Every year we look forward to the annual Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) blow-out at the Las Vegas Convention center. It's the place where all the newest goodies for the automotive aftermarket are introduced. This year the show had a definite blue oval flavor, as Ford was the featured manufacturer. The Ford display was huge and crammed with historic Ford racing cars as Ford celebrated its 100th anniversary. This year there were many new things of interest for those in the vintage or high-performance Ford market. Let's take a look at a few of the interesting things we saw this year at the 2003 SEMA show.
More Motor
New at the '03 SEMA show and in the '04 Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog is this new 5.0 "cammer" modular crate engine. This mill is an upgraded version of the famous 4.6L DOHC Mustang Cobra engine. Shown here installed in a '65 Mustang 2+2, the 5.0 cammer features a special Ford racing 356-alloy aluminum block, which was especially designed for the 5.0L four-valve program. A stand-alone engine harness will be available, making the new and wicked cammer engine a perfect candidate for vintage-Ford conversions. Future versions of the cammer using carburetor and distributor systems are planned. This four-valve engine has 11.0:1 compression, high-strength connecting rods, and forged pistons. Look for over 400 hp, along with a flat torque curve peaking out at over 365 lb-ft. Contact Ford Racing Performance Parts, Dept. MF, 44050 N. Groesbeck Hwy., Clinton Township, Michigan 48036; (586) 468-1356; www.fordracing.com/performanceparts.
This Roush crate engine shown...
This Roush crate engine shown out of the car is an impressive sight with its optional eight-barrel induction and polished components.
There is just something about...
There is just something about an all-aluminum Cobra sitting on a mirror that stirs our hearts. This jewel was sitting in the Ford booth at SEMA.
Roush Rocket Engine Those...
Roush Rocket Engine
Those of you who remember the Gapp and Roush Tijuanna Taxi four-door Maverick will realize that Jack Roush has a long and memorable Ford performance history. The newer Roush Mustangs are among the most sought after of the specialty-tuned Mustangs, and now Roush has something new to offer the Ford performance crowd. If you're looking to give your kit Cobra a great performance pedigree, or if you are just repowering your '62 Falcon, consider one of the new Roush Performance crate engines. They're all business. Shown nestled in the engine bay of a Superformance MkII Cobra is the new Roush 427R crate engine. The 7.0L Windsor-configuration engine develops 550 hp and 535 lb-ft of torque. Features on this bulletproof mill include a Dart four-bolt block, forged-steel crank and rods, and fully CNC-ported Roush aluminum cylinder heads. Roush crate engines run on premium fuel, are all dyno-tested, and carry an industry-leading limited warranty. Contact Roush Performance, Dept. MF, 28156 Plymouth Road, Livonia, Michigan 48150; (734) 466-6236; www.RoushParts.com.
This '62 Falcon is in the...
This '62 Falcon is in the Jack Roush private stable and features a 613hp Roush Windsor engine. Look for more on this killer Falcon in a future issue.
The Eagle Has Landed Eagle...
The Eagle Has Landed
Eagle Specialty Products now offers complete reciprocating assemblies for Ford engines. The assembly shown is for the Ford small-block 347ci displacement. Brand-new from Eagle are cast-steel crankshafts for the 351 Windsor engine. Three new cranks are available in 3.75-, 4.00- and 4.25-inch stroke lengths, with the 4.25 crank being internally balanced. Now, all Eagle 4340 Windsor cranks feature internal balancing. When combined with a set of Eagle H-beam connecting rods, the result is a reciprocating assembly with the durability that you're after.
Eagle even offers connecting...
Eagle even offers connecting rods for hard-to-service engines like FE big-blocks or the Ford flathead V-8. Many rods are available with heavy-duty ARP bolts for added strength. Contact Eagle Specialty Products, Dept. MF, 8530 Arron Lane, Southaven, Mississippi 38671; (662) 796-7373; www.eaglerod.com.
On Fire New from the steering...
On Fire
New from the steering experts at Flaming River is rack-and-pinion for your vintage Mustang in a true bolt-on package. there's no need to cut or modify your car in any way. The new Flaming River steering rack is precision engineered for your classic '65-'70 Mustang. It installs easily within hours and bolts right into position using existing holes. The travel and ratio combine to give dramatically reduced steering effort to the extent you might think you're driving a power-assisted setup. Now you can enjoy a new level of steering precision and road feedback, while eliminating the cavernous on-center spot the original steering is famous for. The folks at Flaming River specialize in steering upgrades for your vintage Ford. Contact Flaming River, Dept. MF, 800 Poertner Dr., Brea, Ohio 44017; (800) 648-8022, (440) 826-4488; www.flamingriver.com.
This '65 fastback could be...
This '65 fastback could be the model for your next Mustang project. Five liter, four-valve power, combined with classic looks, spell an unbeatable combination.
Bringing Up The Rear Currie...
Bringing Up The Rear
Currie Enterprises is famous for leading edge rear-axle technology, and they've now got their 9 Plus line of axle components ready to roll. New in their 9-inch axle department are these Track 9 housings. They were developed as a high-tech and high-quality replacement for the Ford 9-inch rearend housing. Using state of the art CAD/CAM technology, aerospace engineers have created a product with superior strength and reliability. The Track 9 design uses "dual ring" construction, where continuous 1-inch-wide and 11/44-inch-thick laser cut rings are welded to both the front and rear of the housing. This increases structural integrity, while providing a precision surface on which to mount the gear assembly. Track 9 housings accept the 3-inch tube size, have 7-inch-deep sockets, and are available for a variety of applications. Contact Currie Enterprises, Dept. MF, 1480 N. Tustin Ave., Anaheim, California 92807; (714) 528-6957; www.currieenterprises.com.