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

 

 

Global B Custom Tuning Support

HP Tuners

hptuners.com

Performance enthusiasts driving popular GM vehicles like the C8 Corvette and Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing have long been at a disadvantage to improve tuning because of security restrictions built into the cars’ computers.

Engineers at HP Tuners in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, have now cracked the codes, and the company is offering comprehensive diagnostics and custom calibration solutions for GM vehicles running the Global B control modules.

“Performance shops and anyone wanting to get more out of the vehicles have been asking for this,” said Chris Holt.

Currently available to approved resellers, these services enable access to HP Tuners’ VCM Suite software for diagnostics and tuning via the OBDII port using the latest generation of MPVI3 interface. Once their ECUs and TCMs are upgraded, professional tuners can access and edit hundreds of engine and transmission parameters.

“It will allow much more modifiable parameters in the ECU so you can get more complex parts to work, like superchargers, twin-turbo kits, and nitrous,” explained Holt. “Previously, you were able to add all those components, but you weren’t able to do as much tuning as is needed to optimize these parts.”

HP Tuners will soon offer custom tuning support for the full lineup of GM Global B controllers covering the most popular models. This includes new generations of the E90, E01, and E66 ECMs along with the remainder of the T93 TCM support.

Pro Bracket Race Torque Converter

Summit Racing

summitracing.com

Available in 8-, 9- and 10-inch diameters, these new Pro Bracket race torque converters from Summit Racing are designed for weekend warriors and professional bracket racers looking for performance right away.

“Most bracket race torque converters are custom builds that can take weeks to get. Our Pro Bracket converters offer racers in-stock options they can order and get in a few days,” said Mike Schmidt.

Targeted toward engines displacing 327 to 555 cubic inches, these converters deliver stall speeds ranging from 4,400 to 6,000 rpm. They fit GM TH350 and TH400 transmissions in addition to GM Powerglides that have been equipped with a Turbo input shaft.

“In back-to-back testing using a 9-second small block car, one of our converters was within 200 rpm and a tenth of a second of the custom-built unit originally in the car. We even created a stall-speed guide to help racers choose a Pro Bracket converter based on vehicle weight, horsepower, and cubic inches,” added Schmidt.

The converters feature a furnace-brazed pump and turbine, dual anti-balloon plates, TIG-welded blades, and Torrington bearings. There are models for use with .090-, .125- and .250-inch-thick motor plates. All converters are fully computer welded and balanced.

Billet Aluminum Porsche Pedal Assembly

Penta Motorsports

penta-motorsports.com

A new Penta Motorsports pedal assembly for 1963 through 1989 Porsche 911 vehicles offers position adjustability to achieve optimum heel-toe actuation for drivers on road courses. Other benefits include setting the front/rear brake balance more accurately, and ability to mount Tilton 78 Series master cylinders for brake and clutch action on the unit itself for maintenance and security.

“We initially developed the pedal assembly for use in the 1974 Porsche RSR that we compete with on several vintage racing circuits, and we’ve had other Porsche racers ask about getting an assembly for their cars. So, the decision was made to go into production,” explained Steve Sanett from the Moorpark, California-based company.

The Penta assembly is a bolt-in replacement for the factory steel units. The truss-style pedal arms and base have been designed using FEA (finite element analysis), and they are precision CNC-machined from 6061-T6 aluminum followed by gold and black anodizing.

Key attributes include the use of precision ball-bearing pivots instead of OEM brass bushings and “clockable” 32-spline shafts (plus multiple pedal pad positions) facilitating pedal placement to suit the driver.

“Optimum driver comfort is important in endurance racing, and the adjustability of this assembly facilitates tailoring pedal position to best suit each driver,” added Sanett. “This is critical for optimum heel/toe downshifting. The ability to set the ideal front/rear brake balance is also an important benefit.”

Laser Chain and Sprocket Alignment Tool

Speedway Motors

speedwaymotors.com

Getting the chain and sprocket aligned on a competition kart or mini-sprint car is just as important as setting the driveline angles on a race car. Speedway Motors in Lincoln, Nebraska, developed a laser tool to make sure there is no drag in the system.

“We had several racers that ran in classes that used chains and recognized a problem. By getting the sprockets correctly lined up, the chain will run freely. This will also help in wear and tear and possibly fewer DNFs,” said Greg Nicol.

The tool helps the racer align the edges of both front and rear sprockets and is compatible with 35, 40, 219, 520, and 530 chain sizes. A laser with LR41 button-cell batteries is included, so there’s no need for additional shopping to find a light that will work. The laser holder is CNC-machined from aluminum, and there is a brass laser sight to ensure accuracy in the alignment process.

“We worked with several different classes and teams to get the best product we could,” added Nicol. “The racers that have purchased them have all been impressed with them and think it is a high-quality tool.”

The tool’s versatile design makes it useful in the pits for mini-, micro and Lightning sprints as well as karts and quarter midgets. The clamp-on feature allows the user’s hands to remain free for adjusting the chain and sprockets.

Spintric Air/Oil Separator

ARE Dry Sump Systems

drysump.com

Spintric Technologies, a division of ARE Dry Sump Systems in Loomis, California, has a new axial flow version of the company’s line of air/oil separators for dry sump systems that can be mounted vertically.

“These passive units mount in-line, between the scavenge pump and the dry sump oil tank, and separate up to 80% of the air that is normally returned into the tank,” said Gary Armstrong. “The separated air is then returned to the very top air gap in the tank, resulting in more efficient lubrication, cooling, and pressure to your racing engine.”

Although simple looking, the separator is a sophisticated design with several complex channels that allow “centripetal air separation.” The oil traveling back to the tank is the only moving part in the Spintric separator. The internal centripetal force is generated by the design of internal components that forces the air out of the oil prior to entering the tank.

The separator can be mounted anywhere in the scavenge return line. One of the advantages of a stand-alone separator, as opposed to one integrated into the dry-sump pump, is that it is easier to mount the pump if packaging is a critical issue.

ARE has also expanded its dry-sump tank line with new models featuring CNC-machined aluminum castings that are heat-treated to T6.

Next Gen 8385 Turbocharger

Precision Turbo and Engine

precisionturbo.net

Honda K20Z3 Gasket Kit

Cometic Gasket

cometic.com

The new Street Pro top-end gasket kit from Cometic Gasket in Concord, Ohio, brings race-proven MLS technology to the budget-minded racer running a Honda K20Z3 engine. Street Pro gasket kits are constructed from multiple layers of stainless steel for strength, along with excellent rebound and corrosion-resistant characteristics.

“Racers will greatly benefit from this K20Z3 kit as it ensures continuous aftermarket support,” said Brendan Chess. “Cometic also can provide a wide range of head gasket variations of different bore sizes and thickness.”

The outer layers of the MLS head gaskets are coated with a proprietary high-temperature coating to create a heat-resistant seal to withstand extreme cylinder pressures. They are compatible with aluminum heads and iron or aluminum blocks.

“What sets our product apart from others in the field is we offer the flexibility to change the bore size and thickness of the head gasket according to your specific requirements,” explained Chess. “Our ultimate aim is to ensure a perfect fit and seal, giving you complete confidence in the performance and reliability of your engine.”