The annual Performance Race Industry (PRI) Show in Indianapolis, Indiana is always a great place to see what is new and exciting, and the most recent show was no exception. PRI welcomes hardcore enthusiasts to get up close with the performance aftermarket’s most innovative companies without all the fluff of other industry shows. PRI always delivers with the latest performance parts, and the vehicles displayed demonstrate current trends in vehicle choice and build style.

New product development this year was very heavy on cylinder heads, complete engines, and components for the popular Gen3 Hemi, with very little emphasis on more traditional Mopar engines which are already very well covered by multiple manufacturers. This is the natural evolution that helps our hobby to grow, and attracts new enthusiasts to the Mopar banner.

Dart, long known for high quality cylinder blocks and heads in both cast iron and aluminum, has its new Iron Eagle Gen3 Hemi block available as a short block package using premium components meticulously assembled by professionals. These short blocks are available in both VVT and non-VVT versions, with Dart forged SHP cranks and H-beam connecting rods, Diamond forged pistons, Total Seal AP rings, and King Bearings. Displacements include 392, 426, and 482cui.

While news came out just a couple of months ago, Callies Performance products rolled out its all aluminum Gen III Hemi Hellephant and Drag Pak engine blocks. Introducing two cast aluminum Hemi blocks – the Drag Pak Hemi block and the cast aluminum Hellephant engine block – is no small feat. The first complies with all Drag Pak/NHRA requirements, and the second is ideal for the street-driven performance enthusiast.

Blackbird Performance, led by long-time Mopar drag racer Geoff Turk and his wife Jena, has branched out from their own racing efforts with the Blackbird X Challenger into a parts business that takes full advantage of the hard-earned knowledge and problem solving needed for a successful race team. Besides the many new products they had on display, the eye-catcher was their full race-spec Whipple-supercharged G3 Hemi producing an insane 1,600-horsepower.

Boundary Pumps features billet oil pump gears for Gen 3 Hemi, Viper, SRT4, and Diamond Star applications. Unlike older engines, many late-model engines use front-mounted, Gerotor-style oil pumps. To prevent failure of the stock gears in high performance applications, it is recommended to replace them with precision-machined, durable billet gears.

ATI Performance Products highlighted their Gen3 Hemi Super Case bell housings with dual starter pockets to better accommodate available aftermarket headers, since many headers are only compatible with one starter location. The bell meets SFI 30.1 certification, and is constructed of heat treated, 356 aluminum. Applications have not been announced, but they should cover the popular transmission options.

One of the most stunning drag cars at PRI was the wild “Christine 2.0” 1958 Plymouth Fury, built by McIlvain Race Cars and owned by Bruce and Angela Gaier. This gorgeous car runs the Top Sportsman, Outlaw Index, and is powered by a 540cui INDY-built Wedge with a P1X ProCharger centrifugal supercharger blowing into an AED carburetor.

A dark plum Pro Mod 1970 Plymouth Duster is always enough to get your attention, but this example has an even more unique choice of powerplant. Built by Firepunk Diesel of Plain City, Ohio, the Duster has a turbocharged, nitrous-injected 6.7 Cummins diesel backed by a 5-speed Liberty transmission, and is the world’s quickest and fastest diesel door car.

Fred Craig’s green 1970 ‘Cuda was a major attention getter in the Larry Jeffers Race Cars booth. The ‘Cuda is powered by a Brad Anderson Enterprises 526 Hemi engine with a crank-driven F140 ProCharger, backed by an M&M TH-400 transmission. Luis de Leon, FuelTech’s COO, personally delivered the first FT700 Plus engine management system and presented it to Fred, who installed it in the booth. Watch for great things from this car!

5 O’clock Garage’s 2018 Dodge Demon at first glance looks like just another Hellcat powered Challenger, but sitting between the fenders is a Mopar Hurricrate 3.0 inline six, enhanced by a pair of HPT F2 5562 turbochargers and backed by a Pure Driveline Solutions-built 8HP75 transmission. Hopefully we will continue to see more development on this new engine.

The #4 Ken Schrader 1995 IROC Dodge Avenger was a welcome sight at PRI, considering its history in the sport. In addition to being driven by Ken Schrader in two events in 1995, this car was originally built as an IROC Camaro in 1988, and won events with Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, and Mark Martin at the wheel.

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