2009 Performance Racing Industry Show

The boys at Ford Racing Performance Parts (FRPP) had everything from the FR500CJ and Andrew Cadell's FR500S to their latest crate engine offerings on display. The crowd-stopper was the brand-new 2010 Mustang, already wearing a full complement of such FRPP go-fast goodies as a supercharger, exhaust, and more.

Abaco MAF AdaptWe've told you about the great air meters from Abaco Performance [www.abacoperformance.com; (877) 693-9269] in the past. At this year's PRI show, Abaco shared its latest product, the Abaco MAF Adapt. The MAF Adapt allows you to have the same great tuning ability as the company's line of DBX meters while still utilizing the meter you are using now. Simply download the free software and start tuning. Just like Abaco's meters, the MAF Adapt can store 10 different calibrations.

ACCEL Thruster ICMACCEL [www.accel-dfi.com; (248) 380-2780] has been on the cutting edge of aftermarket fuel injection for many years, and now its DFI division has released the Thruster Ignition Control Module (ICM). The Thruster ICM was designed from the ground up to control any ignition system you can bolt on your ride. It doesn't matter if it's carbureted or fuel-injected, coil-on-plug, waste spark, EDIS, and so on. From two to eight-cylinder engines, the Thruster ICM can handle any engine under your Ford's hood and even has inputs and outputs to support various functions such as nitrous, converter lockup, fans, knock sensors, and more with four mapping strategies that can be switched on the fly. The Thruster ICM even includes built-in 64-channel data logging and is fully programmable with the included dashboard software.

Anderson Power PipeAnderson Ford Motorsport [www.andersonfordmotorsport.com; (888) 715-6487] is known for its Power Pipe. It seems like every time we look under the hood of a car we see yet another one. For those of you who are into good looks as much as making power, the guys at Anderson now offer their famous Power Pipe in a fully polished version. So give them a call for your polished Power Pipe today.

Auto Meter Elite GaugesKeeping tabs on your engine's critical pressures and temperatures is important if you want to ensure your crate engine or high-dollar engine build doesn't go up in smoke and bad noises. Auto Meter [www.autometer.com; (866) 248-6356] is known throughout our hobby as the top gauge manufacturer, staying on top by constantly bringing out new designs and innovations. Its pride and joy at the PRI show was the new line of Elite Series gauges for street and track use. The Elite Series consists of full-sweep electric gauges that feature Auto Meter's Pro Control and data acquisition output. Each gauge has seven user-selectable LED illumination choices and can be programmed to give a full-face flashing warning for any user-set high or low warning.

BBK 4.6L Three-Valve Cam CoversWhen it comes to Ford's modular engine, there are a few areas that lack the aftermarket support that the small-block Ford does, such as valve covers (or in the case of the modular, they're technically cam covers). BBK [www.bbkperformance.com; (951) 296-1771] adds Three-Valve cam covers to its vast line of Ford valve covers and cam covers, which even include V-6 offerings. The BBK covers are die-cast for low weight and are available in three finishes, including chrome. BBK also showed off its new GT500 throttle body and long-tube headers.

Bessel Motorsports Block SupportIt's a well-known fact that the small-block Ford is notorious for splitting down the middle as it reaches north of 500 hp. While Bessel Motorsports [www.strokerkits.com; (636) 946-4747] is known for its splayed main cap upgrade system, the small-block Ford's top end has been addressed with the company's block support system. Designed to complement the splayed main caps, but still very effective on its own, the block support is installed by your machinist. When installed it effectively preloads the block, making it much stronger and allowing it to take higher power levels.

Cool Juice From Be CoolWhen it comes to your ride's cooling system, a big, efficient radiator with an electric cooling fan is often on the top of most people's wish lists. Be Cool [www.becool.com; (800) 691-2667] has been making those wishes come true for many years now and introduced its new Cool Juice pre-mixed high-performance antifreeze at the PRI show. Designed for performance engines and aluminum cooling systems (radiators, water pumps, cylinder heads), it can be mixed with any color/type of coolant, too.

Clear View Paint ProtectionWhile the PRI show is all about performance (and racing), we were intrigued by Clear View Vision Armor's [www.clearviewvisionarmorllc.com; (704) 528-7795] demonstration of its paint protection film. While Clear View caters to the motorsports market with paint protection and huge tear-off windshield protectors (think of giant helmet lens tear-offs) the company also offers pre-cut paint protection film packages for hundreds of models of cars, including many Ford products. The high-strength protection film easily handles curves and compound surfaces, and you can purchase pre-cut kits or bulk material for custom jobs.

CPR GT500 Fuel RailsWe see a lot of modular Mustangs with Creative Performance Racing's fuel rails on them, both on the street and at the track. CPR [www.cprracing.com; (248) 398-2397] had the latest addition to its ever-growing list of modular rails at the PRI show-fuel rails for the '07-'08 GT500. Like the rest of the CPR fuel rail family, these rails have a full 5/8-inch inside diameter, a built-in fuel pressure sensor mounting boss, welded mounting tabs, O-ring end fittings, and a lifetime warranty.

CSR Modular FillerWhen it comes to cooling systems and engine swaps, many builders often run into issues with hose sizing. The engine they just swapped may have a water fitting that doesn't match the radiator, or perhaps the engine's hose fitting or radiator doesn't have a filler opening. The folks at CSR [www.csr-performance.com; (800) 226-1274] have solved these problems with their new modular inline filler assembly. The inline filler, first and foremost, gives you a location to fill your cooling system-which should be the highest point in your system-but also allows you to mix and match hose diameters or utilize AN hose attachments. Just order the inlet and outlet fitting your setup requires and you'll be off and running in no time flat.

DEI Titanium Exhaust WrapThe folks at Design Engineering [www.designengineering.com; (800) 264-9472] know a thing or two about thermal protection, which is why we used their products on our FFR Roadster (built last year). From header and plug wire solutions to adhesive-backed thermal barrier sheets, DEI has a product for your project car. Now DEI has come out with its Titanium exhaust wrap, which uses pulverized lava rock to increase heat handling-up to a whopping 1,800 degrees of direct contact and 2,800 degrees of radiant heat protection. The product is available in two widths and 15 or 50-foot rolls and has a killer carbon-fiber look to it as well.

Performance Distributors SOS CoilsFord's coil-on-plug (COP) system is an efficient way to get spark to the engine's plugs without dealing with plug wires and their inherent issues related to aging, heat, and more. Unfortunately, like most OEM parts, the original coils aren't designed with the best materials for performance applications. The folks at Performance Distributors [www.performancedistributors.com; (901) 396-5782] felt they could improve on the Ford COP design with their new Sultans of Spark (SOS) coils. Their increased windings offer 40,000 volts to your plugs. That's a 60 percent increase versus the stock coils. With the SOS coils' increased spark duration, you can open up your plug gaps and improve your modular's performance and fuel economy, as well as enjoy easier starting, better idling, and greater throttle response.

Eagle 4.6L Stroker AssemblyIt's taken a while, but the Ford modular engine family is finally coming into its own, mainly with the popularity of the new 4.6L Three-Valve in the S197 Mustang. We're seeing all manner of crate engines, internal parts, blowers, and even dress-up parts these days. One of the rotating assemblies that caught our eye when we visited the Eagle Rod booth [www.eaglerod.com; (662) 796-7373] was the new 5.0L modular stroker kit. Available in street-and-strip or competition-level assemblies, both kits come with Eagle's premium 4340 H-beam rods and forged pistons from Arias, JE, SRP, Mahle, and others, along with rod bearings and file-fit rings. The main differences between the two kits are the street/strip utilizes a cast crank, which is good for 500 hp, and the competition kit uses a 4340 forged steel crank capable of 850-1,500 hp. Of course, Eagle offers several strokes and bore sizes for up to 323 cid for Two-Valve and Four-Valve applications.

Ford Racing Performance Parts 427 WindsorIf you like your big cubes in little packages, then you'll absolutely love Ford Racing's new all-aluminum 427 Windsor. FRPP [www.fordracingparts.com; (800) FORD788] built this mammoth of strokers with its new 9.5-inch deck aluminum 351 block. Using a 4.125 bore and a 4-inch stroke for optimal rod ratio, the 427ci stroker is decked with FRPP aluminum heads and ready for your next project to put down an estimated 550 hp at the flywheel.

Granatelli Watt's LinkThere's always something new to see when we visit with JR Granatelli and Granatelli Motor Sports [www.granatellimotorsports.com; (805) 486-6644]; our PRI show visit didn't disappoint. Besides JR's ever-growing line of ignition coils, tuners, and other go-fast goodies, the new S197 Mustang Watt's link setup was on display. Designed as a complete bolt-in solution, the Watt's link features an outrageously strong billet mounting assembly, super-strong Watt's link arms, and more.

Kasse Boss Nine KitOver the years Ford has built some legendary engines. Any dyed-in-the-wool Ford nut drools at the mere mention of these engines' displacements-428CJ, 427 SOHC, and of course, Boss 429 (just to name a few). Now the engine wizard known as Jon Kasse [www.jonkasseracingengines.com; (770) 307-0241] has invested untold hours of research, time, and dead presidents to introduce a complete selection of Boss Nine components to build your own Boss 429 using any 385-series block (or even a real Boss 429 casting if you have one lying around). From cylinder heads, rockers, and intakes, to valve covers, and even complete engines, Kasse's Boss Nine program has what you need. Oh, to drop one of these in a Maverick and build a retro Pro Stocker!

Fore 8.8-inch Housing CoverIf you're even remotely familiar with any of the products that Fore Precision Works [www.foreprecisionworks.com; (919) 550-0700] makes for late-model Mustangs, you know then that these products are almost too nice to install on your Mustang and could just as easily be on display on a shelf in your den. The folks at Fore take their product development seriously and create a product solution, not just another gizmo to sell. A case in point is the new 8.8-inch differential cover for live axle and IRS applications. This robust unit starts off as a serious chunk of billet aluminum. When Fore gets done with it, this differential cover is one of the strongest on the market, easily clearing Fox Mustang tire wells and S197 Panhard rods while looking great.

Metco Motorsports Overdrive Crank PulleyThe guys at Metco Motorsports [www.metcomotorsports.com; (864) 332-5929] are hard-core power fanatics who know how to make power with their performance upgrade parts and put it to the ground with their suspension parts. One of their newest goodies on display at PRI was their 4.6L Three-Valve overdrive crank pulley. The pulley starts life as a stock Ford pulley, but it is then machined to accept a billet pulley ring. Designed for use with aftermarket superchargers, it is the perfect way to increase your blower's boost without going to a super small blower pulley and losing belt grip due to the smaller pulley's surface area. Be sure to check out Metco's other products, such as billet fuel rails, throttle-body adapters, blower pulleys, safety loops, and more.

Survival Motorsports FE Carb KitIt wouldn't be a complete trip through the Orlando Convention Center's halls without a stop to visit our old friend Barry Rabotnick and his company, Survival Motorsports [www.survivalmotorsports.com; (248) 366-3309]. Barry is keeper of the flame when it comes to FE engines and he always has something up his sleeve. This time around he was proud of his new dual-four carb package. With the power today's FE engines can make, reproduction carbs just won't cut it. Barry has developed these new carbs to look the part for those classic FE users out there, but also be able to handle the FE engines being built now that reach over 500 ci and 700 hp. It's essentially a pair of race carbs in concours clothing. Barry also had to wipe our drool off of a new 427 SOHC head he had on display as well. For more info, check out his website and tell him you read it here.

Techflex Wire and Hose Cover KitWiring an engine compartment up after dropping in that new engine used to mean a roll of electrical tape and maybe some tie-wraps. Then, with the advent of plastic split-loom people started using that to cover their wiring. Now it's the 21st century and it's time for a 21st century solution-the Flexo PET wire and hose covering system from Techflex [www.techflex.com; (800) 323-5140]. We've used this product in the past for custom applications, and now Techflex has its very own wire and hose custom covering kit all in one package. The flexible looms are easy to use, route, and trim to length, and it comes in a multitude of colors to complement or contrast your engine and engine compartment.

Tri-State Cylinder Head RepairLast year we showed you the new Flo-Tek cylinder heads for small-block Fords from Tri-State Cylinder Heads [www.tristatecylinderhead.com; (800) 270-0095] but one thing we didn't realize is that Tri-State is one of the few cylinder head machine companies that actually does welding repair on all sorts of cylinder heads. So while the 5.0L crowd is saving their pennies for a set of Flo-Teks, you other guys with a rare casting that has seen the wrong side of 7,000 rpm can now have it repaired easily and confidently with Tri-State's furnace welding program. Be it cracks or even whole sections of the head missing (you know who you are) give Tri-State a call; we bet they can fix it.

Whiteline S197 Mustang Suspension SystemWhile new to us here in the states, Whiteline Automotive [www.globalperformanceparts.com; (616) 399-9025] has been fixing factory suspension setups for quite a while in Australia. The company recently released a complete front and rear suspension upgrade kit (most parts available separately as well) for the S197 Mustang. From antidive bushings to chassis bracing and adjustable sway bars, Whiteline certainly has a different school of thought when it comes to suspension. We look forward to delving deeper into its product line in the future.