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Greetings Saturn Enthusiasts!
Please enjoy the latest February SPS Updates…
New Headers are in Production
The word "header" has, for several years, evoked a certain aggravation with many Saturn performance enthusiasts. Much of this can be blamed on a very historically limited brand selection combined with some notorious quality issues. Many of us have often wished for a better solution.
Fortunately, that solution is just around the corner. As of February 7, SPS has officially placed the first production order for our new DT3301 performance exhaust headers. SPS headers are engineered to provide the best fit, durability, and performance! Their tri-Y design is tuned to provide 3-4% gains in mid-range power and torque between 2000-6500rpm. Other important features include a coated primary section (for proper management of exhaust temperatures and great looks,) stainless steel downpipe with integral flexpipe (for durability and corrosion protection,) aerospace-style flanges (for strong, leak-proof, gasketless connections,) oxygen content signal from all four-cylinders, and world-class manufacturing quality. And very importantly, the DT3301 also maintains and utilizes the stock lower manifold support to reduce strain upon the primary tubes (and thus eliminate the possibility of cracking.)
The DT3301 is designed to fit all 94-98 DOHC Saturns. Delivery is expected within eight weeks - just in time for the spring season. Please see http://spswebpage.com/products/exhaust.html for more information.
Product News
Clutch Masters has developed a reputation for excellence within the racing community by developing performance clutch kits that employ unique design features that result in significantly increased torque holding capacity and extended longevity under extreme conditions. Unlike most brands (that modify only the friction material,) Clutch Masters alters the leverage within the pressure plate to create a 65% increase in clamp load. This results in true torque holding capacity and a moderate increase in pedal stiffness. Then they combine this with friction discs that are made of segmented Kevlar and lined with a steel plate to add rigidity and reduce heat transfer. Yet, they retain the sprung hub design of a stock disc for smooth engagement and drivability.
Clutch Masters Stage One Performance Clutch Kit is recommended for most cars that have been modified with "bolt-on" performance parts and/or using small nitrous oxide kits (up to 50-shot.) Kit includes pressure plate, friction disc, throw-out bearing, and alignment tool. The Clutch Masters Stage One performance clutch kit for all 91-99 Saturns, part number CM0411500, is available now for $327.42.
Clutch Masters Stage Four Performance Clutch Kit utilizes a 4-puck ceramic spring disc with very aggressive engagement characteristics and is designed to hold up to 450 ft-lbs of torque. Kit includes pressure plate, friction disc, throw-out bearing, and alignment tool. The Clutch Masters Stage Four Performance clutch kit for all 91-99 Saturns, part number CM04115HDBC, is available now for $457.08.
Wear your advantage with high quality, high style SPS t-shirts. Our newest shirts display the original SPS logo and an aggressive representation of the gold SPS ‘No More Mister Nice Guy’ project car – but on a high quality pre-shrunk LONG SLEEVE cotton shirt. The SPS "No More Mister Nice Guy" Long Sleeve T-Shirt, part number SPST002, is available in sizes ranging from medium to extra large for $12.95 each.
Many more new products will be introduced very shortly. But although we are excited about the new items, we must use discretion about releasing new product information because sharing any information before solidifying all of the facts can inadvertently mislead customers, employees, and supporters. Please visit our web site often and watch for future updates. Many more exciting items are on the horizon!
February Specials
Our gas-charged struts from KYB are perfect as performance-oriented stock replacements or as an upgrade with most street-oriented performance springs. And perhaps best of all, they are very affordable! KYB’s front struts have slightly more rebound damping than stock (30-50% depending on strut rod velocity) for better ride control. The rear units are damped identically to a properly functioning stock strut. Units come complete as a single strut/housing assembly. The complete set of KYB struts (2 front KYB055 and 2 rear KYB056) usually sells for $319.80 ($79.95 per corner.) But they are on sale now as a complete set for only $287.84! Save 10%!
Want to improve the style and feel of your automatic shifter? Our carbon fiber vertical automatic knob with a top-mounted push button will get the job done! This unique knob is easy to install using the included set-screws and features a polished exterior with a carbon fiber handle. The JM0309 shift knob normally sells for $49.00 each but is on sale now for only $44.10! Save 10%
Please visit the SPS web site (http://www.spswebpage.com) for more details!
SPS Racing
Most fans of scR motorsports have by now realized that before James Walker became famous as a racecar driver, he was better known as an automotive brake systems engineer. In fact, James still makes his "real" living as an ABS engineer with the Robert Bosch Corporation. But recently, James achieved yet another degree of fame by sharing some of his knowledge about braking systems with the motorsports community in an article that he wrote for Grassroots Motorsports magazine.
James’ latest article is entitled, "Pulp Friction, a Plain Talk Primer About Your Car’s Braking System." As you might guess from the name, it is an excellent article that dispels some myths about brakes and gets to the heart about what brakes really do and how they do it.
If you have not already seen this article, you can find it on page 72 of the February 2001 edition of Grassroots Motorsports Magazine (aka GRM.) Not familiar with GRM? Then check out their website at http://www.grmotorsports.com.
To see the latest scR newsletter, scR tech article or the 2001 schedule, visit the scR motorsports website at http://www.teamscr.com.
A year ago, Mike Kramer, driver of the #19 Thundersport Racing Showroom Stock SC2, made a mistake while leading the Moroso National. "My right foot hung on the throttle while I was downshifting. The RPMs bounced off of the rev limiter for only a second, but the over-rev was too much for the engine." recalls Kramer. "It sounded bad, and felt worse!" So an otherwise flawless day came to an abrupt end when a connecting rod blew a hole through the number-three cylinder. It was the beginning of a tough year. "Anytime that you gotta push the thing up on the trailer, it's not a good day."
Fast-forward to January 14, 2001: Kramer takes the green flag from the inside of the Showroom Stock C second row. With a strong move to the inside entering turn two, Kramer stole the lead from Stan Wilson in his Civic Si and "pedaled" to a slight margin. Wilson, however, kept his eyes glued to the polymer bumper of Kramer's Saturn. "I could shake him through the corners, but once we hit the two big straight-aways, he drove right back up on us."
Thirteen laps into the 15-lap contest, Wilson's powerful Honda Civic Si swept around the Saturn on Moroso's main straight and never looked back, leaving Mike and the Thundersport team with a solid second-place finish. "We just didn't have anything for the Honda on the straight-aways." said Kramer. "Our run was solid, it was consistent, and we'll go back home to Spring Hill with another podium finish and a straight race car."
Photography from the Moroso race can be viewed at http://www.motorsports.photoreflect.com - search for the "01/13/2001 Moroso Winter Nationals." The next event for the ThunderSport Racing gang will be held on February 24, 2001 at the Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC.
Replace the Spindle to Save Wheel Bearings
Many Saturn enthusiasts have discovered that the stock wheel bearings can fail often when subjected to the cornering loads that result from performance tires, increased track width, performance suspension, and aggressive driving. But replacing just the front wheel bearings when they fail may not be enough to ensure a reasonable life expectancy from your next set of bearings!
The design of the stock front bearing depends upon support from the inside of the spindle - which is pressed into the center of the front wheel bearing. When the spindle begins to wear, the inside portion shrinks and fails to support the center of the front wheel bearing. This allows for increased slop and accelerated wear of the bearing unit. So installing new bearings with used spindles can literally result in almost immediate failure of the new bearings!
For best results, replace the front spindle with each set of bearings!
SPS Events
SPS 2001 Schedule (tentative):
May 28: SPS closed for Memorial Day Holiday
July 1: scR at Mid-Ohio
July 4: SPS closed for Independence Day Holiday
July 29: scR at Mid-Ohio
Oct 7: scR at Mid-Ohio
If you have any questions about anything in this newsletter, please Contact Us.
To view previous editions of the newsletter, please visit the Newsletter Archive.
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Until next month, HAVE A GREAT SPRING! |
