Each November, the land of neon signs and late-night entertainment becomes home to an automotive show like no other. The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) holds its annual industry-only convergence in the gigantic Las Vegas Convention Center. Most of the 100,000-plus participants come to show off who's who in the industry and to display new product offerings. It's a spectacle that we on the journalistic side love to hate. You see, we love the innovative new products like the ones shown on the following pages, but we loathe the weeklong walk-a-thon that drains every ounce of physical and mental strength we can muster. This year, one of our guys used a pedometer and figured out it took 9.2 miles of walking each day to see all the displays the SEMA Show had to offer. So without further ado, here's what new.
MSD DIGITAL PROPANE INJECTION
What it does: Increases horsepower, torque, and travel range of turbodiesels by injecting propane into intake air stream.
Why it's cool: Digital controller analyzes engine inputs and makes adjustments ensuring safe and proper performance.
Contact: MSD Ignition, 915/857-5200, www.msdignition.com
AMT BEAD-LOCK WHEELS
What it does: Locks your meats in place for running low air pressure.
Why it's cool: One-piece forged aluminum is the strongest and lightest way to construct the wheel. Available only in 17x9-inch size.
Contact: Advanced Metalforming Technologies Inc., 805/982-9820, www.amtcorporate.com
RAMSEY TRIPLE X
What it does: The Triple X has a 6,000-pound-rated line pull and synthetic rope, which can help free you when you are stuck.
Why it's cool: The minimum overall dimension of this 17x6x8-inch winch makes this compact design perfect for competition rock buggies.
Contact: Ramsey Winch Company, 918/438-2760, www.ramseywinch.com
LIGHT RACING JOUNCE SHOCKS
What it does: Allows for faster travel over harsh terrain by limiting suspension recoil and increasing roll stability.
Why it's cool: It's the very first bolt-on air-bump system available. Super easy to install.
Contact: Specialty Products Company, 303/772-2103, www.lightracing.com, www.specprod.com
BILSTEIN BLACK HAWK
What it does: Dampens suspension movement.
Why it's cool: The first-ever shock absorber of its kind. The manufacturing techniques used by Bilstein to build Black Hawk 9300s are revolutionary and cutting-edge, and the results raise the bar tenfold.
Contact: Bilstein Shock Absorbers, 858/386-5903 or 800/537-1085, www.bilstein.com
RAMSEY PATRIOT 12000
What it does: Gets you unstuck.
Why it's cool: This new winch from Ramsey has a 12,000-pound-rated line pull, 5.5hp 12V DC series-wound motor, and 125 feet of 3/8-inch aircraft cable.
Contact: Ramsey Winch Company, 918/438-2760, www.ramseywinch.com
EXTREME SNATCH BLOCK
What it does: Effectively increases winch strength.
Why it's cool: New pull-pin design and large center bearing eliminates breakage-prone snap rings. Greaseable Zerk fitting simplifies lubrication. Available powdercoated in high-visibility colors.
Contact: Extreme Outback Products, 866/447-7711, www.extremeoutback.com
TRUCK-BEDZ CUSTOM TRUCK MATTRESSES
What it does: Rugged 8-inch inflatable air mattress designed specifically for the bed of your truck.
Why it's cool: Constructed from all-weather industrial-grade materials, these airbeds will likely be the last camping mattress you'll ever buy. Each bed is custom-fit to your specific truck model. They feature custom notches on each side to contour the truck's wheelwells.
Contact: Truck-Bedz, 866/303-2339, www.truck-bedz.com
PAXTON HEMI SUPERCHARGER
What it does: Adds 6 psi of boost to your Hemi.
Why it's cool: More boost equals more horsepower.
Contact: Paxton Automotive, 888/972-9866, www.paxtonauto.com