The industry is certainly enjoying a fondness for black trim and accessories on engines, and not just show cars. There were plenty of black intake manifolds, valve covers, carburetors and other components at PRI.

Now Engine Pro Performance is expanding this trend to inside the engine, and this move definitely isn’t for appearance. The Nitro Black line of valves, bearings, pushrods, piston rings and valve springs are offered to help improve durability and horsepower.

“These are our performance products,” says Engine Pro’s Dave Sutton.

The Nitro Black valves will perhaps turn the most heads as popular stainless steel valves generally come with chromed stems and swirl polished heads.

“These valves feature a proprietary deep nitriding,” says Sutton

According to Engine Pro, this coating provides a smoother and harder surface that results in less valve guide wear. It also resists corrosion and deposits, and ductility is improved under the hard nitrided layer.

“This valve is more apt to bend, not break,” adds Sutton.

The Nitro Black line of valves is available for Chevy LS and small- and big-block engines with sizes ranging from 1.600 up to 2.300. Some valves are offered in plus .100 or .250 lengths to adjust the installed height.

The Nitro Black line of 1-piece, 5/16 pushrods is constructed from 4130 steel with a .116 wall. They are carbon nitrided to achieve a 60-62 Rockwell C scale hardness, and are available in lengths from 6.000 up to 10.000 in .050 increments.

Nitro Black piston rings feature ceramic PVD coatings on the faces of the face of the top ring and the oil rails, both of which are constructed from gas-nitride-hardened stainless steel. The second ring is ductile iron Napier profile. They are available in 1/16-1/16-3/16 for bores ranging from 4.000 up to 4.630.

For the Nitro Black bearing line, both rod and bearing bearings for small- and big-block Chevys are available. These feature a Duroshield coating to help reduce friction. They are available in standard and plus .001 extra clearance. Finally, the Nitro Black valve springs are wound in a beehive design to reduce the retainer mass. Springs are constructed from ovate wire and shot peened multiple times for added stress relief. Different sizes are available to accommodate valve lifts up to .650.