The weather is changing and winter projects are starting to take shape. Are you going to provide the parts this fall or be sitting around complaining about how slow it is? Follow our lead and be sure you’re phones will keep ringing thru the off-season.

1. Ensure all your products are up to date. If you’re not using a service like RPMWare make sure you get new price and application guides from all your manufacturers. New products are coming out just in time for SEMA. Make sure you’re representing your product mix well.
2. Check your pricing and adjust accordingly. Customers don’t shop 100% on price, but they aren’t going to pay an extra $50 for your service. Spend a couple hours researching the competition and make sure you’re competitive.
3. Get Noticed! Building your customer base requires a multi-part approach. No single campaign will net great results. Become active in web forums, feature project cars on your website and promote the hell out of them. Your customers want to deal with a real shop, not some kid in his Mom’s basement. Give them that confidence, show them what you can do.
4. Don’t forget Marketing 101. Flyers, Magazine Ads, Stickers, E-Mails, Press Releases and even Mailers can be effective mediums for getting your business noticed. Talk to manufactures and organizations like SEMA about getting contact lists to get the word out to your target market.
5. Get a RPMWare Account. We had to throw a plug in here somewhere. Give yourself some time to concentrate on marketing your business while we handle the boring stuff. RPMWare is a complete website solution including a constantly updated e-commerce catalog with over 90,000 part numbers. Select the brands you want to offer, set your pricing and you’re ready to roll.
6. Join the Club. Car Club, SEMA Board, BBB, whatever it is - get involved. Committing some time to committees or groups can get you some much needed market networking as well as company recognition. Most are free or very inexpensive and results can be amazing if you’re willing to expend the effort.
7. Under Promise, Over Deliver. We only advertised 5 helpful hints, but you’re getting 7. Pass on the favor and send your customers something special with their orders. You’d be surprised how far a handwritten “Thank you” on the invoice goes toward building loyalty.

With the Tokyo Auto Show only a month away - the buzz is relentless and the fire is being stoked from all the manufactures…

The Mitsubishi Evo X looks, well, how we expected. Im not sure the blue does a whole lot for it, but power figures of 295HP/300TQ defiently makes this beast quite desirable. For more pictures (including interior shot) and complete write up, wander over to our buddies at Autoblog.

The GTR pics show little snugger (and revealing) front cover an unpainted (production?) front end with GTR badge exposed on the front (and rear). A new interior shot is also floating around and I can’t wait for it’s debut at the end of October. Rumors are also flying that the GTR ‘to-do’ list is starting to get shorter by the day:

• Beat Porsche Cayman S around Nurburgring
• Beat Porsche 997 Turbo around Nurburgring
• Beat Porsche Carrera GT around Nurburgring

For all the great pics, and juicy details check out Edmunds Straightline. UPDATE: It seems Nissan has launched a microsite for the GTR. It also has this cool countdown =)

Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT) has released a new high performance clutch kit and components for the 05-07 Ford Mustang GT.

ACT’s new clutch kits for the Mustang GT feature a Heavy Duty Pressure Plate that incorporates hardened diaphragm fingers for decreased wear and provides a 36% increase in clamp force over the stock unit.

The ACT Street Clutch Kit combines the Heavy Duty Pressure Plate and a Performance Organic Disc, a disc that features special performance organic friction materials to withstand increased heat and abuse, steel backed linings for high burst strength and modifications engineered for quicker shifting. The ACT Street Clutch Kit provides a moderate and consistent pedal feel, smooth engagement, significantly improved durability and increases the torque capacity up to 566 ft. lbs.

ACT Race Clutch Kits will hold 724 ft. lbs. of torque. Metallic Ceramic Xtreme Discs are available in 6 puck sprung and un-sprung hub designs and are very durable while allowing for quick shifting. The Xtreme Discs are design for high power engines and is recommended for track use only.

• ACT Heavy Duty ‘HD’ Clutch Kit (Street Disc) - FM2-HDSS
• ACT Heavy Duty ‘HD’ Clutch Kit (6 Puck Solid) - FM2-HDR6
• ACT Heavy Duty ‘HD’ Clutch Kit (6 Puck Sprung) - FM2-HDG6
• ACT Heavy Duty ‘HD’ Clutch Kit (Street Disc) - FM5-HDSS - 26 Spline Input Shaft
• ACT Heavy Duty ‘HD’ Clutch Kit (6 Puck Solid) - FM5-HDR6 - 26 Spline Input Shaft
• ACT Heavy Duty ‘HD’ Clutch Kit (6 Puck Sprung) - FM5-HDG6 - 26 Spline Input Shaft

To Download this Press Release in it’s entirety - click here.

If you’re German isn’t up to par (well, ours isn’t either, thank God for Google Translations) then perhaps this will clear it up. We have another decent load for you guys today - a few German Tuners are jumping on board and they are ready and set to go.

• Evolution Motorsports
• Milltek Sport
• VF Engineering
• SUN Auto

Ok, you got me - SUN Auto is not a German company - It’s Japanese - but we’re a equal opportunity tuner over here at RPMWare. We also have a few revamps of lines that needed some extra TLC: KW Suspension and TEIN.

A few more hot lines with more universal appeal are in the pipeline, so keep your eyes peeled for more products - and as always - please send all requests to matt@rpmware.com

We should be seeing a nice surge in product lines as we start to move into autumn. The most recent product update includes the following lines:

• COMP Cams
• Gates Racing
• Mr Gasket
• Nitrous Express
• NGK
• NTK
• Prothane
• Suspension Techniques

This brings the brand count up to 107 and more on the way!

As always - PLEASE, Please, please send your requests for new lines to: matt@rpmware.com or feel free to give me a call or shoot me an Instant Message - RPMWareMatt on AIM and matt@rpmware.com on Google Talk.

Don’t forget to activate and set pricing!

Well - It looks like at least a little more light has been shed on the debate on what exactly will be powering the GTR once it hit the streets in about 2 months.It’s reported that the VR38 is actually a recreation of the famed VRH35L V8 powering the R390 Le Mans Car albeit in V6 form.

Reports state that power output is going to be around 475HP@6800RPM and 475TQ@6000RPM… Combine that with an advanced AWD system prepare yourself for one wild ride in this 3800lb beast.

Get the full story from the guys over at 7Tune.

If you thought RX-7 Guys were pissed about V8s in the FD - just wait till this circulates the S2K community.

It seems GM did everything right with the LS1/6/7 - except they put it in the wrong car - and everybody’s out to correct them. The latest “LS Remix” is going to S2000 and LS1 Forum member hboy7777 and his LS1 swapped S2000.

So what are the end tallys?; About 500HP before Nitrous in 2800lbs of metal, all while keeping the 50/50 weight balance.

For the complete story click here