Carlos Garcia is a solar installer in Salinas, California, who began building lowrider bikes at age 13 to stay out of trouble. “I always like bikes, but it was a friend who really influenced me into the hobby. With the help of my family and friends I started to build my bike. As the years passed, I kept getting more encouragement to raise the bar on my build.”
Carlos bought this 1967 Schwinn frame from a friend. He got custom parts for it from Manny’s Bike Shop in Compton, California, Toy Shop Customs in Florida, and Haza Designs in Sacramento, California. He then sent it out to Milo in Gilroy, California, who sprayed candy wild cherry. Eventually he called on Freddy Alfaro or San Jose, California, for some freehand murals and Mr. Wim (also of San Jose) for some intricate leafing and striping.
Jaime Castaneda of Banning, California, did all the engraving before Speedy’s Metal Finishing in Long Beach, California, dipped it all in chrome. “The most challenging part of the build for me was waiting to receive all the parts. I would get anxious waiting due to my excitement of seeing all the new parts.” The wait was worth it if for Carlos after earning his first trophy. He would like to thank his family, friends, REC, and the Elite family for everything.
In 1938, after years of the Great Depression, if you were fortunate enough to own a 1938 Chevy Cabriolet, you were really somebody. Today, can you recollect the last time you saw one in person? Have you ever? If you were somebody back then, you’re sitting on quite a rarity today if you’re lucky enough to find one. Those in good condition bring big numbers. As luck would have it, Jimmy Duran was able to find one, although it took quite a while for him to find all of it.
While building a ’48 Chevy convertible, Jimmy came in contact with an older man who was sitting on a ton of spare parts. Among the many relics that were there for consideration was the body of a ’30s Chevy that Jimmy didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to, other than to notice it was missing quite a bit. At a car show, Jimmy spied ’38 Chevrolet that he really liked and noticed it looked remarkably similar to the lonely body sitting in the barn. He decided to go all in and went back to the elderly gentleman to inquire about buying this shell of a car. After some haggling on the price, Jimmy walked away with an incomplete ’38 Chevy Cabriolet. Now the tough part began, finding the remaining pieces.
Fortunately, Jimmy was able to find most of what he needed by searching through the piles of parts at the old man’s house. Then came finding what the old man didn’t have; that included an original banjo wheel, compass, seats, rear window, chrome, and gauges. Since he had to upgrade the driveline, Jimmy decided to go low with the rest of the project and have a ride even more unique than a factory version.
The rear sports an ’84 Nissan truck rearend with a three-link and Jimmy added a TCI Mustang II unit in front. The frame was C-notched to accommodate the lower stance and Firestone airbags were added. The car is powered by a ’59 235ci inline-six and 350 Turbo trans. Original wheels and dish hubcaps are wrapped in Firestone wide whites. The black paint was pinstriped by Harvey of Fresno, California, for some additional classiness.
The stock dash has been painted to resemble the woodgrain it once had and the original woodgrain on the garnish moldings still reside in the car. The upholstery was upgraded to give it a nicer look than what it originally had with the button-tufted seats and flourishes on the door panels. Although it all looks very original, tunes go through the iPod head unit, along with JL Audio amps with JL and Kicker speakers.
It still has quite the retro feel it had in 1938, but with some subtle modern conveniences that make it faster, louder, and lower. Jimmy stumbled upon the kind of barn find we all fantasize about and wants to thank his wife Martha, Ed Andrada, Tom, Vic, and Dan at Cal Fast, along with Manuel Mata, Oscar Munoz and Sal “the master from Wilmington” Borja for helping him get it all back together. It’s one seriously rare beauty.
Tech Specs
Vehicle Year/Make/Model: 1938 Chevy Cabriolet
Vehicle Nickname: Black Beauty
Owner: Jimmy Duran
City/State: Fresno, CA
Engine: 235ci inline-six, Turbo 350 trans
Body/Paint: DuPont black by Oscar & Sons, pinstriping by Harvey
Sixteen-month-old Andrew Flores’ father purchased this 1937 Taylor Tot in Phoenix, Arizona. “I bought the Taylor Tot from my cousin who brought it from Arizona,” says Andrew’s father. “The stroller was rusted out, but I began working on it.” The stroller was taken to Tintaz in Buena Park, California, who used House of Kolor Candy Organic Green mixed with Candy Lime Gold and medalflake. All the metal pieces were taken to Jaime Castaneda before Kings Powdercoating in Anaheim, California, chromed everything. The build took about seven months to complete.
Andrew’s father has taken such great pride in seeing his son enjoy the stroller that he decided to build him yet another vintage toy for when he gets a little older — a pedal car. It was taken to Tintaz where they used House of Kolor Stratus Blue, Candy Teal, and Oriental Blue to paint the pedal car. Tintaz then used ostrich and vinyl for the custom seat. The pedal car was completed and ready for Andrew when he outgrows his stroller.
Building a lowrider comes with many challenges. For some, their lowrider will always come first and they will do anything to finish it. “Chrome bill before the phone bill,” they say. And for others, there will always be some sort of excuse as to why it is still not completed. Perhaps we can all take notes from Mauricio Curiel, of Compton, California, who, with a family of eight children, managed to put together one of the cleanest G-body lowriders in all of Southern California.
The build first began with a trip to Homies Hydraulics who would install a chrome two-pump custom hydraulic setup with three dumps, four switches, and six solenoids. From there, Ricardo Munoz of RM Customs in the San Fernando Valley applied the vehicle’s signature black two-stage paint with John Harris of Dreamscape creating the Mexican heritage-themed murals found throughout the car.
BB Customs Inc. in Hawaiian Gardens, California, was called upon to complete the two-tone black vinyl and gray suede inserts with Junior aka “Big Mack” creating the custom trunk panels encasing two 10-inch Kicker subwoofers powered by Fosgate amplifiers and controlled by multiple built-in Kenwood head units. With engraving completed by Carlos Salas of Pasadena, California, and custom powdercoated 13×7 wire wheels bolted on, Mauricio’s dream of owning a lowrider worthy enough to represent the Stylistics Car Club had finally came true.
“It wasn’t easy,” says Mauricio. “This was only possible with the support of my fellow car club brothers, friends, and most importantly my family.”
Tech Specs
Vehicle: 1984 Buick Regal
Vehicle Nickname: Mi Consentida
Owner: Mauricio Curiel
Car Club: Stylistics So. L.A.
City: Compton, CA.
Engine: Original 5.0L V-8
Upholstery: BB Customs Inc. in Hawaiian Gardens applied the two-tone Black vinyl and gray suede inserts w/ Junior aka “Big Mack” creating the custom trunk panels
Body/Paint: Ricardo Munoz of RM Customs in the San Fernando Valley applied the signature Black two-stage paint with John Harris of Dreamscape creating the Mexican heritage-themed murals throughout the car
Suspension: Homies Hydraulics installed the chrome two-pump custom hydraulic setup with three dumps, four switches, and six solenoids.
There is a very special bond between a mother and her son. Although the phrase “momma’s boy” is used disparagingly, it’s meant with affection and any man would be proud sharing that kind of relationship. For 39-year-old Jason Kilvinger of Waukesha, Wisconsin, he had that close bond with his mother Judy. A very strong woman, she owned a travel agency and often took a young Jason on exclusive golfing trips with her. She instilled a level of hard work and passion that was required to maintain a business, a home, and beautiful cars. It was there that Jason got that urge to have nice things. As Jason got older Judy became one of his biggest supporters as he became a successful businessman and purchased his own pharmacy, elevating his dreams.
One thing always prevalent in Jason’s life was the lowrider culture, having owned multiple custom cars and being a longtime member of USO Car Club. For many, the Mecca of the lowrider enthusiast is the 1958 Chevy Impala. As the hardworking successful businessman Jason had become, he was eventually able to make the ’58 a reality. Jason found a 1958 hardtop in Kentucky and called a fellow USO member to give it the once over. He was able to purchase the elusive icon and had it brought to his home in Wisconsin. To make sure the new Chevy was properly worked on, Jason had a custom car lift built into his detached garage to make sure custom additions would be done to his standards.
The first step was elevating the Impala with better chrome. The motor was given the chrome treatment to show off the beautiful 348 tri-power V-8. Jason got on the phone and ordered a set of Dayton wire wheels to enhance the custom look of his ’58. Inside his custom-made garage, Jason and USO member Bert Eichler installed a full chrome undercarriage to the Chevy. The next step was giving the Impala a suspension adjustment. A full air-ride suspension was installed, bringing the ’58 to the ground at the touch of a switch.
Throughout the build, Jason’s mother Judy, along with supporting everything he was doing to the ’58, was battling with something much more serious. She had been diagnosed with a massive brain aneurysm and after an emergency surgery, she passed peacefully in her own house with Jason right next to her. With all that she had taught him throughout the years, Jason had absorbed it and became a better person for her guidance and help. “I know she’s looking down and she’s proud of my success,” Jason tells Lowrider Magazine. “I know we will be next to each other again, Heaven Aw8ts.”
Tech Specs
Vehicle Year/Make/Model: 1958 Chevrolet Impala
Vehicle Nickname: Heaven Aw8ts
Owner: Jason Kilvinger
City/State: Waukesha, Wisconsin
Club: USO CC
Engine: Chevy 348 tri-power motor, 200-R4 transmission, chrome driveshaft, March chrome serpentine belt setup, full MSD ignition, aluminum radiator with Perma-Cool fan, Lokar dipsticks and linkage
Body/Paint: Original blue/silver
Suspension: Full RideTech air-ride installed by Jason Kilvinger and Bert Eichler
Interior: New reproduction fabric
Sound System: Clarion head unit in glovebox installed by Cello Orlando. MTX components installed by Jason Kilvinger.
Almost four years after having Brian M. Viveros’ artwork grace the cover of Lowrider Arte, we catch up with him at his solo exhibition in Culver City, California. Thinkspace Gallery presented the Matador exhibition, which is the first comprehensive presentation of all-new work by Viveros in years. Matador featured new paintings, prints, charcoal work, and a 216-page full color book. As we pulled up to Thinkspace, we could see the line of people of people waiting to have Brian autograph their book/poster/print and to get a photo with him. We were fortunate enough to cut the line and go up to Brian and ask him a few questions.
Lowrider Arte: So what have you been up to since the Arte feature?
Brian M. Viveros: I went underground and continued painting. I’ve been working on this gallery for the last eight months and I’m very exhausted, but I’m happy to finally get some time and have a drink.
Lowrider Arte: Is this the usual crowd you attract?
Brian M. Viveros: No, this is the largest crowd that I’ve ever had.
Lowrider Arte: How many new pieces did you produce for this exhibition?
Brian M. Viveros: This is the largest body of work that I’ve done and I completely sold out. This is an epic night for me; so if you are here (talking about his fans), thank you for making this an unforgettable night!
We also got the chance to meet Flavia and Amber, a couple who’ve been fans of Brian’s work for years but never had the chance to meet him until tonight. Flavia, originally from Brazil, purchased one of Brian’s original paintings.
Lowrider Arte: How long have you been a fan of Brian’s work?
Flavia: I’ve been following his work since 2008.
Lowrider Arte: How’d you come across his work?
Flavia: I go to a lot of art shows and read a lot of art magazine. His work just happened to pop up and it was just one of those things that clicks, and when it just clicks then you know you love it.
Lowrider Arte: What is it about Brian’s work that made you a fan?
Flavia: How he captures women as been strong, beautiful, and fierce. It’s easy for a woman to see other women as empowered beings. So for a man to do it and to do it in a strong but caring way is something that I’m taken by.
To see more of his work or to purchase his prints or book, then log on to brianmviveros.com.
Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, Lowrider Magazine is taking over the Dade County Fairgrounds for the 2016 Miami Super Show.
Featuring over 500 of the hottest lowriders in the world, live music and DJs, and hydraulics exhibition, and a kids zone filled activities this is guaranteed to be weekend of nonstop fun.
Adult Single Day Pass: $39.50
Child Single Day Pass (12 and under): $19.50
Adult Weekend: $65:00
Child Weekend Pass (12 and under): $29.50.
Children 4 and under are free.
Interested in enjoying the show in style? If so then ride in style and pick up a Big Baller VIP pass for the weekend for $149.50. VIP pass holders will enjoy the show from the exclusive hospitality areas that feature premium sight lines, food, beverages and a chance to meet the entertainers. VIP pass holders will also receive no wait entry and VIP parking all weekend long.
For vehicle registration, sponsorship, vendor booth, and general show information please visit www.miamilowridercarshow.com or call 954-642-1848.
Brothers Trucks is known as America’s No. 1 source for 1947-1987 Chevrolet and GMC truck parts for classics or customs. They are also now known for hosting the biggest GMC/Chevy truck show and this year marked their 17th annual event. Held at the Canyon RV Park in Anaheim, California, it proved to be the biggest to date with over 400 trucks on display. The thing that makes this show special, is that it caters to every build type. You could find anything from lowriders, daily drivers, fully restored, full customs, and pretty much any other type of style you can think of.
Some of the trucks on display included the 2014 Best in Show, a 1967 Chevy C10 known as Tootsie. The 850-horsepower C10 was built by Eric Steinbrecher to honor his mother Lynne aka Tootsie. This year John and Marisol Schick took the Best of Show with their C10. PCH Rods broke out with a C10R and won the Brothers Choice award. Another truck that caught everyone’s attention was Danny Garcia’s 1953 Chevy Stepside from Skanless Car Club in Northern California.
We can’t wait to attend this ever-growing event next year. If you still haven’t made it out, we suggest you log onto www.brotherstrucks.com to keep an eye out for next year’s show info.
This year, the Imperials Car Club celebrated their 50th anniversary as well as their 13th annual car show and concert at the Pharis Fedde Middle School in association with the city of Hawaiian Gardens, California. With perfect summer weather, the middle school grounds filled up with 600 cars. Car clubs from almost every area in Los Angeles showed up early in the morning to get themselves a spot in jam-packed show. Some of the clubs that showed up in full force included Stylistics, Groupe, Techniques, Viejitos, Old Memories, Dukes and many others.
A few of the cars that caught our eye included Gypsy Rose, the iconic car from the Imperials Car Club. This legendary car sat in the start of the long lineup of Imperials cars. Another standout car included a 1939 Packard limo from Viejitos Car Club and owned by Solo. Packards are a rare sight and even rarer to see one as a limo. If it wasn’t for the third-row seating found inside, one could easily confuse this for a hearse. Rudy Sandoval from Groupe CC had his 1973 Ford LTD named True Blue at the show. Ford LTDs are also a rare sight and this one demanded the attention and respect of the Chevy guys.
Imperials Car Club of Los Angeles would like to thank all the car clubs, solo riders, car enthusiasts, volunteers, vendors, and spectators for making the 13th annual Imperials Summer Benefit Car Show a success. All proceeds will benefit the city of Hawaiian Gardens Youth Athletics Leagues, so if you haven’t gone, we suggest you pay the $5 cover charge to check hundreds of custom lowriders, while doing something positive for the community.
When it comes to the car hobby, many women just don’t understand it. They think it’s some waste of money or impractical way that men posture their masculinity. Thankfully there are other women out there who embrace it with open arms, are supportive, join us at car shows, and share the same fluttering heart we feel about our lowriders. Those are the keepers and if you have one, you might want to think about taking her to some white-tablecloth dinners and treating her to a dozen roses more often. Gals like that are truly irreplaceable.
If you know key players in the lowrider industry, then you should be familiar with VMax, whose company Ultimate Hydraulics cranks out awesome cars and top-notch components. Lucky for him, when he was on bended knee with his wife, Tanya, he picked a lady whose got the same passion for cars. So instead of just the nice dinners and flowers, VMax upped the ante and gave his wife a Valentine’s Day gift in the way of a candy red ’61 Impala rag. Hopeless romantics, eat your hearts out.
VMax found this ’61 in Utah and rust had really staked a huge claim on most of the sheetmetal, but that didn’t stop him from proceeding with the build. Thanks to Dynacorn replacement panels, the car’s body was brought back to life. The frame, custom A-arms, floorboards, 9-inch rear were chromed in prep for the full hydraulic setup done by VMax. Four pumps, three Adex dumps, 8-inch front and 14-inch rear cylinders, and 10 solenoids all hardlined are powered by four batteries. A fully polished and supercharged LS9 was dropped in front of a molded firewall and attached to a 4L60E trans. Wilwood brakes bring the 14×7 Daytons wrapped in Hankook rubber to a stop.
On the inside, Lexus seats were wrapped in leather and by Brad Rogers at Ultimate Hydraulics and straddle a custom console. The door panels were embossed with roses to continue the romantic theme throughout the car. Dakota Digital gauges sit next to a Pioneer head unit that carry tunes through Cerwin Vega amps and speakers. The candy apple red paint was done by Javier at Mexico Auto with Mike Lamberson adding leafing and striping throughout. A heavy dose of engraving came courtesy of Engrave It Inc. in Ontario, California.
The car, better known as Ultimately Sexy, was delivered in time for the Black History Parade on Valentine’s Day. We couldn’t think of a more befitting occasion to debut it and think it’s one of the best ’61’s we’ve ever seen. For those of us lucky enough to also have a wife who supports our car addiction, being able to treat them to a car as nice as Tanya’s is going to be a tough act to follow. After our wives or girlfriends read this article, we certainly have our work cut out for us.
1961 Chevrolet Impala Convertible
Vehicle Nickname
Ultimately Sexy
Owner
Tanya Maxwell
City/State
Norco, CA
Club
Ultimate Riders
Engine
Supercharged LS9 V-8 and 4L60E trans
Interior
Brad Rogers at Ultimate Hydraulics. Lexus seats, custom console, Dakota Digital gauges.
Suspension
Four pumps, three Adex dumps, 8-inch front and 14-inch rear cylinders, and 10 solenoids, hardlined, four batteries. Chromed frame. 9-inch rearend. Engraving by Engrave It Inc
Body/Paint
Candy apple red by Mexico Auto. Striping and leafing by Mike Lamberson
Sound System
Pioneer head unit, Cerwin Vega amps and speakers
Wheels/Tires
14×7 Daytons / Hankook 175/70R14
Let’s Get Technical
Coming up on its 20-year mark, the LS-series motor debuted in 1997 as the LS1 in the C5 Corvette. The all-aluminum LS1 V-8 went on to replace the LT1. A wide variety of engines from the LS platforms have been introduced, including both iron and aluminum variations, but all feature the following traits:
4.40-inch bore centers (like the original small-block) Six-bolt, cross-bolted main bearing caps
Center main thrust bearing
9.24-inch deck height
Four-bolt-per-cylinder head bolt pattern
0.842-inch lifter bores
Distributorless, coil-near-plug ignition system
The LS9 seen in this car is the 6.2L supercharged and charge-cooled engine of the Corvette ZR1. It is rated at 638 horsepower. The LS9 uses the strengthened 6.2L block with stronger, roto-cast cylinder heads and a sixth-generation 2.3L Roots-type supercharger. Like the LS7, it uses a dry-sump oiling system. Here are the specs for the motor:
Displacement: 376ci (6.2L)
Bore x Stroke (inches): 4.065 x 3.622
Block: Cast aluminum with six-bolt, cross-bolted main caps
When building a show engine you always want to be different. This was the case for this month’s custom LS build. The LS world has been taking the automotive world by storm as everyone embraces the future small-block of the automotive industry. When these engines came onto the scene they were being polished and chromed out so they would stand out in the engine compartments. Since then, several manufacturers have developed aftermarket parts, giving LS engine builders options when building engines for their cruisers.
Knowing that we didn’t need much power for our ’66 Chevy, we decided to use a modern 5.3 engine that would be equivalent, but more efficient than the factory 327. These used engines are easier to obtain as they are in most GM platforms. From the Chevrolet Suburban to the coveted Cadillac Escalade, these workhorse engines have proven their reliability as some daily drivers have over 200,000 miles on them. With 200,000 plus on them and no signs of fatigue, it was easy for us to choose a low-mileage engine for our build. We picked up our engine and transmission combination complete for a $1,000 out of a running, low-mileage truck.
We knew that we wanted to build something different that would stand out, but we weren’t sure how far we were going to go on this build. After doing some research, we were all in on the show build. For this buildup we installed MSD’s Atomic fuel management system for the LS engine and a separate MSD transmission controller. These kits where designed to be a plug-and-play system that eliminates the OEM harness and computer that operates the engine and transmission.
Reliable and undeniable when it comes to performance and mpg.
We also installed a Restomod Air serpentine system that kept the pulleys running perfectly and reliably. For looks, the intake was upgraded with an aluminum intake from Professional Products and it was fed air through a Spectre Performance air intake system. Chrome Energy Suspension motor mounts bolted to the Holley LS brackets allowed us to transplant the modern engine into this almost 50-year-old classic.
The actual transplant of this engine was done in a few hours, but all the prep work involved took a few days as we jumped around on this build. Once we assembled the engine to our desire, we mocked it up. The engine wiring was done by the Ultimate Restorations team, leaving the engine turnkey for us. Now follow along as team Wild Child Customs shows you how this LS clone was transplanted into this custom 1966 Impala coupe.
1. The LS1 5.3 engine and trans was pulled from a low-milage truck for about a grand.
2. With the engine torn apart we applied a fresh coat of Axalta Desperado gold finish on it.
3. Once the engine was dry from the two-stage water-based candy, we started the custom reassembly of the engine. With show finish on our minds, we opted to use an ARP stainless bolt engine kit.
4. To make sure that our pulleys wouldn’t be hitting the intake we started off the assembly by installing the top portion of the Restomod pulley setup.
5. We checked the heads and once we knew what we had the cathedral ports it was easy to install Fel-Pro gaskets and pick our LS1 intake from Professional Products.
6. As you can see, the pulleys were straightforward and the only obstacle that we encountered was with the power steering bracket.
7. At this point we did what any builder would do and that was jump into the fuel rail management system.
8. The MSD Atomic system was all self-controlled and self-learning.
9. As you can see from the backside, the computer system is under the fuel rail covers.
10. The kit came with all the plug-and-play wiring and sensors needed to operate the system.
11. The LS1 engine block has this treaded mounting point cast into it and the 5.3 and 4.8 engine blocks don’t. After assessing our power steering situation we built our own bracket.
12. We used an aftermarket harmonic balancer and torqued it down to factory specs of 120 lb-ft of torque.
13. Knowing that we had to build our own motor mounts, we chose to use the motor mounts that wouldn’t throw the engine mounting point too forward.
14. We mocked up the engine to ensure everything from the Lokar dipsticks to the Holley exhaust manifolds would fit.
15. After doing several engine swaps you learn that they are all similar in one way or another. We started by bolting down the transmission so the engine wouldn’t move around.
16. As you can see, the Energy Suspension motor mounts are directly over the factory location, just taller so that the engine’s oil pan doesn’t hang below the crossmember.
17. These motor mounts came together quickly as we tack welded them on the engine and finished them off the engine allowing more attention to detail.
18. These motor mounts are basic, but serve their purpose.
19. On LS engines, the grounds are very crucial and most of the engines will have up to six ground straps. When transplanting, you need to make sure that you keep the minimum of four grounding points.
20. To ensure that we had a clean fuel system, a new Cars Inc stainless steel gas tank was used and equipped with a universal Aeromotive fuel pump system.
21. With the car fully assembled we were able to finish the install. We started off using this intake setup that gave us an idea how much room we had and how to route the necessary plumbing.
22. Once we knew how much room we had, we cut our air intake tubes down to the size we needed.
23. This radiator line had a steam port that allows the air pockets to flow out of the engine.
24. This custom radiator hose was done in two sections and will allow the proper flex needed when the car is running.
25. The throttle body was removed to give us full access to the plumbing that needed to be done.
26. The Spectre air intake and filter was reassembled for the last time and we were able to continue wrapping up our assembly.
27. The steam port line was hard lined to the radiator hose. This will ensure that our engine doesn’t overheat because of air pockets trapped in the heads.
28. The throttle body was reconnected and the TPS sensor was plugged back in.
29. This LS clone was ready for the streets or for the show.
E3 Spark Plugs Monthly Tech Tip
Years of Research in the Combustion Field
The days when you changed your spark plugs every couple of years are long gone. It wasn’t that long ago when spark plugs wore out often either. There are a few things that make a huge difference in today’s technology. First off, spark plugs are made of better materials that last longer and are designed a whole lot better. The second reason that plugs used to needed changing more often was that they were fouled up with carbon deposits. Deposits build up on plugs when fuel doesn’t burn completely. Today’s modern engines have computer management systems controlling fuel burn, so plugs do not get as fouled up as they used to. Engine control computers precisely time when fuel is injected into the engine and when spark plugs fire. An engine basically runs when electricity from the battery goes into a coil that allows power to build up to anywhere from 12,000 to 45,000 volts, depending on the vehicle. The engine management computer tells the coil when to release the power to the spark plug. The electricity travels through a wire from the coil to the spark plug. At the tip of the plug, a spark jumps between two electrodes and ignites the gas in the combustion chamber. Some engines have more than one coil. Coils wear out and need to be replaced occasionally. Also, spark plug wires can wear out and need to be replaced too. Today, modern engines are delivering more power and better fuel economy than ever before. That’s largely credited to fast engine control computers, advanced sensors, electronic ignition, and improvements to the spark plug. One last and very important thought: it’s critical to have the right kind of spark plug for your vehicle. E3 Spark Plugs deliver performance that increases power, improves fuel efficiency, and reduces emissions in your custom, classic car, truck, motorcycle, power sports vehicle, and lawnmower engine. E3 Spark Plugs are also designed to run with different internal temperatures. Their patented edge-to-edge ground electrode outperformed other plug designs by far! When it comes to your next tune up, see for yourself why E3 Plugs are “Born to Burn.”
It’s 1978, the once decrepit Hollywood sign just received a million-dollar renovation. The Los Angeles Dodgers just won another National League pennant, and a young Vernon Maxwell sits at Churches Chicken watching the lowriders go by. For most of you who have been lowriding long enough, you know exactly which Churches I am referring to. VMax sat watching some of the top car clubs cruise, such as the Individuals and Stylistics. But little did he know that he himself would eventually become one of the lowriding community’s most influential car builders and trendsetters.
“Southside car club always set the bar high,” says VMax, “and I tried to get there with the first car I built,” which was a 1964 Chevy Impala hardtop. “I was always into hoping,” says VMax. And standing at a menacing 6 foot, 7 inches, after a few hits of the switch and few bumps on his head, he realized that perhaps a convertible might be the better way to go. Build after build, VMax would drive to the shows, and event after event you would see VMax drive away with the First Place trophy. “It was my ’63 Chevy “King of the Streets” that really put me on the map. Soon my phone was ringing off the hook with people wanting me to fix up their cars. I found myself at photo shoots with Ice Cube, Mack 10, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Gwen Stefani, just to name a few.”
Riding the wave of popularity in 2004, the idea to put in a new LS engine with two carbs and stroker (something no one had done before in a lowrider) was first thought up. These days, VMax can be found at his shop, Ultimate Hydraulics in Norco, California. He is usually surrounded by the extensive “his and hers” collection of Chevy Impala convertibles that continuously grace the covers of LOWRIDER Magazine.
He specializes in creating and displaying his full custom cars with his signature LS engines and hydraulic setups for a long list of celebrities, such as Dr. Dre, Lil Jon, and Gene Simmons of KISS. His work can also be seen in the soon to be released NWA movie, Straight Outta Compton. He boasts a list of clients from St. Louis all the way to the Carolinas. With a 1961 Chevy dubbed “The Last One” soon to debut, you can bet VMax is poised to change the game once again.
For VMax, it’s always about what’s up in the hood!
Victor Carral of Mission Viejo, California, purchased this 1951 Chevy from an old girlfriend’s father. “Her dad Fransesco had a small collection of old cars that included a 1947 Fleetline, 1937 Packard, and a few more. “I asked her if I could buy one and, if so, I’d build it to drive her around on weekends like her father did when she was younger, looking for parts at swap meets.”
After a year, he was able to buy one and bring it down from Oklahoma. The truck was originally from San Diego. His girlfriend’s father bought it as a shell. After collecting the missing pieces he put the truck together. He then painted it white and red in his backyard.
When Victor got it, he wasn’t sure what direction to go with it. “It needed a new engine block and a few other things. One day, my old man wanted to see if it would turn on, so my buddy and I managed to get it running with some carb cleaner, a lot of gas, a new battery, and some hope.” Victor decided to take it for a spin and the roar of the glass pipes through the hills got him excited. Before he could celebrate he saw all the coolant shooting out of a crack in the engine block.
Victor then talked with his friend Marlon about slamming the truck and getting a new 350 for it. “He told me that I was going in the wrong direction with it and that he knew someone who did unbelievable work.” That someone was Chassis by Aaron Iha of Covina, California.
The first day Victor met with Aaron, they discussed his expectations on the build. “I told him that I wanted to drive it everywhere and not worry about ending up on the side of the road and that I had intentions of driving it to work everyday.” Before he left, Victor had purchased the LSX 5.3 and 6L80 transmission from him and Aaron began on the build. Aaron manufactured the frame to fit his truck, allowing it to sit on the floor and to be able to mount the LS engine.
“I’d like to thank my parents for always letting me run with my dreams no matter what they may be. Marlon for his help and making time to hear my ideas, my little brother Ivan for always lending me a hand, and to Lydia and Francesco for starting it all.”
1951 Chevy 3100
Vehicle Nickname
Mission LS
Owner
Victor Carral
City
Mission Viejo, CA
Engine
2011 LSX 5.3 with a 6L80 transmission, aluminum radiator, and K&N Filter. The MagnaFlow exhaust was custom made so that the truck may lay on the floor.
Body/Paint
White with red fenders and top
Suspension
Chassis by Aaron Iha manufactured the full frame and installed the airbag setup
Wheels/Tires
15×8-inch Wheel Vintiques Supreme series / 250/70R15 Coker Tires
Motor Trend OnDemand added a ton of new amazing motorsport and automotive video content in November! Kick off your viewing binge with this top 10 list and check out the special holiday subscriber pricing available during December.
1) MOTORSPORT MUNDIAL RACING NEWS
From Sidecar racing to F1 news and power boat racing, Motorsports Mundial captures it all in this episode.
Time for all the highlights from the ITM 500 Auckland on Saturday at Pukekohe Park Raceway in Auckland, New Zealand! Pukekohe Park Raceway is seen as one of the fastest tracks in all of the southern hemisphere!
One April morning in 2007, Gino and Victoria Ayala started their day celebrating their first wedding anniversary, a celebration abruptly short-lived after they received a devastating phone call that afternoon. The couple was told that their daughter, 15-month-old Josephine, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor and life expectancy was less than a year.
This sweet bomb was a crowd favorite and we can see why.
“We could not accept having her for a limited time, knowing that our endless faith and hope would help Josephine beat this disease,” undeniably states Gino. The initial surgery resulted with partial removal of the tumor and followed with chemotherapy. In the months after that April phone call, the Ayala’s medical concerns were addressed by Cooks Children’s Medical Center; however, there were no outlets or support groups in helping with the emotional and financial burdens that weigh heavily on these families. In 2010, Gino and Victoria were determined not to sit by the sidelines and decided to promote a car show to bring awareness to pediatric brain tumor research at the Ft. Worth hospital.
On April 12 this year, the Ayala family presented their 6th annual Dreaming the Cure Car Show with host clubs GoodTimes (DFW) and Rollerz Only (Ft. Worth). Over 200 cars packed the TMP Train Station in downtown Ft. Worth. Along with entries from Albuquerque and OKC, making the long drive from South Texas was Bobby Garza. Bobby came to support the cause, in showcasing his 2014 LRM Car of the Year “RM Series.”
Family is a huge part of the lowrider culture, and it was everywhere to be seen at...
“The exhibitors come to win,” mentions Ayala, “as each winner does not gets a trophy or plaque, but drawings and artwork created by the diagnosed children at this pediatric cancer center,” — truly priceless. As for the diagnosed children, this is their day — a day focused on each child and knowing that everyone is there to support their fight. The event also acknowledges those children that lost the battle during the past year, and emphasizing that funding is imperative in helping save more children’s lives from this disease. The proceeds from this year’s show reached $10,500, and to date Dreaming The Cure has donated over $35,000 to Cook’s Children PBT Research Center in helping find a cure.
It’s been called a lot of things: “Baby Cadillac,” “King of the Short Tracks,” and the two-door 150 model version that came with a fuel-injected 283 even earned the nickname “Black Widow,” as it proved to be unbeatable and was eventually outlawed on the NASCAR circuit. No matter what you call it, the 1957 Chevy was a car that looked good in its day, went fast, and still shows no signs of going out of style. Chuy Barrera didn’t overlook this fact when he picked up this Bel Air Sport Coupe on Craigslist.
What Chuy bought was just a shell of a car. No interior, glass, or trim. So that situation, and the fact that the frame was reinforced, motivated him to go custom instead of a stock resto. One needs to be careful, though, when giving a ’57 a bit of a new look. The end result definitely doesn’t lose those atomic-age aesthetics, old-school lowrider traditions, and modern accouterments that don’t detract from the car. So let’s have a look at what’s going on here.
Under the hood resides the heart of a Cadillac with a 2004 Escalade 6.0L V-8 with CPP headers, Magnaflow mufflers, and a 4L65E transmission. It’s all churning power to a four-linked Grand National rearend. CPP front and rear disc brakes bring the 100-spoke Daytons to a stop. Two Hoppos pumps, three dumps, four solenoids, and four batteries manage all the juice with 8-inch front, and 14-inch rear cylinders. The car was tunneled and trunk cut out to make a bridge to bring everything down to terra firma. Chuy’s friend Manny handled the suspension work.
The inside was another California Upholstery masterpiece with Lexus electric seats, two custom backseats, and a custom center console done up in retro-inspired material. A Pioneer double din head unit keeps all the 5.5-inch Polk speakers loud and clear. Engraved chrome metal visors bring the outside accents by Casteneda Engraving into the interior, along with the patterns laid down by Toker and Mike Lamberson. The Dakota Digital dash and billet steering wheel are also nice modern touches that help bring this Bow Tie into the modern age.
Pollo got the body back into shape and laid down the traditional teal green paint. Chuy hunted down accessories to get it looking even better, such as the safety star, exterior visor, continental kit, color bar, compass, and spotlights that are also engraved. The brightwork done by Crown Polishing in Huntington Beach, California, gives this ’57 the bling it had back when it rolled off the assembly line.
Although Chuy wants to do a little more work to the hydros and trunk, the car is essentially done. Special thanks go out to Chuy’s family, the Toma Brothers, Mike Dominguez, Southern Royalty Car Club, and everyone else who had a hand in putting the crown back on this automotive aristocrat. We’re happy to see it back on the road.
1957 Chevy Bel Air
Vehicle Nickname
Illuminati 57
Owner
Chuy Barrera
City/State
Anaheim, CA
Club
Southern Royalty
Engine
Cadillac 6.0L V-8
Interior
Lexus front seats with custom console and backseats by California Upholstery
Suspension
Two Hoppos pumps, three dumps, four solenoids, and four batteries with 8-inch front, and 14-inch rear cylinders
Body/Paint
Bodywork and teal paint by Pollo. Engraving by Casteneda Engraving. Patterns and pinstriping by Toker and Mike Lamberson.
Sound System
Pioneer double din, Polk 5.5-inch speakers
Many consider the Tri-Fives to be the best era in Chevrolet’s history. The ’57 marked the final year for the trio and has since become one of the most iconic classic cars to ever exist. Believe it or not, Ford actually outsold Chevrolet for the 1957 model year in part because Chevrolet had tubeless tires, a new innovation that made many buyers wary of this break from tradition. Chevrolet introduced the 283 V-8, which began and 10-year production run, and in 1957 was offered in six versions, ranging from 185 to 283 hp. The Ramjet fuel injection was another introduction for the ’57 model year and was offered as standard on the Corvette, but could also be opted for on passenger cars. A two-door Bel Air Sport Coupe like this weighed around 3,278 pounds, had a sticker price of approximately $2,299, and was one of 166,426 built. A very rare El Morocco version was built in both 1956 and 1957 as a “poor man’s Cadillac,” but only a handful were made and command huge numbers from collectors.
Remember when an LS swap with a serpentine kit and a bit of chrome was doing it big? Well, now that these motor swaps have become more common, the only real way to separate yourself from the flock is by addressing your attention to detail.
That said, Holley has come up with a line of LS products that are sure to please. From headers, EFI kits, to serpentine kits and intakes, they’ve got an entire arsenal of products to choose from, so we ran through their catalog and pulled our top picks.
Your LS motor will certainly get your ride moving, but take a look at these Holley...
Now we won’t lie, we’d take pretty much everything they have to offer, but as always, if budget is a concern, you have to pick and choose what you start with first so here’s our top choices.
1 Holley LS Hi-Ram EFI Manifold
Probably one of the more expensive of their offerings is this killer Hi-Ram EFI manifold. The look of the plenum top is outright menacing and if it were up to us, we’d treat it with some heavy engraving, followed by a good chrome- or gold-plating. Now, if engraving is a bit excessive for your taste, we’d opt for polishing the intake and then hitting it with some candy paint and a little gold leaf just to give it that edge.
So what’s the intake all about? Well the Holley GM LS7 Modular Hi-Ram intake manifold is introduced as a cost-effective alternative to fabricated sheetmetal for high-performance applications where induction system height is not limited. Coupling this Hi-Ram intake with the high-flowing LS7-style cylinder heads has outstanding potential for N/A and forced-induction applications at a budget-minded cost. We’ve seen them used for drag race, marine, and off-road, but we’ve yet to see a lowrider rock one with that classic yet bold approach.
The base is designed to be modular in configuration to accept a wide range of carbureted and EFI tops and to be attractive to builders and fabricators as the foundation for custom induction systems.
Runner length and the tapered cross section designed to perform well for a wide range of engine configurations.
EFI fuel rails are machined for -8AN O-ring fittings with passages large enough to accommodate high fuel flows and dampen pressure pulsations in the fuel system and come standard with EFI Hi-Ram kits.
Cast aluminum construction.
Intended for use on N/A or forced induction engines in the 6.0- to 7.0-liter range, max power at 7,000 to 8,000-plus rpm.
2 Holley Aluminum LS Valve Covers – Natural Cast
When we saw these aluminum valve covers in natural cast we lost it. No seriously, we lost it and we’re glad that Holley introduced this offering simply because they’re available in both raw and polished finishes, thus making customizing that much easier.
Again, we’d treat these valve covers to a full engraving job or custom candy paint to match the exterior scheme of a lowrider. If you want to go out of the box, we’d suggest trying to anodize these covers to give your engine bay a little bit more wow factor.
The best part about getting Holley’s cast-aluminum valve covers for the GM LS is that there is no need to relocate the coils. There’s no question the factory “coil on cover” design gives the LS that signature high-tech look, but the factory brackets and coil location leave room for improvement. Clean up that signature look with Holley’s LS valve covers. They incorporate a radiused shape, angled coil mounting, and a billet fill cap. Plus, the coils mount directly to the cover with no need for a bracket in between. They fit most popular LS series engines and if you’re more of a basic type of guy then you can always choose their black krinkle, satin, or polished valve covers.
3 Universal Drive-By-Wire Wet NOS Kit – 8 cylinder
OK. There’s absolutely no need to install a NOS kit on your lowrider, but then again, there’s really no need for an LS engine swap either. The reason we build our cars is because we can, and we’re suckers for an NOS kit.
Now keep in mind, a quick shot of NOS is sure to put on a good show, but to have the bottle displayed in your trunk or between your backseats is straight bonkers. Of course, lowriding is all about showmanship and accessorizing so we’d opt to get the bottle stripped and custom painted in a cool candy paint, or heck, why not gold plate it?
Now if you really want to take it to the next level, we’d enjoy the kit for a few months and then convert the supplied “wet” system to a direct port system complete with custom hard lines. If you don’t know what we’re talking about then stay tuned because we’ll be doing an article on that shortly. Lowriders are suckers for chrome or polished hard lines, so to add to that a direct port system would have your competition baffled and silently nodding their heads to you.
The best part about this NOS kit is that it was designed to work on sequential firing, multipoint fuel-injection systems. The NOS Universal Drive-By-Wire kits allows for trouble-free easy nitrous activation. And, since it’s an NOS kit, you know that it has been thoroughly dyno-tested on numerous vehicles.
4 LS Complete Accessory Drive Kit
Includes SD7 A/C compressor, alternator, P/S pump, tensioner, belt, and pulleys
70R156 – Belt, 6V Serpentine
Universal brackets fit virtually all common LS engines regardless of water pump and harmonic balancer offsets reducing cost and complexity compared to competitive products.
The most cost-effective LS bracket solution on the market.
Luis Lemus of House of Pain Customs in Baldwin Park, California, has built some awesome cars that have graced the pages of LOWRIDER Magazine. When he met the woman who’d eventually become his wife, Cindy, he discovered that, being in the business as well, they both shared a passion for cars. He also found out that she liked ’59 Chevys, and he happened to have one in storage he’d been sitting on to build as a project eventually. Since Cindy was no greenhorn, he had his work cut out for him trying to build something unique that’d suit her particular tastes.
When your classic goes extreme, Continental Extreme Contact DWS. An exceptional...
In the beginning, she was in on the build, providing input to what she’d like to see that had sort of a resto-mod feel to it. His plan was to surprise her with the finished product, although that didn’t quite work out as planned…more on that later. So what do you do to make a ’59 Bel Air stand out? The car came from the factory looking pretty cool, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t touches that could really take it a step further.
The frame was fully powdercoated and given 2-inch drop spindles up front with Mcgaughys tubular suspension in front and Hotchkis tubular suspension components in the rear. A 605 steering box was also added along with power disc brakes from ABS in front and the stock rear housing is stuffed with 3.85 Posi gears. A set of Diablo wheels wrapped in Continental low-profile rubber give it the rake Cindy was after.
The powerplant is quite a sight to behold, a 409 that came out of a ’62 SS from Luis’ friend David Leon, and dressed up with roller rockers, a more aggressive cam, and dual Edelbrock four-barrels. A 350 trans with a shift kit provides the rest of the goodies for the drivetrain. A US Radiator and Kinetik battery bring everything to life and keep it cool, while a Flowmaster exhaust spits out the spent fumes.
The interior features ’62 SS buckets and the rear seat as cut in half to achieve a similar effect and was given a ’59 Chevy station wagon armrest. The center console was custom made and given an aftermarket front armrest. The two-tone leather by Alonso’s Upholstery looks as comfortable in the photos as it is in real life to sit in. The interior was completely covered in Dynamat underneath to keep the noise down, but we’re sure that listening to the tunes of the Pioneer stereo provided by John Jarasa and having the Dakota Digital gauges light up the cab tops it off perfectly. The Lokar pedals keep all the stop and go working like a dream.
On the outside, Cindy helped pick out the colors that set it off. The car came with rare California bumpers and factory paint dividers. Paint work was done with Axalta waterbase paint and LE 8700 clear by Luis and bodywork done by Jesus Coronel. The finished product is quite a beauty.
An unexpected late-night visit to the shop by Luis’ wife spoiled the car planned for a marriage proposal, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Although not fully complete, the car nearing it’s final unveiling brought tears to Cindy’s eyes. “I would like to thank my hubby, Luis, for putting up with my criticisms and making my dream car a reality,” Cindy says. Special thanks for making Cindy’s car the show stopper that it is go to Angel Sierra, Saul at Wild Child Customs, Jesus Coronel, Augie at Auto Glass Tech, Premiere Polishing, and Woody’s Chrome. Oh, and to James for making Luis repaint the car, now known as Ginger, who was Sharon Stone’s character in the movie Casino. Bad ass girl, so hence the name for a bad ass car. This happy couple can both cruise in style now.
About The Owner
Cindy Lemus has been an auto estimator for over 20 years. She grew up around lowriders, as her brother and uncles were painters. Raised in LA, she spent a lot of time cruising Whittier and Elysian Park when she was about 6. This ’59 Bel Air is her first low-rodder.
1959 Chevrolet Bel Air
Vehicle Nickname
Ginger (taken from the movie Casino)
Owner
Cindy Lemus
City
West Covina, CA
Engine
409 V-8 and TH350 trans
Sound
Pioneer components
Body/Paint
Axalta paint, Copper and gray by Jesus Coronel, Carlos Ramires, and Angel Sierra
Suspension
Frame powdercoated, 2-inch drop spindles, Mcgaughys tubular suspension in front with Hotchkis tubular suspension components in the rear
We get it. You want to save money when and where you can, but if you’re trying to save by buying poorly manufactured, cheap tires, then you’d better think twice.
Tires support the weight of our vehicle, help with handling, and in the end it’s pretty safe to say that everything rides on our tires. So is this really the one part of your car you want to cheap out on? Probably not. Why would you want to risk tire failure, a blow-out, and jeopardize the occupants of your vehicle?
Many tires are cheaper because they lack the research, development, and testing that major tire manufacturers like Continental Tires perform. Without getting too technical, let’s just say that many cheap tires may mimic the “styles,” but never the performance or structural integrity developed by major tire manufacturers.
Let’s take Continental Tires for example. The amount of money and resources they put into research, development, and testing is incredible and their facilities are the proof in the pudding. Take for example, the Uvalde Proving Grounds, located 80 miles west of San Antonio, Texas. This compound allows them to conduct automotive component testing, and vehicle handling that can be directed in a controlled environment. The same facility offers a variety of courses and surfaces, including three multimillion-dollar, state-of-the-art facilities:
The Vehicle Dynamics Facility with an innovative wet handling pad, curving, twisting dry road course, and a ride evaluation course with various surfaces.
The Traction Testing Facility with both concrete and asphalt surfaces for wet testing, a dry asphalt test surface, and a lane for hydroplaning tests.
The Wet Grip Testing Facility featuring a curving serpentine wetted asphalt surface course for subjective/objective evaluations, a small 55-meter asphalt circle for lap time measurements and subjective tire behavior, and a large 200-meter asphalt circle for lateral hydroplaning and lateral acceleration using a water trough measuring 20 meters in length.
In addition to these three test areas, Uvalde has an 8.5-mile main track and nine courses of test area. Public highways in the area are also used to supplement the variety of road conditions.
This extensive proving grounds facility provides Continental Tire North America, Inc. Research and Development personnel with valuable tire performance test data that helps build better tires. Testing performed on-site by automotive companies can provide extensive data on vehicle construction, handling, and automotive components.
Not only do they make a tire for your late-model lowrider, but they also make tires for our daily drivers, haulers, and family vehicles, so here’s a look at just a few of their premium passenger tires we’re fans of:
Make/Model
PureContact
Category
Ultra-High Performance
Available Sizes
15- to 18-inch wheel diameters with aspect ratios of 40 to 65
Features & Benefits
The PureContact delivers improved performance thanks to Continental’s new technologies:
EcoPlus Technology that improves treadwear and fuel efficiency while enhancing grip on wet roads promoting a shorter stopping distance.
Tuned Performance Indicators for dry, wet, and snow that disappear when the tire is no longer tuned for optimum performance in each specific road condition.
ComfortRide Technology, a continuous comfort band system that absorbs vibrations caused by various road surfaces for a smooth, comfortable ride.
Overview
Skillful balance of of luxury and all-season performance designed for long wear, a comfortable ride, and best-in-class wet braking.
The PureContact is the newest ultra-high performance tire from Continental. This tire features EcoPlus Technology for improved fuel efficiency, Continental’s new “ComfortRide Technology” for a smooth, comfortable ride, and Tuned Performance Indicators alerting the driver of optimum tread depths for various road conditions for an extra measure of confidence.
Make/Model
ContiProContact
Category
Performance and Touring
Available Sizes
15- to 19-inch wheel diameters with aspect ratios from 35 to 75
Features & Benefits
The ContiProContact delivers responsiveness, control ,and comfort for real life driving. The ContiProContact incorporates three technologies to provide superior road performance:
PROactive Edge Technology is an innovation in the geometry of the tire sipes. This technology, which uses a curved sipe design, improves road grip while reducing tire noise. The innovative pattern edge design yields increased grip and a quieter ride, providing the best possible driving experience.
Controlled Sipe Interaction improves the interaction of the sipes and reduces tread block deformation for unparalleled steering precision and even tire wear in wet or dry conditions.
PROgressive Groove Ramp technology improves both cornering stability and water evacuation. This Continental technology uses a progressively rounder groove base to support the tire shoulder, for concise cornering characteristics. The groove ramp also provides an easy water evacuation path to move water quickly away from the tire.
Overview
Luxury touring all-season tire designed for consumers wanting performance with comfort, mileage, and enhanced braking capacity.
Make/Model
ExtremeContact DW
Category
Ultra-high performance
Available Sizes
16- to 21-inch wtih aspect ratios of 25 to 60
Features & Benefits
The ExtremeContact DW delivers improved performance thanks to Continental’s new technologies:
Chamfered edges and a solid outer shoulder deliver enhanced dry performance.
Dynamic temperature distribution reduces distortion for enhanced energy delivery, lower rolling resistance and improved tread-life.
High void to tread ratio with enhanced groove curvature improves water evacuation for outstanding wet handling.
Overview
One of the new features on the ExtremeContact DW is the DW Tuned Performance Indicators. These are visible letters built into the second rib of the tread and are designed to alert drivers of the tire’s optimal performance levels. “D” indicates the tire is at optimum tread depth for dry conditions. “W” indicates the tire is at optimum tread depth for wet conditions. When the indicators disappear, the tire is no longer tuned for optimum performance in that particular road condition.
Make/Model
CrossContact LX20
Category
Light Truck, Crossovers & SUVs
Available Sizes
16- to 20-inch with aspect ratios of 40 to 75
Features & Benefits
Traction Grooves provide “snow-on-snow” adhesion for better traction.
Smooth Response Technology includes a continuous circumferential ribs keeps noise from radiating resulting in a smoother, quieter ride.
EcoPlus Technology that incorporates Tg-F polymers and +Silane work at a microscopic level to deliver improved treadwear, wet braking, and fuel efficiency.
Overview
The premium SUV, crossover, and light truck all-season tire with excellent wet braking, long wear and enhanced fuel efficiency.
Get your classic cruiser into gear with a full line of show-quality accessories such as transmission shifters, stainless steel braided trans and engine dipsticks, LED indicator displays, and even custom oval-shaped taillights from Lokar Performance Products! You can add even more class to your classic with a billet aluminum dash insert and matching interior accessories, all polished to a head-turning shine.
When it’s time to step on the gas, Lokar has you covered with throttle assemblies, pedals, and pedal pads that all work together for a custom look that’s light years ahead of stock equipment! For over two decades Lokar has manufactured products of the highest quality, exceeding industry standards, raising the bar for quality products and leading the way for better automotive aftermarket accessories to complement and customize your beauty. Lokar products are built in the USA with quality and timeless style like the select accessories we have shown here.
1. Award-winning billet aluminum oval LED taillights for that modern custom look. These custom oval-shaped LED lenses have added features such as:
Chrome plated or black powdercoating for the ultimate shine and easy detailing
CNC machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum
Bright LED lights for safety and function
Integrated design with three functions: tail, turn, and brakes
Extremely bright LEDs, generate virtually no heat, use little power and have long life
Fully assembled for easy installation
Detailed instructions with color-coded wiring for easy installation
Oval style with a smooth recessed lens and internal prism
Stainless hardware and zinc-plated mounting brackets
Low-profile design
1 and 1/4 -inch total thickness
Requires a mere 1 and 1/2 inches behind body panel for mounting
Protrudes less than 3/16-inch from outside of body panel
Offered in two sizes
Standard: Outer bezel measures 2 and 3/4×5 and 1/2 inches
XL: Outer bezel measures 3×6 and 1/2 inches
2. Horizontal aluminum LED dash transmission indicator bezel. Lokar LED dash indicators will tell you what gear your transmission is in with ease. They are made from billet aluminum and will give your bomb truck, car, traditional, or full custom that car-show look. Available in horizontal or vertical mount versions, Lokar LED dash indicators can be purchased with or without the sensor kit. A sensor kit is required for operation, however. All Lokar products are made in the USA and carry a lifetime warranty. Applicable for 700-R4 / 200-4R / 4L60 / 4L60E / 4L80E transmissions. #CIND-1702.
3. Hi-tech Lokar steel braided throttle cable comes 24 inches long and fits 1985-’91 LT1 and LT4 tuned port engines. This accessory is the perfect solution for your throttle cable needs. They are available in stainless steel braided housings, black stainless steel braided housings, or black polyethylene housings. They are designed with a specially extruded liner for the extended life of the cable, not to be confused with ordinary braided brake hose. The cables are equipped with aluminum fittings and aluminum ferrules to eliminate fraying and feature a “U-Cut-To-Fit” outer housing with a “U-Cut-To-Fit” stainless inner wire. The clevises are designed without cotter pins or set screws and adapt to factory and aftermarket pedals for an easy installation. Each cable comes with installation instructions. Add that extra touch to your ride with Lokar hi-tech throttle cables! #TC-1000TP.
4. This control module shift indicator comes in billet aluminum and fits the GM TH350 / TH400R4 / 4L60 transmissions. These Lokar indicator control modules are designed to control the LED indicator display. They are made of billet aluminum and include all necessary mounting hardware. They are available for a dash mount or shifter boot mount, and the LED display is sold separately. #CINS-1797.
5. Lokar billet gas pedal fits the Tri Five (’55/’56/’57) Chevys. The billet throttle pedal assembly comes with billet aluminum throttle pedal and brushed firewall mounts. Lokar’s billet aluminum gas pedal assemblies are ball-milled and spring-loaded like the OEM design. Their removable lower arm is splined for versatility in mounting them to the right or left of the mounting bracket. The upper arm is a one-piece design, and the shaft and arm are one piece, requiring no pins. #BAG-6073.
6. Anchor-tight locking transmission dipstick and trans mount for 700-R4 transmissions. Lokar’s anchor-tight locking transmission dipsticks match right up with other Lokar accessories. They feature a locking mechanism that eliminates the expulsion of the dipstick handle under transmission pressure. #1211234. All Lokar products are made in the USA and carry a lifetime warranty.
Monthly Tech Tip
By Axalta Coatings Systems
The Satin Finish Look
The December issue of Lowrider brings us yet another valuable monthly paint tip brought to you by the experts at Axalta Coating Systems. For all you painters concerned on how to get that satin or eggshell clear finish look, Axalta has the right product additive for you. This semi-gloss, low VOC matting agent product is known as 2361S and is compliant where clearcoat limits are 2.1 VOC. It can be used anywhere in the U.S. and is designed for use in Cromax; 2.1 VOC collision clears to reduce gloss. All you have to do is just intermix this product with our compliant clearcoats LE 5100, LE 5400, and LE 8300S. This product will satisfy anyone who uses a spray gun, so what are you waiting for? Get out there and get your hands on some 2361S matting agent.
For more technical advice please feel free to contact Axalta’s product specialist Steven Chaparro at steven.c.chaparro@axaltacs.com.
