Fitting your ride with a centrifugal blower is a quick way to a big rush, and Vortech Engineering has just made the job easier with its universal blow-through supercharger kits for small-block Chevys. The new GM Spec setups feature more rigid supercharger mounts and are designed to work with OEM drive configurations-both V-belt and serpentine-that use a "long" water pump. Vortech says the new system will fit under the hood on '55-57 Bel-Air/210 sedans, '64-72 Chevelles, '68-73 Novas, and '70-73 Camaros. OEM-style power steering pumps can also be attached to the mounting bracket with supplied hardware.
These revised kits require a properly calibrated 4150-style carb and a high-volume fuel pump and include a V2 S-trim or V1 T-trim supercharger fitted with a 3.33-inch pulley, which produces approximately 8-10 psi at 5,500 rpm on a mildly built 350. If you need more than that, Vortech can set you up with a YSI compressor. According to Vortech, installation time is 4-10 hours.
Price: $2,850
Vortech Engineering
Channel Islands, CA
805.385.2927
vortechsuperchargers.com
Muffle it
DNA Mufflers
Keeping sound levels low without sacrificing power is the dilemma faced by all muffler manufacturers. DNA Mufflers approaches the issue with its newly patented sound-diffusion technology. This new design uses stainless steel diffusers to bounce the sound energy back on itself, canceling out the noise while still maintaining a high flow rate. Thanks to these sound diffusers, the mufflers don't use perforated tubes or packing. DNA Mufflers have inlet and outlet sizes from 2.25 to 5 inches, are made from 100-percent stainless steel, and carry a five-year warranty.
Price: $190Technoflange Inc.Ajax, ON, Canada905.683.3785dnamufflers.com
Package Deal
Perfect HI-RPM Engine Management SystemsEngine swappers take note: Painless Performance is looking to simplify you life with its new Perfect HI-RPM Engine Management Systems. Each package comes with a new, custom-programmed ECM, a complete plug-in wiring harness, and a matching Comp Cams Xtreme Energy roller camshaft. Looking to take care of the programming process for you, Painless has spent hours on the dyno in search of ideal fuel and spark curves. According to the manufacturer, engine swappers can also look for substantial horsepower and torque increases. Perfect HI-RPM Engine Management Systems are now available for LS1 engines and coming soon for the LT1 and the LS2.
Price: $1,500
Painless Performance
Ft. Worth, TX
817.244.6898
painlessperformance.com
Out Of The Clutches Circlematic Clutchless Valve Body
Designed to give circle-track racers the benefits of an automatic tranny without the weight penalty of running a torque converter, TCI has introduced its new Circlematic Clutchless Valve Body for Powerglide transmissions. This system features a double-Low gear system, which allows drivers to pick from two settings: a Low gear bleed-off for starting and puttering through the pits, and a Low gear lock-up for racing. A simple click of the shifter is all that's needed to switch between the two. Designed to be a bolt-in setup, TCI's Circlematic Clutchless Valve Body doesn't require any external hookups or plumbing.
Price: $235
TCI
Ashland, MS
888.776.9824
tciauto.com
Time To Split
Split-Shaft Rockers
Curtisbilt is offering a new shaft-style rocker system for Gen III motors and calls it the Split-Shaft. This patent-pending bolt-on setup consists of two needle-bearing-mounted cross shafts mated together by a tongue and groove. In the center of the cross shaft is the tower, which clamps the rockers directly to the cylinder head. Thanks to the tongue-and-groove arrangement, no guideplate is required, yet the rockers are independently adjustable. The roller rocker bodies are made from investment-cast chrome-moly steel; the towers from heat-treated 4340 steel. And according to Curtisbilt, Split-Shaft rockers will fit under the stock valve cover on a Gen III engine. Traditional small- and big-block versions are in the works.
Price: $675
Curtisbilt Corp.
Elk Grove, IL
847.437.9345
Database
G2X GPS-Based Data Logger
MSD Ignition has joined with Racepak, maker of motorsports data acquisition systems, to create the all-new G2X Data Acquisition system. This system is ideal for racers looking to track their lap times, lateral and acceleration g-forces, and engine rpm, along with parameters, and is a simple to install and easy to set up and use with the included software. And since the system is GPS-based, there is no need to set up beacons or receivers for timing functions. Expanding the G2X's acquisition ability is readily accomplished by adding up to 12 additional sensors for functions such as driveshaft speed, and throttle position.
Price: $950
MSD Ignition
El Paso, TX
915.855.7123
msdignition.com
Code Breaker
GM Code Reader
Jumper harness or paper clip-many of us have used one of these to retrieve error codes from the ECM of an OBD I-equipped vehicle. Innova Electronics' GM Code Reader, designed for most '82-95 GM vehicles, makes the process a bit easier. In short, the Code Reader plugs into a car's ALDL outlet to safely access the onboard computer and read ECM and ABS codes. The trouble codes flash on the Malfunction Indicator Lamp, better known to the rest of us as the "Check Engine" or "ABS" light. Instructions include GM OBD I system operation, code retrieval procedures, and code definitions.
Price: $30
Innova Electronics
Fountain Valley, CA
714.433.0121
canobd2.com
Horsepower gains-depending on boost level and engine efficiency-should range from 30 to 75 percent.-Vortech Engineering
Goodbye, paper clip!-camaromadness84, via e-mail