Superchips Offers Rebate up to $50 on qualified purchases.

For a limited time, Superchips is offering a mail-in rebate from February 18, 2013 till March 31, 2013 for up to $50 on either a TrailDash or Trail Jammer and a $25 rebate for VIVID LINQ, Flashpaq, or iHawk products. Full rebates are paid by Superchips through a third party.

Promo Details:
• Rebate purchase dates: February 18, 2013 - March 31, 2013
• Rebate claims must be postmarked by April 15, 2013
• Rebate amounts: Flashpaq, iHawk, and VIVID Linq $25, TrailDash and Trail Jammer kits $50.

To download the flyer please visit superchips.com during the promo period.


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Car Alarms and Remote Starts - what are the options and what's best for me?

There is a sea of aftermarket Alarms and Remote Start systems available out there.  Auto parts stores, Electronics Retailers (i.e. Best Buy), and Vehicle Audio/Video Retailers all carry specific brands and varieties.  So what is the best out there?  How do you choose the best system that fits your needs?

Plain and simple - shop around.  However, the cheapest is definitely not the best.  You get what you pay for.  Let's discuss alarms first.

A cheapo $30 alarm isn't going to cut it.  You may find it at a parts store.  It may even carry a familiar brand name.  We get a huge influx of people wanting these installed immediately after the Christmas season.  However, you may find them disappointing.

1) The antenna's reception is significantly shorter.  We installed such an alarm for a client.  After installation, we found that she had to be approximately 8-10 feet from her vehicle in order to arm, disarm, or remote start her vehicle.  Imagine her excitement.

2) Although electronics costs have and is rapidly dropping, capacitors, resistors, and circuit boards all play a role in the alarm module.  Cheaper materials means early failure rates.

Variety of Alarms. These days, each brand carries a variety of options.  Since I am familiar with the brand we carry, I am using it as my example.

1) Keyless Entry / Alarm. - This is the alarm system that comes to mind when you say "car alarm".

2) Keyless Entry / Alarm 2 way system - This is the next step upgrade.  The easiest way to define this is to break it down to it's literal term.  The signal can be sent 2 ways.  Basically your alarm box receives signals from your remote, and your remote receives signals from your alarm.  Basically, any alerts will signal the remote.

3) Keyless Entry / Alarm - 2 way system - 1 mile system.  This system is the same as the last with an extended range.  The easiest analogy would be this system would reach your car if you were at the back of Walmart.  The previous models would reach your car if you were at the cashier's or at the doors.

Remote Starts

These are a little more difficult to decipher, but the same rule applies: Cheaper is not Better.  Internals and components all follow the same rules.

So which system is best?  The alarm varies mentioned above also follow the same varieties, just add "remote start" to the listing.  However, most vehicles since 2005 have an electronic vehicle theft deterrent system of some type.  A bypass module is required for these systems to work.  Basically, the bypass module retains your factory theft deterrent system, but when the remote start is activated, the bypass module mimics the coding on your keys allowing the vehicle to start.  There are two main companies that make these modules for every brand available, and they are either sold under their own name or re-branded.

If you're considering a remote start, they are great to have.  Most people think of them in the winter time for thawing vehicles from under a sheet of ice or snow.  And the summer?  Well, when you're vehicle is scorching hot, it's definitely a feature of comfort to cool your interior down before you get back in.

There are many reputable brands on today's market.  It's important to use the brands familiar to the company you choose to install your system.  Different alarms have different color coded wires and connectors.  Bringing an unfamiliar brand to a company usually takes more time.  You may find that if a company is willing to accept the installation of the alarm you bring, the billed labor hours will match or exceed that of purchasing the company's brand.

- Bryan Lin | CEO, The Motorsports Authority, Inc. | www.MSAStore.com Read more

2013 Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ Gauge Pods IN STOCK

2013 Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ 2 and 3 gauge pillars are now IN STOCK.

Just to recap, we manufacture these A Pillar Gauge Pods in house.  We mold 1, 2, and 3 gauge pillar pods into the factory A pillars.  This insures perfect response in the possible event the air bags were to deploy.  We definitely recommend electronic gauges and NEVER mechanical gauges where liquids are placed near the air bag, i.e. oil temp gauge, oil pressure gauge, etc...  This creates a possibility of oil throughout the interior if the airbags were to deploy.  

ALSO, the pricing includes shipping the pillar(s) to you, shipping the core(s) back to us, and a refundable core charge.  We do accept special order requests where we can mold or create 60mm gauge pods or RH pillar pods.  Feel free to email and provide us with such information prior to purchase.  Turn around is about 3 weeks on a special order item such as this.

FRS/BRZ Pillars can be purchased HERE.  (FRS and BRZ Pillars are identical.)

- Bryan Lin | CEO, The Motorsports Authority, Inc. | www.MSAStore.com

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MSA BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS!

MSA Black Friday Sale

That's right!  MSA will be doing Black Friday specials this year.  We normally didn't in the past, but with some requests, we decided to give it a try.  SO...here's a link.  Enjoy!

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FRS A-Pillar 2 and 3 Gauge Pods are now available.

MSA FRS A-Pillar 3 Gauge Pod (2 Gauge also available)

MSA has long been known for the quality of work it provides.  We have made pods in the past for various customers, but never offered them to the general public.  Since we used the factory pillars, we didn't think anyone would purchase the product being we have to charge for the factory pillar as well.  After some interest in the Genesis Coupe community, we gave it a try in the form of a core charge, and it was a success!

Why our pillars?

We use the existing factor pillar still.  This insures perfect fitment.  This also ensures that any pillars do not interfere with the function of the airbag system.  There is absolute no drilling or modifications required to our pillars. 

Our pillars are sprayed with a durable texture coating for longevity and durability.  We will gladly stand behind it and out of hundreds, we have only had one with any issues.  It was quickly taken care of and we covered the freight.  

You're pillars are expensive!

Actually, most people don't consider what goes in it.  First, the pricing includes shipping (about a $15 value) AND to make it easier to send the core back, we cover the return shipping as well (another $15 value).  Also, depending on if you ordered the set or just the driver's side, there is a $50 and $30 core charge, respectively.  This is refunded to you when we receive your factory pillar using the included return label.  That considered, that's $80 and $60 in shipping and money that's being returned to you.  So the charge for the pillar is $215 for a 3 gauge set and $165 for the driver's side 3 gauge only.  The 2 gauge pods are $10 less.  Each pillar takes us roughly 6 hours to make from start to finish.

We guarantee these to snap right in.  No warping or screwing in cheap machine screws.  The only modification that might be required is making a larger hole for the gauge's wiring or leads.

CLICK HERE to view the product page.

- Bryan Lin | CEO, The Motorsports Authority, Inc. | www.MSAStore.com Read more

Your Car 101 (Series) - BEWARE of the Impact Gun...when having others wheels on.

More and more these days, people are beginning to do it correct.  However, there are still some shops that continue to use an impact gun without reservations.  Let me explain.

Be Cautious.  Ask Questions.

Impact guns have a lot of power behind them.  Enough power to brake wheel studs, tighten through if the lug nuts aren't put on correctly or even break wheel studs.

All too often have I observed tire shops who put the wheel on the car and just start synching the lug nuts down on the wheels.  Although, most still do follow the "star" pattern, there are still the possibilities of cross threading or tightening the lug nuts waaay too tight.  (Each wheel, whether a 4 lug, 5 lug, 6 lug, etc... has a specific pattern that optimizes the changes of centering a wheel correctly.  Cross threading is where a nut is put onto a bolt slightly sideways thus flattening out the threads...rendering it useless.) 

Another problem is just plain over tightening.  Have you ever or seen someone struggle with taking lug nuts off with their spare tire kit?  Over-tightening can make it almost impossible to remove a tire without using an impact gun again. 

Today's Tech

These days, a lot more dealerships and tire shops are becoming more conscious of the torque (the amount of force applied to tighten) being applied.  The simple fact is that in the past, you did risk the change of breaking the wheel studs.  But today, over tightening has a higher chance of breaking than before. 

There are two different types of tools they can use.  First is a torque wrench.  Basically, lug nuts should be put on by hand initially (prevents cross threading), then with an impact on LOW torque, and in the correct pattern.  Once on the ground, a torque wrench can be set to the factory setting so that lug nuts do not get over tighten.  A torque wrench clicks and stops, telling the technician that this is as tight as the lug nuts need to go on.  A torque wrench should always be used when the vehicle is on the ground.

Second is to use what's called a torque stick.  Torque sticks are basically extensions that are manufactured to twist at a predetermined torque.  The technicians has to pay attention to the stick and the lug nut to make sure it's not accidentally overtightened.

They both work.  A tire shop should already have a reference guide to the torque settings of each vehicle and should always torque vehicles rather than just "throwing" wheels on with an impact gun.  Good luck!

Note: This series has been moved to: YourCar-101.blogspot.com/

- Bryan Lin | CEO, The Motorsports Authority, Inc. | www.MSAStore.com Read more

How about a free hat?

MSA is giving away one of their limited run Mesh Fitted hats.  Just "like" our Facebook page and comment with your guess at the number.  Or click on the link below. 

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