Forgeline RS5 wheel

 

Forgeline RS5 Heritage Series wheels

 Forgeline Wheels introduced the Heritage Series RS5 ‘old school cool with a modern twist’ wheel at SEMA360, the 2020 virtual trade show for Specialty Equipment Market Association.

Designed in collaboration with Roadster Shop, the Forgeline RS5 offers a retro 5-spoke design reminiscent of the iconic 1960s “mag wheel” and even includes the period-matching machined bolt-on “flat cap” center cap to complete the authentic vintage vibe.

The RS5 is a custom, made-to-order, three-piece wheel produced from forged 6061-T6 aluminum centers with heat-treated rim-shells and American-made stainless-steel ARP fasteners. Just like any Forgeline wheel, the RS5 is fully customizable in fitment and finish. The RS5 is available with a flat lip reverse outer in 18 inch, 19 inch, and 20 inch sizes and features a standard powder coated center finish with a polished outer rim.

Check out the entire line of Forgeline Wheels at https://forgeline.com

Need more power?

Need more power?

There was a lot of buzz around this engine displayed at the ARP booth at the 2019 PRI  (Performance Racing Industry) show. Developed and sold by Sixteen Power LLC, this 16-cylinder beast is available in several configurations – normally aspirated in 900, 1200 or 1400 horsepower, twin-supercharged, as shown, to produce 1600 horsepower, or fitted with four turbochargers designed to develop 2000 horsepower.

The 854-cubic inch 16-cylinder low-pressure sand-cast aluminum block is topped with four aftermarket Generation 5 LT1 cylinder heads and a pair of superchargers on a custom intake manifold.   The engine assembled at Katech Inc. using all ARP fasteners, reportedly costs more than $100,000.

Check out the websites:

https://www.xvipower.com

https://arp-bolts.com

1971 Plymouth Barracuda custom

 1971 Plymouth Barracuda custom 

This beautiful 1971 Plymouth Barracuda custom was built by Andy Leach and his crew at Cal Automotive Creations in Bennington, Nebraska for owner Kent Matranga was entered in the SEMA360 virtual "Battle of the Builders Contest" presented by the Specialty Equipment Market Association and reached the Top 12 finalists.

Underneath the tastefully modified bodywork painted by Charley Hutton with PPG Paints "Bronze Fire metallic" is the 700-horsepower supercharged Hellcat 6.2 liter Hemi engine hooked to a Bowler T56 six-speed transmission.

The ‘Cuda rides on 18-inch diameter x 8-inch wide EVOD wheels up front  and massive 20-inch diameter by 10-inch wide EVOD wheels in the rear with Baer brakes at all four corners.

Photos courtesy of SEMA

Battle of Builders finalist - 1971 Ford Ranchero

 

1971 Ford Ranchero custom 

Automotive enthusiasts have long debated whether Ford’s Ranchero is a car, a truck or something in between, but this beautifully detailed fifth-generation 1971 Ford Ranchero built by Randy Borcherding, owner of the Painthouse in Cypress, Texas is classified as a “street truck.”  

Designed by Keith Kaucher of Kaucher Kustoms the Ranchero was named one of the top 12 finalists in the SEMA360 “Battle of the Builders” contest.

Powered by a 351-cubic inch Ford Cleveland V-8 engine, the 1971 Ford rides on Schott  'kidney bean' style custom wheels. The Painthouse finished it with  a custom shade from PPG Paints before they shipped it to Stich by Stich Custom Designs in Cookeville Tennessee to complete the interior.

All photos courtesy of SEMA 

1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S custom at SEMA360

 

1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S custom at SEMA360

Garret Kitchen of Garret's Rod Shop in Columbus Ohio entered this 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S owned by Byron Spade called the "Hemi-S Barracuda” in the SEMA360 Battle of the Builders contest, the 2020 virtual trade show for the Specialty Equipment Market Association. (SEMA).

The Barracuda rides on an Art Morrison Sport Frame with a RideTech Ride Pro suspension system and Wilwood brakes. The car painted with two shades of Axalta Tungsten Gray in two shades.

Power comes from a Gen-III Mopar  6.1L Hemi topped by a Magnuson TVS2300 supercharger backed by Tremec manual six-speed gearbox. The “Hemi-S” rolls on Billet Specialties wheels fitted with Falken Azenis tires.  

Recovery Room Interiors in Plattsmouth, Nebraska finished the eye-searing red interior and the dashboard with Custom Classic Instruments gauges.  This beauty was built using the Ron Francis Wiring ‘Express Wiring Kit.’  Check out the vendor website at  https://www.ronfrancis.com/

Photos provided by SEMA

eCrate - the future of hot rodding

 The electric future of hot rodding?

eCrate 

At SEMA360, the 2020 virtual trade show for the Specialty Equipment Market Association, Chevrolet introduced a 1977 K5 Blazer converted to all-electric drive. The K5 Blazer-E is a functional proof of concept of the upcoming Electric Connect and Cruise package Chevrolet Performance plans to sell in the second half of 2021.

“As GM introduces a new fleet of electric vehicles, it creates an exciting opportunity to bring EV technology to the aftermarket,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance and Motorsports. “Our vision is to offer a comprehensive line of Connect and Cruise systems from Chevrolet Performance, delivering a solution for every customer ranging from LSX V-8s to eCrate conversions.”

The new K5 Blazer-E retains as much of the stock Blazer as possible and approximately 90% of the new parts installed for the eCrate package are factory components from the Chevrolet Bolt EV. To convert the 19977 K5 Blazer, the team first removed the original 175-hp 400-cid V-8, three-speed automatic, fuel system and exhaust.

The team installed a Bolt EV electric motor, delivering 200 hp and 266 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with a Chevrolet Performance electronically controlled four-speed automatic. The rest of the Blazer drivetrain remains untouched, including the transfer case, driveshaft and axles.

Power is supplied by a 400-volt Bolt EV battery pack with 60 kilowatt-hours of usable energy installed in the cargo area. Using production controllers and wiring harnesses preserves many Bolt EV features, including shock protection, battery heating and cooling, battery-overcharge protection and even regenerative braking.

To prepare for the eCrate launch, Chevrolet Performance is certifying Electric Connect and Cruise installers. Participating Chevrolet dealers and aftermarket companies will receive the training, tools and equipment needed to work with high-voltage systems and charging stations to service customers’ vehicles.

The 60-kWh Electric Connect and Cruise package available in the second half of 2021, will include the 60-kWh battery pack, the DC-to-AC power inverter to drive the electric motor, the DC-to-DC power converter to power low-voltage systems and wiring harnesses, controllers and water pumps for battery heating and cooling.

Photos and build details provided by Chevrolet