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The Suzy Bauter 1963 Rambler will be on display at the Spectre Performance booth at SEMA 2017

Suzy regularly competes in autocross events with her 1968 Chevy Camaro

“At a recent Goodguys event, Spectre had tents for us to pit at and a big barbecue for everybody"

Suzy's SEMA show car started life as a plain-Jane 1963 AMC Rambler American 440 Wagon

This 2017 SEMA Show car will be powered by a 5.3L Chevy V8 with a Spectre air filter and fuel rail

Suzy decided to replace the AMC straight-6 with a Chevy 5.3L V8, which she tuned to produce an estimated 360-hp. Some of the modifications include a Spectre fuel rail, fuel regulator, crank case breather, and a high-flow intake system. That’s backed up by a modified 700R4 transmission with a TCI Autocross valve body, and the whole drivetrain has been moved back into the firewall 7-inches to achieve better weight balance. Underneath, she and Rodney welded in a first-gen Camaro front subframe, complete with a custom suspension from Suspension Geek. A fifth-gen Camaro independent rear suspension and differential were used out back. And all four corners will be getting big Baer Pro+ 6P brakes, Viking adjustable coilovers, and 18x10.5 US Mags wheels wearing sticky BFG Rival S tires.

Suzy Bauter welding suspension components on her Pro-Touring 1963 AMC Rambler

Thanks to its sub-3,000lb curb weight, low center of gravity, and autocross tuned suspension, the Suzy Bauter 1963 Rambler American 440 Wagon SEMA show car should be a serious contender when she begins campaigning it in SCCA Solo, Goodguys AutoCross, and Optima Autocross events across the Southeast and Midwest. We at Spectre can't wait to watch Ms. Bauter become the next 'Dinosaur Hunter' on the autocross circuit later this year. In the meantime, go check out her '63 Rambler Wagon in the Spectre Performance Booth at the 2017 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Autocross driver Suzy Bauter plans to be the next Dinosaur Hunter with her little AMC Rambler

The 350/290 when shipped from GM is pretty bland in appearance (Photo: Chevrolet)

Spectre Performance can help. The company offers a full line of the type of chromed steel and polished aluminum covers and components the 350/290 is screaming for. And if you bolt them all on before you drop the motor in your pre-1976 vehicle, the installation will be that much easier.

But back to the motor for a second. It’s named the 350/290. The first number is pretty obvious – the engine’s displacement. The second number is the horsepower as rated by GM. There are sellers out there who claim that if you carefully select your intake, exhaust, and ignition components 300 horsepower or maybe even a little more is available.

The 5432 kit includes air filter, ExtraFlow lid, valve covers, breather, and assorted hardware

So you’ve placed your order for the motor and the delivery arrived shortly thereafter. The black beast is now bolted to your engine stand where you can install the intake manifold, carburetor, and ignition system. It may have plenty of go at this point but it lacks seriously in flash.

Spectre makes things convenient for the engine builder by combining several complementary parts together in a package. This way you’re certain all the pieces will fit and you’ll save a little dough in the process.

The cast ribbed aluminum oil pan is both attractive and helps in cooling engine oil

If you’re planning on installing the later style long water pump, here are a few items to add to your shopping list.

The Spectre 47293 Alternator Bracket Set was designed for Chevrolet Small Block engines with a long water pump. This triple chrome-plated kit includes two brackets and the hardware needed to mount your alternator in a clean and professional way.

We like the look of the Spectre 4930 as not only is it made from polished aluminum, but it also swivels 360 degrees. This means that not matter where you have to route the upper coolant hose, it’ll always end up in the right spot. We also prefer the style of the 4930 over the typical ball and socket look.

The polished timing cover is an great looking replacement for the stamped black cover on the 350/290

That brand new motor deserves better than a discolored old plastic overflow tank. Spectre has several different sizes in both height and diameter. We like the 4192 as it’s easy to fit just about anywhere.

If this 350/290 is headed for an older Camaro, Chevelle, or Chevy pickup, check out the line of radiator support panels available from Spectre. Not only do they brighten your engine bay, the help the radiator run cooler as well by directing more air through the radiator as opposed to around it.

Spectre carries several items that’ll upgrade the appearance and performance of your engine’s oiling system as well. Replace that black-painted stamped-steel oil pan with a gorgeous finned polished aluminum pan from Spectre. We like 4988, which accommodates the 350/290 two-piece rear seal, but also provides a little extra engine cooling thanks to its aluminum construction and “heat sink” fin design. While you’re at it, throw in a plated dipstick like the Spectre 5730 and get rid of that yellow plastic ring.

Our last stop is the front of the motor. We like the looks of the 4935 timing chain cover and its ultra-sleek partner, the 4936 pointer. But let’s face it. Anything would look better than the black-painted, stamped steel cover shipped with the motor.

If you want to go even further, Spectre has a full line of accessories for complete customization

So imagine a fresh new 300 horsepower 350 CID small block Chevy engine powering your ride, with thanks to Spectre for making it look as good as it goes.

Since 1983, Spectre has designed and offered unique and innovative parts and components to fuel your vehicular obsession. Our products are designed and tested to perform and last. We have a state of the art chassis dynamometer with diagnostic and emissions testing and performance optimizing capabilities, as well as a top of the line Super-Flow flow bench with airflow, pressure, and velocity measuring capabilities in both intake and exhaust modes, as well as a full experimental laboratory, all of which are used to develop quality products that perform.

Spectre can turn your 2nd-Gen Dodge Challenger, Charger, 300C or Lancia Thema into a real beast

Every car has an air filter, and it's designed to remove dust and dirt before it gets sucked into the cylinders, where it can damage the piston rings, valve train, and fuel injectors. Air filters are absolutely necessary, but they can also reduce performance. You see, an OE Dodge air filter or OE Chrysler air filter is made from thick folded paper, and uses what is known as a “surface loading” design. This means that all of the dirt it filters out of the airstream collects on the surface between the folds. As this dirt builds up, less air can reach the motor, which obviously reduces the amount of power it can make. Your Pentastar 3.6L V-6, or Dodge Hemi V8, needs a lot of oxygen to turn fuel into horsepower. And the high-flow Spectre replacement air filter was specifically designed to increase the airflow, while also improving filtration.

The secret to a Spectre HPR11257 OE replacement air filter, is in its design. Unlike a stock paper air filter, these are made from multiple layers of oil synthetic material, sandwiched between two layers of sturdy wire mesh. This proprietary material allows the airborne contaminants to be stored inside of the material, which is known as “depth loading”. The oil treatment turns the synthetic fibers into a sticky web that’s able to trap much finer dirt particles and lock them in place. The benefit here is, more air can flow through to the motor, more consistently.

The Spectre HPR11257 is designed to fit the following vehicles:

Increase engine protection & performance with the Spectre HPR11257 OE replacement air filter

Spectre Performance offers a full-line of engine accessries, from Oil Pans to Throttle Body Spacers

There’s a common idiom that states that “the devil is in the details.” The Oxford dictionary defines the phrase as “the details of the matter are the most problematic aspect.” And when you translate that to building or modifying cars or trucks, it can mean that while finding a small block crate motor is a straightforward task, it’s all the little bits – the bolts and brackets and pulleys and dipsticks – can be hardest to locate and might actually hold up the completion of your project.

That’s where Spectre Performance comes in. Spectre offers a complete line of the some of the hardest to find engine accessories, machined from aluminum or finished in triple chrome plating. And while some will improve performance, others just up the “wow” factor when a passer-by first looks under the hood of your project.

You’ve spent countless hours selecting and installing the components of your ride. Let Spectre Performance make the final steps easy with their line of engine accessories for classic Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac models.

Spectre offers various chrome plated brackets, latches, and support bars for the most common classic V8 applications. We carry hood latches and radiator core supports for early Camaros, as well as chrome alternator brackets for small block Ford, and small and big block Chevrolet and Chrysler engines. There’s also a 10-piece alternator bracket set for a professional-looking mounting of the alternator on 1969-1986 small block Chevy engines with a long water pump.

Spectre's Deluxe Engine Kit for SB Chevy comes with Extraflow filter, valves covers, and hardware

Spectre offers triple-plated chrome engine kits that include chrome valve covers with chrome valve cover wing bolts as well as other components that vary by application. In addition, some kits include a chrome air cleaner cover with lid or even Extraflow filter assemblies with lids. Kits are available for classic Big Block and Small Block Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford 335 Series, 385 Series, FE Series, and Windsor engines. There are also kits for Oldsmobile V8 and Pontiac V8 engines. For Small Block Chevys, there are deluxe engine kits that include air filters, breathers, Y-wing valve cover bolts, and additional hardware.

Spectre engine dress up covers fit selected factory engine bay caps, boxes and component covers

While aggressive-looking on the outside, many modern muscle cars are just a sea of plastic when you open the hood. If you own a 2011-2016 Mustang, Dodge Charger, Challenger, or 300, or a 2010-2015 Chevrolet Camaro, Spectre has the solution. These contemporary design covers for various underhood components, which differ by model, all cover the OEM parts so there’s never an issue with fit. And all have been extensively tested to make certain they can withstand the high temperatures under the hoods of modern muscle cars.

Spectre offers chrome master cylinder covers for literally decades’ worth of General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler Corporation models. The applications range from the traditional domed-lid bail-latched versions to the more modern snap-on type.

A humble OEM dipstick can actually be an eyesore under the hood of an otherwise well-detailed engine bay. That’s why Spectre offers several designs, ranging from the OEM type loop, but with lustrous chrome plating, or dipsticks with billet aluminum handles. Chrome dipsticks are available for Small Block and Big Block Chevrolet, Small and Big Block Mopars, 335 and Windsor Fords, and Oldsmobile and Pontiac V8s. Billet handle dipsticks are available for small block Chevrolet, small block and big block Mopar, and Olds and Pontiac V8s.

Spectre's extra capacity oil pan provides 6 quarts of capacity for 1965-1990 Chevrolet Big Blocks

Spectre Peromance offers a wide array of oil pans in a variety of finishes and materials for classic American V8 engines. These oil pans range from unplated steel pans for Small Block and Big Block Chevys and Small Block Fords, to polished aluminum pans for Small Block Chevys and Fords, to triple chrome plated pans for a variety of GM, Ford, and Chrysler V8s. Spectre Performance also offers special extra capacity oil pans for competition applications, with available extended pickups for Small Block and Big Block Chevrolet V8 engines. So whether it’s a utilitarian plain steel look you’re going for, a more polished appearance, or the versatility and protection that a higher capacity oil pan affords, Spectre Performance has the oil pan that you need.

The Saginaw power steering pump was not only installed on generations of General Motors vehicles, but was also installed in certain AMC, Ford, and Chrysler models from the 1960s through the 1970s. The Saginaw power steering pump is also a popular choice when adding power steering to older vehicles that weren’t equipped with the feature from the factory. As the pump is typically mounted front and center, a little flash helps. Spectre offers three type of dipsticks for the Saginaw pump: a triple-chrome replacement type, another with a dual-ring outer edge design, and a chrome-plated ABS cap that snaps over the OEM cap.

Spectre offers alternator, water pump, and power steering pulleys for Chevy Small Block and Big Block engines, Ford engines, and 1979-2004 Mustang engines. Materials include triple chrome plated steel and machined aluminum in single, double, and triple belt configurations. Also available are individual component parts like alternator fans, pulley covers, and pulley shim kits.

Spectre machine-finished aluminum throttle body spacers are designed to increase low-end torque

Inserted downstream of the throttle butterfly, a throttle body spacer increases the volume of the intake manifold so the engine can operate more efficiently, improving power, torque and fuel economy. Manufactured from high quality machine finished aluminum, Spectre's Chevy and GM throttle body spacers are designed to help improve the intake air flow of select Chevy and GM LSX, 4.3L, 5.0L, 5.7L, 6.2L and 7.4L engines.

Spectre offers triple chrome plated steel or polished aluminum timing chain covers for your Chevy Big Block, Small Block, and Chrysler Big Block Engines. Along with adjustable timing tabs, for improved accuracy, these covers are fabricated from steel and triple chrome plated. Applications include Small Block Chevrolet and Big Block Chevrolet and Chrysler.

Spectre offers a variety of valve covers and accessories, including for Cadillac, Jeep & Lincoln

Spectre offers valve covers for a wide variety of engines, ranging from the Dodge Slant 6 to Ford’s high-performance BOSS 429 V8. Not only does the company offer a full range of six- and eight-cylinder valve covers manufactured from triple chrome plated steel, polished aluminum, gold iridite as well as a few extra styles, but the company offers a number of accessories as well. Several styles of valve cover bolts, cover spreader bars, O-Ring, and bolt styles are available, as well as oil filler caps and breathers.

Spectre Performance engine accessories are engineered for optimum fit and function and the perfect complement to your time and effort. So whether you’ve started your project or are just planning on one, look to Spectre Performance to add some beauty to that beast of your engine.

It only took 25 years but Chris Wissing got the exact 1970 Chevelle he'd always wanted

Chris’s dream had been to rebuild an A-body to his exact specifications, and this Chevelle was his starting point. After a few stalled efforts, a full-time job and a new baby, his wife Rebecca stepped in. No, she didn’t tell him to get that pile of ferrous oxide off her property, but rather told Chris he should send the build out to the shop of his choice and have the car built to his specs – and within his lifetime.

Having grown-up in Eugene, Oregon, Chris decided to use the resources with which he was most familiar. The shop Chris selected was Eron Anderson’s Precision Classic and Collision in Eugene, Oregon. They began where all restorations start: taking the entire car apart and determining which parts were still serviceable and which needed to be recycled. The frame didn’t pass the test, but that was just as well, as Precision installed a modern, bulletproof fully-boxed 10 gauge steel frame with IFS from the Roadster Shop. Step 1 of 5894.

The Chevrolet Performance LS376 motor produces 525 horsepower straight out of the crate

Between those front frame rails reside the desirable Chevrolet Performance LS376 V8. Based on the LS3 that served in both the Corvette and the Camaro SS, the Chevy Performance folks thought it would be an awesome idea to install their ASA full-race camshaft into the LS3. Some tasty tidbits include an aluminum block and heads, L92 rectangular port type heads, 10.7:1 compression ratio, a hydraulic cam that may set some sort of pole vault record with 0.525 lift on the 2.165-inch intake valves and 0.525-inch lift on the 1.590-inch exhaust valves. Fuel is fed from a Rock Valley gas tank with internal pump. Rated straight out of the box (crate) the LS376 delivers 525 horsepower.

Almost as important as the inflow of air and fuel is the movement of spent gases out of the combustion chamber and away from the car. For that task Chris selected a set of headers developed specifically for LS engine installations in GM A-Bodies by Ultimate Headers. From there, spent gases move rearward through a custom three-inch stainless steel exhaust system to a pair of Flowmaster mufflers.

Jon Lind massaged 2004 GTO seats to fit inside the Chevelle, while the dash is from The Shop

Under the hood the real detailing begins. A custom intake feeds the throttle body from a chrome-topped Spectre conical filter that features an inverted cone for improved service life and enhanced flow potential. The entire engine bay has been smoothed out, with custom radiator baffle and injector covers. The Health Department would grade the engine bay an A -- it’s that clean.

Boze Tach alloy wheels wrap Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Hiding are Wilwood six-piston calipers

At the rear, the body received the mini-tub treatment to fit Michelin Pilot Sport 345/30R20 on 20x13-inch Boze Tach alloys. Fronts, by the way, are 19x9-inch Boze Tachs with 275/30R19 Michelins. Stopping the beast are 13-inch rotors with Wilwood six-piston calipers all the way around.

The car was sprayed by Precision in a custom blend of PPG paint.

On the inside Chris spec’d and Precision created a very livable environment. Using front buckets and rear seats from a 2004 Pontiac GTO was both a clever solution and also creates a connection with another former A Body model. The dash, console, and door panels were all custom-built by Custom Built by Clint Jack at The Shop LLC of Pompano Beach, Florida. The recovering of the seats in grey leather, along with matching headliner in grey suede with aluminum inserts and carpet are all the work of Jon Lind Upholstery in Eugene, Oregon.

The level of detail is apparent even in the trunk. Check out the fabricated subwoofer cover

So now after two years and a sizeable investment, Chris is enjoying his Chevelle in several ways. He’s won awards at car shows, he’s competed against other Pro Touring cars in autocross events, and takes his family out for a ride on sunny Sundays. And isn’t that what owning a Pro Touring car is all about?