Nitrous Express
We've seen nitrous bottle heaters before, but never a heater and cooler. This Fire and Ice Bottle Pressure Controller from Nitrous Express [(940) 767-7694; www.nitrousexpress.com] is said to maintain bottle pressure at plus or minus 5 degrees of its setting. It's fully automated and microprocessor controlled. A new high-flow bottle valve was another new product from NX.
Nitto Tire
The big news from Nitto [(714) 252-0007; www.nittotire.com] is the arrival of the long-awaited 305/35ZR-18 tire for the rear of late-model Mustangs. This will be especially good news for those running the 555RII road racing/open track compound. It is designed to mate with the 285/35ZR-18 front.
Proto Topline
Just when you thought you had a handle on all the small-block Ford cylinder heads, we discover another one. Aussie speed maven Pro Topline [www.protopline.com] now offers three cylinder head versions in either cast-iron or aluminum. The major differences between the heads are intake runner volumes (180, 200, or 215 cc), combustion chamber volume (58 or 64 cc), and intake valve diameters (2.02 or 2.08 inches). Also of note is Pro Topline offers a number of overhead-cam heads, including a Focus head. Other companies tell us these are difficult to produce, so Pro Topline might have a leg up on getting us that first aftermarket modular head for the masses.
Roush Performance
Roush Performance [(734) 466-6236; www.roushparts.com] is the aftermarket parts department of the giant Roush Industries. After years of a quiet presence in the aftermarket, the company is stepping up in a major way, beginning with a full line of 302 and Windsor-based stroker crate engines. Ranging from a 340hp 306 to a 550hp 427 Windsor, these new engines offer premium innards at premium prices. Roush has also added a tuner Focus to its vehicle lineup, as well as a Focus turbo kit and a Roots-style blower for 5.4 pickups.
Saleen
Just to make sure it was covered, Saleen [(949) 597-4900; www.saleen .com] had different cars on display in the BASF and Pirelli booths, as a prop during a Ford press event and up in the air on this Revolution four-post hoist. This was also the newest Saleen-the Focus N2O-which will soon hit the market. Although the car is fitted with the expected Saleen bodywork and twiddle-bits, the big news is a preplumbed nitrous system to boost power to 250 hp. The car will be sold without a bottle, but with all the tough parts nicely plumbed. Thus, all the owner need do is separately purchase the bottle, sign where it says the warranty is void, and then have at it.
Stainless Steel Brakes
Owners of SN-95 and newer Mustangs have all the luck when it comes to braking. Stainless Steel Brakes [(716) 759-8666; www.ssbrakes.com] showed off this new caliper upgrade for said vehicles, which packs three pistons measuring 45 mm each. This upgrade is said to significantly improve the braking power over the stock Cobra system.
Trick Flow
We'd never guess there would have been two all-new 5.0 intake manifolds at SEMA, but Trick Flow [(330) 630-1555; www.trickflow.com] had such an animal, and an animal it looks to be. With obvious attention to airflow detail, the new short-runner, large-plenum intake has a 4.6 Cobra look to it. Reports are the high rpm power from this intake is Cobra-like as well, and torque doesn't suffer much either. We'll have a full test on this exciting new design shortly. Trick Flow also released a 4.6 upper elbow for the GT bolt-on crowd, along with high-port short-tube headers.