Transforming your LS engine to give it the appearance of a Ford FE from the ’60s is now a great deal easier. You can convert your LS3 or LS7 and make it look like the Blue Oval pushrod V-8 monster FE you really want, all the while maintaining the LS modern performance.
The Bowler Performance FE conversion package (PN VALLEYCP-FORD priced at $1,800) includes the valley cover, valve cover adapters, distributor cap conversion (8mm plug wires not included), and all necessary hardware. The conversion kit parts are machined from 6061 billet aluminum and shipped in a raw finish, allowing you to custom paint or powdercoat to your engine’s color scheme.
Designed for use with the Gen IV LS3 and LS7 engines, you can now use your existing period-correct FE valve covers, air cleaner top, and oil fill tube with this package to enhance the visual “punch.” Bowler Performance recommends using this in conjunction with the LS Classics by Lokar intake and lower air cleaner adapter for the best look.
For more info, check out Bowler Performance Transmissions by calling (618) 943-4856 or visit www.bowlertransmissions.com.
Those who have waited patiently for 1956 Chevy hardtop quarter-panels (PNs QP13-56LOE and QP13-56ROE, $1,099.95 each), your wait is over. New from Golden Star, the exclusive manufacturer of Tri-Five sheetmetal, is the 1956 rear quarter-panels minus the trim holes. They fit like the factory panels and are EDP-coated for corrosion resistance. Golden Star offers the best in classic muscle car and truck restoration panels and accessories.
For more info, check out Golden Star Classic Auto Parts by visiting www.goldenstarauto.com.
Wilwood has announced five new brake kit configurations for the popular 2-1/2-inch offset Big Ford, New Style/Torino bearing 9-inch rear axles (PN 140-15842-DR, $1,819.94 per kit). These new kits combine Wilwood’s proven hydraulic disc brake conversions with an electric motor-driven parking brake caliper.
An electric parking brake provides the ultimate solution for custom builds without the need for cables or actuation levers. Kits are available with forged aluminum DynaPro, Dynalite, Superlite, or Aerolite caliper options with your choice of standard red or black powdercoat or 22 additional caliper color finishes. Rotor diameters are available from 11- to 14-inch. Kits also include EPB control module, switch, wiring harness, and complete installation instructions.
For more info, check out Wilwood Disc Brakes by calling (805) 388-1188 or visit www.wilwood.com.
Dakota Digital adds to its RTX series of instrumentation with fitment for the 1959-1964 Chevy Impala, Bel Air, and Biscayne. It’s all about the stock look with late-model features to enhance gauge operation. What appears to be original equipment comes to life with the LED backlighting in your favorite color scheme, thus removing all doubts.
When opening the vehicle’s door, the vintage-looking rolling odometer provides a stock appearance. Turning on the ignition, the TFT message center can be fully configured to display just about any piece of information needed, from the complementary home screen layout to the user-configurable data group screens.
Starting from scratch, a CNC-machined housing is filled with electronics designed and built in-house, helping Dakota Digital once again raise the bar for aftermarket instrumentation. Bluetooth integration, GPS technology, and RGB backlighting with a full-color TFT screen provide the technology that you want.
For more info, check out Dakota Digital by calling (800) 852-3228 or visit www.dakotadigital.com/RTX.
An exhaust system built with oval tubing may provide you with the additional clearance you need for your ground-hugging hot rod. The Granatelli Motor Sports oval exhaust components allows for the needed ground clearance, neatly placed exhaust packaging, all the while maintaining your engine’s true performance.
You can build one with the provided stainless steel straight tubing in 5-foot lengths, 90-degree vertical and horizontal bends and 45-degree horizontal bend, 3-inch center inlet/offset outlet mufflers, and adapters to transition from oval to round tubing with a 5-degree turn down and four-bolt collector flange. All this allows you to build an exhaust that is just 2-1/4 inches but flows like a full-on 3-inch system.
Granatelli Motor Sports also offers CNC-machined aluminum cutouts that have a smart chip-controlled activation switch to open and close the butterfly plates, stainless steel butterfly plates, and blade shafts. Kits are available for single- and dual-exhaust systems.
For more info, check out Granatelli Motor Sports by calling (805) 486-6644 or visit www.granatellimotorsports.com.
Adding to the tool brand’s popular storage stands for Ford and Chrysler engines is the Powerhouse Products Heavy-Duty Engine Cradle with Wheels for GM LS and Chevrolet engines (PN POW102134). This unique cradle is constructed from heavy-gauge steel, has mounting pads sized to accept both LS and standard SBC/BBC engines, and features heavy-duty casters for easy movement. Unique swing-out mounting arms make it much easier to slide the engine into position, especially if a dry-sump pump is still attached. The cradle’s low-profile design allows for easy storage yet is tall enough for deep oil pans and features a durable powdercoated red finish.
For more info, check out Powerhouse Products by calling (800) 872-7223 or visit www.powerhouseproducts.com.
The new product has a charge rate of up to four amps on large batteries and three amps on small batteries and can be utilized to keep all 12V AGM and flooded batteries healthy during storage. Additionally, the Digital 400 will automatically maximize battery life and performance with Optima’s built-in battery health mode.
“Optima has long been the battery of choice for many automotive and marine enthusiasts looking for better power, longer life, and greater resistance to the use and abuse of extreme applications,” Cam Douglass, director of product development and marketing for Optima Batteries, says. “We’re excited for enthusiasts to experience the benefits of our charging products.”
The Digital 400 ensures a simple setup process with pre-charge battery status display mode. It also provides a backlit hybrid LED/LCD display for charging, maintaining, and fault mode indication. The unit gauge displays battery charging (fill) rate with charger mode and fault messages. The LED indicators prompt users for quick and easy selection of charge and maintain profiles by battery type, including AGM and standard flooded batteries.
For enhanced options and performance there’s the Optima Digital 1200 12V Performance Battery Charger, which works well on Optima and other AGM batteries, recovers deeply discharged batteries, and extends battery life. While owners of the Optima Digital 1200 can utilize the product to provide a faster charge with more amps, the Optima Digital 400 is an ideal high-performance solution, especially if the user has multiple vehicles to maintain.
For more info, check out Optima Batteries by visiting http://www.optimabatteries.com/us/en/products/charger/.