Racers focused on achieving cleaner, more accurate crank triggering discovered a highly practical update in Indianapolis this year. ATI Performance Products revealed its new lightweight modular trigger shell system at the PRI Show, targeting builders who utilize modern standalone engine management. This system offers a much neater and more efficient solution than the traditional, cumbersome add-on wheels and sensor brackets often seen on race engines.
“We make a full steel trigger, but it’s heavy,” J.C. Beattie Jr., CEO and president of ATI Performance Products, said regarding the motivation behind the design. “So now we’ve got our three-ring aluminum shell damper with a modular design to bolt any trigger combination you want, and we’re gonna stock all the popular ones, Big Stuff, AEM, Holley, and then 12 teeth, 24, 36, you name it. And it just bolts on the aluminum shell. So you’re saving about 3 pounds overall.”
The system effectively replaces fixed trigger wheels with a flexible, modular approach that allows tuners to select a tooth count specifically matched to their preferred EFI setup. It supports a wide range of popular controllers, including MoTeC, Holley, Haltech, BigStuff 3, AEM, and others. This makes the Lightweight Modular Trigger Shell exceptionally useful for engine combinations that rely on precise ignition control at higher horsepower levels, where signal noise can be detrimental.
Where this upgrade truly stands out is in how it integrates with ATI’s existing hardware ecosystem. The CNC-machined steel trigger shells are designed to bolt directly to ATI’s standard 7-inch, three-ring dampers, requiring only a matching aluminum outer shell for fitment. Buyers have the option to order the system pre-installed on a new Super Damper or retrofit it onto a unit they already own.
“We have so much nice stuff, just a hunk of steel bolted to the front,” Beattie said. “It seems like a spot for something to go wrong, so why not make it nice and integrated?” ATI also provides options for missing-tooth configurations. The shells are shipped solid, and customers specify if and where a tooth should be removed.
