2025 Detroit Autorama: A Gearhead’s Dreamland
March 7, 2025
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
HOW TO PAINT SCALLOPS
We all know itʼs what lies beneath the paint that really matters—a good chassis, great metalwork, and great design. Yet, having said that, the paint job still remains the single most important element of any rod or custom. After all, even if the groundwork has been laid, your bodywork is straight and great, your design is fine and your mechanicals are flawless, a poor paint job can spoil it all.
HTM On The Water
We chronicled the building of the Challenger 600 EFI engine over the course of two months and now the boat is ready to get out on the water for testing. We headed out to Lake Elsinore in Southern California (one of the few lakes without a speed limit) and gave the boat a whirl. With the help of Paul Pfaff Racing Engine’s Gordon Jennings we had a good day on the water.
BUILT TO WIN: The Battle for the Al Slonaker Memorial Award 2026
The 2026 Al Slonaker Memorial Award wasn’t just about who won—it was about twelve extraordinary contenders, each showcasing craftsmanship, vision, and execution. From paint and stance to metalwork and mechanical finesse, every build pushed the limits and demanded attention.
Spotlighter
The Hottest New Products from HPX 2026
We walked the aisles of HPX 2026 to find the standout products, breakthrough technology, and innovative companies making waves in the performance aftermarket.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photography by Scott Killeen
If HPX 2026 proved anything, it’s that the performance aftermarket isn’t slowing down—it’s accelerating. Held in Charlotte, North Carolina, the High Performance Expo has quickly established itself as one of the industry’s premier gathering places for manufacturers, builders, racers, retailers, and enthusiasts looking to see what’s next in automotive performance. More than just a trade show, HPX serves as a launchpad for new technology, product debuts, and the ideas shaping the future of the aftermarket industry.
Walking the show floor revealed an industry that is evolving in every direction at once. Traditional horsepower parts shared the spotlight with advanced materials, EV cooling technology, additive manufacturing, motorsports safety equipment, race-ready driveline components, and innovative solutions designed to make building and servicing performance vehicles easier than ever. From established industry giants to emerging technology companies, exhibitors filled the Charlotte Convention Center with products aimed at solving problems, improving reliability, increasing performance, and helping enthusiasts push their projects further in the performance aftermarket.
The following products and manufacturers represent some of the most interesting displays we encountered throughout HPX 2026. Some were award-winning innovations that drew crowds throughout the event. Others were proven performance parts from companies that have spent decades earning their place in the industry. Together, they showcase the breadth of today’s automotive performance industry and offer a glimpse into where the performance aftermarket is headed next.
HPX 2026 New Product Awards Winner
Judges’ Choice & People’s Choice
DYME PSI’s PRO/SPEC Quick-Release Fitting System
Taking home both the Judges Choice and People’s Choice New Product Awards at HPX 2026, the DYME PSI PRO/SPEC Quick-Release Fitting System (originally featured in our PRI 2025 product showcase) proved that even the most overlooked parts of a build can be completely reimagined. Designed to eliminate the frustrations of traditional AN plumbing, PRO/SPEC replaces wrenches, jam nuts, and hard-to-reach fittings with a simple bayonet-style quick-release connection that locks securely into place by hand.
Built for fuel, oil, coolant, brake, and power steering systems, the forged 6061-T6 aluminum fittings deliver race-ready strength while dramatically simplifying installation and service. A high-visibility locking indicator provides instant visual confirmation that the fitting is fully engaged, while dual serviceable O-ring seals are available in multiple material options to handle everything from pump gas and E85 to methanol, nitromethane, brake fluid, and extreme-temperature racing environments.
Available in sizes ranging from -4AN to -20AN with a wide variety of adapters, hose ends, bulkheads, and dry-break configurations, PRO/SPEC offers builders unmatched flexibility. The system is engineered to withstand intense vibration, pressure cycling, and thermal shock while allowing tool-free disconnection in seconds when maintenance is required.
For racers, fabricators, and enthusiasts who demand both performance and serviceability, DYME PSI’s award-winning PRO/SPEC system represents a major evolution in motorsports plumbing technology—and HPX attendees clearly agreed.
6XD Sequential Transmissions
If there was one product at HPX 2026 that embodied a race-first mentality, it was the 6XD Sequential Gearbox. Developed by SS Manufacturing and RTS (Race Tech Services), the transmission was designed with a singular goal: create the strongest, most reliable racing sequential available. Backed by more than 30 years of championship-winning experience and a résumé that includes victories in CART, IndyCar, NASCAR, Formula Drift, World Drift Championship, and Trans-Am competition, the team behind 6XD understands what it takes to survive at the highest levels of motorsports.
Built entirely in the United States using proven GForce Transmission internals, the 6XD combines brute strength with remarkable versatility. Its modular architecture offers more than 250 gear ratio combinations, multiple input options, replaceable dog rings, independent shift barrels, and even the ability to rotate the gearbox 90 degrees for specialized chassis applications. Every transmission is assembled by senior lead builder Rick Lamber and run on a dyno spin rig for 45 minutes before delivery, ensuring racers receive a true plug-and-play package.
What makes the 6XD especially intriguing is its serviceability. Gear ratio changes can be performed in minutes, wear components can be replaced without major disassembly, and the design focuses on extending the life of critical internal parts to reduce long-term operating costs. In a world where downtime can cost championships, the 6XD isn’t just engineered for performance—it’s engineered to keep racers on track and competing.
American Racing Headers (ARH)
The American Racing Headers (ARH) booth delivered exactly what you’d expect from a company built on precision exhaust engineering—clean presentation, platform-specific focus, and a clear emphasis on real-world performance gains. Rather than trying to overwhelm attendees with a full catalog dump, ARH kept things curated on the floor, showcasing a handful of key systems while reinforcing just how deep their application range runs behind the scenes.
On display were several highlighted systems, including the C7/C7 Z06 Long System, the C8 Z06 Header Package, and the Cadillac CT5-V Cat-Back system, each representing ARH’s platform-first approach to exhaust design. Across the board, the focus stayed consistent—equal-length routing where packaging allows, stainless construction, and carefully engineered flow paths designed to improve scavenging and unlock performance without sacrificing drivability. While only a portion of their lineup was physically represented, the booth made it clear there were additional applications covering a much wider range of modern performance platforms.
Adding to the atmosphere, a Bandit-style Trans Am parked at the booth brought a bit of classic attitude into the mix, tying ARH’s modern engineering focus back to the golden era of American performance. It was a fitting backdrop for a brand that spans both old-school muscle and today’s high-output platforms, showing that whether it’s vintage-inspired builds or cutting-edge late-model applications, the mission stays the same—maximize exhaust flow and let the engine do the rest.
ARP (Automotive Racing Products)
Since 1968, ARP (Automotive Racing Products) has built its reputation on solving one of racing’s most overlooked causes of engine failure: fastener reliability. Founded by racer and aerospace fastener specialist Gary Holzapfel, the Southern California company grew from a backyard garage operation into the industry’s most respected manufacturer of high-performance engine and driveline fasteners, supplying everyone from grassroots racers to championship-winning teams in NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula 1, and NHRA competition.
That same commitment to precision is why ARP Ultra-Torque Fastener Assembly Lubricant has become a staple in professional engine shops. Engineered specifically to reduce friction variability during installation, Ultra-Torque helps builders achieve more accurate and consistent clamping loads, improving preload accuracy, gasket sealing, and overall reliability. It also provides anti-seize protection, corrosion resistance, and protection against thread galling under extreme conditions. At HPX 2026, ARP showcased a product that reinforces a simple truth: horsepower means nothing if the fasteners holding it together can’t be trusted.
CP-Carrillo
Walking into the CP-Carrillo booth at HPX 2026 felt more like stepping into a modern art gallery than a performance parts display. Under the lights, meticulously machined pistons, connecting rods, and engine components were presented as if they were sculptures rather than hardware destined to spend their lives hidden inside an engine block. The intricate machining patterns, perfectly finished surfaces, and purposeful geometry transformed raw metal into something that blurred the line between engineering and art.
That presentation was a fitting reflection of the company itself. Formed from the combined legacies of CP Pistons and Carrillo Connecting Rods, CP-Carrillo has spent decades producing some of the most respected internal engine components in motorsports. Manufactured in Irvine, California, the company’s products are trusted everywhere from grassroots racing programs to professional competition because of their reputation for precision, durability, and performance under extreme conditions.
What made the display memorable wasn’t any single product—it was the realization that these components are functional sculptures. Every contour, pocket, beam, and machined surface exists for a reason, balancing strength, weight, and performance at the highest levels of motorsports. At HPX 2026, CP-Carrillo reminded attendees that some of the most beautiful pieces in the performance world aren’t the parts everyone sees—they’re the masterpieces hidden beneath the valve covers.
CP Carillo
We specialize in developing and manufacturing pistons and rods for high performance race vehicles and the aftermarket. Our products are proudly made in the USA from USA made materials
Derale Performance
For six decades, Derale Performance has been helping enthusiasts and racers manage one of the biggest enemies of performance: heat. Based in Southern California, the company traces its roots through CP Auto Products, a family-owned business dating back to 1946 and a charter member of the original SEMA organization. Known for its extensive lineup of transmission coolers, oil coolers, heat exchangers, fans, and thermal management solutions, Derale has built a reputation around quality engineering and a commitment to U.S.-based manufacturing.
That expertise was on display at HPX 2026, where Derale showcased a variety of cooling solutions for both traditional performance vehicles and emerging technologies. Among the featured products was their High-Performance EV Fluid Cooling Module, highlighting the company’s move into the growing electric vehicle performance market. Designed for battery packs, inverters, electric motors, drivetrains, and secondary cooling loops, the system brings race-proven thermal management principles to modern EV applications.
Built around a high-efficiency 40-row plate cooler, the High-Performance EV Fluid Cooling Module is capable of dissipating up to 67,000 BTU per hour while supporting flow rates up to 12 gallons per minute. An integrated IP68-rated 10-inch electric fan delivers 800 CFM of airflow, and the compact furnace-brazed aluminum design allows installation in tight packaging environments common to EV conversions and motorsports applications. As performance vehicles continue to evolve, Derale’s latest cooling solution demonstrates that effective thermal management remains a critical part of making power—regardless of what powers the vehicle.
FiTech EFI Systems
Over at the FiTech booth, the focus wasn’t on a single headline product—it was an entire ecosystem of EFI solutions built around simplifying high-horsepower performance. From self-learning ECU packages to complete induction systems, FiTech continues to push the idea of plug-and-play fuel injection that doesn’t sacrifice airflow, tuning control, or power potential. The goal is straightforward: take what used to be complex, pieced-together EFI setups and turn them into clean, integrated systems that builders can confidently drop onto everything from street LS swaps to full race engines.
One of the standout systems on display was the FiTech Nitro-Port Cast LS3 1000HP EFI System, a complete induction package built around a 102mm throttle body, short-runner LS3 intake, 80 lb/hr injectors, dual wideband O2 sensors, and a full self-learning ECU with wiring harness included. Engineered to support up to 1000 horsepower, it blends high-RPM airflow with modern drivability and simplified installation, eliminating the usual headaches of standalone EFI tuning and component matching. The result is a unified LS solution built for serious power with far less setup friction.
Also turning heads was the Dual Quad Nemesis Throttle Body EFI System, which takes FiTech’s modern EFI technology and wraps it in classic dual-quad styling. Featuring dual wet-flow throttle bodies with eight integrated 130 lb/hr injectors, the system is rated for up to 1600 horsepower on gasoline and 1200 horsepower on E85. Dual idle air control motors improve stability on large camshaft engines, while the self-learning ECU maintains drivability even in aggressive race combinations. Available in Brilliant or Hard Anodized Black finishes, it blends old-school hot rod attitude with modern electronic precision—proving EFI systems can look as good as they perform.
FiTech Fuel Injection
We design and engineer automotive fuel injection products for manufacture and distribution.
Five Star Race Car Bodies
Known throughout short-track racing for its body panels, aero components, and race car bodies, Five Star Race Car Bodies has also developed a range of products aimed at improving performance beyond aerodynamics. One of the more interesting pieces featured at HPX 2026 was the company’s V-Series Cold Air Box, a system designed to maximize the flow of cool, clean air into the engine while helping isolate the intake from the heat generated inside the engine compartment. Five Star describes the system as flow-bench tested for peak airflow, emphasizing both performance and consistency.
While it may not grab attention like a new engine or transmission, intake air management remains a critical part of building horsepower. The V-Series Cold Air Box is engineered to work with cowl-induction-style setups, directing cooler outside air toward the engine while reducing exposure to underhood temperatures. For racers constantly searching for small advantages, maintaining cooler and more consistent intake temperatures can contribute to improved performance and repeatability throughout a race weekend. At HPX 2026, the product served as a reminder that sometimes the most effective performance gains come from optimizing the fundamentals.
Five Star RaceCar Bodies
Five Star Bodies is the industry leader in designing and manufacturing composite, plastic and polycarbonate body panels and windows for all forms of motorsports- Dirt, Pavement, Drag, Road Race, Off Road.
Haulmark
For racers, the trailer is just as important as the vehicle inside it, and the Haulmark EDGE Race Trailer was built with that reality in mind. Designed specifically for motorsports applications, the EDGE combines professional race trailer styling with practical features that make life at the track easier. From its flat-front, flat-roof profile and cast aluminum corner caps to its bonded aluminum exterior panels and spread-axle design, the trailer delivers a clean, professional appearance while providing the durability serious racers demand. Available in lengths from 20 to 32 feet and multiple trim packages, the EDGE can be configured for everything from weekend track-day duty to full-scale race team operations.
What sets the EDGE apart is its focus on functionality. Features such as integrated tire storage, premium cabinetry, insulated interiors, 50-amp power systems, LED lighting packages, workstations, and generator accommodations transform it from a simple hauler into a mobile race headquarters. With high-performance flooring, heavy-duty tie-downs, torsion axles, and race-ready loading solutions, Haulmark has created a trailer that works as hard as the team towing it. At HPX 2026, the EDGE showcased how modern race trailers have evolved beyond transportation to become an essential part of a competitive motorsports program.
Holley
Few companies have shaped modern performance aftermarket fuel and induction systems like Holley. From carburetors that defined the muscle car era to today’s EFI, engine management, and induction systems, Holley has remained at the forefront of performance innovation for decades. At HPX 2026, that legacy was represented by products like the Holley Hi-Ram EFI Intake Manifold Kit for Big Block Chevy, a modern induction solution that brings contemporary EFI technology to one of Chevrolet’s most iconic engine platforms.
Designed for 1965-and-later 396-502 cubic-inch Mark IV, V, and VI Big Block Chevy engines, the Hi-Ram combines a cast 356-T6 aluminum intake with a large-plenum design and 105mm LS-style throttle body flange. The manifold is engineered to support a broad 1,500-8,000 RPM operating range, making it equally at home on aggressive street builds, drag cars, and high-RPM competition engines. Included black anodized fuel rails, provisions for modern sensors, and compatibility with drive-by-wire or cable-operated throttle bodies make it a versatile foundation for serious EFI conversions.
While fabricated sheet-metal intakes often dominate high-horsepower conversations, the Hi-Ram offers many of the same airflow benefits in a more cost-effective, production-cast package. Its tall-runner architecture is designed to maximize airflow and cylinder filling at elevated engine speeds, making it a favorite among builders chasing naturally aspirated horsepower or supporting boosted combinations. At HPX 2026, it served as another example of Holley’s ongoing effort to modernize classic engine platforms without sacrificing the performance character that made them legends in the first place.
Hoosier Tire
At HPX 2026, Hoosier Tire brought a street-meets-track mindset to the booth with the TrackAttack Pro lineup—an ultra-high-performance summer tire built on Hoosier’s unmistakable racing DNA. Known for its deep roots in professional motorsports, Hoosier has long been associated with purpose-built slicks and competition compounds, but the TrackAttack Pro represents a shift: translating that same grip-first philosophy into a 200 UTQG street-legal package designed for modern performance cars that live double lives between commute duty and track weekends.
The TrackAttack Pro is engineered as an extreme performance summer tire that blends aggressive compound technology with street usability, targeting drivers who want maximum grip without stepping fully into race-only rubber. Across the lineup, sizing ranges from 17- to 19-inch fitments with wide section widths and reinforced construction, delivering sharp steering response, strong braking performance, and high lateral grip under load. Designed for drivers pushing hard in autocross, HPDE, and time attack environments, it focuses on consistency and confidence when heat builds—while still being livable enough for street mileage in between sessions.
At HPX 2026, the TrackAttack Pro stood out as one of those rare products that doesn’t try to compromise its identity. It’s still very much a Hoosier at its core—just refined for a new generation of dual-purpose performance builds that demand real track capability without sacrificing road usability.
Kirkey Racing Fabrication
For more than 25 years, Kirkey Racing Fabrication has built its reputation on one core mission—deliver lightweight, safe, and cost-effective aluminum racing seats that can withstand the punishment of everything from grassroots short track racing to professional oval and road course competition. Based in Canada, the company has become one of the most widely used seat manufacturers in motorsports, trusted across dirt, asphalt, drag racing, and road racing for its straightforward engineering and focus on driver protection without unnecessary complexity.
That same philosophy continues into 2026 with the introduction of the Kirkey 93 Series Asphalt Seat Kit, designed to improve driver support and containment in modern asphalt applications. Built around Kirkey’s lightweight aluminum construction, the 93 Series focuses on ergonomics and stability under load, with a 18-degree layback angle that better suits high-speed oval and road course driving positions. The kit-based design also streamlines installation, giving builders a complete seating solution that maintains the brand’s signature balance of strength, weight savings, and affordability.
Sharing the same display stand was the Road Race Variant of the 93 Series, tailored specifically for road course environments where lateral support and sustained cornering forces demand a different driving posture. With added emphasis on driver containment and refined side support geometry, the road race configuration expands the 93 Series lineup into a broader motorsports range rather than a single-discipline solution. At HPX 2026, Kirkey’s booth underscored a familiar theme: while vehicles continue to evolve rapidly, the importance of a properly engineered driver’s seat remains constant—because control always starts at the driver’s connection to the chassis.
Lyten Motorsports
Born out of Lyten’s broader materials science work in advanced energy and composites, the company’s push into racing through Lyten Motorsports is all about one thing—turning next-generation material science into real-world performance parts. Built around its proprietary 3D Graphene™ platform, Lyten is targeting the gap between prototype-grade 3D printing and true motorsports-grade components, where strength, heat resistance, and weight savings actually matter on track. The focus isn’t novelty printing—it’s functional, load-bearing parts that can survive real racing environments.
The Lyten 3D Graphene™ filament is aimed directly at that space, designed for producing lightweight but durable automotive components like ducting, interior panels, brackets, sensor mounts, air management pieces, and custom one-off fabrication parts that would normally require machining or composite layup. With enhanced strength, impact resistance, and thermal stability compared to conventional 3D printing materials, it gives builders a faster path from CAD to track-ready hardware. In a motorsports setting where iteration speed is everything, Lyten’s material system is less about replacing metal everywhere—and more about making smart, functional parts that can stand up to heat, vibration, and real race abuse.
Tremec Transmissions
Few names carry as much weight in the manual transmission world as TREMEC. For decades, the company has supplied transmissions for OEM performance vehicles, aftermarket builds, and motorsports applications, earning a reputation for durability, strength, and shift quality. Recognizing the growing demand for modern manual transmissions in classic muscle cars, hot rods, and restomods, TREMEC developed the TKX specifically for the aftermarket. Rather than adapting an existing OEM gearbox, the TKX was engineered to deliver modern performance while fitting into older platforms with minimal modification.
Featured at HPX 2026, the TKX 5-Speed Manual Transmission is rated to handle up to 600 lb-ft of torque while offering a compact design that simplifies installation in a wide range of classic vehicles. Multiple shifter locations, improved high-RPM shift capability, and available overdrive gear options make it equally at home on the street, autocross course, or road track. By combining modern strength and drivability with classic-car-friendly packaging, the TKX has become one of the most popular transmission upgrades for enthusiasts who still believe the best performance upgrade is a third pedal.
Tremec Transmissions
Manufacturer of performance overdrive manual transmissions and related components. TREMEC aftermarket 5-speed and 6-speed transmissions give virtually any vehicle better performance, potentially improved fuel economy and improve the driving experience.
XS Power Batteries
Built for the kind of electrical demand that exposes weak systems instantly, XS Power Batteries has spent the last two decades carving out a dominant position in high-output automotive power solutions. Established in 2005 in Knoxville, Tennessee, the company has grown into a global manufacturer of AGM, lithium, and ultracapacitor systems used across racing, audio competition, and extreme performance builds. Their focus has always been the same—deliver stable, high-density power that keeps modern race vehicles alive under brutal load conditions and constant vibration.
That mission shows up clearly in the XS Power D1600 16V AGM Racing Battery, a staple in drag, audio, and high-compression racing applications. Designed around a sealed AGM architecture with reinforced internal construction, the D1600 delivers high cranking output and sustained voltage stability for vehicles running demanding electrical setups like high-flow fuel systems, aftermarket ECUs, electric water pumps, and data acquisition hardware. Compact, vibration-resistant, and service-friendly, it’s engineered to be both a primary or auxiliary power source where consistency matters more than compromise. At HPX 2026, it stood out as one of those foundational products that quietly makes everything else in a build possible.
XS Power Batteries
Industry Leader in 12V, 14V and 16V Capacitor, Lithium, and AGM Technology.
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