This month’s special edition highlights new motorsports-related products that will be on display in the PRI Trade Show’s Featured Products Showcase inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

 

MC-1

QMP Racing Engines
qmpracing.com

Brad Lagman at QMP Racing Engines in Chatsworth, California, needed a better way to measure pistons, so he developed the MC-1 tool that also accurately measures ring-groove depth, compression height, lifter-bore bushing dimensions, lifter diameter, and cam bearings.

“Basically, any component that is round and up to 6 inches,” said Lagman.

The MC-1 takes a “holistic approach” to eliminate human error in measuring critical engine components. The accuracy of a traditional micrometer when measuring piston diameter to set piston-to-cylinder wall clearance is dependent on the skill and technique of the engine builder. With modern, high-boost engines or high-compression, naturally aspirated engines, this clearance is extremely critical to sealing the cylinder.

“Everyone has a different feel of the torque on the spindle of the micrometer,” explained Lagman. “With the MC-1, there’s a dial indicator, so it doesn’t matter how tight the feel of a micrometer. Everyone will come up with the same number.”

In today’s work environment, more experienced and proficient engine builders are retiring. Lagman said products like the MC-1 can help reduce the need for the “touch-and-feel” expertise associated with traditional measuring.

“Anyone who assembles an engine should have an MC-1,” he said.

Lightning Bolt Solenoid

Turbo Time USA
turbotimeusa.com

Designed not only to improve a diesel truck’s performance at the drag strip, the Lightning Bolt solenoid will also help increase fuel economy and acceleration when the truck is working as a tow vehicle.

“If you’re using a solenoid VGT-based platform, it’s going to increase the efficiency, boost response, the spool-up time, and torque development for the low- to mid-range,” said Mike Carr of Turbo Time USA, Totowa, New Jersey. “You can see anywhere from 2–8 psi increase, depending on the setup.”

The Lightning Bolt solenoid is engineered specifically for VGT applications, including the 2003–2007 6.0-liter Powerstroke, 2015–2019 6.7-liter Powerstroke, and 2004.5–2016 6.6-liter Duramax. Company sources suggest that the Lightning Bolt not be used in tandem with aftermarket tuning that restricts VGT vane percentages.

Installation time can be as short as 10 minutes for some applications. All necessary brackets and hardware are included. Basically, the Lightning Bolt manipulates the variable-vane function to enhance spool-up operation as well as improve the exhaust-brake function.

“You don’t leave any performance on the table with this product,” added Carr, noting that larger turbo wheels that suffer from slow acceleration and boost will benefit significantly.

Custom Intake Manifold

Weinle Motorsports
weinlemotorsports.com

Custom intake manifolds are a specialty at Weinle Motorsports in Cleves, Ohio, and this polished billet beauty is for a 632-cubic-inch big block Chevy that will power a car in Top Sportsman and Quick 8 competition.

“For this one, it has special billet round-to-oval tapered runners,” explained Mike Weinle.

This intake will sit atop a set of 12-degree Pro-Filer cylinder heads, and the engine is expected to make 1,300-plus horsepower naturally aspirated with a pair of 4500 carburetors.

Weinle has designed and built intake manifolds for a variety of applications using sheetmetal and billet aluminum components. He’s worked on Pro Stock cars, marine engines, and even a unique tri-carb Super Stock design that fit European rules.

“All manifolds are custom built to the customer’s horsepower and rpm range,” said Weinle. “The plenum volume, runner length and shape all come into play.”

This BBC intake manifold features coolant provisions and a thick base plate for added durability.

MPVI3

HP Tuners
hptuners.com

HP Tuners in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, has released a VCM Suite 5.0 software update with new and improved features along with an Advanced Parameter Trainer in support of the new MPVI3 OBDII interface.

The software provides tuners and enthusiasts with a comprehensive dive into the vehicle diagnostics and calibration changes, and now the update offers improved histograms and Vehicle Profile Editor. It also has multi-language support and data-logging monitors.

Also, HP Tuners added the training program, which requires users to complete the course to access specific advanced parameters in VCM Editor.

“This prerequisite ensures all VCM Suite users know and understand the legal requirements and emission regulations that impact their profession or hobby when tuning and diagnosing vehicles using this software,” said Chris Holt. “The MPVI3 continues to build on the foundation set by the MPVI2+ while bringing the latest features and functions that we know our customers love. This latest generation product was completed on an accelerated timeline to meet market demands and confront the supply chain challenges that the entire industry is facing.”

Multi-purpose Towels

Surge Industrial
surgeindustrial.com

A clean race shop is the first step in building a winning car at the track. Experienced racers know that a dirt-free environment promotes safety and productivity. Having a handy towel to wipe down work surfaces and gear in the shop will reduce the need for a day-long thorough scrubbing, and that’s one way that the multi-purpose towels from Surge Industrial in Aurora, Ohio, can be an asset to a motorsports operation.

“The dual-sided, multi-purpose towels are a quick and easy method of cleaning hard surfaces,” explained Josephine Brencic. “Our industrial-strength cleaning formula was designed to clean the toughest dirt, grease, and grime in environments such as a race shop.”

The towels are NSF certified A1 and are rated with a neutral pH. They come in stackable canisters with 85 11x9-inch towels in each canister. The towels are designed to be non-smearing, and because the dirt adheres to the towel, there is no transfer to other surfaces. The cleaning agent is diluted with a 5:1 ratio of water.

“They can be used in myriad applications from cleaning tools, work tables, parts, and shop equipment to spot cleaning floors and walls,” added Brencic.

The blue abrasive side is used for scrubbing, while the smooth side is for light cleaning. There are no dyes or scents in the product.

Mud Slinger Brake Kit

Ultra Lite Brakes & Components
ulbrakes.com

Sprint car racers often bemoan that brake fittings on the calipers were damaged from rocks or debris during the race. In the past, brake manufacturers have tried attaching a shield with bolts to the caliper.

“The problem is, all those bolts work against the caliper structure,” said Chris Boucher of Ultra Lite Brakes & Components, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. “We decided to machine a rock or mud shield right into the caliper.”

The floating caliper holds a single 1.5-inch piston and is designed for the left front wheel on a sprint car. The Mud Slinger caliper can be matched with one of three 10-inch rotors: drilled titanium, chromoly scalloped, and titanium scalloped.

“We showed it in our hand at PRI last year but never really featured it,” said Boucher. “Then we got a handful of guys using it, and they all loved it. We haven’t had any failure rates come back.”

Ultra Lite recently changed from engraving its logo into the red anodized caliper and is using a decal now. The kits come with the caliper, rotor, sprint car spindle, metallic brake pads, and hardware.

MAL3 Ultra-high-performance End Mills

Melin Tool Company
melintool.com

The MAL3 series of 39-degree end mills from Melin Tool Supply in Cleveland, Ohio, is a top-to-bottom line of three-flute aluminum cutters that falls under the company’s Ultra High Performance grouping. They are designed for roughing, finishing, and high-velocity machining.

“The MAL3 leaves a superior polish and finish while providing tight tolerance options,” said Matt Sippel. “The MAL3 have advanced edge-prep technology and engineering that goes into the design of this tool, setting us apart from a standard high-performance end mill. These tools leave a showroom quality polish on your finished piece.”

There are hundreds of part numbers under the MAL3 line, offering different sizes and end geometry to provide aggressive cutting and ramping. Some are designed to provide polish grinds on both the walls and floor. Designs also optimize chip evacuation and avoid chip nesting. Other styles have a unique geometry to reduce cutting pressures and vibration at high feed rates.

The MAL3 line will be on display at the 2022 PRI Trade Show. Melin will also bring end mills designed for other materials, such as a seven-flute for Inconel and five-flute for titanium, that fall under the Ultra High Performance banner.

Foggit Fogging Oil

Foggit
foggit.com

Foggit is a new fogging oil designed to prevent surface rust from forming on critical internal engine parts between races. It is easily applied by spraying the formula into an open throttle when the engine is turned over for a few seconds with the ignition off.

It can also be applied directly on the cylinder walls through the spark-plug hole.

“It’s amazing how quickly surface rust can begin to form on a race engine’s cylinder walls. Even freshly machined after cleaning, you can see the surface rust starting to form in a matter of minutes,” said engine builder Gary Stinnett.

A multiple champion in the Lucas Oil series, Stinnett also said that rust on cylinders is directly related to trace amounts of sulfur in race fuels.

“We developed Foggit specifically to solve the problem before it starts by clinging to the cylinder walls for protection,” said Steve Williams of Henderson, Nevada-based Foggit.

Also of note: The company plans to expand its contingency program next year.

“Foggit is posting contingency at NHRA Lucas Oil events, and because it protects engines in all forms of racing, we will be expanding our program in 2023,” Williams added. “Racers spend a lot of money on their engines, and we believe it’s the best insurance to keep them protected.”

Mango II FR Ratcheting Countersink Deburring Set

Shaviv USA
shavivusa.com

One of the most popular deburring sets offered by Shaviv USA in Bolingbrook, Illinois, is part number 90072, the Mango II FR Ratcheting Countersink Set for cleaning in the inside diameter of holes.

“For any fabrication involving metal, this is the quickest way to knock off burrs that remain on the edges after cutting,” said Nicholas Prohl. “This ratcheting set is great for cleaning holes. It gets the work done quick instead of having to dig out different files to smooth out the edges.”

The kit includes the popular and ergonomically designed Mango II handle, the FR ratchet holder, and F20 20-mm countersink blades.

“This countersinking tool usually cleans out a hole in one turn,” added Prohl. “The nice thing about this tool, it’s just a quick turn—unlike a standard deburring tool. There’s a lot less fatigue on the hand, and the user can do multiple holes very fast.”

Key to the comfort factor is the Mango II handle. “The company has always tried to design the handle to fit the palm of the hand, and they’ve improved over the years,” said Prohl. “Some of the younger generation machinists seem to like more ergonomic and more sleek designs, and that’s what this handle offers.”

“The handle is also compatible with the F26X chamfering cone, which is used for deburring outside edges on pipes and tubing,” he added.

Model 2734 Parts Cleaner

Crystal Clean
crystal-clean.com

Using ultrasonic vibrations to deep clean parts, the Model 2734 from Crystal Clean in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, is an automated 70-gallon high-efficiency cleaner that makes quick work of what used to be a long, labor-intensive process.

“For racing applications, cleanliness is vital to ensure all parts are operating at maximum capacity. Ultrasonic waves clean all the nooks and crannies and crevices within intricate engines, while traditional cleaning methods struggle to clean difficult-to-reach places on parts,” said Danielle Nielsen. “One of the primary advantages of using an ultrasonic parts cleaner for racing applications is the speed and efficiency of cleaning parts compared to traditional cleaning methods.”

The tank has a footprint of 52x36x57 inches and weighs 330 pounds. It requires a 230-volt connection.

“Cleaning carbon deposits off pistons, valves, and cylinder blocks becomes as easy as placing the parts in a machine. Removing grease, oil, and grime from crankshafts, harmonic lifters, cylinder brackets, and timing sets is easy because of the simple automated process,” added Nielsen. “Even engine, transmission, and differential components can easily be cleaned by an ultrasonic parts cleaner.”

Overall, the parts are cleaner, and the shop doesn’t have to take personnel off other tasks just for cleaning.

Pro Drag Front Brake Kit

Ultra Lite Brakes & Components
ulbrakes.com

Building big horsepower with massive twin turbos and large air ducting can present quite the challenge to a chassis builder when dedicating room for front brakes. The new Pro Drag front brake kit from Ultra Lite Brakes & Components in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, is available in two styles: one with a four-piston caliper (two on each side), or a two-piston configuration (two on one side with a heat shield on the other side) to provide additional room in tight quarters. The kit also comes with a titanium rotor, which may weigh slightly more than carbon fiber but is less expensive. Also, titanium is less likely to be damaged if the car has an unexpected run off the end of the track into the safety pit.

Mango II Set L

Shaviv USA
shavivusa.com

Designed as an outer edge deburring tool kit, the Mango II L (part number 90101) from Shaviv USA in Bolingbrook, Illinois, features the popular Mango II handle, the ‘L’ holder, and L10 blades. The L holder features a rolling guide, and the blade has four cutting edges to remove burrs from external edges. The ‘A’ side of the blade deburrs materials with spiral chips, and the ‘B’ side is for powdery chips. The kit is also available with the classic holder.

Model 1684/2784 Paint Gun Cleaner

Crystal Clean
crystal-clean.com

Here’s a speedy and automatic way to clean paint guns. The Model 1684/2784 from Crystal Clean in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, actually offers both automatic and manual modes for cleaning. The automatic mode can clean two spray guns in under 60 seconds, or the manual mode can be used for precision cleaning. The product is designed to use aqueous cleaning chemistries. Overall dimensions are 50x28 inches, and the unit requires 2 cfm of air at 85 psi.

PRX Pro-Extreme Inboard Brake Kit

Ultra Lite Brakes & Components
ulbrakes.com

Designed as a rear inboard brake kit for sprint cars, the PRX Pro-Extreme brake kit from Ultra Lite Brakes & Components in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, features a new floating 12-inch ceramic-coated titanium rotor. The larger, vented rotor provides greater torque on starts and restarts and improves trail braking. The kit can be ordered with a titanium or chromoly steel rotor. The kit comes with an aluminum four-piston caliper (two pistons on each side), heat shield, brackets, and mounting hardware.

Mango II Set M

Shaviv USA
shavivusa.com

Here’s a two-in-one set from Shaviv USA in Bolingbrook, Illinois, that deburrs holes, slots, and edges. It features the popular Mango II handle and versatile ‘M’ holder that supports both B and E blades (part number 90094). Multiple blades are included in the kit: B10, B20, B30, E100, E111 and E200. This kit is also available with the classic handle.

Model 2725 20-gallon Combination Cleaner

Crystal Clean
crystal-clean.com

Combining the options of automation and manual cleaning, the Model 2725 aqueous parts cleaner from Crystal Clean in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, is a useful tool around the race shop. It has a 100-pound capacity and features a 22-inch turntable and 36 spray jets. The unit runs on 115 volts and has GFCI protection, and it’s optimized for performance with an automatic 15-minute cycle timer, low-water shutoff, and preset thermostat at 130 degrees F. There’s also a manual cleaning sink above the unit for precise cleaning.