There're a whole lotta ways to draw attention. Some folks do it with flashy paint, some use loud pipes, others have a car that goes up and down, and still others tilt a headless doll against their fender—what's that all about? Here's yet one more way to pull in the gawkers. The Superflames electronic flamethrower kit from Hot Rod's of Norco will provide the pyrotechnic prowess you've been seeking. We decided we needed fire for our '62 Biscayne, so we got a kit from Hot Rod's. The instructions are clear and the kit is easy to install, so we're not gonna waste your time with a step-by-step, but you do need to know that the kit is not intended for highway use. Flamethrowers are illegal on public roads everywhere we know of, and some event organizers even frown on 'em. Others will clear the crowd for ya.
There are a few things you'll need that aren't provided in the kit: one spark plug for each exhaust pipe, two ignition coils (any 12-volt unit will work), plug wires for each plug, and a couple of bungs to weld into your exhaust pipes. Our Biz has single exhaust and only uses half the Superflames' capacity. While you can just drill a hole in your exhaust pipe and thread in a spark plug, it's better to weld in a threaded bung. Since our old exhaust system had mangled itself on one too many speedbumps, we had the exhaust shop add a bung while making an all-new system. A standard muffler hangs down too far on the slammed Biz, so we used a low-profile muffler from Spin Tech. Much better. Once we were sounding cool and scraping less, it was time to break out the marshmallows.
The Bad News
This system uses gas from your carburetor to fuel the flames. It shuts down the ignition on the engine at higher rpms (you should be around 2,500-3,000 when you fire 'em) and pumps unburned fuel through your exhaust until the plugs at the rear ignite it. The system won't work with fuel injection, and raw fuel will ruin a catalytic converter, so don't try 'em on your mom's minivan. The most important drawback to keep in mind is the fact that it runs unburned gas through your engine. Gas is an excellent solvent and when it's not burned in the cylinder, it tends to wash the oil out of the rings, improving chances of premature engine wear. Change your oil more often, as it will become contaminated with fuel.
