Have a new product for the kit and replicar industry? Why not let us all in on the secret? Send a write-up and a good, clear, clean photo (either color print or 1-meg digital image) to either kitcar@primedia.com (and write "New Products" in the subject line) or via snail mail to: Kit Car New Products, 774 S. Placentia Ave., Placentia, CA 92870. Need help putting the info together? Give us a call at (714) 939-2593 and we'll help you do it.
MAC Tools Teams With
Jesse James West Coast ChoppersMAC Tools continues to build its partnership with Jesse James, the "motorcycle outlaw and master builder" of Discovery Channel's Monster Garage, by introducing new MAC Tools/West Coast Choppers products to its garage-series family. Each tool in the MAC 89-piece Mechanic Tool Set is forged from high-quality steel, features a black-chrome finish with laser-engraved West Coast Choppers logos, and Jesse James' signature in gold finish. In addition, the protective blow-molded case features Jesse James' signature and spider web, which is molded into the case. This set comes "fully loaded" with combination and open-end wrenches, 1/2-, 1/4- and 3/8-inch sockets, ratchets, and other accessories. The Jesse James signature tool line also includes a new MAC 19.2-volt cordless drill and two-piece MAC air tool set, too. For more on the Jesse James line of tools or the complete MAC Tools lines up, call (800) MAC-TOOLS (622-8665) for a local distributor; visit www.mactools.com.
Classic-Style Steering Column
If you're looking for classic styling, whether it be for a contemporary street rod or vintage-looking replicar, ididit Inc., recently unveiled its latest creation: the company's Classic Style steering column. This straight column is sleek with its stylish head and small-diameter tube, and is available in paintable steel or chrome. With turn signals, four-way flashers, and a horn, the columns come in 16-, 28-, 30-, 32-, and 35-inch lengths. Any steering wheel adaptor will work, but a 3-, 5-, or 6-bolt Vette adaptor works well, too. See more of ididit's product line at www.ididitinc.com; contact them direct at 610 S. Maumee St., Dept. KC, Tecumseh, MI 49286; call (517) 424-0577.
Smeding 427 Cobra Special
Looking for legendary 427 Ford power in a lightweight, fast-revving, compact package? Smeding Performance now offers a stroked 351 Windsor engine that creates 427 cubes in a crate-engine format. The Smeding 427 Cobra Special makes 480 hp at 5,100 rpm and 520 lb-ft at 5,600 rpm, which gives you legendary 427 Ford power in a dramatically lighter and compact Windsor package.
The 427 Cobra Special starts out with a brand-new Ford Racing Sportsman II 351 Windsor block (not a rebuild, and with brand-new premium components) modified to accept a new 4340 steel crankshaft with a 4.170-inch stroke and 4340 steel connecting rods with ARP rod bolts. The rotating assembly is spin-balanced to within 1 gram to ensure smooth operation and longer engine life and is set-up with 9.7:1 compression so it can easily run on pump gas. The 427 Cobra Special revs like a small-block but feels like a big-block, and is a perfect crate engine for Cobras, street rods, or other replicars.
Smeding sells the 427 Cobra Special for $7,495 and it comes with a standard two-year limited warranty. For more information, contact Smeding Performance, 3340 Sunrise Blvd., Ste. E, Dept. KC, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742; call (916) 638-0899; visit www.smedingperformance.com.
Universal Power Windows for Curved GlassJust because your project didn't come with power windows doesn't mean you have to be left behind. Electric-Life offers a power-window kit designed for almost every application with curved-quarter or side windows. The EL-3000 Super Street Rod Curved Glass Kit utilizes a cutting-edge roller bracket system that offers "Z" axis motion, allowing the regulator to follow the natural curvature of the glass. Where traditional (and bulky) regulators are solid-mounted, the EL-3000 can be mounted in doors as narrow as 3 inches and reuses the OE window guides. Each kit comes complete with Arvin/Merritor motors, Goldee screw-type regulators, window sashes, complete wiring pigtails, and Glaziers tape for easy glass mounting. For 26 years, Electric-Life has been a Tier-1 OEM supplier to some of the biggest names in automotive manufacturing. For more detailed information, visit the Electric-Life on the Web at www.electric-life.com; call (800) 548-2168; write Electric-Life Inc., Dept. KC, 5990 Northwest Hwy., Chicago, IL 60631.
NitrousWorks' Twin and Triple Nozzle for EFI Engines
NitrousWorks introduces two new multi-stage nitrous kits for EFI engines: the twin-nozzle (PN 13100) and the triple-nozzle (PN 13101) systems. Using the acclaimed PowerWing nozzles, a patented high-flow nitrous nozzle with a hemispherical chamber and a shape that induces a low-pressure area to improve atomization, power can be unleashed in 25-, 50-, or 75hp increments per stage. By preceding the secondary hit with a smaller initial charge, nitrous delivery can be adjusted to suit the traction capacities of most vehicles. Both the twin- and triple-nozzle systems smooth the cylinder pressures, ease power spikes, and reduce driveline shocks and wheel spin for more consistent ETs. In short, these two- and three-stage systems provide a controlled delivery of nitrous. For complete information or to order the company's latest catalog and technical manual, check out the Web site at www.barrygrant.com; call NitrousWorks at (706) 864-8544.
Vintage American Road Racing Cars 1950-1970American road racing began just after World War II and quickly blossomed into a movement. With the formation of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and the United States Auto Club (USAC), racetracks popped up everywhere, first on city streets, but eventually on purpose-built circuits like Road America and Laguna Seca. Vintage American Road Racing Cars 1950-1970, written by two Texans: Harold Pace (a regular contributor to KIT CAR) and Mark Brinker, is the first book devoted exclusively to American road-racing cars of all types and sizes, many of which came about via an underground movement of special builders who constructed their racers in home garages. Hundreds of race cars built in America have never before been mentioned in print, and this book chronicles those and other cars with vintage and modern photography, specifications, memorabilia, and the stories and characters behind each car. The hardcover book measures 10x10 inches, has 304 pages (250 in color), is published by Motorbooks International (www.motorbooks.com), and can be ordered using its 0-7603-1783-6 ISBN number at most bookstores.
Stewart-Warner's G.U.S. Gauge
Looking for maximum performance in a compact instrument? Stewart-Warner Gauge Ultra-Shift (G.U.S.) is the only gauge of its kind to feature the industry's most advanced shift electronics inside a 2 1/16-inch gauge suitable for easy dashboard or gauge-pod mounting. With the multi-function Ultra-Shift Light, G.U.S. also boasts a stand-alone programmable LED shift-alert and built-in digital tachometer with peak recall. The G.U.S. features four brightness levels for optimum readability with three LED colors (amber, red, and blue). Long-lasting, super-bright, and fast-responding LEDs are arranged to project specific light patterns for optimal driver interface and awareness. Designed for literally any car, truck, or motorcycle, G.U.S. is compatible with 1- to 12-cylinder engines operating as high as 18,000 rpm and requires no additional plug-in modules. Stewart-Warner's G.U.S. is available at distributors and dealers nationwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.stewartwarner.com.
Flaming River's
Battery/Alternator Kill SwitchExpanding the company's acclaimed line of electrical safety switches, Flaming River has added a new battery and alternator kill switch (PN FR1013), which is actually two switches in one. Using the same robust spring-loaded buss-bar design as the "Big Switch," this switch addresses the need to interrupt both the battery circuit and the charging circuit. Crucial in motorsports to completely remove the source of electrical energy to the engine in case of an accident, it dramatically reduces the potential for fire. Rated at 150 amperes continuous-duty (battery) and 120 amperes from the alternator, the unit will hold a 5-second, 2,000-ampere battery surge. Ideal as a theft deterrent (it completely shuts off the electrical system to the starter and ignition) or to eliminate battery drain on long storage situations, its design will still allow power to clocks, radio/stereo systems, and on-board computers.
The Battery and Alternator Kill Switch uses a unique "twist-on/push-off" arming system with a color-coded green "ON" and red "OFF" window. Weighing about 1 pound and measuring 3.25 inches tall by 2.40 inches in diameter, the switch is also watertight and can be used with 12- or 16-volt applications, and has been accepted for use by the IHRA, NHRA and SCCA for competition use. Check www.flamingriver.com for more information, or call Flaming River at (800) 648-8022.
Total Performance's Compact AlternatorTotal Performance's new all-chrome mini alternator measures only 5.5 inches tall by 6.5 inches wide, giving your engine compartment the additional room you've been looking for. This one-wire alternator puts out 60 amps at idle and 100 amps at highway speed, providing enough power for today's most demanding electrical requirements. Available for small- and big-block Chevy engines, the package comes with a pre-assembled chrome alternator, chrome brackets, a chrome fan, a chrome V-belt pulley, and more. Call Total Performance at (800) 243-6740, or visit the company in person at 400 South Orchard St., Dept. KC, Wallingford, CT 06492-2512 or on the Web at www.tbuckets.com.
ETIII Altered Wheels
Designed for T-Buckets, Willys, Anglias, highboy hotrods, or any vehicle that wants that nostalgia "wheels-up" look of yesteryear, ETIII's new Altered wheel fits the bill. These all-aluminum, one-piece-cast wheels are heat-treated and made in the U.S.A. Offered with a polished lip, the centers can be ordered with either a fully polished or "as-cast" center finish. ETIII's Altered wheels, in 15- or 16-inch sizes, are in stock and ready for three-day delivery. Check out Team III Wheels Inc. on the Web at www.etwheels.com; call (510) 895-8880; visit 1965 W. 140th Ave. San Leandro, CA 94577. KC
Four-Port Adjustable Fuel Pressure RegulatorInstalling a pair of four-barrel carbs? Professional Products' lightweight aluminum Powerflow+Plus adjustable fuel pressure regulator is equipped with a 1/2-NPT inlet port on the bottom, four 3/8-NPT outlet ports, and a 1/8-NPT port for a fuel pressure gauge. With an adjustable pressure range of 4.5 to 9 PSI and flow of 150 GPH, the Professional Products regulator is ideal for carbureted engines up to 650 hp. The regulator is available brightly polished or with a blue-anodized finish. It includes a polished stainless steel bracket and stainless hardware, and retails for about $130. For more information or to download the Professional Products 2005 Catalog in PDF format, visit www.professional-products.com; write Professional Products, Dept. KC, 12705 S. Van Ness Ave., Hawthorne, CA 90250; call (323) 779-2020.
Edelbrock 2005 CATALOG
Throughout its 67-year history, Edelbrock has been known for producing new, innovative performance products, and the company's 2005 automotive catalog continues the trend by featuring 100-plus new products for off-road, racing, street rods, and street performance (Edelbrock has a separate Sport Compact catalog).Among the new products for 2005 are two types of product coating, heat-resistant Ti-TECH and EnduraShine, which delivers an aluminum-looking show-quality shine. Other hot new items include Edelbrock's "EFI Made Simple" Pro Tuner EFI System with the powerful Mototron ECU, and the patent-pending SDT (Sound Deflection Technology) muffler. The 244-page catalog features Vic Edelbrock, Sr. and his son, President and CEO Vic Edelbrock, Jr., on the cover, and it includes a special new product section which highlights manifolds, shocks, cylinder heads, fuel pumps, carburetors, camshafts, headers, crate engines, etc. There's also information on the soon-to-be released book about the Edelbrock company and family called, Edelbrock: Made in the USA, written by veteran automotive journalist Tom Madigan. Visit www.edelbrock.com or call (800) 386-8326 to get a 2005 Edelbrock Performance Catalog.