New issue preview

Well, it has certainly been a long time since I posted something here. I guess my other duties have taken precedent. At least that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. I'll try to do better. Here's a little preview of the February 2010 issue, our annual Cobra Guide and it's chocked full of snake stuff to be sure. This issue also has a bunch of non-Cobra info too and some cars that will surely turn your crank. This issue is set to hit the newsstand on Jan 5, 2010 though subscribers will probably have it in hand by now or very shortly. In among all the Cobra features is a story on a very special aluminum Kirkham, a new Track Day car from Backdraft, an awesome 289 Street car from ERA and a complete guide to more than 30 snake builders. We also show you how a new 408cid Keith Craft V-8 goes together, a cool Belaro convertible and some wet-and-wild action from this year's Run 'N Gun. In short, this is a must have if you haven't seen it already.

Retrotek EFI

Engine Factory is now offering this new Retrotek Boss EFI System on its Ford and Chevy V8 crate engines. It is the first major leap in technology for aftermarket fuel injection systems and by far the least expensive and the easiest system to install. The fuel injection system features the Engine Management System (EMS) mounted directly on the throttle body. This eliminates a major portion of the wiring harness found on most EFI systems. The injectors, and the idle air control are contained inside the throttle body and the unit that controls them is attached to the side of the throttle body. Despite its compact size, the EMS is still laptop programmable although this is normally not required with most installations. It’s a feature for those enthusiasts who prefer to do their own programming. For most enthusiasts, the installed program is more than suitable.

This, like their other EFI systems, is fully self learning. Install it, fire it up, drive it around for 30 minutes or so and it dials itself in. It continues to fine tune itself as it adjusts to your driving habits and various atmospheric conditions.

If your vehicle already has a return line, or you want to install one, you can eliminate the added cost of the Returnless Kit. And if your vehicle has both a return line and a high-pressure EFI-style fuel pump, you do not need either of the optional kits.

If your vehicle does not have a return line to the fuel tank, the simplest installation of all is to select the basic kit along with the Returnless Kit. The main advantage of this system is simpler installation and fewer wires cluttering up your engine compartment.

The listed kits are all rated up to 500 horsepower. Higher horsepower engines will require larger injectors and a bigger fuel pump. For details contact Engine Factory, www.fordcobraengines.com.

August 2009 Kit Car Builder Sneak Preview

We thought we'd tease you a little with this sneak preview of the August 2009 issue of Kit Car Builder. We just put the finishing touches on it and must say that it's brilliant. You'll have to wait a little for it to arrive in your mailboxes (subscribers should probably receive it around end of June and on the newsstands July 7).

If you like engine stuff, you'll love this issue as it includes a special section on motive power--everything from electric and alt-fuel talk to 550-hp Ford V-8s. It'a also our 2010 Preview Issue with lots of new cars that you'll be seeing soon. We have coverage of the two largest kit car shows and a bunch of surprises thrown in just for fun. Now a little break, then it's onto the next issue. That is after we hit the London Cobra Show at the end of the month. Enjoy!

Fiberfab Aluminum Chassis

Constructed of 6061 T-6 aluminum, Fiberfab US is offering a Gen 2, Type-R frame said to weigh in at only 150 lbs. It’s made from 2” x 5” box tubing and utilizes the company’s U.M.E.T.S. (Unitized Multi-Link Engine Transmission Suspension) modular assembly that allows the use of most any longitudinally mounted transaxle powertrain. The company is touting this new chassis as being especially useful for electric vehicle projects.

For more details on this project, contact: Fiberfab US, (541) 536-0550 or www.fiberfab.us.

Carbon Footprint

How To Dress Up Surfaces With Self-Adhesive Carbon Fiber Sheets
Story by Jim Youngs, Photos by Steve Graber and Jim Youngs.

The unmistakable look of woven carbon fiber just screams high performance. It also typically screams “pricey” and “difficult to work with” properly. Well, we found a way to get a carbon fiber look and do so rather easily without breaking the bank. Called Performance Carbon, the minute Sly Machines told us about this stuff our minds went into overdrive imagining all the applications we could use it for.

Available in five colors (black, silver, red, blue and pink), Performance Carbon sheets are either real carbon fiber or glass fiber with a strong adhesive backing. The sheets are available in three sizes (7.87” x 9.45”, 18.90” x 23.62, 18.90” x 47”) and are flexible enough to conform to curve surfaces, feature automotive-quality adhesive and can be trimmed with scissors and razor blades. And as you will see, can be put through a computer-operated vinylcutting machine for intricate designs and even coated with clearcoat or other paint.

Though we considered a bunch of ideas for using Performance Carbon, we settled on two projects, (though there will surely be other uses with the leftovers)—a Cobra dash and some slick graphics on a Grabercars La Bala...

This is only a taste of the story, for the full story and all the how-to photos, check out the December 2008 issue of Kit Car Builder magazine, or read the article from the new "Articles" area of the Kit Car Builder Web site.

Roush & Valvoline Collaborate on High Performance Motor Oil

It’s no secret that Jack Roush knows how to make power out of engines. It’s also no secret that Valvoline knows how to make oil, the lifeblood of an engine. So it makes sense that these two giants in their respective fields would collaborate to create Roush Motor Oil for performance vehicles.

Roush Fenway Racing exclusively uses Valvoline oil in their stock cars, but always the innovator and continually looking for ways to improve engine performance, Roush down with the Valvoline technicians and posed a simple question, “What can we do to improve the oil used in high-performance street engines?” The answer led to the development of ROUSH Motor Oil, a line of six new motor oils for performance vehicles old and new.
“Any brand of inexpensive motor oil might work fine for the average consumer, but owners of high performance vehicles are extremely proud of their car and are willing to do whatever is necessary to maximize their driving experience and take care of their investment,” Roush said.

Inspired by the racetrack and formulated for the road, the Roush Motor Oil is sold by the quart for a suggested retail of $7.99. The six blends available are: SAE 5W-20 full synthetic; SAE 5W-30 full synthetic; SAE 5W-50: full; SAE 10W-30 & 10W-40 high zinc, full synthetic for classic high-performance; Break-In oil (SAE 40) high zinc, conventional formula.

For more information, or to find your nearest Roush Motor Oil dealer, visit www.roushoil.com.

Green Classification Added to Carlisle Shows

Carlisle Events is going green in 2009, by introducing a green classification for the showfield participants. Carlisle Events hopes to encourage enthusiasts of green and high-mileage vehicles to show off their passion for green machines. The green classification was created to give a home to green vehicles utilizing new fuel efficient technologies including hydrogen fuel cell, electric, gas-electric hybrids, biodiesel and clean diesel vehicles. Awards will be given to the top three vehicles registered in the green class at Carlisle.

Carlisle Events hopes to build upon the green classification by teaming up with automotive manufacturers, colleges and universities and new technology developers to utilize the select shows as an educational platform to showcase new products and models to the over half a million automotive enthusiasts from around the world who travel to the Carlisle, PA Fairgrounds each year. An educational platform that Carlisle Events has successfully used in past years to introduce green technology to the masses has been seminars that take place during events. It is the goal of Carlisle Events to build upon their current seminar schedule with presentations and roundtables discussions that cover building, buying, customizing and maintaining fuel efficient cars and trucks.

Carlisle Import/Kit-Replicar Nationals this year runs May15-17. For more information, visit www.carlisleevents.com or call (717) 243-7855.

The Kit Car Builder crew will be there for the Carlisle Import-Kit/Replicar Nationals, so stop by our booth and say "hi".

FFR Introduces Its Own Wheels

Factory Five Racing recently introduced proprietary Halibrand-style wheels in 15” and 17” models. These wheels are cast aluminum, extremely strong, and lightweight and include an innovative cosmetic cover and machined knock-off and spinner design. This feature gives an extremely authentic and quality appearance while maintaining the safety of a modern DOT design. The centers are painted a beautiful metallic grey and the rims are polished. The entire wheel surface is then clear coated to protect the finish from oxidation. They are one-piece wheels designed exclusively for FFR. The knock-off adapter, spinner, and cosmetic lug cover are also included. These wheels have backspace that optimizes the depth of the wheel dish while providing adequate clearance for Ford GT calipers and rotors.

The 15” models are available in eight-inch wide fronts (with five-inch backspace) and nine-inch wide rears (with 5.48” backspace) and fit the company’s Mk I, II, III Roadsters and Type 65 Coupes using 1979-93 8.8” solid axle or FFR standard-width IRS. The wheels will fit ‘87-93 and ‘99-02 Mustang GT 11” rotors and calipers up front (they will not fit ’03-04 calipers) and 10.5” and 11.65” disc brake kits.

The 17’ wheels fit the Mk III Roadster and Type 65 Coupe outfitted with rear ’79-93 Ford 8.8” live axles, IRS with the fitted with 10.5” and 11.65” brakes plus 13” Mustang Cobra calipers and rotors. Up front they will fit the same 11” brakes listed above and the 13” Mustang Cobra calipers and rotors (they will not fit ’03-04 calipers). Check Factory Five Racing’s website for more details and pricing. www.factoryfive.com.

And the Award Goes To...

As is customary at car shows, awards are given; this year at the Knott's Berry Farm Fun Under the Sun car show, there were many strong contenders. However, only one car can receive the Kit Car Builder Magazine's Editor's Choice Award.

This year the Editor's Choice Award went to this Porsche Type 1, a faithful recreation of Porsche's original car, built by Thunder Ranch and being offered by Vintage Replicar (www.vintagereplicar.com). It will initially be available as a turnkey.

Jim Youngs, Editor or Kit Car Builder magazine presented the award to Mark Gomez, owner of Vintage Replicar, at the awards ceremony at show's end.

For the full story about the car as well as Knott's show coverage, check out upcoming issues of Kit Car Builder magazine.

289FIA Bodies

In searching around the Internet recently, looking for tools, we came across this offering from DCS Performance Engineering, among other things the manufacturer of frame jigs.

DCS offers something slightly different for Cobra replica enthusiasts; an FIA 289 Cobra body shell that is hand-laid fiberglass with reinforcement panels throughout. The kit includes two-piece body (joined at the rocker panel area front half to rear half) plus hood, deck lid and doors. Special attention has been paid to symmetry and finish detail in creating this unique body application.

The 289 Cobra paved the way for the better known and arguably less capable 427 SC that is so often reproduced. “The subtle differences between the FIA 289 racecar body we’ve patterned from and the 427 car are what we think will make our racecar body a treasured alternative to the 427 for years to come,” company spokesman said.

All panels are additionally marked for correct placement of the windshield, mirrors, and trim. Bodies can be ordered at a cost of $3,695.

For more information contact DCS Performance Engineering at 888-UNIJIG7, or visit www.unijig.com.

Keyless Ignition

KIL Products has introduced the new Keyless Ignition Lock for specialty cars. This innovative system uses a push-button code with an ultra secure four-digit pin code that completely does away with the need for keys of any kind. It’s a clean and simple system that takes about an hour to install. The unit can custom fit most anything with a 12-volt ignition system.

Simply insert a four-digit code, press the green button for “start” and press the red for “off.” The two extra buttons in the kit are “reset” buttons. If someone tries to pick your lock and hits a reset button the code is “reset.” It’s virtually impossible to pick. The introductory price for the KIL Car Kit is $190.

For more information contact KIL Products at (612)251-6366 or visit www.thekil.com.

Carlisle Import/Kit-Replicar Nationals

The Carlisle Import/Kit-Replicar Nationals is an event that showcases and celebrates a wide variety of vehicles; everything from European classics to Japanese sportscars will be displayed, judged and raced throughout the weekend of May 15-17 at the Carlisle, PA Fairgrounds.

Coupled with the Carlisle Import Nationals is the largest kit car gathering in the U.S. This year’s special guest for the Kit-Replicar event will once again be Bruce Meyers, father of the modern day dune buggy. Meyers made his Carlisle debut at the 2008 event and was such a hit that the Carlisle Team insisted he come back for 2009. Meyers has a long history with dune buggies, dating back to the original water-pumpers of Southern California. Meyers took it upon himself to re-design the crude, heavy vehicles into the lightweight version that we are accustomed to today. After being featured on the cover of national automotive magazines like Hot Rod and Car and Driver, The Meyers Manx popularity took off around the world. Over the years, Meyers produced over 7,000 kits stemming from the Manx. He and his wife Winnie hope to make the East Coast debut of his final version of the classic buggy, the Manx Kick-Out at the Carlisle show.

In addition to welcoming back Meyers, the 2009 Carlisle Kit/Replicar Nationals will grow with an increased participation from the Speedster Owners Group. Enthusiasts of 356 replicas plan on making Carlisle the home for their annual gathering again this year, which means the Cobra replicas might just have to watch their backs. For more information, visit CarlisleEvents.com or call (717) 243-7855.

For more car shows, check out the calendar in the latest Kit Car Builder issue or check our Web site. Stop by and see us at the show!

American Gasser Spinoff

American Gasser, Inc. recently completed its spin-off from Active Power, Inc. The new company aims to become a full-service, period-correct reproduction Gasser Coupe fabrication shop. The primary platform, the 1940-1941 Willys Coupe, was exhibited throughout the 2008 show season and has now become the preferred builder for the National Geezer Gasser organization.

American Gasser’s Coupe body/chassis configurations include the following hand fabricated boxed frames, parallel leaf spring/straight axle configuration, rear coilover shocks, ladder bars, and Panhard bar; Ford 9 in. rear end, Hand Laid 4-layer fiberglass body, glass, and hardware.

Nostalgia drag racing has dramatically increased in popularity in recent years. This grass roots level of affordable fun has grown in scale every year with NHRA and the Goodguys Rod and Custom shows, each hosting multiple nostalgic drag racing events.

American Gasser is presently working on a 1933 Willys Coupe and has plans for a 1948 Anglia product this summer. For more information visit: www.americangasser.com.

Check out more great news stories like this in the newest issue of Kit Car Builder magazine.

30 Years of Fun Under the Sun at Knott's

It's hard to believe it is already that time of year, but the Kit Car Builder crew is headed to Knott's Berry Farm in two weeks for the 30th Anniversary of the Fun Under the Sun kit car show. It is always fun and full of beautiful kit cars. The show starts on Saturday April 25th and runs through Sunday afternoon, April 26th at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. The show is organized by the Association of Handcrafted Automobiles.

Hope you can make it out to the show. Don't forget to stop by the Kit Car Builder booth to say "hello". We promise to provide a full report and loads of photos from the show in an upcoming issue of Kit Car Builder and on the KCB website.

If you have any questions or need more information about the Fun Under the Sun show, contact Dave Martin at (818) 597-8797 or daytonaman@sbcglobal.net.

New GT In Town

Tornado Sports Cars has been producing GT40 replicas for more than 20 years in the UK and now once again has representation in the U.S. in the form of Scott Calabro, Tornado Sports Cars USA, in Southwick, Massachusetts. The Belgian Racing Yellow car shown here is Chris’ RHD demo model that features a 385hp 289cid small-block topped with a set of Weber 44 IDFs and coupled to a UN1-26 transaxle. The car is additionally outfitted with the typical bundle-o-snakes headers, chrome suspension links, lightweight starter, anti rollbars, lightweight alloy radiator, alloy shocks, Wilwood four-piston caliper brakes at all four corners, oil cooler, and BRM knock-off wheels. The car will soon receive the company’s new lightweight cast rear uprights as well. For more details on the car, contact Scott; (413) 977-4408, www.tornadosportscars.com.

For more photos check out the April issue of Kit Car Builder magazine.

June issue sneak peek

Here's a very early look at the new issue just going to the printer today. As you can see by the cover there's a lot to see in this new edition. The story on the sexy Attack alone is worth taking a closer look. There's also a story in there on a scratch-built McLaren made of aluminum and powered by a Honda engine. Also in this issue is an inside look at a new 6-speed transmission, ceramic coatings, show coverage, a hot Daytona Coupe replica, a Lotus 7 cruise, a ride in a Mini Marcos and the first of a new recurring series about tools, among other cool stuff. This issue goes on sale on the newsstands June 1 and subscribers will start getting it in their mailboxes toward the end of April.

TajGarage makeover

We did a little remodeling on our TajGarage this past weekend. To make things as neat as possible we decided to get rid of all the open storage in the space by buying some Craftsman steel cabinets and work benches. The biggest job was redoing the 8-year-old peeling epoxy-painted flooring with Race Deck interlocking tiles. It made the garage brighter and neater and now if we can only keep things clean it should be a great work space. 

New TV show debuts

Be sure to tune in (or set your DVR) to Kit...An Autobody Experience, on Saturday morning, February 21, (early here in Colorado) on Speed. We've been working with the producers to help make this a premier show and we're very excited about the prospects. We've seen some excerpts already and the production values are very high. Your Editor has also been interviewed several times along with the crew doing some shooting in the KCB TajGarage. It should be fun to watch. The TV crew has followed along on four kit car builds from start to finish and will devote four episodes to each car along with lots of other fun stuff. So, tune in.

Reverse air scoop theory

According to Iain Ayre, KCB contributor, "There's no purpose for a hood scoop in an injected car. It just creates drag, slows you down and jams more static air into the hot engine bay. My Ayrspeed EcoCobra's reverse scoop uses the low pressure area in front of the windshield to suck hot air out of the engine bay, important for this car that has a 225bhp turbocharged Miata engine. It also has 320bhp per ton, about twice that of an ordinary Cobra replica with a 302 Ford V8. I'm looking forward to finishing it."

Rolls build-up continues

Our resident expat-Brit Canadian correspondent, Iain Ayre, files the following report on his ongoing Rolls Royce project...

"The Rolls fender is now at the rough disposable mold stage, with a thin impression taken off the original fender. Next step is to make a thick resin and mat positive, that will be the final buck from which the proper molds will be taken. Then I can make the four fenders for the car."

April issue sneak peek

Here's a preview look at the April issue that will be on sale about February 27 and in subscriber's hands in the middle of Feb. It's of course loaded with some cool cars, tech info, lots of news and some surprises. Be patient, you'll be able to have it in your hands shortly.