By Chris Shelton. Originally published February 2018.

Half a Century of SEMA

The automotive world started to get a whole lot smaller starting in 1967. That year, what is now the Specialty Equipment Market Association - SEMA - hosted its first trade show.

In the half century that followed, what began as a meet-and-greet under the grandstands of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles turned into one of the largest trade shows in the world. No matter where you go, there is someone who provides to or benefits from the automotive industry. And for four days each fall, they all convene in Las Vegas.

Given such a focused audience of potential industry consumers, vendors go to great lengths to introduce new parts at the show. The organisation pays four of us to photograph those parts. And when we see something worth noting, we take notes.

The following images represent those notes - a fraction of the new parts introduced at this year's event.

LS3 Intake Manifold

Edelbrock designed the Pro-Flo XT LS3 manifold with 6.25-inch-long tapered runners, a large plenum, and a 90mm throttle bore opening that can be ported to 105mm. The result is a broad torque range for use from 1,500 to 7,000 rpm. Part number 7142 uses the stock LS3 MAP sensor. Call 310.781.2222 or visit edelbrock.com.

Wireless Wideband Controller

Performance Electronics makes a wideband controller that turns your Bluetooth-enabled smart device into an air/fuel meter. It uses Bosch LSU 4.9 sensors, requires no calibration, and can display as many as four sensors at a time. The controller also has a 0-5V analog output to feed piggyback or standalone ECUs and data loggers, and communicates with CAN-enabled devices. Call 513.777.5233 or visit pe-ltd.com.

Thermal Acoustic Insulation

Design Engineering Inc. created D-Mat insulation to slip above headliners, into doors, and under package trays. Light, pliable, and less than half an inch thick, part number 50412 damps high-frequency road noise. It can withstand temperatures as hot as 325 F and reduces temperatures by 65 percent. D-Mat meets flammability ratings, resists mildew and bacteria, and comes in 60-inch-wide rolls. Call 440.930.7940 or visit designengineering.com.

LS Engine Electric Water Pump Kit

Davies, Craig designed part number DC-8650 as an electric water pump with an adapter kit that eliminates the mechanical pump altogether. It works with the company's controller kit and is positioned as the lowest-profile and lightest electric pump for LS engines. Call 909.476.6068 or visit daviescraig.com.

Aftermarket EFI Gauge Modules

Dakota Digital designed modules that connect its gauge kits directly to AEM, Holley, FAST, or MSD controllers. These expansion modules pull data from existing engine sensors through the ECU, eliminating the need for multiple sending units. Dakota Digital supplies model-specific harnesses for true plug-and-play installation. Call 800.852.3228 or visit dakotadigital.com.

Camaro Daytona-Edition Gauge Face

US Speedo produced a Daytona Edition gauge face for the 2016 and 2017 Chevrolet Camaro. Kit CAM160 fits the LT, 2LT, LS, and Base models with the 160-mph speedometer. The faces are printed by an OEM-style process, ensuring factory-level quality. Call 810.244.0909 or visit usspeedo.com.

Carbon-Fiber LS Rocker Cover

Performance Design makes its LS-series rocker covers from carbon fiber with titanium fasteners. Part number 70570.01.00 uses positive locators for its OEM-style gasket/sealing design and includes polymer injection-molded seals. Call 248.507.4885 or visit performancedesign.com.

Camaro ZL1 1LE Upgrade System

Chevrolet offers a Spec Handling Component Suspension Upgrade System (PN 84352119) for the ZL1 1LE. It includes ride links, front handling links, rear upper and lower trailing links, rear knuckles, ball joints, and a complete set of stiffer bushings. The trade-off: Chevrolet deems it track-use only. Call 888.940.2438 or visit chevrolet.com/performance.

Coated LS and LT Pistons

JE Pistons introduced Perfect Skirt, a proprietary solid-film piston coating, available on Gen IV LS and LT pistons. The solid-film lubricant on part number 338676 allows forged pistons to run OEM-tight piston-to-wall clearances. Call 714.898.9763 or visit jepistons.com.

Cog Belt Supercharger with Serpentine Accessory Drive

ProCharger makes an ultra-high-output kit for Chevrolet engines that uses a serpentine belt for accessories and a cog belt for an F-series supercharger. Standard serpentine belts slip under high boost - cog belts eliminate that. Part number 1CX210-SC is designed for applications making 1,000 to 1,600 hp. Call 913.338.2886 or visit procharger.com.

Billet LS Blower Intake Manifold - Speedmaster

Speedmaster introduced a CNC-machined billet-aluminum manifold that marries a GM-type 6- or 8-71 supercharger to an LS3 engine. Part number PCE149 comes set up for injectors but can be configured for carburettor use by blocking the injector ports. LS blower manifolds are uncommon - this one fills a gap in the market. Call 909.605.1123 or visit speedmaster79.com.

1967-81 Camaro Adjustable Rear Shock

Aldan American applied its billet adjustable damper to first- and second-gen F-body cars. Part number 100101 directly replaces the OEM rear shocks and complements the Aldan front coilover kit. Call 310.834.7478 or visit aldanamerican.com.

Camaro ZL1 Limited-Slip Differential - Speedmaster

Speedmaster designed a six-pinion, torque-worm limited-slip gear carrier. The three-piece design uses studs rather than bolts and features a multi-diaphragm spring center mechanism that adjusts to conditions. Part number PCE204.1038 is rated to withstand 1,200 horsepower. Call 909.605.1123 or visit speedmaster79.com.

LS Swap Cast-Iron Manifolds

CFR Performance designed a cast-iron manifold that sits close to the LS engine block. Part number HZ-9988 features D ports and two-bolt 2.5-inch flanges. It includes all hardware and gaskets and is available in ceramic coating or chrome. Call 909.947.7888 or visit cfrperformance.com.

LS Fulcrum Rocker Upgrade

PRW Industries makes fulcrum rockers for LS-series engines. Part number 1213462 includes replacement fulcrums, drawn-cup bearings, circlips, and fasteners. For applications that push beyond the stock LS rocker design's intended mid-level performance range, trunnion-style rockers provide a measurable step up. Call 951.436.7900 or visit prw-usa.com.

Smart-Device Data Logger

Dash Logic's RaceBoss turns a mobile device into a video data collection track recorder. It gives iOS and Android devices the ability to monitor hundreds of parameter combinations - horsepower, torque, boost, vehicle speed, steering-wheel angle, and more - with fully customisable real-time data overlays. Call 801.709.6300 or visit dashlogic.com.

Wireless Wiring Harness

Advanced Accessory Concepts found a way to eliminate most wires from a harness. Its Trigger-series Six Shooter mounts close to the devices it controls to minimise wire length and communicates with its switches by radio frequency, eliminating many wires altogether. The tuning app lets users define each circuit's function - constant on, dim, and flash. Call 951.339.1469 or visit triggercontroller.com.

Carbon-Weight Alloy Wheel

Litespeed Racing built its RS5D to approach carbon-fiber weight levels using ultra-strong 6066-T6 aluminum - approximately 30 percent stronger than the 6061-T6 most manufacturers use. The result is one of the lightest alloy wheels on the market. Call 310.995.2127 or visit litespeedracing.com.

Air Springs for Coilovers

Penske designed an air-spring cartridge that fits any Penske shock and registers on standard 2.5-inch spring hardware. Unlike a fixed-rate coil, part number AS-AIR_SPRING can produce limitless spring curves to suit any suspension design or vehicle application. Call 610.375.6180 or visit penskeshocks.com.

Self-Jumpstarting Lithium-Ion Battery

Antigravity Batteries designed a lithium-ion battery with a built-in jump-start feature. At the press of a button, a secondary internal battery inside part number AG-YTX12 supplies enough current to start a vehicle even when the primary circuit has been fully depleted. Call 310.527.2330 or visit antigravitybatteries.com.

DOT-Approved Street/Strip Radials

Mickey Thompson gave the ET Street S/S an R2 compound for maximum traction, a tread design for minimum hydroplaning, and a lightweight radial carcass for acceleration and lateral stability. Four additional sizes were introduced for the 15- to 20-inch diameter range. Call 800.222.9092 or visit mickeythompsontires.com.

Photos by Chris Shelton.