to visit for the newest performance rides. Bilstein performance parts graced this year’s SEMA show by featuring the PSS10 system, which has a new Electronic Ridecontrol system.

This system is similar to Porsche’s PASM system, except for the lack of integration between the ECU that is responsible for gathering inputs from the throttle position sensor, traction control and steering angle sensor. Changing the strut’s firmness and going from “comfort” to “sport” can be easily done with this new system by simply pushing the blue backlit button mounted on the dashboard.

50-percent stiffer, the “comfort” is available for the BMW E46, E90 and E60, and the Mercedes E-Class (W211).

Autoblog.com reports, “Bilstein plans to develop the system for a number of other high-end applications, specifically the entire Porsche range, from the Boxster to the 996 and 997 911s.”

Details and photo are from autoblog.com

Events such as the SEMA show is the time when car enthusiasts gets the chance to see the latest technology in the automotive industry as well as the time when car manufacturers performance parts maker try to outdo each other by offering the newest power boosting enhancement to the market. Of course, the constant quest on creating a cleaner environment will always be present.

Autoblog.com reports that Magden Technologies showcased its M.1 Performance Computer at the 2007 SEMA show. It is a compact box that can let the user choose his/her desired OBD channels. Autoblog.com reports, “The data is saved spreadsheet style and can be transferred via a USB dongle and the box also has the ability to log from user added sensors.” A convenient feature of the computer is that it is capable of video display along with being a touch-screen.

Vehicles in the United States started to be equipped with an OBD-II system, also known as On Board Diagnostics in 1996. The need for such system was to keep up with EPA and emission restrictions. It is also a helpful equipment for tuning.

Details and photo are from autoblog.com