Garmin International
Since Mustangs aren't available with factory navigation or satelliteradio options, Garmin's [(913) 397-8200; www.garmin.com] new 2730portable navigation system might be just the trick. It packs completenavigation for North America, along with an XM satellite radio, MP3storage and playback, and XM's new NavTraffic service, which helpsdirect you around traffic slowdowns. It retails for around $1,100, butgiven its capabilities and that you can move it from car to car, theGarmin 2730 looks like a killer app for gadget freaks like EditorTurner.
Garrett
If you didn't already know the S197 Mustang was the hottest car to hitthe aftermarket, the fact that giants such as Garrett [www.turbobygarrett.com] are jumping on the bandwagon is a definite clue. Garrett showedoff a complete turbo system engineered for the latest Mustang GT. Itincludes two Garrett ball-bearing turbos, upgraded injectors, aprocessor flash, an air filter, and everything necessary to install thesystem. Garrett rates the horsepower output of the installed kit ataround 500, but rates the turbos for up to 800!
Granatelli Motorsports
Using a new Mustang on a hoist, Granatelli Motorsports [(805) 486-6644;www.granatellimotorsports.com] showed a surprisingly long list of newMustang gear. For the chassis, GMS showcased a K-member, strut-towerbracing, a driveshaft loop, sub connectors, a Panhard rod, and a1.25-inch drop spindle (June release date) among other things.Granatelli also showcased underdrive pulleys, 2.5 and 3-inch exhaustsystems, mid-length headers, a twin 62mm throttle body, fuel rails, anda "slot-in" mass air meter to give the '05-'06 cars a conventional massair meter, thus allowing easy cold-air-kit installs. Of course, theheadliner is the company's new Fuego tuner, which is the first flashtuner to incorporate direct input from a wideband oxygen sensor.
Green Filters
One of many companies to promo a cold-air intake for the S197 Mustang,Green Filters [(724)-430-2050; www.greenfilterusa.com].
Tom's Top 10
1. Shelby CS6
Sure, it's a V-6 Mustang from an old, old-school tuner, but itsrock-star reception signified the enduring power of traditional hotrodding on classically American cars.
2. Eagle 4.6 Stroker Crankshaft
Mod engines need displacement, and grinding stock cranks doesn'twork--this does.
3. Comp Cams XFI Camshafts
Pushrod power builders in a sea of '05 Mustang parts is continuing goodnews, and these sticks take hydraulic rollers further than ever.
4. Edelbrock Two-Valve Intakes
Has there been a mainstream performance V-8 that's gone so long with sofew intake choices? Finally, there are some carbureted alternatives fromthe Edelbrock powerhouse.
5. Comp Cams eDIST2
One of many electronic gizmos at SEMA that allow creative enginebuilding and tuning.
6. HPTuners
Another much-needed step forward for e-tuning; this one approachesaffordability and doesn't require tons of specialized hardware.
7. Moroso Modular Parts
Moroso's line of brackets and plumbing fixtures is exactly the sort ofsmall, not-so-glamorous stuff that eases engine building--excellent newsfor modular engine builders.
8. MSD Modular Ignition Controller
It facilitates carbureted modulars; how else can the average guy do thisstuff?
9. Superchips Custom Tuning Strategy Flash Device
It's quick to market on the hot new Mustang, and gives just the rightamount of e-tuning capability without being too complex.
10. TCI 2005 Torque Converter
A significant hardware upgrade for the legions of automatic late-modelMustangs. End sidebar
Grillcraft
If the new Mustang's grille looks like a bland sea of plastic to you,Grillcraft [(310) 970-0300; www.grillcraft.com]has a nice billet solution to make your car stand out from the crowd.
Ground Force Suspension
A straightforward lowering spring set, the Ground Force [(724) 430-2069;www.groundforce.com]bits for the '05-'06 Mustangs includes four springs, isolators, and analignment kit.
Halibrand
Black chrome seems the new rage in wheels; Halibrand [(866) 526-2111; www.halibrand.com]showed its Cobra III wheels with that finish on this pea-greenlate-model. That's a Thalon body kit over the 18-inch Cobra IIIs.Halibrand is promising a limited-production program of finished carslike this using Vortech blowers, Steeda suspension, the Thalon kit, andthe functional side pipes shown here. Complete Halibrand Specials willbe built at Halibrand Performance Centers. Simpler wheel and tire orperformance packages were also listed.
Hawk
Promising low dust, quiet operation, and increased rotor life, HawkPerformance [(440) 528-4000; www.hawkperformance.com] debuted a line of Performance Ceramic brake pads for all thepopular applications.
HeaderSockets
How many of you have busted your knuckles or nearly lost your minds fromthe frustration of trying to remove spark plugs that are blocked byheaders tubes? Well, the ultimate in access tools is now available.HeaderSockets [(951) 677-4992; www.headersockets.com] are CNC-machined, 4130 aircraft-grade chrome-moly sockets that aredesigned for removing spark plugs from seemingly impossible positions ona Mustang equipped with equal-length short- or long-tube headers.HeaderSockets feature unique slotting, which shortens the sockets'effective length and makes installation on a plug possible (using theshort sockets) with slightly less than 0.500 clearance between the endof the spark-plug tip and a header tube or other obstruction.HeaderSockets come in short, mid, and full-length sets for both 5/8- and13/16-size spark plugs.
Hedman Hedders
Hedman had the new Mustang covered with both long- and short-tubeheaders for the Three-Valve GT engine. Both headers employ 15/8-inchtubing; the short-tubes are equal-length bags of snakes with astock-type collector, 3/8-inch flanges, and an E.O. number pending. Areplacement part, they are ceramic-coated 28-gauge mild steel. Thelong-tubes are generally the same construction, but use a 3-inch slipconnector and cannot be E.O. numbered, of course. Hedman [(562)921-0404; www.hedman.com] offersmatching X-pipes, without cats, for both long and short headers. Pricingwas not available at the show.
Hellion Power Systems
NMRA Super Street Outlaw former champion John Urist introduced hiscompany's new turbo system for the '05 Mustang. The Hellion system[(505) 873-4670; www.hellionpowersystems.com] was still in the final testing stages, butwe were glad to get an early look and can't wait to have an opportunityto put the final product to the test. The hot-side tubing on this thingis killer.
HPTuners
With software there isn't much to show in a photo, but HPTuners [(330)963-0981; www.hptuners.com] wasoffering its sophisticated, full-service VCM Suite 2.0. Working throughyour laptop and the vehicle's OBD port, this software performs all theusual tuning tasks and modification adaptations, along with clearingdiagnostic codes, sensor scanning, performing logging functions, andmuch more. Ford systems are due out in early 2006, said HPTuners, whichis also offering tuner shop packages. The starting price for VCMSuite2.0 is $499; for more HPTuners news, see the Superchips entry inthis story.
Holley Performance Products
Holley [(270) 782-2900; www.holley.com] displayedthe wicked, 1,000hp, ProCharger-blown, pump-gas monster you see here.Tom Wilson gives us a closer look at this blow-through carb engine'smakeup in our April '06 issue. Of course, Holley and its affiliatebrands offered a whole rash of new gear for performance maniacs,including an NOS digital nitrous-pressure regulator, an NOS miniprogressive controller, a new Two-Valve 4.6 throttle body, Hookerexhaust gear, and much more.
Hot Rods & Horsepower
Showing off a wild Shelby Cobra Deuce street rod was Hot Rods &Horsepower [(203) 481-1932; www.hotrodsandhorsepower.com]. Based on a '32 Ford Roadster, this rideis powered by a 600hp, 600-lb-ft FRPP Cammer boosted by a Paxton Novi2000. The company is building only 100 vehicles and they retail for$135,000. We'd be happy with one of these engines for our next Fox Rod.
Inalfa Sunroofs
The phrase "fun in the sun" takes on new meaning for '05-'06 Mustangowners. Inalfa Sunroofs [(800) 521-9753; www.inalfasunroofs.com] gives us this first look at its incredible new "EVO Sport," aninbuilt sunroof for S197s that meets all federal motor vehicle safetystandards. The full-featured EVO Sport includes One Touch programmingfor automatic open, close, and vent positions, a Venus glass panel thatreduces UV light and heat penetration, and an integrated pop-up winddeflector that eliminates wind noise. Each EVO Sport has a unique andpatented headliner safety system attachment and sliding interiorsunshade, made of a smooth and attractive fabric that matches thefactory headliner.
Ingalls Engineering
Joining the ranks of S197 suspension tuners, Ingalls Engineering [(800)641-9795; www.ingallseng.com]adds to its replacement-parts business with a decidedly performancelineup of gear for the S197 Mustang. Ingalls is currently offering theexpected chassis bracing, lowering springs, control arms, and such, butthe company is promising big things in the future. Many of its partswill include rugged forgings, so durability should be top-notch. Ingallsalso offers a trick engine torque damper dubbed the "Stiffy." It keepsthe engine in its place, but introduces less vibration than a solid Heimjoint.
Injen Technology
Speed Pro and Power Flow cold-air intake systems are Injen Technology's[(909) 839-0706; www.injen.com] offering for'05-'06 V-8 and V-6 Mustangs. The company, better known for itsinduction and exhaust systems for the sport-compact world, incorporatesthe same MR Technology used on the imports, for super-safe (air/fuelparameters are kept in check so there's no need for additional tuning)horsepower and torque gains on the fabulous new Fords.
Innovate Motorsports
The LC-1 Lambda cable is a new wideband controller from InnovateMotorsports [(949) 502-8400; www.tuneyourengine.com]. This cool unit, built entirely into a sealed cable, includes onedigital input and two programmable analog outputs and captures data onexactly how rich or lean an engine is running at any load. The cablealso features self-calibrating circuitry that has the ability toinstantly compensate for changes in temperature, altitude, and sensorcondition. The LC-1 is available for less than two-hundred bucks, withor without the wideband O2 sensor, and can be used on race or streetMustangs that use many popular data loggers, stand-alone ECUs, piggybackfuel and timing controllers, OBD II software, or chip programmers.
JBA
Always aggressive on making exhaust parts for the latest hot rods, JBA[(619) 229-7797; www.jbaheaders.com]was out in front with Mustang fitments at SEMA. With the usualshort-tube stuff covered, JBA was showing new long-tube headers with3-inch collectors for big-power Three-Valve Mustangs, with matchingH-pipes and exhaust. The company also announced its '05 Mustangaxle-back kit is now available in stainless steel, and for only $375.The same kit in standard aluminized form is $315, for example. And forthe V-6 guys, JBA now has a true dual 21/2-inch exhaust its says is goodfor 14 additional horsepower. JBA already has V-6 headers, but hasremained 50-state legal with the V-6 gear, so even with headers andaxle-back the stock center section with cats remains.
K&N
New in the K&N booth was this '05-'06 Mustang GT FIPK cold air unit. Ituses the well-known K&N [(951) 826-4100; www.knfilters.com]technology to achieve a claimed 15hp power increase. Pricing was notset, but the slot for relocating the mass air meter element is clearlyvisible. Not ready for release, but coming, is a hydrocarbon trap forV-8 and V-6 late-model Mustangs. It features a rounded air inlet of hardplastic designed to pick up power while keeping the engine emissionslegal.
Kenny Brown
Looking mighty fine was the Kenny Brown Boss Sixty Nine posing in theUnique Performance display in front of the main exhibit halls. Alimited-production tuner car, this one carried KB [(317) 247-5320; www.kennybrown.com]serial number 06X-001CSR, and was completely decked out for open-trackaction at the least with all the road-racing cues both past and present.The rolling stock is Pirelli on Forgeline modular wheels; the tire sizesare 295/30ZR18 front and 315/30ZR18 rear.