Founder Hank Manley was born into a family that manufactured engine components —primarily valves. The Manley Products Company itself was founded in 1931. Hank was a standout athlete at Brown University in Rhode Island, and was on track to become a professional hockey player with the New York Rangers, but opted to join the family business.
As racing blood also coursed through his veins, Hank endeavored to add hard-core performance products to the Manley line but was essentially told, “If you think there’s a market for racing valves, why don’t you do it yourself?” And so, Manley Performance was born in 1966, carrying with it the cache of over three decades in the valve business.
The young company quickly attracted several notable drag racers to its customer base. They included icons “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, “Jungle Jim” Liberman and Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins. Within a few years the Manley Performance product line included forged aluminum pistons, stainless steel valves, valve springs, retainers, pushrods and timing sets.
By their 20th year of operation the company was bursting at the seams and embarked on building a new facility from the ground up. In 1988 Manley moved into its purpose-built facility in Lakewood, New Jersey —which has subsequently undergone several major expansions.
Manley also opened a West Coast warehouse in Orange, California to facilitate prompt service for customers located in the Pacific side of the country
Hank has turned the day-to-day operation of the company to a triumvirate consisting of GM Michael Tokarchik, Manufacturing Manager Pete Coleman, and his son, Trip —who has literally grown up with the company from sweeping floors at the old Race St. facility as a high school student and now serves as Vice President. Together, the three have nearly 100 years’ experience at Manley Performance.
Today the company’s product line has grown to include a full range of engine components, with complete rotating assemblies being a particular growth area. This has come about due to adding a wide range of crankshafts to the lineup, joining Manley’s popular Platinum Series forged aluminum pistons and H-beam, I-beam and new Tri-beam connecting rods which are some of the finest quality connecting rods in the industry.
Another important part of the Manley product line is its NexTek® valve springs, which have proven to provide exceptional durability and long-term load-holding.
The NexTek® valve springs have been the preferred choice of pro and sportsman drag racer for over two decades.
Manufacturing racing valves, of course, is where it all started. And in addition to the industry’s widest selection of stainless steel valves the company makes titanium valves for all popular factory and aftermarket cylinder heads, as well as custom models that have special features like hollow stems and valve seat face coatings.
The company strives to develop components for the latest generation of engines, such as the GM LS/LT series, Ford Coyote and Chrysler Hemi, as well as continually upgrade “legacy” applications like small block and big block Chevy, etc.
One of Manley’s strong suits is employing a cadre of regional managers that work with customers in various geographic regions. This has enabled Manley to forge strong bonds with leading engine builders such as PAR Racing Engines and Nesbitt Performance Engines who provide IHRA racers with power.
Manley also facilitates developing effective combinations for specialized powerplants, like Pat Musi’s 959 c.i.d. nitrous Pro Mod motors.
With a strong history of innovation and manufacturing excellence, bolstered by an experienced management team, Manley Performance stands ready to provide IHRA racers with components they can rely on.
“I am very proud of our longstanding relationship with IHRA and even more proud of our commitment to support Sportsman racers via the contingency program; posting for two key engine components (connecting rods and valve springs),” Manley Performance Vice President Trip Manley said.
For more information on the IHRA Summit Sportsman Spectacular go to IHRA.com and click here to pre-enter for an upcoming event.
For more about Manley Performance Products, click here or call (800) 526-1362 to order some of the finest parts in the industry.
