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International Auto Salon

Parts, skin and cars

0309Scc Ias01 Z
A'PEXi showed off a fully kitted MR2 that wore a supposedly soon-to-be-in-production turbo kit.
0309Scc Ias01 Z
A'PEXi showed off a fully kitted MR2 that wore a supposedly soon-to-be-in-production turbo

We usually look to the International Auto Salon, hosted by SEMA and open the public, to present repeats of items from the SEMA show with some smaller companies' offerings thrown in. What we got this April at the L.A. Convention Center, however, was a reminder that the aftermarket parts industry is moving fast enough to develop a profusion of new parts in the space of months. We also saw cars and products that were better developed than the usual thrown-together-for-SEMA quality.

By now, serious participation by the OEMs is expected, and Ford, GM, Nissan/Nismo, Chrysler/Mopar, Mazdaspeed, Toyota and Honda were all on hand and sporting the usual mix of new cars, fantasy machines, and cars equipped with factory-produced or authorized custom parts.

It was nice to see the compact demographic maturing with the industry, with less items walking out of booths, less ear-splitting boom-boom contests and a greater interest in hardcore performance parts. SEMA did a great job of incorporating what the public doesn't get to see in Vegas--import personalities and models, racecars and a car show. We're still waiting, however, for indoor karting and cheeseburgers that don't cost $12.

  • 0309Scc Ias02 Z
    Hytech showed off its B-series turbo kit, also utilizing a Laminova air-to-water intercooler.
    0309Scc Ias02 Z
    Hytech showed off its B-series turbo kit, also utilizing a Laminova air-to-water intercool
  • 0309Scc Ias03 Z
    Edelbrock, founding father of the American aftermarket, continued its strong push into the compact mainstream with a bevy of new and serious parts.
    0309Scc Ias03 Z
    Edelbrock, founding father of the American aftermarket, continued its strong push into the
  • 0309Scc Ias04 Z
  • 0309Scc Ias05 Z
    VIS does lots of carbon bits, and this R33 Skyline wears lots of them.
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    Video game dorks were thrilled with this work-the-pedals, turn-the-wheel and crash-on-the-flat-screen Focus race game.
    0309Scc Ias06 Z
    Video game dorks were thrilled with this work-the-pedals, turn-the-wheel and crash-on-the-
  • 0309Scc Ias07 Z
    Nissan displayed the upcoming droptop Z. The 350Z was well represented in the rows of modified cars.
    0309Scc Ias07 Z
    Nissan displayed the upcoming droptop Z. The 350Z was well represented in the rows of modi
  • 0309Scc Ias08 Z
    Tein's new Basic Damper line may not have a sexy name, but at a mere $750 for most applications, features ride height (but no damping) adjustment, Japanese construction, and the extensive engineering for which Tein is famous the world over.
    0309Scc Ias08 Z
    Tein's new Basic Damper line may not have a sexy name, but at a mere $750 for most applica
  • 0309Scc Ias09 Z
    SP Engineering displayed the kind of beautiful execution on this RX-7 we've come to expect from its FDs, Supras and Supra-powered FDs.
    0309Scc Ias09 Z
    SP Engineering displayed the kind of beautiful execution on this RX-7 we've come to expect
  • 0309Scc Ias10 Z
    Racecars aplenty crowded the interior of the L.A. Convention Center. Without surprise, the vast majority of these were drag cars.
    0309Scc Ias10 Z
    Racecars aplenty crowded the interior of the L.A. Convention Center. Without surprise, the
  • 0309Scc Ias11 Z
    We like Volks. We like EVOs. Too bad neither are cheap.
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    That's right, a 2.0-liter four-banger Hot Rod-class Tiburon.
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    While not exactly wowing anyone from the factory, GM's Ecotec can be built into a reliable horsepower monster by opening a catalog, thanks to the deep development pockets GM has given its drag programs.
    0309Scc Ias14 Z
    While not exactly wowing anyone from the factory, GM's Ecotec can be built into a reliable
  • 0309Scc Ias15 Z
    R&D Dyno displayed its CNC-ported B-series heads. The dyno on hand showed staggeringly good gains on a near-stock B16; look for a test of this product in these pages.
    0309Scc Ias15 Z
    R&D Dyno displayed its CNC-ported B-series heads. The dyno on hand showed staggeringly goo
  • 0309Scc Ias16 Z
  • 0309Scc Ias17 Z
    This look-a-like Focus is actually a Group 2 car model based off of Tim O'Neil's Open Class monster.
    0309Scc Ias17 Z
    This look-a-like Focus is actually a Group 2 car model based off of Tim O'Neil's Open Clas
  • 0309Scc Ias18 Z
    The car show had a surprising number of racecars and street performance machines, with only a couple of carpet princesses slowing down the bunch.
    0309Scc Ias18 Z
    The car show had a surprising number of racecars and street performance machines, with onl
  • 0309Scc Ias19 Z
    Jackson Racing gave the K20 Civic just what it needs--more power--with a roots-type Eaton blower.
    0309Scc Ias19 Z
    Jackson Racing gave the K20 Civic just what it needs--more power--with a roots-type Eaton
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