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Greetings Saturn Enthusiasts!
Please enjoy the latest March SPS Updates…
New Headers to Arrive Soon
Our first shipment of the new DT3301 headers is expected to arrive on or about April 2. SPS headers are engineered to provide the best fit, durability, and performance! The DT3301 is NOT just a copycat design from the stock tri-Y manifold. In fact, it was specifically tuned and tested to provide 3-4% gains in low and 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. Orders are being accepted now. Please see http://spswebpage.com/products/exhaust.html for more information.
Product News
The long–awaited clear corner lamps are finally available for second-generation sedans and wagons. These attractive clear corner lamps replace the orange units within the stock front end of all 96-99 SL and SW sedans and wagons. The VSCC2050 lamps are available now for $49.00 per set.
Owners of the new Saturn ‘L’ cars have been looking for a quality shift knob that more closely matches the European character of the latest mid-sized sedans and wagons. But not just any knob will work, since the ‘L’ series cars employ a lift-for-reverse feature that requires a special knob design. Fortunately, we have found the perfect knob! Momo’s new Race Airleather Reverse features genuine leather and aluminum material, a beefy and aggressive feel, a high-end European look, and an easy set-screw installation. And it also includes a special design that accommodates the lift-for-reverse feature. Momo Race Airleather Reverse manual shift knobs, part number MOALUAIR-R, are available now for $76.29 each.
High performance cornering loads and aggressive wheel spacing can sometimes result in damage and distortion to the inside of the front hub assembly. This distortion will lead to rapid failure of the front wheel bearing. It is for this reason that we recommend replacing the front hub every time that you replace the front wheel bearing – it will considerably extend the life of your bearings! Use the SAT21011099 for all 91-93 cars or the SAT21012607 for all 94+ 'S' cars. Both versions are $61.20 each.
The powerful, reliable, and economical Max series light bulbs are now available in the H3 and H4 bulb types. We have found these bulbs to be very bright and to have excellent quality. Use the H4 with the Hella HE4165H conversion kit and use the H3 as a replacement bulb for any foglamp that requires H3 bulbs. (Hint: we recommend these as a high-quality alternative to the Luks HYPH4 and the H3HYP55.) The 55-watt Max Super White H3 bulbs (1 pair) are part number JMH3MAX55. And the 80/100-watt Max Super White H4 bulbs (1 pair) are part number JMH4MAX. Both part numbers are priced at just $30.00 per pair.
Thanks to popular demand, we are now offering the small SPS vinyl decals in the color black. The black decals are available now for 50 cents each using part number JMTBB.
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!
March Specials
For applications that prevent the removal of the factory air box, K&N offers the Saturn drop-in replacement air filter. This filter is very similar to the stock element and fits perfectly into the factory air box. However, instead of a restrictive paper element, the K&N unit uses a free flowing cotton element that greatly improves the breathing of the Saturn engine and never needs replaced - simply clean it as necessary with the K&N Recharger kit. For a limited time, we are offering a special package consisting of the KN0001 drop-in filter for all DOHC and 95+ SOHC ‘S’ cars and the KN0004 Recharger kit. Together, these items would normally total $51.95. This month, get them together for only $46.75 - you save 10%.
The latest SPS strut tower brace features strong machined aluminum sections (2 end brackets and 3 cross-bar sections) that provide exceptional strength and a unique neo-industrial look. Add to the equation a machined aluminum finish, a perfect fit, and an engraved SPS logo, and you'll understand why we think that this is the best strut tower brace available. Fits all "S" cars. The PWSTB02 is normally $189.00. This month, buy it for only $179.00!
Please visit the SPS web site (http://www.spswebpage.com) for more details!
SPS Racing
The team at scR motorsports is anxiously awaiting the start of the 2001 season. Of course, preparation of James Walker’s #34 car and Mark Rushbrook’s #21 car have already begun. Unfortunately, however, the scR ITA season does not begin until May 27 at Grattan! Until then, drivers, crewmembers, and fans are forced to "patiently" endure the increasingly painful wait.
Supplementing his ITA efforts this year, James Walker will also be driving a 1969 Firebird in the VSCDA series. So even though the 2001 ITA season was designed to be short and focused, the addition of the VSCDA events will lengthen the racing season considerably. The complete scR schedule (including VSCDA events) follows:
May 6 Gingerman Raceway VSCDA Driver's School + Race
May 27 Grattan Raceway SCCA Double Regional
June 17 Blackhawk Farms VSCDA Driver's School + Race
July 1 Mid-Ohio SCCA Double Regional
July 3 Gingerman Raceway SPC Rally
July 8 Gingerman Raceway VSCDA Race weekend
July 22 Road America VSCDA Race weekend
July 29 Mid-Ohio SCCA Double Regional
August 19 Grattan Raceway VSCDA Race weekend
September 2 Road Atlanta SCCA Double Regional
Sept 23 Road America VSCDA Race weekend
October 7 Mid-Ohio SCCA Single Regional
October 7 IRP VSCDA Race weekend
November 11 Road Atlanta SCCA ARRC IT Championship
Under normal circumstances, the latest scR newsletter, scR tech articles, and the 2001 schedule could be seen at the scR motorsports website (http://www.teamscr.com.) However, as of this writing, the hosting service is experiencing serious technical difficulties, making the scR site temporarily inaccessible. Crews are working now to restore service!
Score one for the good guys in the Southeast! Mike Kramer and the Thundersport Racing team enjoyed a needed and well-deserved win at Kershaw’s Carolina Motorsports Park on Sunday, February 25. According to Kramer, "We were quick right off the trailer. The car was great!"
Saturday's practice was dry and the Thundersport SC2 qualified on the showroom stock C (SSC) pole - in front of Stan Wilson's Honda Civic Si and Michael Londo’s Saturn. But the SSC group shared the track with the faster SSB, T1, and T2 cars, so Mike started Sunday's race on the outside of the second row.
The track was wet from a morning shower. And even though no rain was falling, it was still slippery at the green flag. Mike enjoyed a very clean start, managed to get around a T2 Firebird, and then slipped behind David Roush's Miata and a T1 Corvette. All three cars ran nose to tail for 10 laps, at which point the mist turned to drizzle and then to rain.
However, despite the rain, the Saturn managed to stick well, and this allowed Mike to pass Roush's Miata with six laps to go. Kramer hung closely to the Corvette’s rear bumper for two laps, but the rain continued to get worse. Finally, with just three laps to go, the Corvette pulled off the track. The Brandlehner brothers (from the Thundersport crew) hear the Corvette’s crew telling their driver not to let the #19 past. But it was apparently too slick for the rear wheel drive Vette, and he called it a day nevertheless.
All of a sudden, Mike found himself leading the group - with Roush behind him and Londo lurking after Roush. Wilson's Honda was nowhere to be seen. Finally with a clear view through the windshield, Mike picked up the pace, more determined than ever. Rain was now forming puddles on the racetrack, and Mike noticed lots of wheel spin as he blasted through the puddles. The Saturn bobbed and weaved - darting right then left. Puddles grabbed the wheels and steered the car everywhere. Mike hung on - gripping the steering wheel a little harder. Finally, Mike turned right at the last corner, hitting the puddle at its exit. The windshield wiper moved the water away, and there it was: the starter holding Mike’s checkered flag! The Thundersport Saturn steals the overall win and the SSC class victory!
Tech Tip: Why Lowering May Create Axle Vibration
Imagine if you will, the Saturn’s front axle arrangement. At a stock ride-height, the motor and transmission sit higher than the wheels – which means that the axle must angle downward from the transmission to the wheel. Yet, the points of entry at the transmission and the wheel must be straight (parallel to the ground) to allow proper rotation. It is for this reason that the front axle uses two joints - the inner "tri-pot" joint and the outer CV joint. Hence an axle assembly that consists of three zigzagged sections: a straight section that exits the transmission and enters the inner joint, the middle section that angles downward to the outer joint, and the outer section that passes through the wheel. And the function of the joints, therefore, is to accommodate the angular misalignment between the transmission and the wheel – in other words, the joints allow for the zigzag shape. And, of course, the joints are designed assuming that the angular misalignment will need to be accommodated.
However, when the ride-height of the vehicle is lowered, the wheels are raised relative to the body of the car, thus bringing them into alignment with the transmission. This straightens the shaft assembly, replacing the zigzag shape with a straight line. In other words, lowering the vehicle removes the angular misalignment. But since the CV joints were designed with extra room to accommodate the angular misalignment, operating the joints in the absence of the misalignment allows slop within the joints. And this slop may occasionally be felt as a slight shimmy at certain slower vehicle speeds. Don’t worry: this phenomenon is not a durability, performance, or reliability issue, and it is nothing to be concerned about.
SPS Events
SPS 2001 Schedule (tentative):
Mar 24: SPS team training – brake class, courtesy of scR motorsports
May 5: SPS attending "Aftermarket East" tradeshow, Columbus, OH
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.
If you wish to add an email address to the list, please do so at http://spswebpage.com/email/addemail.html. If you need to remove an address from the list, please do so at http://spswebpage.com/email/del.html. Please do NOT notify us directly with your removal or addition requests!
Until next month, HAVE A GREAT SPRING!
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