| Drive Buys - Buyer's Guide
Mustang DynomometerHave you ever wished for a dyno of your own to do tuning and testing? Well, Mustang Dynomometer may have come up with the solution. The MD-250-P is a portable unit capable of measuring over 900 hp and speeds of up to 150 mph, yet it weighs less than 3,000 pounds. The MD-250-P uses a technology called frictionless eddy current to simulate real-world conditions, allowing this dyno to record quarter-mile track times that are accurate to 0.1 second. Christmas tree staging lights are an available option for doing sprint simulations at car shows and tech demos.Info: 330/963-5400, www.mustangdyne.com
StillenStillen says: "You are losing horsepower and torque without our new Grounding Kits!" We say: "Really?" Considering engine-management systems use hundreds of sensors and, in some cases, more than 12 onboard computers to constantly monitor all parameters of the engine and powertrain, it isn't a mystery that charge currents can surge from time to time. Installing Stillen's Grounding Kit can help keep sensors and computers from being affected by power surges that can drain performance and response. Each Grounding kit has been specifically engineered for each vehicle, ensuring every wire diameter is optimal for amperage and current travel distance. Available in either silver or red, these kits feature 8-gauge copper wire and gold plated connectors with 4-gauge and 8-gauge ring connectors. These kits are currently available for the 300ZX, 350Z, G35 coupe and sedan, Sentra SE-R Spec V, '02-'04 Altima, and '95-'04 Maxima.Info: 800/711-0310, www.stillen.com
Snap-OnMany of you live in areas where there is snow on the ground at least four months out of the year, forcing you to store your show car or motorcycle for much of that time. Often, when the patches of asphalt start to show through and it's time to break out your pleasant-weather ride, you are met with a dead battery and a lot of frustration. Snap-On tools, a company that's made its name by producing high-quality, long-lasting products for your garage, has come up with some new products to help combat the "no-juice" blues. The Blue-Point Battery Tender Plus (shown) and Battery Tender Junior are designed to keep your batteries charged until you are ready to use them, yet are able to prevent the hazards of overcharging. These units feature spark-proof designs, reverse-polarity protection, and have built-in switching systems and multi-step charging processes to keep your power sources 100-percent charged at all times.Info: 877/SNAPON-2, www.snapon.com
Eagle OneYou do everything you can to keep your car showroom shiny. You bathe it faithfully every couple of days, keep it out of the sun whenever you can, and try to dodge rogue pigeons whenever possible, but the one thing you do wrong is use that raggedy-ass hotel towel to dry it off after you wash it. Now you have swirls all over the paint you tried so hard to keep smooth.
Eagle One has just released its Nano Wax just for situations like this. Nano Wax uses smaller particles of its polishing agent to remove hairline scratches more effectively and microscopic beads of carnauba wax to create a smoother coat that is easier to remove than other waxes.Info: 800/432-4531, www.eagleone.com
Impact Racing ProductsWhen you race, you must protect your dome. Whether you're into in drag, autocross, or street, your head is your most important asset, and the last thing you want to do is get into a scrap and end up sipping oatmeal through a straw. Impact Racing has just released a new helmet that not only keeps you safe, it keeps you cool as well. This new helmet is called the Supercharger, and it features a 10-percent wider viewport for better visibility and a special air-induction system called the Head Dress that allows for the concentration of airflow across the shield and face. The helmet is available in silver with your choice of a smoke, light smoke, amber, or iridium visor.Info: 317/852-3067, www.impactraceproducts.com
Faze Performance InstrumentsThere are numerous gauges on the market that spiff up your car while also keeping track of its vitals, yet many of the designs have become sort of run-of-the-mill. Faze Performance Instruments is looking to break free from the binds of mediocrity with these new Reverse Street Fuzion EL gauges and tachometer. These gauges use electro-luminescent technology to light behind the opaque black face, keeping the numbers and marks highly visible in daylight and at night. The gauge numbers light up a brilliant blue, while the LED-lined pointers glow bright red.Info: 800/228-7667, www.fazegauge.com
Axis WheelsThe Axis Touring Cup wheels made a huge splash in the aftermarket wheel community, so much so that the crew over at Axis decided to create a sequel. The TC Evo wheel is available in 18 and 19 inches and with a four- or five-lug bolt pattern. The center of the wheel can be either silver or matte graphite, but the cool part of this wheel is the removable rim protector ring that can be purchased in red, blue, or reflective silver, or it can be painted to match or contrast your car. No more dumping your whole set of wheels because you or your girl got a little too close to the curb. Now you can just replace the outer ring and avoid the arguments.Info: 562/906-9898, www.axiswheels.com
TokicoA dilemma is often reached when deciding how to take your car's suspension. Should you compromise the shocks by applying undue stress with lowering springs, risk a mismatch with separate aftermarket shocks, or go the full monte with a nice set of expensive coilovers? Well, Tokico has come to the rescue with its newest offering, the ILK Suspension Kit. The ILK comes complete with Tokico Illumina five-way externally adjustable front and rear shocks and specifically wound coil springs. These Tokico designed springs use proper spring rates and ride height to match the shock damping to insure proper fit, appearance, and maximum control without compromise. With superb adjustability, and a grip of applications, Tokico will surely be able to hook you up with a solution. Oh, and prices start at $469, so you can save even more money and finally paint your body kit.Info: 800-548-2549, www.tokicogasshocks.com
B&B ExhaustAre you tired of your 350Z sounding a bit like a UPS truck? If so, B&B has designed and fabricated a product so solid your ride won't know what to do with itself. Unsuspecting bystanders will quiver with fear. You can finally drive around with confidence knowing that the lifted F-150 in the next lane doesn't sound more beefy than your Z. On B&B's in-house chassis dyno, gains of more than 8 hp and 8 lb-ft of torque were made. Speaking of made, this exhaust, like all of B&B's, is handmade entirely from T-304 stainless steel. It's also available with a limited lifetime warranty and comes with a customer satisfaction guarantee. If you want to begin tuning your new Z, this is a good way to start.Info: 888/228-7435, www.bbexhaust.com
K&N Typhoon for the 350ZAccording to K&N, unique intake work unlike any on existing K&N Typhoon kits make the impressive power gains possible. This is how it works: Cool air is drawn into the system through a "roto-molded" plastic intake scoop that mounts behind the 350Z's front fascia. Then, incoming air travels through this scoop into a 2.5-inch OD, 6061 aluminum delivery tube en route to a five-way airbox. For the added bling you require, K&N's 350Z Typhoon kit includes a carbon-fiber lid, created in K&N's advanced-composites shop, for the ultimate high-tech performance look. Is it CARB legal? CARB EO# D-269-27-bam, there it is for yo' ass.Info: 800/858-3333, www.knfilters.com
Recon's New 275Hp Revolution Stroker-MotorRecon, a company best known for high-output domestic powerplants, has introduced its new Revolution line of high performance crate engines for Honda tuning enthusiasts. The first engine to be offered under the Revolution name is Recon's new Honda B18C1 VTEC engine, built with all new components. In building the all-new Revolution motor, Recon's designers started with a Dart block, a Dart-modified cylinder head, and a stroker crankshaft. The engine also boasts oversize high-compression pistons and a stout 11.5:1 compression ratio. So what can it do for my Honda, you ask? It cranks out 275 hp at 7,900 rpm, that's what! In addition to delivering big horsepower, the Recon motor serves up 190 lb-ft of torque at 6,100 rpm. With a 2.1L displacement, the engine is almost 15 percent larger than the standard B18, which explains much of the torque factor. Recon assures consistency of horsepower and torque for each Honda motor it builds by testing the engines and confirming the specifications with an advanced computerized DTS dynamometer. The downside to purchasing a crate engine is often the reliability factor. However, Recon backs its motor with a 12-month/15,000-mile warranty, so don't trip, you're covered.Info: 800/81-Recon, www.reconengines.com
SpeedWay PAL AE86Now available in the US, new 1/10 scale replica bodies of the famous D1 Drift cars! This SpeedWay PAL AE86 body comes complete with window masking, two sheets of full color decals, molded side mirrors, and overspray protective film. Available only at Speed Tech R/C, more drift car bodies and accessories are arriving by the boatload.Info: www.speedtechrc.com