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Greetings Saturn Enthusiasts!
Please enjoy the latest May SPS Updates…
When to Use Beru Silverstone Spark Plugs
It is important to note that the Beru Silverstone spark plugs (SILV001) are a non-resistor type. This means that they do not use internal resistors to slow the electrical current.
This is an important benefit in certain circumstances – such as when used in conjunction with the Nology Hotwires. Because the Nology wires hold the spark current within an internal capacitor, the result is an otherwise delayed spark delivery to the spark plug. So by combining this effect with the non-resistor spark plug design, you are able to account for the delay at the capacitor and ensure proper timing of the spark delivery.
However, if you were to use the non-resistor plug design with a conventional spark plug wire (such as the Magnecor, SPS, or stock Saturn wires) in which there is no unusual delay, then the non-resistor spark plug design can allow the spark to enter the combustion chamber much sooner than intended. We have found that this can cause misfires, problem codes, and SES lights.
So as a rule, we typically suggest using the Beru Silverstone spark plugs only in conjunction with the Nology Hotwires – and conversely – using the Nology Hotwires only in conjunction with the Beru Silverstone spark plugs.
Please also note that for best results with the Nology/Beru combination, a larger-than-stock spark plug gap should be employed. We suggest a gap between 0.050-0.060 inches. (The stock gap is 0.040 inches.) Use caution when setting the gap on the Beru Silverstone spark plugs. The silver center electrode is very soft and can be damaged easily. Always set your gaps by prying only on the ground electrode – do not make contact with the center electrode.
Product News
The AEM 'short ram' intake kit is a complete air cleaner and plumbing kit that includes a tuned 2.5-inch velocity pipe and a high-flow performance cone filter. Replacing the factory airbox with the AEM kit yields dyno-tested power increases as high as 6HP. Special features of the AEM kit include lightweight aluminum construction, an integral mounting bracket, and an integral fitting for the air temperature sensor. Kit includes tuned aluminum piping, performance filter, integral mounting bracket, coupler, clamps, hoses, and detailed instructions. Choose the AEM530 series for all 91-99 DOHC and 95-02 SOHC S series cars or choose the AEM531 series for all 2000-02 DOHC S series cars. Available colors include blue, red, and shiny polished. Most colors are in stock now for $159.00.
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 when needed.) Covered by a million mile limited warranty. These filters are now in stock for the new Saturn VUE and ION. Choose the KN2249 for the VUE or the KN2275 for the ION. Both filters are in stock now for $49.00 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!
May Specials
PIAA Super White bulbs produce a very white light – similar to HID - without the 'yellow' of a conventional halogen bulb. PIAA claims that the 51-watt 9006 performs like a 100-watt bulb and the 60-watt 9005 performs like a 110-watt bulb. Much brighter than the blue filtered bulbs, the PIAA Super White bulbs legitimately deliver a true lighting upgrade! (Street legal. No returns. Sold in pairs.) Use the 9005 bulbs in the high-beam of all 91-02 S series sedans and wagons, 93-02 SC1 coupes, 97-02 SC2 coupes and all 2000+ L series. Use the 9006 bulbs in the low-beam of all 91-02 S series sedans and wagons, 93-02 SC1 coupes, 97-02 SC2 coupes and all 2000-02 L series. The PIA9005 or PIA9006 sets are normally $69.00 per set, but take 10% off for May and pay only $62.10 per set!
Nology Hotwires create the most powerful spark possible. Hotwires work like an amplifier by accumulating energy from the ignition coil within a capacitor housed inside each Hotwire. Once the voltage at the spark plug electrode reaches the ionization point, all stored energy is discharged at once. The resulting spark is up to 300 times more powerful. Combustion becomes faster and more complete, resulting in more horsepower and cleaner emissions. Choose from black, blue, orange, purple, red, silver, or yellow! Tech note: Hotwires work best in conjunction with the Beru Silverstone spark plugs. Use the NOL001 series Hotwires for the DOHC S series engines and use the NOL002 series Hotwires for the SOHC S series engines. These sets are normally $159.00 per set, but are on sale for May for only $130.00 per set. Save $29.00! (Order the Silverstone spark plugs, SILV001, and Nology wire separators, NOL005, at the same time, and we will give you 10% off these items too!)
Please visit the SPS web site (http://www.spswebpage.com for more details!
SPS Racing
James Walker, John Comeskey, and a small team of scR crew members opened up the Central Division road racing season with a double regional at Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP) during the April 19-20 weekend. James’ famous red #34 racecar was not quite ready to race (after the off-season engine rebuild,) so James and John agreed to share the white #55 car – John driving on Saturday and James taking over on Sunday. Sufficient competition would be guaranteed by Chris Berube, the SPC crew, and their blue #50 car.
John and James were unable to attend the Friday practice. But the Saturday morning qualifying session was scheduled to be 40 minutes long, so John decided to start off slowly and work into a groove while his brain became reacquainted with the IRP roadcourse. In retrospect, this was probably a rookie mistake - since one never knows what might prevent one from completing the session.
After about 15 minutes or so, John was just starting to pick up the pace when one of the RX7s in the group had a serious incident while passing under the grandstands to enter the front straight, hitting one of the cement barriers so hard that he knocked it over! (Yikes!)
The driver ended up being perfectly OK (even though the car was trashed.) But the race officials decided that such an impact was worthy of a trip to the medical center. So they black-flagged the session and the entire group spent 10 minutes or more on the pit lane while race officials removed the wreckage and replaced the barrier. Luckily, they decided to give the field 5 more minutes after the cleanup. So John was able to turn a couple of half-decent laps.
He ended up qualifying 6th overall (out of a total field of 23) and 3rd in ITA (there were only 6 cars registered for ITA.) And he was smack dab in the middle of fellow Dayton-area racers Chris Wikle and Travis Schwenke in their ITB VW Golfs.
The pole position went to a CRX from the Indy region. Next to him was Chris Berube. Then an IT7 RX7, a spec Miata, Chris Wikle, John, and Travis. The CRX chose the inside position, so that put John on the outside lane at the start.
John got a great start as the green flag dropped and walked past the Miata on the outside. He just barely tucked back in to avoid plowing down the cones at the pit exit and took turn one in the 4th spot.
However, he promptly proceeded to blow turn 2, thus allowing both Chris and Travis to get past, relegating him back to the 6th spot. He got back past Travis later that lap. But it took several more laps before he could get past Chris Wikle.
By the time he had passed Chris, he was starting to feel pretty comfortable and was knocking lots of time off his lap times. Pretty soon, he caught and passed the RX7. This put him 3rd in class and 3rd overall.
Meanwhile, the CRX on the pole had corded his Hoosiers in the left front and right rear. So he was hanging on for his life and seemingly moving backwards. Chris Berube had taken over the lead and left the CRX in 2nd. It was evident that John was getting closer to the CRX, and he tried like heck to catch him, setting the overall fastest lap of the race in the process on lap #15 (1:54.133.)
Had there been 17 or 18 laps in the race, John probably would have caught him. But alas, it was only a 16-lap race. Nevertheless, a third place finish yielded John’s first ever trophy. And he was justifiably happy with his relative lap times.
On Sunday, John turned over the driving duties of the #55 Saturn to fellow scR team member James Walker.
The entire field got faster on Sunday. Unfortunately, James’ qualifying session was also cut short – this time thanks to a loose exhaust header connection. Nevertheless, James qualified 3rd in ITA and 3rd overall with a 1:53.248. And John and Jen managed to repair the header (thanks to some borrowed fasteners from the SPC camp) in plenty of time for the afternoon race.
At the start of the race, the CRX checked out and ran away from everybody. But James and Chris Berube - both driving Saturn coupes - put on a great show while battling for second position. Chris would pass James entering the carousel. Then James would pass Chris on the front straight. Then they would be nose-to-tail for the rest of the lap and do it all over again. In the end, Berube prevailed - thanks in part to his fastest race lap of 1:52.484. But team scR was happy to earn another 3rd place and bring the car home no worse for the wear (save for some corded Kumhos and some well-worn brake pads.)
As always, be sure to catch the latest news, schedule changes, race recaps, and photo and video galleries at the new scR website located at http://www.teamscr.com.
SPS to Support SICSA Walk for Strays
The Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals (SICSA) is holding its Fifth Annual Walk for Strays to be held on Saturday, May 31 at Delco Park in Kettering, Ohio. The funds raised from this event will help SICSA pay the medical and animal care expenses and veterinarian bills for the dogs and cats in their program. Aside from fund-raising, the other important goal for the event is to raise public awareness as to the numbers of stray and unwanted animals and to educate the public about spaying and neutering.
This year, SPS will be contributing to the fund raising effort with a $150 donation. And SPS team members Jen and John will be participating in the walk. But we would like to do even more. Unfortunately, slow economic conditions have prevented us from making a more aggressive donation. However, we hope that through cooperation with our customers and supporters, we can work together to provide more assistance. So with that in mind, we are pledging a donation match program in which SPS will match 100% of the donations of our customers.
If you wish to make a donation, please call SICSA directly at 937-294-6505 or send donations in the mail to Box 292463, Kettering, OH 45429, Attn: Walk for Strays. Please be sure to specify that your donation is part of the SPS Team Match program so that we are made aware of your donation and can match it.
SICSA is a nonprofit animal adoption agency that has served Montgomery County for 29 years. Their website can be found at http://www.sicsa.org.
SPS 2003 Event Schedule (tentative)
May 24-25: SPS Racing at Grattan
May 26: No UPS pickup or delivery due to Memorial Day holiday
May 31: SICSA Walk For Strays benefit to help stray animals
July 4: No UPS pickup or delivery due to Independence Day holiday
July 4-6: SPS Racing at MidOhio
Aug 2-3: SPS Racing at Beaver Run
Oct 4-5: SPS Racing at MidOhio
If you have any questions about anything in this newsletter, please Contact Us.
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Don't help them to bury the light. Don't give in without a fight.
Until next month, HAVE A GREAT SPRING!
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