Belt It OutA single belt keeps things simple, right? That's the reasoning Billet Specialties used when developing its Tru Trac Serpentine System for small-block Chevys. Designed for straightforward assembly, the system bolts to the block so you don't have to worry about intake and cylinder head variations. It also comes complete with all necessary pulleys and brackets, a special billet belt tensioner, plus a polished 105-amp Powermaster alternator, Edelbrock water pump, and Sanden A/C compressor. A power steering option with an aluminum pump and pulley is also available. For details, contact Billet Specialties, 500 Shawmut Ave., Dept. R&C, La Grange, IL 60526; (800) 245-5382; www.billetspecialties.com.
Color Me CoolDuPont Performance Coatings is reaching out to rodders with Hot Hues, a custom paint product system that includes special two- and three-stage basecoat hues, easy-to-use clears, and undercoats for easy vehicle prep. The vivid color line will be introduced in phases, beginning with 25 factory-packaged special pigment colors and 70 additional hues that can be mixed using special Hot Binders and Balancers. A dozen Hot EFX pearls and other special-effect pigments are also available, along with a Hot Matte Clear and a Hot Intercoat Adhesion Promoter. Hot Hues' ChromaLusion will follow soon after, with new primers and sealers on the way, too. Hot Hues will be on display at many hot rod events throughout 2004, or you can see them online at www.hothues.dupont.com.
Big Sound, Small SizeHot rodders rejoice! The famous Flowmaster sound is now available in a smaller package. That's right, the new Hushpower II is made with street rods and customs in mind, with an 18x4-inch case (24-inch overall length) crafted from polishable T304 stainless or standard T409 stainless. Hushpower II's Cool Shell case design provides modern sound and heat control and a classic, mellow hot rod exhaust tone. Since it's from Flowmaster, it's also a true performance muffler that provides optimum flow and will support up to 400 hp. Inlet and outlet diameters of 2.00, 2.25, and 2.50 inches are available. For details, contact Flowmaster Mufflers, 100 Stony Point Rd., Suite 200, Dept. R&C, Santa Rosa, CA 95401; (800) 544-4761; www.flowmastermufflers.com.
Classic, Classy DashThe pioneers of hot rodding knew a good thing when they saw it, which is why so many used Auburn instrument panels in their roadsters. Today, real Auburn panels are big-bucks rare, so So-Cal Speed Shop tooled up to cast new aluminum replicas. Sand-casting gives the panels inherent character (pitting, flaws, etc.), and they're available as-cast or polished. The engine-turned inserts are clear powdercoated for protection. The upper one accepts five gauges-a 3 3/8-inch speedo and four 2-inch instruments; you drill the lower insert for your choice of switches. For more info, contact So-Cal Speed Shop, 1357 E. Grand Ave., Dept. R&C, Pomona, CA 91766; (909) 469-6171; www.so-calspeedshop.com.
Means To An EndAll good things must come to an end, and when it's a four-bar, hairpin, or other suspension component, you'd better hope that end can hold up its part of the bargain. Pro-Werks would like to help by offering right- and left-hand weld-in threaded tube adapters in more than 100 size and thread combinations. The chrome-moly adapters are CNC-machined to precise tolerances and are offered in round, hex, or streamline styles. Like other Pro-Werks products, these are American-made and meet requirements for most specialty applications. For details, contact Pro-Werks, 1931 N 24th Ave., Dept. R&C, Mears, MI 49436; (231) 873-9252; www.pro-werks.com.