Legislation that would effectively prohibit the use of exhaust systems other than a “factoryinstalled muffler” or a “muffler meeting factory specifications” has been reintroduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. SEMA defeated identical legislation in late 2004. The bill ignores the fact that specialty-equipment exhaust systems offer increased utility and would make it nearly impossible for hobbyists to replace factory exhaust systems with more durable, better-performing options. More information is available on www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=61559.

SEMA members interested in obtaining a vehicle from General Motors (GM) to use in the development of a SEMA Show 2005 project vehicle must submit their proposals by Saturday, May 14.
GM is considering several vehicles as part of its SEMA Show strategy, including the HHR, Malibu and Maxx, Pontiac Vibe, Solstice, G6 and Saturn models. All GM pickup and SUV models will be considered as well. Other GM product lines will be available in limited quantities within the scope of this program.
Receive up to $4,000 in Industry-Only Education Grants SEMA members may qualify to receive up to $4,000 from the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The group awards thousands of dollars annually to students pursuing careers in the automotive specialty-equipment industry.
Application deadline is Sunday, May 15. For details, visit www.sema.org/scholarship or contact education@sema.org.

Chevrolet unveiled the 2006 Corvette Z06 at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in January, and now GM Performance Parts is unveiling the crate engine version of the LS7 engine that powers it. This latest Z06, billed as "the fastest, most powerful car ever offered by Chevrolet and GM," has enthusiasts looking for that kind of power in a crate engine. GM Performance Parts is ready to end that search as it offers the LS7 (P/N 17802397) at GM dealerships and Authorized Centers, nationwide in August.
This small-block V8 dreams big, displacing big-block cubic inches at 7.0 Liters (427 cubic inches) and big-block power at 500 hp at 6200 rpm. It also benches 475 lb.-ft. of torque at 4800 rpm. Helping to create its high power and high revving capability are details such as cylinder heads with computer numerical control (CNC) intake and exhaust ports and combustion chambers—which creates ports with surgical accuracy for maximum power production. In addition, the intake valves and connecting rods are made out of high-strength lightweight titanium. The LS7 engines are assembled by hand at GM Powertrain's new Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan.
Pricing will be announced mid-summer; however, early estimates indicate that the GMPP LS7 crate engine will sell for well below the cost of comparable custom-built aftermarket engines. Enthusiasts who must have the latest technology, maximum horsepower and the largest production cubic-inch displacement small-block ever built will be able to purchase the LS7, as well as other GM Performance Parts crate engines, blocks, heads and components, from GM dealerships or GMPP Authorized Centers nationwide. Following the release of the LS7 in a crate, GMPP will offer select parts, such as the crankshaft, connecting rods, cylinder heads and valves separately, and in kit form.

SEMA-drafted legislation has been introduced in the Maine Legislature to permit the use of optional accent lighting on motor vehicles that is not prohibited by federal regulations and has not proven to be a safety hazard.

SEMA-model legislation (H.B. 2156 and H.B. 2212) has been introduced in Massachusetts for consideration in the 2005 legislative session that would create a vehicle registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles and provide for special license plates for these vehicles. Introduced by separate sponsors, H.B. 2156 and H.B. 2212 define a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. Both bills allow kit cars and replica vehicles to be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model year designation as the production vehicle it most closely resembles. More information is available on www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=61569.

After being stalled in 2004, a bill (H.B. 2011) to ban the sale or installation of “an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust” has been reintroduced in the Massachusetts State Legislature—this time with a twist. It has been revised from last year’s version to exclude limited-use “antique motor cars.” This amendment represents a clear attempt by the bill’s sponsor to divide the automobile hobby in an effort to gain cleaner sailing for this restrictive and damaging piece of legislation. H.B. 2011 ignores the fact that specialty-equipment exhaust systems are designed to make vehicles run more efficiently without increasing emissions, does not supply law enforcement with a clear standard to enforce, and would make it difficult for hobbyists to replace factory exhaust systems with more durable, better performing options. More information is available at www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=61569.

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer signed into law SEMA-model legislation to create vehicle titling and registration classifications for street rods and custom vehicles. The bill defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. Under the bill, kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned certificates of title bearing the same model-year designations as the production vehicles they most closely resemble.

The Scion tC sports coupe, on sale since July 2004, takes on a whole new personality as a limited edition. The 2005 tC Release Series 1.0 was on display during media days at the 2005 New York International Auto Show. The 2005 tC Release Series 1.0 is the fourth limited edition vehicle for Scion. The tC Release Series sits on P225/40ZR18 tires wrapped around 18-inch Enkei alloy wheels with a dark graphite finish. The front fascia receives unique upper and lower grilles. Underneath the hood, a battery tie down, billet oil filler cap and front strut tie bar—all red—add a touch of color to the engine bay. Black sport seats with red highlights carry the Absolutely Red exterior into the passenger cabin. A cargo mat and brushed aluminum Release Series 1.0 door sills come standard. Embroidered tC Release Series 1.0 carpeted floormats and a small numbered plaque applied to the interior of each Release Series car add to the uniqueness of the limited edition.
Only 2,500 units of the tC Release Series 1.0 will be available at Scion dealers nationwide beginning this month. The tC Release Series 1.0 model will carry a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,775 over the base price of the tC. Joining the Absolutely Red tC on display at the show is the 2005 xB Release Series 2.0. All xB Release Series 2.0 vehicles have an eye-catching, bright Solar Yellow exterior. Exterior features include color-keyed side mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators, color-keyed rear spoiler, a tunable sport muffler and a metal sport mesh grille.
Inside, stainless steel xB Release Series 2.0 appliques line the door sills, and black fabric with yellow accents are designed to match the brilliant yellow exterior paint. As a reminder of the exclusivity of this vehicle, a small numbered plaque is applied to the interior of each Release Series car. Scion will only produce 2,500 units of the xB Release Series 2.0. This second limited edition xB carries an MSRP of $1,375 over the base price of the xB and is currently available at dealerships nationwide.

A bill (H.B. 2357) to exempt qualified collectible vehicles 15 years old and older from the state’s mandatory emissions inspection and maintenance program has been signed into law by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. Under a SEMA amendment, vehicles would have to be either at least 15 years old or of unique design, limited production and an object of curiosity. (The bill previously required vehicles to be both 15 years old or older and of unique design, limited production and an object of curiosity.) Owners would have to maintain appropriate collectible or classic automobile insurance and their vehicles would be primarily used for car club activities, exhibitions, parades, etc., and only infrequently used for other purposes.
The new law must now be adopted by the U.S. EPA as part of Arizona’s state implementation plan for air quality. More information is available on www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=61895.

SEMA negotiated a compromise to legislation that originally threatened to prohibit public road use of all passenger cars or motorcycles equipped to supply the engine with nitrous oxide. The bill was signed into law by Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. The SEMA amendment modified the bill to protect manufacturers and hobbyists from a blanket ban. As amended, the mere presence of nitrous systems on passenger cars or motorcycles does not constitute a violation—nitrous systems must simply be disconnected when a vehicle is being driven on a public road or the nitrous oxide containers must be removed.

SEMA-supported legislation to allow motor vehicles to be equipped with ornamental ground effect lighting has been introduced in the Arkansas Legislature. The bill defines ground effect lighting to include neon or light-emitting diode tubes placed underneath a motor vehicle to create a halo effect. The measure provides that the lighting may not flash and that no portion of a neon or light-emitting diode tube may be visible except from underneath the motor vehicle.

Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher signed into law SEMA-model legislation to place limits on public nuisance ordinances that prevent automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby. Under the new law, junked, wrecked or inoperable vehicles, including parts cars, stored on private property would only be required to be maintained out of ordinary public view. It would apply to owners or occupants of land in a city, county or unincorporated area. The new law applies to automobile collectors, defined as those who collect and restore motor vehicles whether as a hobby or a profession. To comply, collectors would maintain hobby cars out of ordinary public view, a sight line within normal visual range by a person on a public street or sidewalk adjacent to the private property. This provision would be achieved by means of suitable fencing, trees, shrubbery, etc. The complete legislative alert is located at www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=61604.

SEMA-supported legislation to expand the permissible use of cars equipped with nitrousoxide systems was signed into law by Maine Governor John Baldacci. In 2003, working with the Maine Custom Auto Association, SEMA amended a Maine bill that originally threatened to prohibit the operation of vehicles equipped with nitrous oxide or other “power booster systems” (e.g. superchargers) on public roads. Under the amendment, the bill permitted vehicles equipped with nitrous-oxide systems if all canisters of nitrous have been removed or if the vehicle is en route to or from a racetrack. The new law also allows the public highway use of vehicles equipped with nitrous systems if they are en route to a car show, off-highway competition or fill station.