Installing an ACS / Cavallino Splitter

Most car enthousiast may get intimidating installing a body component on their performance toy, ACS parts are designed for ease of installation and performance in mind. A perfect examples are ACS manufactured Splitters, below is a DIY video of Road and Race installing a Cavallino splitter on a new FIAT 5oo Sport model.

Out of the box is an RTM manufactured splitter, all mounting hardware and instructions are included.

Cavallino Web Store Link

ACS Holiday Greetings 2012 !

NEW PRODUCT RELEASE, ACS Camaro T4 Splitter (For Camaro SS Only, V8)

The ACS T4 Splitter is latest product driven by enthusiast demand. The composite T4 Splitter will install on all Camaro SS front fascias and WILL NOT lower the vehicle’s ride height. Mounts’ using a series of supplied mechanical fasteners and does not require the front fascia to be removed. Installation time is under 15 minutes.

The easiest splitter installation currently offered on the market. Given it won’t alter the ride height, it is the most durable in addition to its complete belly pan to cover the under surface of the SS fascia. Protect your OEM paint while improving airflow of the frontal area of your Camaro.

Part comes prepped and primed in with all the required hardware and instructions.

Estimated installation time: 15 minutes.

Visit our WebStore Link for details

Source [ACS]

Sema 2012, Favorite Picks

Sema is the Specialty Equipment Market Association, every year Sema organizes its annual show in Las Vegas. It has built a reputation for being  the most comprehensive gathering of customized vehicles. From Exotics to 4Wheelers, from muscle cars to sport compacts everything can be seen and only the imagination can limit what you can find.

I have been attending Sema for over 12 years, and will say Sema 2012 is by far the best one in recent years. Attendance seemed to be higher than usual and the build quality as reached a new level. You can appreciate how builders are modifying cars while keeping OEM quality in fit and finish, our industry is evolving as consumer demand on performance and quality grows. Unlike other years, I can’t say a single car dominated the floor; we always had a Camaro year, A SUV Year, JDM years or even a Mustang year. All cars were well represented and Sema members showcased many interpretations on how specialty products can improve your business. Below are a few of my favourites, follow my link to my full image library from our web-store.

For more images visit our Webstore Gallery

Favorite Corvette;  LPE Custom Corvette

Favorite Sport Coupe; Prototype Acura NSX Roadster

Favorite Custom Built Camaro; Tjin Edition Camaro

Favorite Production Car; Chevrolet Hotwheels Camaro

Favorite Sport Compact; Romeo Ferraris Cinquone

ACS attending the Lingenfelter Performance Nationals, September 21-23 2012

The Lingenfelter Performance Nationals is being organized as a jam-packed weekend, featuring drag racing, autocross, car show, speed stop challenge, countryside cruise and a manufacturer’s midway Sept. 21-23, 2012 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

With classes designed to level the playing field between professional and amateur drivers, the Lingenfelter Performance Nationals will offer drag racing, an invitation-only bracket race and a Battle of the Brands event that pits Ford, GM and Chrysler vehicles against one another. Trophies, plaques and cash prizes will be awarded to car show and race winners. The Lingenfelter Performance Nationals will also be an official qualifying event for the OPTIMA(r) Batteries Ultimate Street Car Invitational.

“Our customers know racing is a huge part of the Lingenfelter DNA, and what better way to say thank you to them than by creating a weekend-long car enthusiast experience,” said Ken Lingenfelter, owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. “There is a lot of brand crossover among our customers, so The Lingenfelter Performance Nationals and our Battle of the Brands event is an opportunity for those LS-powered vehicles and late-model customers – and everyone in between – to have an entertaining weekend at a great facility.”

Lingenfelter will announce additional event details throughout the year. For updates, go to www.lingenfelterperformancenationals.com or e-mail Mike Copeland at mcopeland@lingenfelter.com for questions about participating in the Lingenfelter Performance Nationals.

 

 

Source  : LPE

Cavallino Fiat 500 appearing in Little Italy during Montreal Grand Prix Festivities

On June 8th, 9th & 10th 2012 during Montreal Grand Prix Formula 1 weekend, Little Italy will be celebrating day and night; entertainment, good dining and of course a huge celebration of the automobile! Thinking of Italy you think of the most exotic and fastest of cars, but recently America has been blessed with the arrival of a wicked little car, we welcome the FIAT 500. To celebrate the occasion, we are presenting our  favorite litle brother; the new Cavallino. Our 500 will be showcasing a series of ACS built products specifically  for the new generation FIAT 500. For the event ACS has partnered with Canada’s largest and most passionate dealer; Demeusles Fiat, also known as Bravo Fiat. Special thanks to a great team for paint and assembly Stemac Auto.

A great event for all to appreciate the finest Italian styling and dynamic design of automobiles.

Cavallino is a new FIAT 500 Performance Tuning Group and a new division of Advanced Composite Specialties (ACS). ACS is an OEM validated body panel manufacturer and specialty part builder. Passion, Beauty, and Performance are the three words that have driven the Cavallino program. ACS is presenting it’s Cavallino product line tailored to match the Fiat 500 owner.

Bravo FIAT is an authorized distributor of Cavallino Cars, for any questions or inquiries feel free to contact us,   all are invited to little Italy this coming weekend ! Make sure to stop buy and say Ciao

New Cavallino FIAT 500 Sport Splitter

The new Cavallino Splitter is designed for the North American FIAT 500 Sport model. It is made in ACS’s validated RTM process, a OEM validated process. It is a rigid components built to last. Can be painted to match or pre-ordered in Satin Black or Hydro Carbon finish.

Will not alter the ride height of your FIAT, installs in a few m inutes using simple tools. No 2 way tape, adhesive or infinite grinding required. Simple installation in under 15 minutes using the supplied hardware.

- Improve frontal airflow and add the finishing touch to an already stylish automobile.

- Prepped and primed in order for you to save on painting costs and quality stamped by ACS Composite, an OEM composite manufacturer.

- Made entirely in an OEM validated RTM composite material. Guaranteed to last and not distort over time.

Note : Will not fit FIAT 500 Pop, Lounge, 500C, or Abarth front bumper.

Fiat and 500 are a registered trademark of the FIAT Group Marketing & Corporate Communication S.p.A

To order visit our ACS Webstore

ACS T3 Hood Ports, installs on any stock Camaro SS RS LS Hood

Introducing the T3 Hood Port self-install kit, the coolest way to upgrade your STOCK Hood. That’s right, modify your Aluminum Hood and save on paint and the hasles with replacement hoods. The ACS T3 Hood port self install kit is a 9 piece installation kit to convert the existent stock hood on your Camaro.

Other than its lightness the original Camaro Hood does not offer any performance advantages, until now that is. Install a set of T3 Hood Ports to extract the engines hot air, and reduce body lift at high speed by relieving under hood pressure. Trim your hood following our guide and templates, rest assured every trimmed edge will be covered and reinforced with both our outer port and inner panels (Margin of error, +/- 1/4” outer, +/- 1/2” on the inner). T3 Hood ports includes a water management system draining the water towards the from radiator support away from critical engine electronics. For extreme events like racing, you can easily remove the deflector for an optimum suction effect. 

 Kits come with everything needed;

- Driver and Passenger Outer Port

- Driver and Passenger Inner Panel

- Driver and Passenger Deflector Plate

- Driver and Passenger Octagonal Mesh

- Deflector mounting bolts

- Instructions Booklet, Templates and Adhesive

Patent Pending

 

Order yours today in our store

[ACS Composite]

 

 

 

ACS developping new Fiat 500 Cavallino Parts.

Cavallino Fiat 500

We love cars, big or small. They say the smaller they are, the more wicked they are. We’ve seen the commercials, we have seen the car. Love it or hate it… I drove one, and I want one. I think that the Abarth is just an amazing package with a super bang-for-the buck factor, and did I say FIAT  is Italian. Perhaps it’s the fact I grew up idolizing Fiat, Ferraris, Maseratis and such… The FIAT 500 is no exotic, but it is an Italian Coupe with lots of Heritage. People know me for having big cars and American cars… I can’t explain it but every time I see a 500, I smile. This being said, I am jumping in with my own line of Fiat 500 Parts. It is exciting getting in a new market, tons of ideas, and endless opportunities.

Working with ACS you learn to see potential in cars. The Fiat 500 is a great platform. All the key elements are present and it’s time to show the world what she can be when she grows up In the next few months we will be sharing what we feel the 500 can be. Of course ACS Composite is here to help develop new parts. Perhaps this will be our smallest hood in production… stay tuned to find out. In the mean time, please bookmark our new site and I invite you to revisit once it’s completed.

http://www.cavallinocars.com

In the meantime enjoy these commercials!

Video Source [FIAT USA]

Why ACS Composite products are unlike anything else…

ACS’s history is derived from OEM experience and engineering, the company’s philosophy is to apply its knowledge and technology gained from the OEM programs and offer the same quality standard to all its product line including the aftermarket. In a nutshell the secret is RTM, Resin Transfer Molding, it is a manufacturing process where dry continuous fiberglass mat is placed in a closed female / male tool. Under pressure the mold cavity is filled with liquid catalyzed resin. Most entry level or prototype composite panels are made using chopped strand mat, a cost effective solution and favorable for hand made parts, chopped strand mats are random 1” strands of glass mats compared to the continuous mats which is indefinite and offering a very consistent and predicable mechanical property. By automating the process ACS engineers are able to control each manufacturing variable to produce a product built to match the required specifications.

How can you tell the difference?  Visually, ACS parts are smooth on both sides, and are prepped and primed. The rest is in the formulation and durability of the part. Time will tell you… It is all about the process and materials used…

ACS’s RTM process utilizes large presses and heavy tooling to ensure quality parts. ACS’s proprietary molds are computer temperature controlled for repeatability and part consistency. Average tool weight is 4-5000 lbs. Another secret, unlike typical hand laminated parts, which are made in low cost lightweight composite tools, which tend to distort and bend over time.

• Parts are same thickness throughout, insure proper stack height and an excellent fit on the vehicle
• Smooth finish on both sides of panel
• Similar mechanical properties to SMC (Sheet Molding Compound)
• Consistent glass/resin ratio content
• Fully cured in mold
• High filler rate for great heat distortion resistance
• Tested for automotive glass A finish
• No air pocket or dry spots
• Tested for durability and show finish, will not distort under extreme heat
• Environmentally friendly, low VOC emissions as part is cured in a closed mold

Many will say they can purchase fiberglass hoods for half the price. Just like cars, performance will vary with each model. ACS’s RTM manufacturing process has been tested and validated by both GM and Ford and can be found on some of America’s most recognizable muscle and supercars like Camaro’s and the centennial Ford GT. Unlike most aftermarket composite panels, ACS’s process has been tested to withstand High Heat and 7 yr. durability standards; a requirement for class A automotive panels.

No Gel coats are used. Gel coats are the industry’s “Band Aid”. Glossy and Shiny it is a perfect cover up for a part out of box. ACS’s parts are molded using no gel coats; this is the only way parts can be fully inspected prior to assembly and ensure our customer get a part they can enjoy for years to come.

Finally, ACS parts are the only aftermarket parts, which are prepped and primed. The final step in each ACS panel is to hand sand and prime the panels using automotive primers, a step your painter and body shop will greatly appreciate.

The next time you are shopping for Composite Panels, make sure to ask, how are the panels made. What type of standards and testing has been done to claim “quality fiberglass”, and most important what type of raw materials were used, we can proudly say our materials and labor is exclusively from America!