performance report - Motor State Distributing

2011 SEMA Warehouse of
The Year Award Winner
November/December 2012 • vol. 22.6
PERFORMANCE REPORT
).&/2-!4)/.6)%70/).43
Government By The Wealthy...For The Wealthy? by John McLellan
Government interference in things automotive is not a
new concept. Generally, even with the best of intentions,
government plans for safety, cleaner air and better fuel
economy end up falling short of expectations, often making things worse than they were in the beginning.
Let’s talk a bit about some of these misguided
notions.
Most of us who have driven in
California know why locals
there refer to the
freeways as some
of the world’s
longest
parking
lots. At
certain
times of
the day,
traffic
does not
seem to
move at
all. As an
incentive
to relieving
the traffic snarls
and speeding up freeway
travel, the state designated
car pool lanes to be used only by
vehicles filled to at least 50% of their passenger capacity. Unlike many state and federal government
mandates, these lanes actually work quite well for the most
part.
On a recent drive from Los Angeles to Bakersfield, we
took advantage of that car pool lane, enjoying the thrill
of driving 60 miles per hour as we passed miles and miles
of “parked” vehicles. Then, we came up on a Chevy Volt
in our lane, moping along at a leisurely 40 miles per hour.
The Volt, allowed in this lane by virtue of being a “green”
vehicle, and therefore exempt from the multiple passenger
stipulation, contained one middle-aged woman, glued to
her cell phone and oblivious to the line forming behind her.
Someone in our
car’s back seat
speculated that
her battery
had lost its
charge and
she was
limping
along on
the anemic
gas engine,
trying to
call for
help. It
made sense
to the rest
of us, until a
second rear
seat dweller
suggested
that since
we had all
helped her
pay for the Volt,
she should be more considerate. Questions immediately arose.
What was this all about? How did we help her to defray the
high price of the Volt? Why?
The passenger who informed us of this explained
further. According to him, the government, in an effort to
fortify its “green” efforts, raided the tax coffers for a $7,500
rebate to “soften” the $45,000 price tag on each Volt sold.
Ironically, most of us who could not, or would not abide the
Volt’s prohibitive price tag are still helping those who can
(Continued on page 2)
• Information and Viewpoints •
Government By The Wealthy..
For The Wealthy? ..................................... 1, 2
• Industry Notes •
Important Warn Information .......................... 2
INSIDE INFORMATION
• Allstar •
New Allstar Products .................................3
• New Product Showcase •
Energy Suspension, Thermo-Tec, Borla, Holley,
Flo-Tek, Detroit Speed & Engineering, Demon
Carburetion, Auto Meter, Dominator, PPM ...4-6
• Charlie Jobber •
Keeping Vendors On Their Feet.................7,8
The Motor State Performance Report is compiled and published bi-monthly by the Motor State Distributing Advertising Department Staff:
John McLellan • John Berglund • Matt Hauch • Jim Kaekel, Jr. • Michael Kalling • Robin Beachy • Chad Harris
INFORMATION & VIEWPOINTS
Government By The Wealthy...For The Wealthy?
and will. For a little while we each processed this information and managed to get our collective blood pressure back under control. Peace was short-lived, however.
The third member of the back seat trio, who had until
now been silent, really dropped a bombshell, one that
escalated BP’s to record levels once more.
He proceeded to fill us in on what he had read in an
Associated Press update earlier that day. It seemed that
General Motors CEO, Dan Akerson, for reasons unknown,
released information to the press indicating that the
average annual income of a Volt buyer was $170,000. So,
in reality, those of us who could not afford a Volt were
helping those who could. Interesting, eh what?
After arriving at our destination, we engaged in a
lively discussion with our fellow travelers about governmental meddling in the automotive industry and how
things never quite work out as hoped. Past experiences
with such largely unsuccessful programs like Cash for
Clunkers and the establishment of Combined Average
Fleet Economy (CAFE) standards for cars and trucks left
everyone with the notion that we’d have been better off
if the feds stayed out of our way, PERIOD.
Unfortunately, the beat goes on as environmentalists
and politicians continue to posture for personal glory
in the name of saving the earth. Latest example of this:
The federal government’s automotive experts ( and we
absolutely must use the term loosely), the EPA and the
National Highway Traffic Safety Council, in coopera-
(cont. from page 1)
tion with the California Air Resources Board, recently
released their latest proposed fuel mileage standards.
By 2025, cars will be expected to achieve a CAFE rating
of - are you ready? - 54.5 miles to the gallon!
As the fortieth anniversary of the establishment
of the first Combined Average Fleet Economy (CAFE)
standards for American automobiles grows near, we’re
curious as to just how effective past government imposed regulations, regarding everything from mileage
to safety features, have been. To be fair, many safety
related add-ons inspired by governmental regulations
have contributed to lessened injury severity and fewer
traffic fatalities and these results are well documented.
With regard to fleet averages, though, it didn’t take us
long to determine that no formal (or informal) government initiated studies have ever been undertaken to
measure the degree of success for these mandates.
In fact, only one study by the University of CaliforniaDavis, even attempted to gauge the effectiveness of
these standards. Their conclusion was that, while the
upper mileage figures on new cars were impressive,
the customers generally tended to gravitate toward the
lower mileage offerings like pickups, SUV’s and larger,
less economical sedans. Consequently, the predominant
sellers, with their poorer mileage, actually brought the
average fleet economy down lower than it had been
before the CAFE edict.
INDUSTRY NOTES
Important Information Regarding Warn Industries
In an effort to increase jobber sales of Warn products, support a strategic growth plan for
the company and improve the customers' shopping experience, Warn Industries, Inc. has
instituted two new policies. The Warn Authorized Retail Network program involves the company working closely
with distribution partners to ensure that members of the new network have access to Warn products after October.
All current Warn dealers with a retail presence are invited to join the Warn Authorized Retail Network in order to
purchase Warn products and take advantage of benefits which include a merchandising kit with approved application, membership identification materials, a listing on the warn.com website and marketing and promotional
materials to help build traffic and increase sales. For an application to join the network, go to:
Online Sign Up Application <http://www.warn.com/authorized_retailer.shtml> (WARN Site)
During the recent recession, Warn suspended the enforcement of their Minimum Advertised Pricing Policy (MAP)
to allow Warn retailers the flexibility to advertise and sell Warn products. Effective October 15, 2012, Warn's MAP
program will be replaced by a Unilateral Minimum Price (UMP) policy. The UMP policy will allow Warn and its channel partners to be more competitive in the marketplace by protecting Warn's image, key brands and trademarks,
and improving the ease with which customers can do business with Warn. The policy applies to offers and sales
made by authorized Warn resellers throughout the U. S. and Canada.
accepts:
2
MOTOR STATE PERFORMANCE REPORT
NEW ALLSTAR PRODUCT
Timing Chain Covers ALL90028
New aluminum timing covers replace originals perfectly and look great in addition to
reducing weight of the engines. Covers are available for most Small Block Mopar “LA” series
blocks with driver’s side timing marks including 273-318-340-360 cid engines ALL90028)
and Ford 429-460 big blocks (ALL90029). Ford covers have a dipstick tube plug and a fuel
pump block off plate for use with later model fuel injected engines.
Dragster Scoops
Allstar Performance has added three fiberglass drag racing accessories to their extensive line of race-oriented
products. Included are two aerodynamically designed air scoops and a streamlined nose piece for dragsters. All are
made of strong, lightweight fiberglass and have seamless, high-gloss black gelcoat finishes.
First up is a scoop designed for use on dragsters.
Complete installation on 4500 series carburetors
requires an ALL23289 tray mounting kit, which
mounts between carb and intake manifold, and
an ALL23288 scoop tray. Scoops have a 14” wide
mounting base and are typically secured to tray
with quick turn fasteners and hardware (sold separately). Scoops are available with half-round opening (ALL23270), round opening (ALL23272) and Tri-angular opening
(ALL23274). Scoop trays are available to fit 4500 series carbs as well as Ron’s Terminator carburetors.
Along with the Dragster Scoop, Allstar has introduced the Aero Scoop
for use on “doorslammer” drag cars.
Scoops have a 2” wide mounting
flange and are 6” tall at windshield.
Three styles are available including a 13-1/2” tall x 50” long model (ALL23280)with a round opening and an open
back; a 13” tall x 50” long model (ALL23282) with a triangular opening and an open back; and a 12” tall x 38” long
model (ALL23284) with a triangular opening and a closed back.
The Allstar Dragster Nose ALL23278
The Allstar Dragster Nose (ALL23278) is 10” tall x 11” wide x 29” long with a
1” mounting flange around the perimeter.
Clutch Line Kits
Designed to connect clutch master cylinder to hydraulic throw-out bearing or directly to
transmissions with internal clutches. Pre-assembled braided steel hose assemblies have
#3 lines and are fitted with one -3 AN straight end and one 3/16” inverted flare 90 degree
hard line end. Also includes one 1/8” male to -3 AN fitting. Three lengths are available, 24”
(ALL46100-24); 36” (ALL46100-36) and 48” (ALL50000).
Gauge Line Kits
Gauge line kits provide easy connection to most mechanical oil and fuel pressure gauges.
Kits include male and female 1/8” NPT adapters to work with most applications. Choose
from among four kits: 36” line (ALL46110-36); 48” line (ALL46110-48); 60” line; (ALL4611060); and 72” line (ALL46110-72).
accepts:
November • December • 22.6 • WWW.MOTORSTATE.COM
3
NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE
Pivot Style End Link
Pivot style end links for late model vehicles were only available through the dealer. Now
Energy Suspension has designed a pivot style end link to outlast and out-perform the OEM
counterpart. Available in 4 different sizes, built with Hyper-Flex polyurethane, a ridged 3/4”
shaft, bulletproof black coating and 3/8”-16 bolt ends. Sold in pairs, in four lengths. A pivot
link bushing service kit is also available.
Cool-It Fire Suppression Blanket THE16900
Specialty woven 100% silica yarn is especially designed for high
temperatures and can smother a fire instantly. Blanket resists most
acids and alkalis and will not mold or mildew. The blanket is bright orange and highly visible.
The handy hook and loop storage and carrying strap make it easy to take anywhere. Size: 40” x
60”, Color: Bright Orange
T6 Turbo Cover THE15005
The new design can fit a T5 or T6 turbine to reduce turbo lag and overall
under hood temperatures.
Ignition/Plug Wire Sleeving
High temperature sleeving can be used for ignition wires, spark plug wires and even fuel lines
to prevent vapor lock. The sleeving is highly flexible, expandable, and abrasion resistant. Made
with braided e-glass silica insulation, silicone outer surface is good for temperature protection
up to 500 deg. F.
Corvette Exhaust Systems
Borla C6 and C5 Corvette exhaust system components are constructed
from 300-Series stainless steel. Systems offer ultra-smooth mandrel
bent piping, mirror-polished tips and a million-mile warranty.
“Power of Sound” S-Type II internal acoustic tuning offers high
flow and a pleasant, spirited and aggressive sound. The touring
and rear section kit offers a mild aggressive sound. All systems
include exhaust clamps, hangers (if required) and all hardware.
2010-12 Camaro “ATAK” Exhaust
The Borla “ATAK” (Acoustically-Tuned Applied Kinetics) is the
latest in sound technology, offering the highest dB levels in the
Borla street-legal line-up. The sound output is tuned like a graphic
equalizer. Custom tuned internal muffler cores are specifically
designed for the Camaro SS and are calibrated for optimum high
volume output. Built with premium 300-Series stainless steel. Features include ultra-smooth mandrel bent piping, mirror-polished
tips and a million-mile warranty.
accepts:
4
MOTOR STATE PERFORMANCE REPORT
NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE (Cont.)
Aluminum Street / Strip Carburetors
Holley’s new tumble-polished aluminum 4160 street
carburetors have vacuum secondaries, “Next Gen” needle
and seat, clear level sight glasses, one timed port and one
full vacuum port, adjustable floats and Ford A/T kickdown.
Choose manual or electric choke. Carbs are up to 40% lighter than traditional Holleys and
look great. Carbs are offered in 600 CFM (HLY0-80458SA), 750 CFM, Manual Choke, Dual Inlet
(HLY0-3310SA), 750 CFM, Electric Choke, Single Inlet (HLY0-80459SA) and 750 CFM, Electric
Choke, Dual Inlet (HLY0-80508SA).
500 CFM Circle Track Carburetor HLY0-4412CT
Specially designed 500 CFM carburetor is for 2-barrel circle track classes requiring a stock looking, dichromate gold Holley 2-barrel carburetor. Carb has no choke assembly and is fitted with a
50cc accelerator pump, angled and notched float and a base line set up strictly for racing.
Big Block Chevy
Rectangular Port
Aluminum Cylinder Head
FloTek’s affordable rectangular port
head, available with 320cc or 360cc intake volume runners, offers 121cc combustion chambers, 128cc exhaust
runners, 2.250”, one-piece stainless steel intake valves, 1.880”, one-piece exhaust valves, high performance valve
springs (.600” lift hyd./flat tappet cam) and 7/16” screw-in studs and guide plates. Heads accept angle spark plugs
and are available with 320cc intake runners (FTC305505) or 360cc intake runners (FTC407505). Sold individually.
LS1 GENIII Aluminum Cylinder Head FTC509505
FloTek LS1/GEN III cylinder head offers affordability and bolt-on performance. Accepts all GEN III intake manifolds and includes 210cc intake runners,
76cc exhaust runners and 60cc combustion chambers. The one-piece stainless
intake (2.020”) and exhaust (1.570”) valves have a 5-angle valve job. Intake and
exhaust seats are hardened and the heads are fitted with conical single beehive valve springs good to .600” lift. PT
Viton seals are used throughout. Shipped, fully assembled and sold individually.
Detroit Speed & Engineering
DSE has extended their expertise in the design
and manufacture of pro-touring style suspensions to
the 1964.5-1970 Mustang. Their new Aluma-Frame suspension system (DSE032050) provides 6” of travel for the ultimate in
ride and handling. The kit consists of adjustable coil-over shocks, torque tube style front bar, tubular control arms,
forged aluminum spindles and a quick ratio power steering rack and pinion, all integrated in an aluminum front
frame section that bolts right into any 1964.5-1970 Mustang.
Moving out back, DSE offers a kit that replaces the 1964-1/2-1970 Mustang leaf springs
with their exclusive QUADRALink (DSE041731) Rear Suspension. This kit includes a
frame strengthening cross member which is also the coil-over shock mount, Panhard bar and chassis roll eliminator structure point.
Continuing the Mustang pro-touring scheme, DSE Deep Tubs with Frame Rail
Sections (DSE050405) accommodate wider tire and wheel packages (up to 335mm) on
1964.5-1970 Mustangs. Modifications can be completed with the installation of DSE Subframe Connectors,(DSE010105) which increase chassis stiffness by connecting the front subframe to the rear frame
rails, and a Rear Torque Box Kit (DSE010107) which
increases body stiffness and improves traction.
accepts:
November • December • 22.6 • WWW.MOTORSTATE.COM
5
NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE (Cont.)
Speed Demon
High velocity airflow and precise fuel metering make
Speed Demon carbs ideal for muscle cars, stock builds, tow
trucks and mild performance engines with camshaft profiles
up to 240 degrees at .050” duration. Carbs have four corner
idle, billet metering blocks and base plates, power valve blowout protection and are available in mechanical and vacuum secondary models. Available in 650 CFM and 750 CFM
models with either mechanical or vacuum secondaries and annular discharge.
650 CFM Mighty Demon
The 650 CFM Mighty Demon, for high output street or race engines, includes a billet
base plate with Idle-Eze, billet metering blocks, patented concentric venturii, no choke
horn, replaceable air bleeds and idle bleeds, 4-corner idle adjustability, built-in power
valve protection, dual inlet and mechanical secondaries.
GPS Speedometer w/ Rally Nav Display
Auto Meter’s digital, stepper motor drive GPS speedometer
displays date and time, trip and cumulative distances, GPS coordinates, hour meter, compass with heading and peak speed recall. A
GPS micro antenna is included. Available in 3-3/8” diameter, and 5”
diameter Monster dial with large number detail. All read to 140 mPH.
Dominator
Dominator now offers Late Model
Pillar Posts and Sail Panels and
Vented Mud Covers for circle track
usage. Both items are made of hi-impact plastic and will take the punishment without showing wear. Molded in black. Vented mud covers will keep mud out and help
keep the brakes cool. Covers only fit Weld Racing Sprint Car Mag Wheels and are sold individually.
SBC/SBF Mastersbilt Aluminum Mid-Plate PPM1310SN
Plates are water jet cut from 1/4” thick aluminum for smooth
edges and precise mounting holes. Dual bolt pattern fits SB
Chevy or SB Ford engines. Adjustable mounting holes ease driveline alignment in the Mastersbilt chassis. Finish is black powder coat.
Lower Control Arm Mastersbilt GEN X
One-piece lower control arm is made of 1-1/4” diameter DOM tubing for maximum strength. Arms have 3/4-16 thread and accept all 3/4” threaded rod ends.
Available in 18” (PPM16518-S1CMX) and 19” (PPM16519-S1CMX) lengths.
Asphalt/Dirt/Drag Race Air Filter Elements/Pre-Wraps
R2C air filters promote maximum airflow through exceptional dust retention and minimal restriction, lap after lap, run after run. Easy maintenance:
remove the element, blow it out and replace.
Cold Air intake Systems
R2C Performance square tube cold air intake system increases cross
section area by 27% and reduces inlet restrictions by over 60%. High
strength, thermal barrier ensures cooler, denser intake air charge for
increased power and throttle response.
Available for select Camaro, Mustang and MoPar applications.
accepts:
6
MOTOR STATE PERFORMANCE REPORT
CHARLIE JOBBER
by John McLellan
Keeping Vendors On Their Feet!
We are the sum of our personal experiences. Pure and
simple. Ever since that first (and, hopefully only) time
we touched the proverbial hot stove, we have had the
opportunity to benefit from firsthand experience. Many
of my most important business related decisions have
been derived from personal experiences, especially the
various misadventures encountered in the day-to-day
running of a speed shop.
I’m sure that
most, if not all
fellow speed
merchants agree
that it is always a
good idea to get
sizeable deposits
on special orders,
to charge healthy
restock fees, to
go overboard on
credit card security and to not get
involved in customer provoked
pricing wars with
rogue internet
sites or mail order
joints. These policies have all arisen
from unpleasant
personal experiences and they, and others, came about because we had
a fair amount of control over their formation and their
enforcement. Now, if we could just get all the vendors
we deal with on that same page.
As much as we are in control of happenings on our
end of this business, we are pretty much at the mercy of
the manufacturers when it comes to products and product information. There are several areas where many
vendors could clean up their acts. See if any of these get
your attention:
Obsolete, Outdated Websites Thriving speed and
racing equipment manufacturers are constantly developing new, often improved products. They mail out flyers and bombard us with emails to this effect, but when
we go to their websites for more information we often
find that they were last updated as far back as three
years ago. It has gotten so bad with some vendors, it is
automatically assumed anymore that the LAST place to
find new product info is on their websites. Quite often,
the warehouses and mail order houses will have the new
products on their sites long before the product manufacturer does.
Dead-End Tech Lines I don’t know everything, nor
do I profess to even come close. What I do know is that
a good tech information resource can make you look
really good and be worth its weight in titanium when it
comes to selling the right parts to a customer. Recent ex-
periences have gone both ways with regard to technical
help. In one instance, the young lady on a shock company’s tech line went above and beyond my expectations,
continually keeping me informed as she put together all
the components for an exotic coil-over strut kit. Unfortunately, the customer balked at paying the prices and
backed out of the deal. This was certainly no reflection
on the tech girl’s part. She set the high standards for
tech lines. Bringing
up the other end of
the tech spectrum
was the phone that
kept ringing and
ringing, with no
answer ever coming,
when I needed vital
information in order
to make the sale.
We work in a highly
technical business
and our customers’
needs probably involve more separate
systems than just
about any other
field, except maybe
the aircraft industry.
We need good tech
information to keep
us in business, and
we need it promptly!
Superseded Components Superseded parts cannot
be avoided. Manufacturers go out of business, or discontinue certain items, making it difficult to establish any
real continuity. Most vendors can deal with this in such a
manner that the adoption of a superseded component
can be completely seamless. Some, however, choose to
be somewhat “sneaky” about the supersession.
I remember a time when a large parts supplier made
some major changes in a popular forged piston for the
small block Chevy, but chose to keep it in their catalog
under the original part number. A local racer needed
to replace two pistons and asked for this particular part
number. When I put them on the counter, neither of us
realized that they were not even close to being the same
as the earlier pistons. Upon opening the box, we saw
that the domes were different and there were no valve
reliefs. Weighing them showed that they were several
grams heavier to boot. Not acceptable.
Another company decided to switch suppliers
(and country of manufacture) on their timing kits. The
double roller chains were still made in the U.S.A., but
the gears were made in Mexico. Eventually, the chains
were farmed out as well. Some domestically made gears
could still be found mixed in with import chains, and
vice versa, but getting a reliable, domestic-made kit
became a crap shoot, literally and figuratively.
(Continued on page 8)
November • December • 22.6 • WWW.MOTORSTATE.COM
7
CHARLIE JOBBER
by John McLellan
Keeping Vendors On Their Feet
Premature New Product Introduction This one
probably bothers me more than any other vendor misstep. Recent experiences have prompted me to ask this
question, but I don’t think any answer will satisfy me.
If a company features full color, glossy photos of new
suspension products, complete with detailed listings
of what they will fit, in their catalog, and then features
the same product in full page ads in National Dragster
and other publications, wouldn’t it be safe to assume
that this product is readily available? T’ain’t so, McGee!
I had two customers in one week who wanted to buy
this suspension kit for their drag cars. Guess what. They
were not yet available.
I was assured that the new item would be ready for
shipment in three weeks. The customer was OK with
this, but he needed them for sure by the end of five
weeks. Three weeks came and went, and a call to the
manufacturer yielded the information that the kit was
going to take another two weeks. A subsequent call two
weeks later revealed that delivery was now indefinite.
Reading between the lines, I got the definite impression
that they didn’t want me calling anymore. At this point,
I managed to chase down another coil-over, double-adjustable strut conversion for my customer, but the price
(cont. from page 7)
was quite a bit higher and he backed out altogether.
Forget, for the moment, that I lost a thousand dollar
sale here and dwell on the fact that my customer and I
were both misled by an ad that should not have been
placed. I have no qualms with companies touting new
products as long as they are sure to include a date for
their introduction. Phrases like “Coming Soon,” “Available March 1” or “Ready for Shipment In Time for Next
Season,” prominently positioned in the ad will convey
the message that they are in the works, but not yet
available. Catalog placement is a bit more critical, but
for the most part, the items should be available if they
are included in the catalog. New items not yet available
should, at the very least, be placed in a section designated as “Coming Soon.”
There you have it. I’m sure there are other areas of
commerce that could be included here, but these are
ones that I have encountered on enough occasions to
cause me to vent about them. Maybe some will jazz
up their websites, others will be inspired to build a fire
under their tech guys, be careful about new parts introductions, and cool their jets when it comes to superseding items. Or maybe not!
CAT108.6
8300 Lane Drive • Watervliet, Michigan 49098 • www.motorstate.com
Toll Free 800.772.2678 • Phone 269.463.4113 • Fax 800.772.2618