Larger than any circus and...
Larger than any circus and boasting way more than three rings, the SEMA show fills the pink-colored Las Vegas Convention Center in the lower foreground and spills into the parking lots out front. Off-roaders were showing off on the dirt track right in front of the camera, while display cars line up in the background. The real action, however, is inside several large halls to the right. Even noticeably scaled down from two years ago, it's still a massive show.
It's amazing how tenacious the performance hobby can be. Despite an economy that should have all but shuttered the performance aftermarket, there was no lack of crowded passageways in Las Vegas during the 42nd annual SEMA show. SEMA says over 50,000 buyers strolled the aisles, ogling more than 1,500 new products, ranging from racing cylinder heads to LED license plate frames.
Just the same, the feeling was subdued at times depending on where you wandered. On the main show floor, where the SEMA Olympians such as Edelbrock and Comp cluster, traffic looked as brisk as ever. But hike to the outer reaches of the wheel-and-tire hall, and a curtained wall marked where optimism ended and economic reality took over. Two years ago SEMA struggled to house all of the exhibitors in the tire-and-wheel hall; now maybe an eighth of it was empty.
Aeromotive
Offering an innovative...
Aeromotive
Offering an innovative solution for regulating fuel pressure on nitrous engines was Aeromotive (www.aeromotiveinc.com). The company's Modular Nitrous regulators are stackable, so you can add a custom fuel pressure setting for every stage of your nitrous system.
From a Ford-lover's perspective, the 2009 SEMA show was moderately quiet. This year was given to the new Chevrolet Camaro, no matter if the official manufacturer was Ford (probably the only OEM able and willing to pay the freight on the official title). And with the Three-Valve V-8 and S197 Mustang completing their fourth year on the market, the parts pipeline for those Ford stalwarts was pretty well filled. That, we assure you, will change next year when new Mustang power hits the streets.
But don't think Ford was somehow on the outs. Having taken the literal high ground in the main hall years ago, Ford once again stuffed its giant booth with endless project cars and a little hardware, including the all-new and technically intriguing 6.7-liter turbo diesel, a quiet peek at a new FRPP high-rpm intake manifold for Three-Valve V-8s, plus the Wolfe-man himself debuting the most excellent 2010 Mustang Cobra Jet.
Afco
Jumping right to the...
Afco
Jumping right to the top of Editor Turner's Project Vapor Trail wish list is this new twin-fan heat exchanger from Afco (www.afabcorp.com). The dual-pass unit features two 10-inch Spal fans, and all the necessary wiring to hook it up to a GT500 or other supercharged S197. The Afco unit should reduced air-charge temps and allow blown 'Stangs to produce more power, more consistently.
Toss in an interesting mix of trick new intakes, brakes, clutches, transmissions, pistons, and other Mustang speed parts and, as always, SEMA was worth the trip.
Airaid
Another new cold-air...
Airaid
Another new cold-air intake for the '10 Mustang GT comes by way of Airaid (www.airaid.com). This system features a large conical filter, an OE-look composite construction, and accepts both the stock ram-air scoop and Induction Sound Tube.
BBK Performance
The bolt-on...
BBK Performance
The bolt-on kings at BBK (www.bbkperformance.com) expanded its line to address many of the new muscle cars on the market, but they didn't forget about the top Mustang. This unique GT500 cold-air induction system features an oval-shaped mass air housing, which mirrors the shape of the car's throttle body. BBK is promising over 50 hp from this $299 part, so it should pack some value for Shelby owners.
Centerforce
Centerforce...
Centerforce
Centerforce (www.centerforce.com) offered three new Ford clutches, a smoother replacement for the troublesome-at-high-rpm Cobra Jet piece, another for the Focus, and this 10.5-inch dual-disc unit for hot six- and eight-bolt-crank modular and 302-powered Mustangs. The dual disc features a marcel on one disc for streetability, and if you look closely, a few of the large lightening holes in the steel pressure plate are visible. Total weight is 47 pounds; long splines mean good alignment and easy shifting says According to Centerforce, pricing is "about $1,100."
Comp Cams
Promising better...
Comp Cams
Promising better performance at high rpm, Comp Cams (www.compcams.com) showed off these short-travel race hydraulic roller lifters. They feature limited internal piston travel to achieve high-rpm goodness.
D.S.S. Racing
Showing the...
D.S.S. Racing
Showing the durability of its slugs with a display of a fully intact but Bob Kurgan-abused pistons, D.S.S. Racing (www.dssracing.com) offered up a new piston specifically for Trick Flow's new Twisted Wedge modular heads. A Ford specialist, D.S.S. has a full line of pistons for small-block and modular engines.
Edelbrock
Showing off the...
Edelbrock
Showing off the crate engines and XT intake previously documented on these pages, Edelbrock (www.edelbrock.com) served up four variants of its 347 crate engines, two with carburetors and two with EFI. The latter two come with either the Performer RPM intake or the XT intake and serve up 430 and 449 hp, respectively. The company also expanded its E-force supercharger line to include the 2010 Mustang and delivered a strut-tower brace to clear the E-force.