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While Chevrolets and Fords are without question the most popular choices among builders who are constructing display vehicles for the SEMA Show, there’s always a bit of variety whether it’s a model from an import manufacturer, or a domestic manufacturer long defunct. One brand that runs closely behind the Ford and Chevrolet offerings are the Mopars – Dodge and Plymouth primarily. Here’s a rundown of some of the most unique and inventive interpretations of classic and current Mopars on display at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Petty’s Garage 1970 Plymouth Superbird

Petty's Garage recreated a street version 1970 Superbird in Petty colors from a Plymouth Satellite

Ratty on the outside, gnarly on the inside: Jesse James' twin-turbocharged Hemi-powered Polara

The Roadster Shop constructed this interesting concept for Jesse James. The unibody was cut away from this ’64 Polara and all rust repaired. They then installed on an RS FastTrack frame. Under the hood went an immensely powerful Wegner Motorsports twin-turbo Generation III Hemi engine that draws through K&N air filters to produce over 1600 horsepower. The interior appears to have been removed for an early 1960s factory-built drag car with its minimalist interior, while the exterior is the sunbaked patina you might expect but a carefully-planned illusion executed by the Roadster Shop.

1968 Dodge Charger “General Mayhem”

The General Mayhem, now powered by a 707 HP Hellcat engine, is a car looking for trouble

Watch out for the sting of this Super Bee, with its 700 CID bottle-fed Hemi powerplant

Ken Ticknor’s Charger might be better named Killer Bee to separate if from the factory stock Super Bee, as its modifications are so significant. Under the carbon fiber hood beats an enlarged 7.0L Generation III chock full of forged internal components that can take the strain of a direct port nitrous system, drawing, of course, through K&N filtration.

Underneath is a full coil-over conversion with stouter sway bars, while the interior has been upgraded to second generation Charger configuration. Not just a straight swap, mind you, but also a recover with over 30 hides of smooth-shaved crocodile with dyed honeycomb. Certainly not a Super Bee that’s easily mistaken from one that is straight off the assembly line.

If you own a Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, or RAM, K&N has the filters you need to keep you classic or soon-to-be classic running at its peak. Whether it’s an air cleaner element for a 1958 Chrysler 300 with a 392 CID First Gen Hemi or a Typhoon air intake system that adds almost 24 horsepower to a 2018 Dodge Challenger Hellcat, K&N has it. And don’t forget K&N also offers cabin air filters, oil filters, and fuel filters for many Mopar applications.

The KA-1016R adds more knee-draging power to the ZX-10R (photo: Kawasaki)

The newest flagship Kawasaki sport bike has one of the most advanced fuel delivery systems on the market. The four 47mm Mikuni throttle bodies feature oval sub-throttles. Each one delivers fuel through two injectors per cylinder.

To cap it off, the latest Ninjas have redesigned cylinder heads featuring straighter and wider ports. To get the most air/fuel mixture to feed that beast of an engine, you need a free flowing air filter. That’s where the KA-1016R comes in.

Just 2 layers of filter material adds up to massive air flow with the KA-1016R

Unlike K&N’s standard, direct replacement units, this high-flow, track-only filter will require fuel management modifications. When combined with engine remapping, and possibly a less restrictive exhaust if you choose, the KA-1016R will deliver markedly increased torque and horsepower to the Ninja’s rear wheel.

The KA-1016R is fully washable and reusable, making post-race maintenance a snap. You can put a stop to the endless cycle of replacing expensive disposable air filter elements that eat up your race and track budget! All you need is a K&N recharge kit like the 99-5000.

The K&N Race-Specific KA-1016R comes pre-oiled and ready to install in your Ninja

The K&N KA-1016R comes with a one year limited warranty. This product is for closed course competition use only and fits the following bikes:

2018 KAWASAKI ZX1000 NINJA ZX-10R 998 - Race Specific
2017 KAWASAKI ZX1000 NINJA ZX-10R KRT EDITION 998 - Race Specific
2017 KAWASAKI ZX1000 NINJA ZX-10R ABS KRT EDITION 998 - Race Specific
2017 KAWASAKI ZX1000 NINJA ZX-10R ABS 998 - Race Specific
2017 KAWASAKI ZX1000 NINJA ZX-10R 998 - Race Specific
2016 KAWASAKI ZX1000 NINJA ZX-10R KRT EDITION 998 - Race Specific
2016 KAWASAKI ZX1000 NINJA ZX-10R ABS KRT EDITION 998 - Race Specific
2016 KAWASAKI ZX1000 NINJA ZX-10R ABS 998 - Race Specific
2016 KAWASAKI ZX1000 NINJA ZX-10R 998 - Race Specific

The 63-1139 intake is the embodiment of style and performance

Performance

The stock air intake on the 2017 Harley-Davidson® 107CI FL models restricts airflow. The 63-1139 performance air intake opens up the lungs on that big V-twin, and that increase in airflow adds the potential for a substantial performance boost.

An example of the estimated power increase is revealed in the dyno charts that K&N’s testing showed when the 63-1139 was installed on an otherwise stock 2017 107CI Harley-Davidson Road Glide. The intake bumped up the Glide’s muscle by almost 3.5 estimated horsepower at just over 4400 RPM. Just as importantly, the intake unleashed an estimated 5 foot-pounds of torque at the acceleration sweet spot of approximately 3600 RPM.

Everything that is needed for easy installation is included in the 63-1139 kit

Design and Style

The forward-sweeping, cast aluminum high-performance intake tube cuts a mean and aggressive profile on the right side of the 2017 Harley FL models. The matte black finish is accented with a brushed aluminum K&N logo and raised horizontal ridges. That intake tube houses an internal velocity stack and innovative built-in breathers.

The 63-1139 performance air intake is capped off with a K&N high-flow cotton gauze air filter. The exposed conical filter element leaves no doubt that your Harley is fitted with the ultimate in performance and protection.

The sweeping bend of the the 63-1139 intake allows a massive flow of air

The installation of the intake is a straight-forward process. When assisted by K&N’s clear and detailed instructions and basic hand tools, the installation takes about 90 minutes. That’s it.

The occasional cleaning of the washable and reusable air filter element is a simple process using a kit like the K&N 99-5050. K&N’s engineers have made both the fitting and care of the 63-1139 a snap.

Applications

The 63-1139 performance air intake fits the Harley models in the list below. For all of your filter needs, consult K&N’s online application tool.

2017 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRXS ROAD GLIDE SPECIAL 107 CI - All Models
2017 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRX ROAD GLIDE 107 CI - All Models
2017 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLTRU ROAD GLIDE ULTRA 107 CI - All Models
2017 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLRT FREEWHEELER 107 CI - All Models
2017 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHXS STREET GLIDE SPECIAL 107 CI - All Models
2017 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHX STREET GLIDE 107 CI - All Models
2017 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTKL ULTRA LIMITED LOW 107 CI - All Models
2017 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK ULTRA LIMITED 107 CI - All Models
2017 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG TRI GLIDE ULTRA 107 CI - All Models
2017 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHR ROAD KING 107 CI - All Models

Jim McConville has reason for optimism as he prepares for 2018

A Return to Form

After very promising racing results in 2013 and 2014, McConville’s ascent in the sportbike racing world was derailed in the middle of the 2015 season when a chain thrown from a competitor’s bike chipped a bone in his leg.

McConville has become adept at racing on wet tracks

With that setback in the rear-view mirror, McConville's return to form was realized in 2017. His season included an impressive 11 podiums in 14 rain races. McConville excels in adverse racing conditions which is a testament to the racer’s mental toughness. He was only a second or two behind the professional expert racers on wet tracks.

However, it was not just about the rain in 2017. McConville had newfound success in the competitive Championship Cup Series.

Topping the podium at Daytona was a season highlight for McConville

Winning on an iconic course is special, and McConville got to taste that sweet fruit in 2017. “Winning a race in Daytona was a big highlight this year,” McConville said.

McConville finished second in both national series in 2017.

Looking Toward 2018

K&N has been a part of McConville’s racing efforts since 2010, and that support will continue as he strives toward his competitive goals.

Jim McConville leads the pack in a 2017 sportbike race

Spending more time on the track is something McConville knows will further his development. “I also want work more as a control rider for a local track day company,” he said.

On the technical side, McConville is excited to switch from Dunlop to Michelin tires. He also has a long-term goal of piloting a new race bike - a goal which may have to wait until 2019.

One thing is clear, 2018 looks to be a break-out season for Jim McConville, and K&N is excited to be a part of the effort.

Ronnie Bassett Jr celebrating his first career win at New Syrma Speedway

This season and the last were almost in doubts for Bassett, whose family owned race shop burned down last season. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the family lost their racing materials.

Bassett races for his father, Ronnie Bassett Sr., along with his brother Dillon, who are both in the NASCAR Next class of drivers. Both of their careers were in doubt after the fire, but they both decided to continue on.

This was Bassett’s fifth year racing in the K&N Pro East Series. From the age of 17, Bassett has been driving with some of the best up-and-coming drivers in NASCAR, but he never reached the results he had until this year.

Bassett finished in third place with 518 points in the K&N Pro East Series standings this season, finishing behind East Series champion Harrison Burton and Todd Gilliand. In 14 starts this season, he tallied one win, eight top-five finishes, and 11 top-10 finishes.

Bassett won the first race of the season, at New Smyrna, but was never able to cross the checkered line in first place again. He came in second place at Greenville Pickens in the second race of the season.

“I feel like I had some good experience from previous years at both racetracks,” Bassett said. “I have run well at new Smyrna the last two years and to come back and be able to test again with a new group of guys and new race car we got off to a good start.”

Recording 11 top-10 finishes and finishing in third place in the K&N Pro Series East standings, Bassett’s goals were not reached entirely.

Ronnie Bassett Jr preparing to take place in a race

Bassett has been racing in the division for a long time but does not foresee moving up to another division soon.

“I would love to move up into a bigger series but at this time in racing it’s all about how much money you can bring to the table and as I stated we’re an underfunded team and don’t have the money move up to a higher division,” Bassett Jr. said.

Bassett realizes how important it is to have K&N as a sponsor and a supporter of the East Series

“It’s big to have them as a sponsor if it wasn’t for them wouldn’t none of us be able to do the things we love to do,” Bassett Jr. said. “They have been able to help me by allowing us to go to the tracks we go to and the people we get to get in front of.”