Slick Shifter
Under/Overdrive Manual Transmission Kits
Many of our favorite Chevy musclecars came equipped with beefy four-speed transmissions. They can handle lots of power but do have two disadvantages: Drag racers lose out to slushboxes on the 1-2 shift, and highway warriors have to do without an overdrive. A tranny swap is an option, but Gear Vendors says it has a better way that lets you keep your original gearbox: its new Manual Transmission kits for Borg-Warner T10 and Muncie M20/21/22 four-speeds. The new system is based on a two-speed planetary gearbox that bolts to a vehicle's existing transmission, allowing a driver to run standard direct drive (1:1) or switch to the overdrive (1:1.286) option in any gear, at any moment, at the push of a button. Simply put, that means the Gear Vendors setup adds an overdrive to your classic four-speed, improving economy, while the unit's gear-splitting capabilities also enable drivers to make full-throttle, clutchless shifts into any of the overdrive gears, improving acceleration. There's also an Auto Launch feature that allows racers to leave the line in First gear; when the appropriate rpm is reached, the system automatically makes a clutchless shift to First Overdrive, saving valuable shifting time.
Price: $2,595
Gear Vendors
El Cajon, CA
619.562.0060
gearvendors.com
Crank It
Sledgehammer Big-Block Crankshafts
Looking to build an unbreakable big-block without busting your budget? Lunati's Sledgehammer crankshafts for big-block Chevys are designed for street/strip applications where both quality and value count. Forged from 4340 steel, these cranks feature standard-width pin, arm, and main-bearing surfaces. The pin arms are drilled to remove more inertia weight, and Lunati profiles the pin arms and chamfers the oil holes for consistent oiling and film retention. All counterweights are clearanced for a 6.385-inch connecting rod, and each crank is nitride hardened, sonic cleaned, and given a protective oil coating. PN BO425IN has a 4.000-inch stroke, while PN BP425IN works a 4.250-inch stroke.
Price: $1,000
Lunati
Olive Branch, MS
662.892.1500
lunaticamshafts.com
Gas Gauge
Wideband Air/Fuel Ratio Gauges
Auto Meter's new Wideband Air/Fuel Ratio Gauges come as a complete, self-contained unit with a Bosch sensor-no external interface module required-meaning this valuable tuning tool is more accessible than ever. Available in several popular face designs, these standard-size (211/416-inch) gauges are capable of displaying either Air/Fuel Ratio or Lambda, utilizing a digital LED display for extreme clarity and precise readings. Among their many features, these new gauges feature an analog output to feed a data-acquisition unit or engine-management system, a peak recall to capture lean-out conditions during a run, and an alert function to make the driver aware of critical conditions.
Price: $350 & up
Auto Meter
Sycamore, IL
815.899.0800
autometer.com