Hundreds of new product announcements cross the desks ofPRI editors each month. Following are our top picks for February.

Zero EV Fire Suppression

Lifeline
lifeline-fire.com

Fires in electric vehicles require a different suppressant strategy, and motorsports can often be a test ground for emerging technologies. Such is the case for the development of the Lifeline Zero EV fire suppression system designed for electric vehicles and hybrids.

“It went through a lot of testing, and it had to pass FIA tests and specifications,” said Matthew Bridges of Lifeline USA, Dublin, Virginia. “That’s because the suppressant needs to be non-conductive.”

A variety of sizes from 1.5 kg up to 3.0 kg are available in both stored pressure and remote charge that uses a CO2 cartridge. All use 3M Novec 1230 suppressant that helps produce increased levels of concentration for a quicker knock-down of the flames.

The stored-pressure models feature advanced nozzle design, and the remote charge versions have the cartridge integrated into the side of the cylinder for improved packaging. The 1.5-kg models are ideal for single-seat cars, while the 2.0-kg model is designed for saloon/sports cars. The largest 3.0-kg model can be used in international rally events.

The systems are homologated to FIA Technical List 16. The systems are supplied with a complete installation kit that includes anti-torpedo brackets and all components for a professional appearance.

 

Iron 4.500-inch Bore Center SBC Cylinder Block

M&M Competition Engines
mmcompetitionengines.com

Small block Chevy engines built with cylinder blocks that feature 4.500-inch bore centers are all the rage in select Late Model and modified classes. Now there may be another market opening up soon.

“We’re certainly hitting the circle track guys hard, but also drag racers are getting interested,” said Scott Patton of M&M Competition Engines, Franklin, Indiana, which recently introduced a new iron cylinder block that’s available in either the standard 4.400- or 4.500-inch bore centers. “We sensed there was a lack of blocks available to racers, so we developed this one.”

Available with a deck height of 9.025 or 9.325, the block can be ordered with 350 or 400 main journals and a one- or two-piece rear main seal. The cam location is raised .391-inch and can be a 55-mm roller or 60-mm Babbitt. Other features include four-bolt main caps, standard or reverse cooling, and priority main oiling with crossovers to ensure equal lifter lubrication.

“We also have extended head-stud bosses for additional thread engagement,” noted Patton. 

The lifter valley was engineered so that engine builders have plenty of flexibility in lifter size and location. Core plugs are machined to accept -16 AN O-ring plugs, and oil galley plugs are machined to accept -6 O-ring plugs. The block is also designed with a wide pan rail.

 

TorqueStar Top Fuel Harley Rear Wheel

DayStar Machine & Cycle Concepts
daystarmcc.com

Structural integrity is the key selling point to this TorqueStar aluminum wheel that was designed by DayStar specifically for Top Fuel Harley racing.

“The rear wheel gets a lot of shock at launch, especially in the hub area where it often shears off the bolts that secure the hub,” said Steve Vickers of DayStar Machine & Cycle Concepts, Dobson, North Carolina. “We added a bunch of features to make it stronger.”

The main components of the modular wheel design are machined from 6061 billet aluminum, while the hub area is machined from 7075 billet aluminum. The bearing hubs are interlocked into the spoke plates to maximize torque distribution. There’s a generous hub-engagement depth of .625-inch; plus, the hubs are secured with 12 1/4-20 bolts and six dowel pins. Competitive wheels may have fewer securing bolts and no dowel pins.

There are 24 bead-lock bolts per side to keep the tire in place. The wheel is 14 inches wide and designed for 31/15 Top Fuel motorcycle tires.

 

Gen III Hemi Billet Valve Covers

DSR Performance
dsrperformance.com

The snowballing popularity of the Gen III Hemi engine in street and track performance is generating a wide variety of trick performance and aesthetic upgrades. These billet aluminum valve covers for the 6.2-liter Mopar engines from DSR Performance in Brownsburg, Indiana, address both those objectives.

“We wanted to blend a vintage style with a modern touch,” explained Chad Osier. “These are perfect for those who want to upgrade a Hellcat but have a vintage look.”

The show-car finish comes from precision CNC machining out of 6061 billet aluminum. The covers are baffled in the front and rear, and they feature dual ports. The covers come with ARP installation fasteners, oil caps, and O-rings for a direct swap on a Gen III Hemi.

“We offer them in a bare billet, so it’s a blank canvas for the customer to paint or engrave them as they wish,” added Osier. “Then we also have one with DSR badging.”

 

Wireless Steering Wheel Panel

ECU Master
ecumasterusa.com

Give your vehicle the look and functionality of a Formula 1 race car or WEC Hypercar with a wireless steering wheel control panel from ECU Master in Garland, Texas.

“It’s completely wireless RF transmission. There are no curly cords to get tangled up,” said Zach Denney. 

The ergonomically designed carbon case easily mounts on a wide variety of racing steering wheels, and the position is adjustable. The panel features eight pushbutton and four rotary switches that are customizable to driver preferences. 

“You can adjust traction control, ABS, power levels, or change engine maps,” said Denney. “It’s great for off-road in bouncy environments as the driver doesn’t have to take hands off the wheel to make adjustments.”

The control panel is also useful to road racers, Time Attack, track day, and other race vehicles. “Anything with a steering wheel,” added Denney.

The RF transmission is immune to all interference in the car. It features low power consumption and easily replaceable batteries. It also has direct integration with other CAN-bus devices, including ECUs.

 

Oil Catch Can with Air-Oil Separator

Improved Racing
improvedracing.com

Available with a large 7.0- or smaller 3.5-ounce reservoir, this new oil catch can from Improved Racing in Orlando, Florida, features a patent-pending air-oil separator that was developed using CFD computer modeling, lab evaluation, and real-world testing.

Both models have similar features, including quick-release provisions to easily check the oil level and versatile mounting brackets. The big selling point, however, is the air-oil separator design.

“There’s no steel wool,” said Michael Ihns. “We use a 100-micron, five-layer stainless-steel filter with increasing porosity. This helps the oil coalesce into larger droplets.”

Additional efficiency is achieved through unique air passages that induce cyclonic separation to clean the blow-by gases. According to the company, the unit achieves 85–95% separation.

Other features include a quick-release mechanism that requires only a 1/8 turn to open, and there’s a tool-free mounting bracket that can be clocked in 16 positions. Finally, there’s a safety lock to prevent accidental release.

Vehicle-specific kits with hoses and attachments are available for many popular applications, including Corvette, Camaro, Ford F-150, and select Mopars.

 

Davies Craig EWP80 Remote Electric Water Pump

3pConnect
3pconnect.com

There are now three ways to purchase the Australian-made Davies Craig EWP80 water pump: pump only, pump with harness, and pump with harness and controller.

By removing the parasitic loss of a belt-driven mechanical water pump, racers can gain upwards of 13 horsepower in some applications. An electric water pump gives the user a wider cooling strategy that includes running the pump after the engine has shut down to reduce heat soak throughout the system.

“With the controller, you can program the preferred engine temperature settings, and it will control the pump and the radiator fan,” noted Johnny Ramirez of 3pConnect, Ontario, California, which is the US distributor for Davies Craig. 

The pump is constructed from anti-corrosive, heat-resistant, glass-filled nylon and incorporates a ceramic-faced seal for durability. Maximum current draw is 7.5 amps at 13 volts, and it will work within an operating temperature of -40 to 248 degrees F. Weighing just two pounds, the pump will accept hoses from 1.375- to 2.000-inch diameter. It’s rated at 23.8 gallons per minute at 13 volts.

“This fan is not platform or vehicle specific,” added Ramirez. “It can be an upgrade on a stock vehicle or work on a Pro Mod.”

The pump and controller kit come with fittings, temp sensor, wiring harness, clamps, and hardware.