The strength and reliability of TCI® StreetFighter® Torque Converters are now available for GM 6L80E applications, including vehicles like the Pontiac G8, 2010 Camaro and 2008-current trucks. Manufactured to withstand the rigors of nitrous injection systems and other power adder options, the StreetFighter® Torque Converter is a must whenever horsepower has been increased and benefits more radically prepared street/race machines, such as those with performance cams, aftermarket carburetors and higher compression ratios. Stock converters simply are not as strong or reliable under the high stresses of racing.

Innovator of performance EFI technology extends its line of revolutionary LSXR™ Intake Manifolds to maximize the performance of GM LS3 engines. The engineers at FAST™ teamed up with the airflow specialists at RHS™ to develop a three piece, polymer intake manifold for rectangular port GM LS3-type engines. Testing on a stock LS3 engine with a Big Mouth 102mm Throttle Body™ produced gains of up to 14+ horsepower and 11 ft./lbs. of torque at the flywheel over the stock intake.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE) offers the TRG-002 58X to 24X Trigger Conversion Module that allows Gen IV General Motors V8 engines - such as the LS7 or LS3 - to be installed in earlier vehicles like the 1997-2005 Corvette or 1998-2002 Camaro or Firebird without having to disassemble the engine to change the camshaft timing gear or crankshaft reluctor wheel.

Two new SFI-approved machined flexplates offer bullet-proof strength and reliability for high performance GM LSA and LS9 engine applications. For the GM enthusiast who immediately starts cranking more torque and horsepower into his or her recently developed GM LSA or LS9 engine, engineers at TCI® have developed two new high performance machined flexplates. The factory flexplate behind an LSA or LS9 engine can often be problematic, even in stock applications, with issues of cracking and even breaking; so replacing it with a CNC-machined flexplate from TCI® is a good idea.

As of late, GM has given the LS performance enthusiasts plenty of reasons to be excited. Larger 60mm bearing journals, wider lobe separation angles and even the new Active Fuel Management have each brought something new to the performance table. And, to help squeeze out the maximum power in each of these applications, COMP Cams® is now introducing a new line of custom cam cores for several unique LS engines.

GM LS engines have truly set a new standard for V8 performance and durability. However, there are limitations for the aftermarket shopper when it comes to finding a high performance replacement for the factory block. Aware of this dilemma, the research and development team at RHS® went to work designing and testing several different versions of GM LS engine blocks until they found the optimal solution for performance engine builders and racing enthusiasts.

Over the years, the performance aftermarket has begun to truly push the horsepower limits of many popular engine applications.  And with today’s aggressive cam profiles and innovative valve train combinations, engineers at COMP Cams® decided it was time to design a valve spring to reduce stress and increase valve train stability. Using a new dynamic modeling system that optimizes a spring’s design and pitch profile before prototype production, COMP® engineers were able to design and run through several development cycles before the first spring was ever even produced. The result was the most high-tech of all COMP Cams® valve springs, the #26926, a professional race quality, lightweight, small O.D. dual spring capable of high loads and an extended maximum lift.

PML announces a low profile transmission pan for the GM 200–4R. PML developed this pan in response to requests from the performance automatic overdrive transmission market. PML has had a deep extra capacity 200–4R transmission pan since 2003 and designed this low profile version to accommodate applications with little clearance. Compared with the stock pan, this low profile pan features fins and aluminum construction for cooling and a drain for easy oil changes. Stock pans are thin stamped steel and this PML transmission pan has thick walls to increase the torsional strength of the transmission case and a thick, machined gasket flange for a leak-free seal.

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO), in cooperation with General Motors (GM), debuted two new fitments on GMC and Cadillac concept vehicles at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, which started Jan. 11 in Detroit. The GMC Granite sports concept Dueler(tm) 245/40R20 tires. The Granite is a small, highly versatile, premium four-door crossover. The U.S. designed and produced Dueler tires feature a unique asymmetrical tread pattern that provides solid traction while also complimenting the vehicle’s ultramodern style. The Granite won the EyesOn Design Award for Best Concept Vehicle during the show’s opening media days.

SEMA, in cooperation with General Motors and Hurst Performance Vehicles, announced today that it will auction the first pre-production HURST/Camaro prior to the 2009 SEMA Show.  The proceeds are to benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, a program that fosters industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket. The car will be auctioned on eBay Motors during the two weeks prior to the show. 

In land speed racing, Spectre Performance learned early that airflow management is critical. The speed merchants at Spectre push the limit on the dyno, flow bench, salt flats and tracks across the country to develop some of the best air induction systems in the industry. Now Spectre is proud to announce the ProFab™ Race Pak Muscle Car Cold Air Intake designed specifically for 1969-81 GM F-Bodies.

Looking for the next hot GM classic? They’re already here and becoming more popular every day. The 1978-’87 GM G-Body cruisers are fast becoming collectible classics. But, they are now two to three decades old and most need restoration, particularly for driving safety. CLASSIC TUBE has complete brake, fuel and transmission lines, as well as rubber and stainless braided brake hoses for your G-Body project.

Recently, General Motors developed the new L94/L99 engines, which utilize Variable Valve Timing (VVT). This technology is regulated by the use of cam phasers, which are computer controlled cam gears that optimize camshaft timing based on current engine rpm. Engine oil is pressure fed to the cam phasers through a series of passageways in the cylinder heads and cam while the engine computers control solenoids that adjust this oil flow into and out of the phaser’s control chambers. While this technology provides benefits such as fuel efficiency, it does present some limitations when it comes to performance camshafts. With such a wide range of valve timing movement, there is very little piston to valve clearance, which limits you to small cam profiles with little overlap.

When it comes to high horsepower and limited tire size in drag race applications where the more durable GM TH400 transmission is needed, tire spin has always been an issue. Turbocharged, supercharged and nitrous injected engines can simply product too much power for the standard GM TH400 2.48 1st/1.48 2nd gear ratios. To counter this problem, engineers at TCI® have developed a 6-pinion planetary set that improves take-off power and maximizes racing performance by decreasing the starting line gear ratio by 15 percent to 2.10 1st/1.40 2nd.

One of the most critical elements of any GM street/strip or towing application is acceleration. With that in mind, drivetrain engineers at TCI® recently designed two new 6-pinion planetary sets for 4L80E transmissions that provide powerful launches and improved gear transitions. Available in 2.75 1st/1.57 2nd or 2.97 1st/1.57 2nd gear ratios, these kits can release the true performance potential of your engine, whether at the strip or pulling a trailer, by increasing take-off power by 10 and 17 percent, respectively.