Performance in Motion Magazine Vol. 8 No. 6

October/November 2008 • Vol. 8 #6 • $3.95 Canadian

PRO TOURING

Also Inside:

Camaro

GSX Sleeper

ARM

DROP

LIVE

$10,000

RoadMates Picnic ‘08

X-Pipe Install

Gone Roddin’ Ontario Tour Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40609642

Table of Contents Editorial ....................................... 5 X-Pipe Upgrade ........................... 6 Pro-Touring Camaro ................ 10 Catherine Turner ...................... 14 Super Turbo Install ................... 15 Roadmates Corn Roast ............ 16 Product Showcase .................... 18 Car Care Book Review ............ 20 Arm Drop Racing ..................... 21 Ultimate Sleeper? ..................... 26 Gone Roddin’ Tour ................... 28 Gullwing Mercedes ................... 30 Fuel Altereds Book Review ...... 31 Business Directory .................... 32 Reluctant Passenger .................. 34

October / November

Greg Miller captured the wheels-up launch of Gene Emes’ Smith Performance Products-built S10 Drag Truck at the Arm Drop Live event.

16 Years Of Innovation, Integrity & Leadership

■ Chassis

Harnesses ■ Fuel Injection Harnesses ■ Relay Kits ■ Connectors ■ Terminals ■ Battery Accessories ■ Fuse Blocks ■ LEDs ■ Switch Control Centers ■ Switches

®

PERFORMANCE

PRODUCTS

w w w. p a i n l e s s p e r f o r m a n c e . c o m P|M • October/November 2008

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PERFORMANCE in

Performance in Motion Publications 1100 The Queensway Toronto, ON M8Z 1P7 Phone: 416-259-3678 • Fax: 416-259-6433 EDITOR/PUBLISHER Bob McJannett bmcj@performanceinmotion.ca Phone: 416-259-3678

Editorial D

on’t forget to watch what politicians are trying to pass on our behalf. Not everything is as clear as it may seem.

Former parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Transport, Scarborough, Ont. Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis recently introduced a private member’s bill (Bill C-568) to require speed limiters set at 150 km/h on passenger vehicles manufactured after Jan. 1, 2010.

BILL C-568

An Act to amend the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (speed limiters)

U.S. ADVERTISING Dick Van Cleve PRODUCTION DESIGN Rob McJannett rmcj@performanceinmotion.ca CONTRIBUTORS Phil Adams Thomas Anderson Bernie Macliveson Nick Dunn Bob McJannett Robert Michaelson Jeff Norwell Leonard F. Slye Catherine Turner with Bonnie Staring as the Reluctant Passenger

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: 1993, c. 16

1. The Motor Vehicle Safety Act is amended by adding the following after section 5:

Definition of “speed limiter”

5.1 (1) In this section, “speed limiter” means a device mounted on a vehicle that, when engaged, electronically limits the maximum speed at which the vehicle is driven to the speed set on the device.

Restrictions re manufacture, importation, sale and lease

(2) No person shall manufacture, import into Canada or sell or lease to another person a vehicle unless it is equipped with a speed limiter that is engaged and set to a maximum speed that is not greater than 150 kilometres per hour.

Duty of repairer

(3) No person who repairs or maintains a vehicle shall release the vehicle to another person unless the vehicle is equipped with a speed limiter that is engaged and set to a maximum speed that is not greater than 150 kilometres per hour.

ILLUSTRATIONS Kayvene PROOFREADER Spike “The Machine” LaVigne

Restriction on operation

(4) No person who owns a vehicle or leases a vehicle from another person shall operate the vehicle or allow it to be operated by another person unless it is equipped with a speed limiter that is engaged and set to a maximum speed that is not greater than 150 kilometres per hour.

Application

(5) This section applies to vehicles manufactured on or after January 1, 2010 that are not fire-fighting vehicles, ambulances, police vehicles or other vehicles that are used for the purpose of emergency or vehicles that belong to a class of vehicles that is exempted from the application of this section by regulation

MOVING? Please let us know!

E-mail both your old & new address to: moving@performanceinmotion.ca Return undeliverables to: 1100 The Queensway Toronto, ON M8Z 1P7 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40609642 PERFORMANCE IN MOTION is published six times a year: February, April, June, August, October and December.

Circulation is 30,000+ (ISSN 1703-8421) Copyright ©2008 All rights reserved by Performance In Motion Publishing. The fine print: We respect your privacy, and do NOT sell our mailing list. All opinions are those of our writers, most of whom have dropped heavy objects on their heads. The information presented is via said head bangers from which there can be no responsibility by the Publishers as to legality, completeness and accuracy. Be good to the environment, recycle this magazine - give it to your friends. If you enjoy our magazine, be sure to let us know! This magazine may not be reprinted without express permission of Performance In Motion Publishing. (We’re nice guys, just ask!) Thank-you Wendy for 25 wonderful years!

While the proposed threshold is still 40 or 50 km/h higher than most posted highway speed limits in Canada, Karygiannis said he chose 150 km/h because that’s the speed that authorizes police to confiscate vehicles. “Why does anyone need a car that goes over 150 when you can’t go that fast or you lose your car?”

At first glance, you may think there is no reason to object to such a Bill. Isn’t it responsible to keep vehicles limited to reasonable speeds?

However, look at the liabilities being placed on vehicle repairers. Instead of repairing your vehicle, they will be spies for the federal government. What’s next?

The good news is when the election was called, all Bills in progress died on the vine.

Depending on who gets elected this time, it could be reintroduced, but for the time being, it is a moot point. Just be aware of what could happen. Be prepared to express your views.

P|M • October/November 2008

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X

PIPE INSTALL Story & Photos by: Len Sly

On the left is the stock H-pipe, with the brand-new DynoMax X-pipe on the right. You can see why the X-pipe is better at getting the exhaust gasses to intermingle. Just swapping in the X-pipe added 21 hp and 26 ft/lbs of torque to the Mustang!

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October/November 2008 • P|M

F

or a V8 performance exhaust system, connecting both sides of a dual exhaust is important to balance the two banks of the engine. The H-style crossover is okay at balancing the two halves, but doesn’t promote scavenging because exhaust tends to flow straight through each pipe rather than taking the 90-degree turn through the H-pipe into the other half of the system.

In an X-pipe system, the gasses have to intermingle as they pass through the junction. This promotes improved scavenging, smoothing out uneven exhaust pulses from the engine’s firing order.

Eric Petit and his Akron Horsepower crew were ready to see what a DynoMax X-pipe would do for their customer’s bright yellow 2006 Mustang GT convertible. After installing the DynoMax Ultra Flo performance exhaust system on the Mustang, they replaced the stock H-pipe with the DynoMax X-pipe.

Ready to streamline airflow out of the engine, the DynoMax X-pipe kit offers a high-flow, performance X-pipe and all the necessary installation hardware for a quick and easy install.

After seeing some impressive horsepower and torque gains through the Ultra Flo exhaust system, the Mustang was flaunting DynoMax’s legendary Ultra Flo welded mufflers, a straight-through, single-tube design that offers incredible flow and premium sound.

DynoMax Performance Exhaust is a leading supplier and manufacturer of dyno-proven exhaust technologies for light trucks, sport utility vehicles and passenger cars. DynoMax is the performance exhaust brand of Tenneco Inc. and its sister brands include Walker, Rancho, Monroe and Clevite.

Special thanks to Eric Petit and Geworge Chaboudy III at Akron Horsepower, for letting us use their garage and completing the install.

Now, let’s dig in and watch an X-pipe kit install and see what type of power it will bring!

Performance Engine Gaskets for Drag Racing, Oval Track and High-Performance Street MULTI-LAYERED STAINLESS STEEL (MLS) CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS A shot of the stock H-pipe on the 2006 Mustang GT. First, carefully disconnect the oxygen sensors.

Maneuvering around tight-fitting components between the transmission and the unibody, lightly loosen the upper bolts on both the right and left sides of the vehicle.

Completely remove the connecting bolts above the catalytic converter. Follow along the stock H-pipe, loosening connecting bolts and hangers. It takes more than one person to maneuver the H-pipe.

• Multi-Layered Steel (MLS) head gaskets are designed for extreme cylinder pressures produced by high horsepower – high compression, turbo-charged, supercharged and nitrous oxide engines • Manufactured from Viton rubber coated stainless steel layers to resist corrosion and positively seal engine fluids • Stress formed inner and outer layer embossments act like springs that rebound under cylinder head clamp load, creating force to seal excessive Embossed combustion pressure in cylinder bore Stainless Steel Middle • Used by numerous top-name NHRA Spacer Drag Race Champions including Duane Shields - Top Alcohol Dragster, Brian Hough - Top Alcohol Funny Car, Kyle Seipel -Super Comp, Jimmy DeFrank Embossed Stainless Steel & Dan Fletcher - Super Stock Outer Layers

www.mr-gasket.com 216-688-8300 P|M • October/November 2008

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X

PIPE INSTALL

Before reconnecting and slip-fitting the new X-pipe, use thread sealant to secure the oxygen sensor connection to the pipe.

Tighten the oxygen sensor down with a wrench.

Carefully feeding the X-pipe into the open pipe under the front of the Mustang.

In this case, it was easier to reconnect the oxygen sensor from the top of the vehicle.

Sliding the oxygen sensor fittings together.

Attaching the X-pipe to the DynoMax Ultra Flo welded exhaust system pipe.

Initially slip-fitting the included Walker heavy-duty band clamps around integral pipe connections like this one between the Xpipe and the exhaust system.

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October/November 2008 • P|M

Eric tightened the bolts down on the Walker band clamps.

Eric returned to the front and tightened each bolt and connection from the front of the system to the rear.

A shot of the newly installed DynoMax X-pipe.

Running the Mustang on the dyno let us see what improvement the new X-pipe made.

Source: DynoMax Performance Exhaust 1 International Dr. Monroe, MI 48161 www.dynomax.com 1-734-384-7807

The Baseline run shows a peak of 283 HP and 297 ft/lbs of torque.

Just adding the Dynomax H-Pipe bumped those numbers up to 304 hp and 323 ft/lbs of torque!

P|M • October/November 2008

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PRO TOURING CAMARO Story & Photos by: Bob McJannett

W

hen you first see Doug Kamphuy’s amazing 1967 Camaro RS/SS, you will say WOW. Attention to detail was the watchword in this build.

Back when Doug was very young, one of his buddy’s cousins would come around with a 1967 Camaro. It was love at first sight, even at such a young age, Doug knew he had to someday own one of these. By the time he was 20, he built a 1976 for himself, but it wasn’t the year he really wanted.

Classic Car with a Modern Attitude As is often the case, his car went to another owner, and Doug was without a Camaro for a while.

Nine years ago, he bought the basis of the car on these pages.

Plans were big, but little things like houses and babies prevented work from starting; instead, his prize Camaro sat forlornly in the garage wrapped in a tarp.

In 2006, Doug through his good friend Jay Challanger met Eric Latino of Redline Performance; Eric and Jay were building a pro touring Camaro for one of his customers. The sight of the project really got Doug’s blood flowing. They talked about the theory of the pro touring movement, building an almost stock

Under the hood is a 383 engine, superbly detailed with billet brackets, ceramic-coated headers, fabricated aluminum valve covers and a spun aluminum air cleaner. Even the air fi lter matches the car!

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October/November 2008 • P|M

appearing vehicle with superior performance, ride and handling.

A relatively simple concept, take your old car and make the changes necessary for it accelerate, corner and brake like a modern-day sports car.

Soon the old Camaro was unwrapped and work begun. The body was disassembled, and parts

Check out these billet hinges… way cool.

Wouldn’t it be great if every home had a car this nice sitting out front?

That would be car enthusiast heaven.

to be reused were sandblasted and primed.

Brand new front inner and outer fenders were located in Texas and soon found their way to Doug’s garage. New GM door skins were also located; at this point, all these parts were delivered to Larry Wingett at Don Butts Autobody for preparation and paint. Colour is Sherwin Williams Tangerine Trance.

Meanwhile, Doug had the front frame section sandblasted; he then welded it solid and had it powder coated. After coating, Doug and Jay set about to create and assemble a proper pro touring front suspension. Detroit Speed upper and lower tubular control arms were

Budnik teardrop billet aluminum wheels with Potenza tires hide the Baer cross drilled and slotted rotors and Baer claw calipers.

added, lowering the front 2”. Hotchkis front springs, QA-1 12-Way adjustable shocks and a Hotchkis front sway bar were combined with a set of high performance Baer brakes.

When the body shop was ready, the front suspension was taken over and installed. At the same time, Doug created and welded the appropriate brackets onto the 12 bolt posi rear end and sent it out to be powder coated as well. Once installed, Doug’s Camaro was once again rolling on four wheels. The body shop completed their part, and the car was returned to Doug’s garage in October 2007. This is when Doug and Jay started the late nights to

have it ready for Performance World car show in March ‘08.

Rear suspension consists of Hotchkis rear springs and sway bar dampened with another pair of 12-way adjustable QA-1 shock absorbers. Baer Brake supplied the rear disk kits as well.

Under the hood rests a 1971 Chevrolet small block, built to 383 cubic inches. An Eagle crank and Eagle rods, plus a set JE 10.5 to 1 pistons form the basis for the power plant. Atop the engine rests an Edelbrock Victor Jr. intake and a Holley 750cfm double pump carb. Moving the exhaust out is a pair of ceramic-coated

Here is Doug doing what his car was built for. Driving it! No trailer queen here.

P|M • October/November 2008

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The 18” front and 20” rear Budnik billet rims help Doug’s Camaro sit just right.

No matter from what angle you look at this car everything is neat and tidy. Even in the places that are hard to see.

Hooker Super Comp headers.

The engine bay is fully detailed with billet aluminum parts.

Inside, the dash was modified to accept a full complement of Autometer gauges, plus the Vintage Air stream line control. A Sony stereo provides the tunes from a cus-

tom made I Pod holder. Even the knobs were custom built from billet aluminum. Terry Turner installed the black Al Knoch deluxe upholstery Kit. To say “the devil is in the details” would be an understatement for Doug’s Camaro.

Everywhere you look there are surprises.

Lots of them so subtle you may not even notice them, like the fact they shaved off the drip rails.

When asked what he liked best, Doug is quick to tell you that the car handles great and is a true joy to drive. What more could a car builder want?

Attention to detail is everywhere. Autometer gauges, billet aluminum pedal pads, billet aluminum dash knobs plus a Hurst shifter to move the 5-speed smoothly thru the gears.

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October/November 2008 • P|M

Stereo components are neatly installed in the trunk, in such a manner that provides loads of space for golf clubs and a cooler.

This is the view a lot of people will see when Doug has his Camaro out.

The hidden headlights are a unique feature to the RS model. Only on this model year were they operated electrically.

siast enthu

site: Web

m EMA ive.co r the S d t e i s i h V joyt .en www

You will seldom see a 1967 Camaro RS this clean. Workmanship on Doug’s car is flawless.

P|M • October/November 2008

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“1953 Model, Fairly Good Condition. Needs ongoing work and TLC. Good project for interested person who doesn’t expect perfection when complete.”

If

I was a car ad, that would be me.

Anyone who knows my husband and I know that we are car people. When we bought our house almost five years ago, I was impressed with the layout and garden potential; he was thrilled with the three-car garage, parking for six cars in the driveway and the extra parking beside the garage.

Needless to say, we have a collection – some that run and some that don’t. A couple of drivers, a drag race car, Molly the Motorhome, a classic cruiser, an enclosed trailer and the inevitable dusty project in the garage under the car cover lurking to annoy me. I’m always afraid that the Motor Vehicle Department will make us take out some kind of licence since, when family or friends visit, we usually have more vehicles than the average corner car lot.

All that aside, my current health situation gave me time to pause and think how much I can relate to many of our car adventures. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in April, 2008. Not unlike one of those staggering reports from your mechanic, I received the news with shock and some minor freaking out since I’d noticed some changes months before, but put off the trip to the doctor.

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October/November 2008 • P|M

I remember the day we got the news that the Mercury Sable wagon we owned (and both hated) had blown head gaskets. Ye gads, that’s a major overhaul and extremely expensive fi x!

My doctor’s cancer diagnosis was much more compassionately and carefully explained, but produced the same gutwrenching, shocking reaction with one minor difference – I was not about to be put in the Auto Trader and disposed of quickly for as much money as we could get before I deteriorated beyond help.

Thanks to early diagnosis, my treatment was to be quickly enacted and the often-annoying, but, in this case, wonderful Province of McGuinty would foot the bill.

And thus my treatment started like so many of our automotive projects. My parts were inspected, prodded, photographed and hummed and hawed over. Great discussion ensued over the expectation of the final result, and a concourse, ground-up reconstruction was ruled out as unnecessary. Surgery was scheduled to remove the offending, defective part, and I was buttoned-up and sent home to rest and recover until the next procedure.

Careful examination of the offending part revealed that more work needed to be done,

Story by: Catherine Turner so off I was sent to surgery again – a minor fi x that was sufficient to let me start my next part of the journey, chemotherapy. In generally excellent health and not so rusty to cause concern, it was determined that I could take the heavy-duty package for maximum performance at the end.

Not unlike flushing and replacing all the car’s fluids, I was fitted with a port to make fluid infusion easier and sat there as they flushed my own custom industrial-strength cocktail through my tubing, to ensure that no stray little bits were still floating around looking for a place to land and cause more disintegration. Unlike most engine flushes, however, I’m to endure this process five more times to be sure everything’s gone.

Now, being the base 1953 model, I came with few extra options. Over the years, I’ve “blinged” her up a bit on occasion, but the basic model stayed pretty much the same. The chemo will cause me to go from being a hardtop to having a sunroof, but my new wig, hats and scarves will let me be a convertible on occasion – pretty cool to be sure. After all my treatments are done, hubby and I have made the decision to do a minor accessory removal that will be replaced with a fake part that,

hopefully, no one but he will ever notice!

The best body job is one that no one ever knows was done, right!

And so our love of everything automotive continues. Many of our friends in the “Old Coots” cruise club have gone through similar “adventures” with both themselves and their classic vehicles. Engines and parts have been “refreshed,” axles have been repaired or replaced, fluids have been changed and the occasional “octane booster” is required to keep everything running just right.

Some are closer to the original “off the assembly line” perfection than others, but we all share a deep love for our cars and each other. We share each other’s good times, and rally ‘round when someone or something breaks down and needs a little roadside assistance in the form of a tool, a boost or a shoulder to lean on.

So like the dusty project that is the Comet in the garage, I am like my car. The washer fluid leaks for unexplained reasons, the radio occasionally blares, the cooling system is not working (and at best blows warm air) with the occasional blasts of unexplained heat for a few moments.

The rust is being cut away and, with time, she will be put back together, shiny and rejuvenated and on the road in good driving condition. Until that time, she sits and I grumble about the waste of a great car just sitting there gathering dust, while all our efforts go into other things.

“Even though we both love that car, she’s a mess. Why don’t we just get rid of her and let someone else put their love and energy into her?” I ask Darling Husband.

“Honey, I wouldn’t get rid of YOU would I?” he responds. Damn, I love the man to death, so grateful he doesn’t expect perfection, and the washer fluid is leaking again.

SuperTurbo time for my S-Dime Story and Photography by: Greg Miller

W

hen it was time to replace the rusty muffler on my truck, I turned to DynoMax Performance Exhaust. My 1998 GMC S10 was bone stock until I added a Bell Tech suspension and Street Scene body kit.

Now I needed a new exhaust to match the truck’s new look.

The DynoMax system has all-aluminized, 3-in. mandrel-bent pipes and the legendary SuperTurbo performance muffler. This is a power-producing muffler design that delivers significantly higher flow rates. Plus,

DynoMax’s flow director technology gives the system a deeper, throaty sound without waking the neighbours. DynoMax completes the package with a polished, logo-etched tip.

DynoMax pays careful attention to the sound of each system and goes so far as to tune it by application, meaning this system’s sound was developed to match the S10. As soon as it was installed, I turned the key to hear the system’s unique, robust tone.

With my new Dynomax exhaust, my truck now sounds as good as it looks!

Catherine Turner,

the author, is a dyed-in-the-wool car person, with more patience than Job. This is her take on a situation that often gets the person going through it down. Not Cathy. In fact, she intends to write a book aimed at children, explaining what could be happening to someone they love.

Keep smiling Cathy! — Ed.

i

For more information, go to: www.dynomax.com

DynoMax Performance Exhaust 1 International Drive Monroe, MI 48161 P|M • October/November 2008

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• Roadmates Annual Corn Roast • 2008 •

IT’S A LABOUR DAY TRADITION Roadmates proudly displayed their cars in front of the clubhouse.

Don’t we all wish we had a facility as nice as this to work in.

Story & Photos by: Bob McJannett

The heart of the action. Out back club members prepared onions, peppers and all the trimmings for the famous Roadmate Hot Dogs.

Combine these with a cob of fresh Ontario corn and you have a feast.

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October/November 2008 • P|M

Tay_PerfInMo_1-2_Sumr08

6/2/08

4:04 PM

Page 1

If

you are anywhere in southern Ontario, and a car enthusiast, you have probably heard of the annual Roadmates picnic. Every year on the Saturday of Labour Day weekend, the Mississauga-based club throws open its facilities to any and all car nuts who would like to drop by for some great hot dogs and fresh corn.

The event is advertised from noon till dusk, but those in the know, start arriving before 9 a.m. to get those cherished spots under the trees.

The Roadmates picnic is a low-key affair, cars are parked, chairs are set out and old friends are greeted. In some instances, these are people who haven’t seen each other since the last picnic. Only a few attendees polish their cars, since this is a picnic not a show and shine, more social than structured. There are no prizes, no trophies and no judging.

Club members cook up an enormous amount of peppers and onions to go with the grilled hot dogs. A wood fire provides the heat for the boiling water the corn is cooked in. In fact, they use a huge fish net to get the corn from the pot. There is nothing nicer than fresh Ontario corn cooked over a wood fire with the proper amounts of salt, pepper and butter.

As always, there were new cars to see and new people to meet. This year’s picnic was on an absolutely beautiful day, clear sky and bright sunshine.

Heck, we are already looking forward to next year’s event. Thank you, Roadmates.

ThunderVolt ® 50

• 50 ohm Ferrite Spiral-Wound coated core for RFI / EMI suppression • 10.4mm diameter 100% 3-layer silicone jacket for maximum heat and abrasion protection • Pro-Boot® featuring vibration proof double spring locking terminals • Available in black

ThunderVolt ® 8.2

• 50 ohm Ferrite Spiral-Wound coated core for RFI / EMI suppression • 8.2mm diameter 100% 2-layer silicone jacket • Superior spark energy • Continuous heat protection up to 600° F • Available in black, blue or red with high-temp grey contrasting plug boot

Full Metal Jacket

• The ultimate in wire styling for street rods and customs • Stainless braided covering with polished aluminum boot protectors over black 8mm Spiro-Pro ignition wire with 100% silicone Pro-Boot® featuring vibration proof double spring locking spark plug terminals

8mm Spiro-Pro®

• 350 ohm Spiral-Wound conductor is RFI compatible with most ignition systems and suppresses EMI • 100% 2-layer silicone jacket protects against heat and abrasion, improves voltage insulation and keeps wires flexible for life • 8 vibrant colors to choose from with color coordinated Pro-Boot®

The wide variety of cars make the Roadmates picnic one of the must-attend events for a number of us. Th is year’s was no exception.

No matter if you like antiques, sports cars, hot rods, customs or lowriders, you will have an example at the picnic.

For a complete listing of Taylor’s premium product line, please visit our web site...

Plus The Accessories You’re Looking For, Including...

• Vertex HEI Distrubutor • Aluminum Battery Boxes • Wire Loom Kits and much more

TaylorVertex.com • 1-816-765-5011 TAYLOR...WHERE PERFORMANCE COMES DOWN TO THE WIRE! SM

P|M • October/November 2008

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Performance Showcase KW suspensions announces their stainless steel constructed coilover for the Dodge Challenger.

The new coilover setups enables drivers to harness the brute power of the 6.1L HEMI motor. Having a top performing suspension which can provide both a comfortable and performance ride quality for the Dodge Challenger is no easy feat. The ideal balance has been developed through many hours of testing both in Germany and in the USA. The KW coilover suspensions for the Dodge Challenger enables the owner to lower their vehicle 20-50mm on the front axle and 25-55mm on the rear axle and retains enough travel to handle maximuim load and dynamic loads during driving. Variant 1 with its preset dampening rates permits customized lowering of the suspension and creates an optimized balance of sportiness, comfort and safety.

Variant 2 is the ideal system for sporty drivers, who also wish to make modifications in ride height and rebound dampening. Drivers are able to adapt the suspension setup to their driving style.

Important characteristics such as safety, quality and performance are all taken into consideration with each KW coilover design.

All KW coilovers pass stringent German TUV safety & quality testing standards. Each kit is TUV approved.

For complete specifications, visit your nearest KW Automotive retailer. (www.kwautomotive. com)

Extang has several tonneau styles available to fit the 2008 Dakotas equipped with cargo management track system. Choose from the best-selling Trifecta and Solid Fold tri-folding covers, the Revolution or Express roll tops, or the traditional snap and snapless styles. Protect your cargo and improve fuel mileage with an Extang tonneau.

More information available at your nearest Extang retailer. (www.extang.com)

Preparing for Snow Winter is creeping closer, with snow soon making an appearance. Here are some tips to winterize your car:

1.

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Tires: Put on snow tires as soon as the temperature drops, don’t wait to be sliding through snow. Ensure they have adequate pressure, and treads in good condition.

Winter or summer, saving gas, or staying on the road, it all comes down to tires.

October/November 2008 • P|M

2.

Battery:

Cold weather can reduce your battery’s life by up to half. Get your battery tested, and replace it if necessary.

3.

Fluids: Keep your gas tank at least half full all the time during the winter to keep the gas lines from freezing. Make sure you have enough antifreeze as well.

This is also a good time to replenish your windshield washer fluid with a winter blend to help reduce ice.

Mr. Gasket has added a new premium overhaul gasket set for the popular smallblock Chevrolet engines that includes premium MLS (multi-layered stainless steel) head gaskets, Ultra-Seal III intake, timing cover and water pump gaskets, Ultra-Seal exhaust gaskets and molded rubber valve cover gaskets.

Set also features premium Mr. Gasket engine seals. Overhaul Gasket set for Chevrolet V8 283-350 1958-85 Part #6100G For more information, contact your nearest Mr. Gasket retailer.(www.mrgasket.com) PROFORM’s oversize Degree Wheel is light weight yet durable, and features large, easy to read white numbers on a bright blue anodized background. This Degree Wheel can be used on most popular engines to find top dead center (TDC) and assure proper cam timing and lobe lift. Dialing in your engine just became considerably easier with this handy, easy to use tool from PROFORM’s engine building toolbox.

This 16-inch Billet Aluminum Professional Degree Wheel (#67490) is a must-have tool for any novice or professional engine builder. Further information available at your local Proform retailer. (www.proform.com)

Lakewood has brought back their safety bellhousing for 1965-76 Buick 400-455 V8 engines. This housing accepts 4-speed GM Muncie and BW T-10 transmissions.

Included are the block plate and grade 8 mounting hardware. Lakewood housings are approved by all major racing sanctioning bodies and meets SFI 6.1 safety testing specifications. Part No. 15120.

Applications: • 1965-76 Buick 400-455 V8 engines • 1975-80 V6 engine RWD applications (except cable-operated clutch fork) To learn more, visit your nearest Lakewood retailer. (www.lakewood.com)

Design Engineering Inc has added an exhaust wrap kit in white.

Each kit includes two 2“ x 50’ rolls of exhaust wrap, a can of their newly introduced White HT Silicone coating spray and the necessary locking ties to professionally wrap a small-block V8 set of headers.

Wrapping headers significantly decreases underhood temperatures by as much as 50%. Available from all DEI retailers. (www.designengineering.com)

4.

Wipers: Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition. If the blades show signs of tearing or cracking, replace them. You might want to consider PIAA’s super silicone wiper blades. Its revolutionary silicone insert means cleaner windshields and greater visibility.

5.

Emergency Prep Kit: Along with a first-aid kit, make sure your trunk holds a flashlight, jumper cables and a tool kit.

Also, a bag of sand or kitty litter can be invaluable if you get stuck in snow or ice, either for traction, or just to add weight. Packing a blanket, extra clothes, candles and matches or a lighter is wise also.

Winter driving doesn’t have to be dangerous, and getting caught in weather doesn’t have to be deadly. Keep your car well-maintained, drive sensibly, and stay warm.

P|M • October/November 2008

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Keep it Clean offers a wide variety of simple to install, great looking high-quality off/on switches.

No matter if you are looking for rocker or toggle switches, illuminated or not, Keep it Clean will have a switch to suit your taste. Check out your nearest Keep it Clean retailer for further information.

Autoloc Shaved door handle kits include the strongest solenoids on the market. Kits are available with either 35–50 lb or 50 –100 lb pull. Each kit includes everything needed to complete the installation.

Autoloc products are available at progressive retailers everywhere. (www.autoloc.com)

Autoloc Convert your 7” headlights to high-intensity late model-style lights. The Autoloc 7” tri-bar headlights come with five different colours of center dots and are available with or without the parking light built in. These are easily converted to a hidden turn signal. (www.autoloc.com)

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October/November 2008 • P|M

: w e i v e R k o Bo

Car Care for Car Guys Tips & Techniques Beyond Auto Maintenance 101

P

rolific automotive publisher Car Tech, has a new SA Design book coming out at just the right time.

With the high cost of fuel causing us to drive less and feel the additional drain in our wallets, this book, written by Ralph Kalal, offers the reader everything they need to know to take home vehicle maintenance to the next level. By doing these jobs at home, you can dramatically reduce your overall cost of driving, far beyond the costs higher fuel prices bring.

In over 140 well-illustrated pages, Mr. Kalal leads us through the intricacies of modern car lubrication, the ignition system, the air intake system, the charging system and the cooling system.

In addition, he covers the tricks involved in servicing serpentine and V-belt systems, explains the electronic engine management systems, including how to access trouble codes and what to do about them. There is a chapter on automatic transmissions and another on disk brake maintenance. There is even a chapter on what tools to buy and just how to use them.

The amount of money you save doing your own maintenance will go a long way to putting the fun back in driving. Best of all, you can do it! We highly recommend this book, it will pay for itself in your first project.

CAR CARE FOR CAR GUYS Author Ralph Kalal # SA144 • Suggested price $32.99

ARMDROP LIVE Heads-Up Bracket Racing

$10,000 GIVEAWAY

RICH

Christensen, host of the wildly-popular Speed TV shows Pinks and Pinks All Out, turned up Friday, July 11, at Toronto Motorsports Park, Cayuga, Ontario, with his Armdrop Live event. With him came $10,000 in cold hard cash, to be given to the winner of the event. Needless to say, a purse that large brought out the racers in droves.

Unlike his TV shows, there were no cameras to hold Christensen and his crew back, as nearly 500 drivers fought for the money. The field, including racers from all over southern Ontario and upper New York state, was cut to 256 drivers after qualifying rounds were completed early Saturday. From there, the field would be cut in half each round, until only two drivers faced each other for the $10,000.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature frowned on the track for much of the weekend, with rain falling on and off. Oil downs on the track also held everyone back, as the twoday event stretched into a third.

Armdrop Live adds a twist to bracket racing. In bracket racing, each car chooses a dial-in time before the race, predicting the elapsed time the driver estimates it will take their car to cross the finish line. The slower car in the race is given the green light before the faster car by a margin of the difference between the two dial-in times, so if both were perfect, the cars would cross the line dead even.

Story & Photos by: Greg Miller

If either car goes faster than its dialin, called breaking out, it’s disqualified, regardless of who had the lower elapsed time. If both cars break out, the one who breaks out by the smallest amount wins.

The twist added by Armdrop Live is that, as two drivers stage before Christensen, a small display screen at his feet pops a number up. Drivers only have a second to read that number before Christensen drops his arms. The number flashed is what the driver has to run the quartermile in. The win goes to the driver who runs closest to the number. If both drivers run quicker, the driver who runs closer to the number is given the win.

The fans who returned Sunday, got treated to some great racing. Wayne “The Real Deal” Kennedy of St. Catharines, On, is now $10,000 richer. Wayne made the numbers eight times in order to be the grand prize winner of this event. Entering the contest with a barely-tested new engine, Wayne didn’t think he had much of a chance. Boy, was he wrong!

Congratulations also goes out to Nick Kokkas from Barrie, Armdrop Live’s second place winner. Nick says this is the first race he’s ever entered, making his a very impressive showing.

Even with the rain delays, this was a very successful event. Big crowds showed up despite the poor weather forecast.

P|M • October/November 2008

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Andrew Walton’s S10

Mike Seales

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October/November 2008 • P|M

Aldo Deangelis

Rich Mason P|M • October/November 2008

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216-688-8300 www.accel-ignition.com

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October/November 2008 • P|M

P|M • October/November 2008

25

Is this car the Ultimate At

Story & Photos by: Thomas Anderson

first glance, you may be asking, why is Mike Gural’s four-door Buick Regal in Performance in Motion? After all, it’s nothing more than family transportation. The sheet metal is all stock, it’s not lowered, paint is OE. Heck, it doesn’t even have custom wheels.

What gives?

Well, all the money is under the hood! You see, Mike likes to surprise the people he encounters on the road. He has been interested in cars since he was just a kid, wanting to build and drive them from his earliest years.

Fast forward till today. Mike got his hands on a 1997 Buick Regal GSX that came with a 3.8 (231ci)V6 supercharged engine. Not satisfied with OE power, Mike had the heads ported and polished and a performance valve job done. The cylinders were bored an additional 60 thou, replacing the pistons with a set of Wiseco forged aluminum units.

The valve train was upgraded with the installation of a complete Comp Cams set up.

Comp provided the camshaft, valve springs, push rods and rocker arms. All the reciprocating pieces were balanced and blueprinted.

Ignition is now handled with a set of MSD ignition coils and Taylor Cable 8.2 ignition wires. Cold air flows into the engine through a K&N Performance open cone filter.

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Sleeper?

October/November 2008 • P|M

Still not satisfied, Mike acquired another supercharger and had it blueprinted and the inlet bored to 75.5mm. Once the engine was reassembled, a set of Pacesetter ceramic-coated headers were installed, along with a complete mandrel-bent 2.5” exhaust system, a high performance cat and a Delta Flowmaster muffler.

On the dyno, Mike’s engine showed an additional 31 horsepower and a massive increase in torque from 220 foot pounds to 364 foot pounds!

Although the exhaust has a slight rumble, it is not obnoxious or in your face. The only interior clue is the triple gauge pod, filled with an air fuel gauge, a boost gauge and a temp gauge.

This GSX’s unassuming exterior hides a subtly modified car. Could this be the ultimate sleeper? Watch out for it.

Here is the only clue to what lurks beneath.

The A pillar gauges might give some pause.

With the hood up, it’s a different story, things don’t seem too stock under here.

MSD supplied the ignition coils, while Taylor Cable 8.2mm ignition wires deliver the spark. These guarantee the engine stays lit.

Now, here is a truly tight header installation.

Pacesetter provided the neat fit, while the balance of the system is 2.5” front to back.

P|M • October/November 2008

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Story & Photos By: Frank Colgoni

Gone RoddIn’ Tour 2008

A

fter last year’s epic journey that took us from Southern Ontario to Victoria British Columbia, the “Gone Roddin’ 2008” tour was a bit more of a laidback affair, combining the drive with plenty of people time which is what these events are all about.

Once again, we started from the NASCAR Speed Park; we left Vaughan in beautiful weather,

Before it was time to leave, Frank held a drivers’ meeting to explain the day’s plans.

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October/November 2008 • P|M

which continued all day, en route to Sarnia. We spent a great evening with the Sarnia Street Machines at a special charitable function at the Pathways Centre for Children.

On Saturday, under cloudy skies and a bit of rain, we left Sarnia via beautiful Lakeshore Drive, continuing up Hwy. 21 to Goderich by which time the weather (always changeable this

summer) was very nice and sunny.

It remained that way through our lunch stop in Hanover and for most of the way to Flesherton and across Horseshoe Valley Rd. towards Orillia. At our pit stop at the A&W in Orillia, it started to “spit” again. By the time we left for Gravenhurst, it was raining and then pouring. In fact, the storm reached “biblical” proportions causing some drivers to pull over as a precaution. Discussions about building an ark were started. However, all made it safely to Bracebridge without dampened spirits (amazingly, Bracebridge received no rain), and we enjoyed another special evening, arranged by the “Mondays in Muskoka” group.

We had rain overnight in Bracebridge, but fine weather up through scenic Dorset and the Algonquin region (keeping a sharp eye out for moose – a few were spotted.

Nothing will spoil the look of your hot rod like a moose hood ornament), down into Whitney and then over to Bancroft where the Bancroft Cruisers had arranged with the town to allow us to park in Millenium Park for our lunch stop. After that, we proceeded east to Denbigh, down through Cloyne and on into Napanee. In Napanee, another special evening was hosted at a brand new A&W

by A&W and the Napanee Valley Cruisers.

We had more rain overnight but, by the time we left Napanee for the final leg, things had cleared, providing a fun drive along Hwy. 2 west towards Oshawa, wrapping up at the Jubillee Pavillion of Lakeview Park, hosted by the Motor City Car Club who also host the annual Autofest.

I can speak for everyone by saying a great time was had by all.

Remember “Drive a little, Drive a lot but Drive.”

i

For more info contact: www.canadianrodder.com

If you are going to cruise, you may as well cruise in comfort!

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1-800-691-2667 P|M • October/November 2008

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1957

GULLWING MERCEDES

300SL

M

ilton, Ontario-based Legendary Motorcar Company has been restoring a 1957 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing coupe for BASF Corporation as an addition to their already amazing collection of classic and exotic cars.

The Mercedes Gullwing design represented a technological and styling triumph that captured the

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October/November 2008 • P|M

hearts of American car enthusiasts and signaled the rebirth of Mercedes in the post-war world.

This particular 300SL Gullwing is one of only 76 built in the last year of production. It was originally shipped to Texas on May 13,1957, and in the ensuing years went through a number of owners and colour changes. For the past decade, the Gullwing has

lead a quiet life, cloistered in the BASF lobby at their Southfield, Michigan, headquarters.

Legendary has fully restored this Mercedes from its revolutionary tube frame up and refinished with BASF’s very own waterborne Glasurit 90 line of automotive refinish products.

You can follow along with the restoration by watching Dream

Car Garage where Peter Klute explains all the intricate processes necessary to complete a restoration of this quality.

On August 3 at the Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance, Peter Klute officially handed the finished restoration back to Jay Baker of BASF’s coatings division.

Book Review:

Steering Solutions

®

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“WaterFall” FR20150

Fuel Altereds Forever

Another in the Car Tech Nostalgia Drag Racing book series.

F

uel Altereds Forever brings us stories from the most exciting classes in drag racing, seen through the eyes of Steve Reyes. Steve was there from the beginning, and his remarkable photographs have appeared in all of the major drag racing magazines and papers of the Fuel Altered era.

He was also Argus Publishing’s chief photographer.

In almost 200 pages, Steve brings us his exciting photos of the legends of the fuel altered age. You get great shots of the late Wild Willy Borsch, Leon Fitzgerald’s Pure Heaven, Rich Guasco’s Pure Hell etc. Think 95” wheelbase and 1,500 horsepower. You are talking driver’s nightmare here.

In addition to all the well-known Fuel Altered racers of the day, this book covers some of the lesser-known racers who only raced in their local area.

Combine Steve’s photos with his insightful text on the subject, and you soon get a great feeling for this most exciting time at the drag strips of the nation.

“The Fuel Altered class was a very exciting part of drag racing from 1965 to 1973, and these racers had their own strong following of fans. Ten thousand screaming fans on their feet watching Pure Hell race Pure Heaven was the ultimate in drag racing.”

With the current interest in Nostalgia racing at events like the Hot Rod Reunion, many of these exciting cars are either being resurrected or cloned. You can still see some of this fabulous racing today. If you look back fondly at the Fuel Altered era, you will love Steve Reyes’s book.

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FUEL ALTEREDS FOREVER Author Steve Reyes #CT45 • Suggested Price $31.99 P|M • October/November 2008

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Performance Directory

Auto Services Ltd. P• 905-471-3335 F• 905-471-7274 C• 647-228-3434

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Doug Lamb

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October/November 2008 • P|M

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P|M • October/November 2008

33

Tales from the ScrapYard To a vehicular virtuoso, the scrap yard is a place filled with mystery, awe and a tremor of fear. For the rest of us, it’s where all cars go to rust… and then fade away.

Scrap yards serve an important purpose.

These establishments gather the remaining bits of unloved automobiles before they go to a happier place. Because of this, these places also attract car nuts in droves, as searching through this treasure trove of junk can put drivers in a happier place. Or happier than hanging out with the relatives.

A visit to a scrap yard has its time and place.

Mostly, scrap searchers are on the lookout for glass, trim, doors and anything else that can get yanked off, pulled out, polished up and put on a beloved ride. However, there are some items you should insist your driver purchase as brand-spanking new. Items like tires, brake pads, drums or discs, wiring harnesses, seals, gaskets and anything else a vehicle relies upon for safe operation should not be pre-loved or rescued.

If you notice your driver wavering on whether to simply shop or scrounge, you may want to remind him of the many who’ve ventured to the scrap yard before, only to return empty-handed. It’s scary, but it happens sometimes.

When performance or the overall safety of a vehicle is not the issue, the scrap yard can be your driver’s best friend or worst nightmare — and yours too. On one hand, it’s one of the few places you can safely send a car nut with $50, a wrench and work gloves. However, there are some who venture out to the wrecking yard and never come back the same.

There are things that can put a monkeybearing-a-socket-wrench into the path of drivers who come into contact with piles of corroded metal and bent-up bits. Here’s what to look out for:

after lane of abandoned, unloved vehicles.

Rubber boots, waterproof gear, bug spray and even bear repellent may have to be used to ensure a driver remains safe in this dangerous yet exciting environment.

Stubborn Scrap If an automotive enthusiast arrives at the yard unprepared, there will be many car parts that will be out of reach or unable to come off using only mind control. Torque isn’t just for towing: make sure your driver brings along a good wrench and a tin of “anti-seize.”

Wreck Woe If his ride is an older model, chances are that he’ll come across a similar vehicle in far worse condition than the one in the garage.

A driver’s first instinct will be to bring the wreck home, no matter what punishment may befall him (like a public flogging). And, if he leaves it in the scrap heap, the memory of it will haunt him every time he looks at his car.

Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. Enjoy the ride.

Mother Nature Car freaks will usually have to deal with the great outdoors when stomping around lane

About the Author: Bonnie Staring is a comedian, advertising copywriter and one of those people who enters all kinds of contests. To see what else she’s been ranting about, visit her website: www.bonniestaring.com Illustration created by Kayvene • website: www.kayvene.typepad.com

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