SPS

Greetings Saturn Enthusiasts!

Please enjoy the latest March SPS Updates…

Saturn Crank Pulley Does More Than Drive a Belt
One of the traditional automotive hot-rodding techniques about which we are often asked is the use of "under-drive" accessory pulleys. Such pulleys can be used to slow the rotation of motor-driven accessories (such as water pumps, alternators, and power steering pumps) so that the power draw from these accessories is reduced – thus making more power available for the primary task at hand: to power the wheels. On most cars, a typical "under-drive" pulley set might include a smaller crankshaft pulley, a larger power steering pulley, and/or a larger alternator pulley.

However, it is important to recognize that some vehicles’ crankshaft pulleys do more than just drive the accessory belt. For some cars, the crankshaft pulley also serves as a harmonic balancer (or vibration damper.) What this means is that the weight of the pulley, the material within the pulley, and the distribution of weight throughout the pulley are carefully calculated to absorb and reduce specific damaging vibrations that could otherwise shorten the life of the crankshaft due to fatigue (cycling stresses.) This is important, since allowing such vibrations to fatigue the crankshaft could have catastrophic consequences upon the structural integrity of the crankshaft – and hence the life of the motor.

As you may have already guessed, the Saturn crankshaft pulley also doubles as a harmonic damper. So replacing the Saturn crankshaft pulley should only be done after very careful consideration – and a conscious willingness to deal with the possible negative consequences.

For more information on Saturn pulleys and harmonic dampers, please visit the scR motorsports website’s tech article archive at http://www.teamscr.com.

Product News
GT Styling smoked taillight covers are now available for 97-99 coupes. These tinted covers apply to the corner lights with small Velcro tabs and add style and protection. (Note: these kits do not include covers for the center reflector panel.) The GTS4288 covers are in stock now for $49.95 per kit.

Many more new products will be introduced very shortly. But although we are excited about the new items, we are trying very hard to 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!

March Specials
Last month’s special on ceramic intakes worked so well that Hotshot asked us to make a similar deal on chrome units this month. The chrome Powerstack is a safe, easy way to add power and style! Get the chrome Powerstack with filter (PWRSTK01) – normally $150 – now for only $139.00!! (Don’t forget to also get the SPSB002 mounting bracket!)

SPS braided stainless brake lines replace the stock rubber flexible lines and eliminate outward expansion during braking. The result is a firmer brake pedal, more confidence, and more control. All sets are DOT-approved and come complete with new OE bolts and washers. Help us make room for our new designs expected to arrive in April! Choose from the BSL100C ("S" cars with drums with clear teflon coating,) BSL100NC ("S" cars with drums without coating,) or the BSL200NC ("S" cars with discs without coating.) These sets are normally $139.00 per set but are on sale now for only $99.00 per set. Save $40.00!

Please visit the SPS web site (http://www.spswebpage.com) for more details!

SPS Racing
After what must have seemed like an agonizing eternity, the new race motor for the scR motorsports ITA SC2 is finally together – and running. As of this writing, the motor has not yet been installed into the racecar. However, pre-season dyno testing is literally being conducted as you read this.

The scR team is also excited about a new wheel that will be tested during the 2000 season. Last week, a new set of Kosei K1 Racing wheels (15x7, 38mm offset) was delivered for use with the Hoosier 225/45/15 racing tires. Preliminary analysis indicates a static mass of only 13.5lbs – more than a pound saved from last year’s RPO1s.

Unfortunately, it is official that Mark Rushbrook – last year’s scR sensation in showroom stock C – will NOT be racing in the 2000 season. A knee surgery scheduled for May and an unforgiving professional work schedule have made it impossible to prepare a second car in time to race.

The 2000 scR schedule is now official. It is as follows:

The next race for the Mike Kramer and the Thundersport team will be March 11 at Roebling Road in Savannah, Georgia.

SPS Adds New Team Members for Better Customer Service
SPS is happy to announce and welcome our newest team member, Mike Norgren. Mike joins us after working for several years as a Saturn sales consultant at Saturn of Dayton. And, not surprisingly, he is the owner of a 98 SL2. Mike’s primary responsibility will be to manage the administrative and financial aspects of the company so that John and Roger can focus more directly upon customer care. Mike can be contacted at his telephone extension 114 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

SPS Events
The SPS schedule for 2000 is starting to take shape. If you have suggestions for a 2000 event that you would like us to attend, please Contact Us.

SPS 2000 Schedule (tentative):
Mar 11-12: Thundersport Racing at Roebling Road in Savannah, GA
Mar 18: Christena Snowden begins drag racing season at Kil-Kare in Xenia, OH
Mar 25: SPC lapping day at Putnam Park (visit http://www.saturnperformanceclub.com for more details.)
Apr 14: Baker Racing debuts new Legends Car (driven by Roger Baker) at Kil-Kare.
Apr 16: WOR solo2 race at the Dayton VA Center
May 6: scR motorsports opener at Waterford, MI
July 1-2: scR at MidOhio
Sept 23-24: scR at MidOhio
tba: Pilgrimage 2000

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.

Until next month, HAVE A GREAT SPRING!