SEMA Update Part 2

Earlier we brought you an update from our man on the ground, Andy Wyatt from Adaptronic, on some of the exciting products on display at this year’s SEMA show. He’s been running around like a kid in a candy shop and here is his second update of what’s on show.

“This is one I’m really excited about,” says Andy, “another ignition product. This one is a continuous AC spark instead of a DC spark that you have with a normal inductive or CDI system. In a normal ignition system, the arc is struck with a very high voltage, and then the same current is maintained. Instead this is an AC spark that's able to operate continuously.”

“The firmware in the SPDI Spark unit allows the ignition to be mapped in terms of the spark energy against RPM, as well as the spark duration and the power level during the initial flame front formation period. Not being a combustion engineer I don't understand the physics of flame front formation but they seem to think that this helps with torque production.”

“This is another system I want to check out. In the video the spark is clearly brighter, but that's just because of the longer duration. Whether it helps with high boost engines or not remains to be seen, by me anyway. But I'm excited.”

 SEMA is all about wowing those walking by with a display that grabs attention while quickly communicating what it is your product does. “I thought this was cute,” says Andy. “SPAL Automotive demonstrated that their thermofans are waterproof by running one under water!”

“I dropped past the Mastershift stand, a product that I did a quick video on last year (above) and has seen a couple of improvements since.”

“This year they’ve actually won a new product award for their electronic paddle shifter system that suits automatic, manual and sequential gearboxes. This is an updated version for the Tremec Magnum box which is a fair bit beefier.”

“I also checked out the IPerformance stand. It was great to see another Aussie representing.”

“Like many others they had a product on display for the 86/BRZ, in this case an intake.”

“If you’re looking for a bit more power, Vortech also have a supercharger kit. This one uses a centrifugal supercharger rather than the positive displacement one I showed you in my last update. Being centrifugal instead of PD means it won't build as much boost at low RPM; it will be interesting to see how these tune up and how they compare with the other solutions.”

“Eibach had coilovers for the 86/BRZ as well, with the ones above topping their range and featuring separate canisters front and rear.”

“They also have a mid-range solution as well, with a separate canister for the rear but an integrated one up front.”

With the amount of interesting new products on display for not only the 86/BRZ but the aftermarket performance industry in general, we’re excited to see what the coming year will hold.