Choosing what supplier to buy parts from is almost as important as choosing which parts to purchase. For some, supporting family-owned businesses is important; for others, it’s imperative they support fellow die-hard racers and enthusiasts. Michigan Motorsports, however, combines the best of both as the family-owned business was founded by racers and is committed to stocking high-quality, affordable performance parts for LS and LT engines.

Established in 2012 by Dan Baber, an avid automotive enthusiast specializing in Chevrolet’s famed LS engine platform, Michigan Motorsports has become one of the nation’s leading LS/LT retail parts suppliers.

Prior to starting his own business, Dan spent 25 years working in the performance aftermarket industry where he gained crucial hands-on experience, knowledge, and insights through lots of racing, performance engine builds, and plenty of LS engine swaps. In 1999, he was heavily involved in building and racing his nitrous-injected and LS1-powered Pontiac Trans Am, aka “The Raptor,” all across the Midwest.

“I ran another automotive company owned by other people, and seeing the opportunity of the LS market motivated me from a personal standpoint,” said Dan, whose passion for advancing LS performance inspired him to start the business, and he did so alongside his wife, Easter. The couple first started with a handful of select LS parts that Dan had used on cars he was building at the time. “We had Amazon and eBay stores at first, then built out our website with its online store, and really made a big leap forward in 2014 when we fully committed to growing the business.”

Easter was a special education teacher who worked in the Michigan Public School system for twelve years before she chose to leave her career in 2017 and instead focus her efforts full-time on Michigan Motorsports; Dan also left his full-time job that same year. Together, the couple and their three sons, who have all played key roles in the establishment and growth of Michigan Motorsports, have built an LS and LT legacy.

“At the time, no one was putting together simplified kits or collections of parts that go together,” added Easter. She noticed that, as her sons were learning about racing and performance, they were sometimes overwhelmed by the selection process. “Asking questions can be intimidating, from a customer standpoint. We wanted to keep things simple by taking the guesswork out of it and answering all of our customers’ questions, no matter how big or small they were, and to be approachable.”

Based out of Niles, Michigan, the company’s mission is to sell the highest quality, most affordable LS/LT products on the market and is proudly family-owned and operated. The core family values of loyalty, commitment, and respect have helped guide the incredible growth that Michigan Motorsports has experienced over the past ten years while also helping to gain respect and trust from their customers.

“We originally operated out of a pole barn on our property, but moved Michigan Motorsports to its current location in 2019,” explained Dan. The two-story 15,000 square-foot space features a showroom, offices, shipping center, and a massive warehouse that’s kept well-stocked with 5,000-plus LS-specific parts.

From the 1,000-plus LS camshafts in stock from major manufacturers such as Brian Tooley Racing, Texas Speed, GM OEM stock replacements, and even Michigan Motorsports’ custom grinds, to complete rotating assemblies, engine internals, and a plethora of maintenance parts and pieces from brands like ARP, Bosch, HP Tuners, Injector Dynamics, MAHLE, Motion Raceworks, NGK, and more, customers can expect to enjoy great pricing, quick shipping, and excellent service.

It’s not just the popular LS and LT engines that are supported by Michigan Motorsports, though. The company also stocks miscellaneous parts for big-block and small-block Chevy engines, Dodge’s Gen III Hemi engine, several Ford engines, and various diesel platforms.

Michigan Motorsports’ talented team of technical staff often takes extra time to help select the best LS and LT parts for each customer’s specific application and combination. “Unlike many larger retailers that sometimes sacrifice the personal touch, Michigan Motorsports understands that when our customers order parts, they need them as quickly as possible… and we do our best to make that happen,” Dan affirmed.

So, not only does Michigan Motorsports help piece together the best assortment of essential parts for each individual build, but the fact that they stock 98 percent of their website’s catalog in-house in their Michigan inventory warehouse means they can ship most orders within 24 business hours.

“We think of our team, our employees, as family,” shared Dan. Michigan Motorsports currently employs about 15 staff members, and each individual plays a big part in the company’s overall success. “The team is the backbone of the company. Every job done is one that affects the outcome. We keep expectations high while having a relaxed but high-paced, family-style atmosphere.”

On the weekends, it’s not unusual to find the entire Baber family out at the track, competing at various races around the country including the requisite LS Fest events. Michigan Motorsports’ team doesn’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk and are often wrenching in the pits right alongside their customers.

In addition to Dan’s driving career, the Baber couple’s boys have followed in their father’s footsteps with a love of all things LS and LT. The oldest, Tyler Baber, age 30, founded 269 Motorsports Performance Products in 2014 which also centers around providing LS parts to the market. His LS-swapped 1989 Ford Mustang, known as “The Notch,” is a truly street-legal car easily capable of running 7-second quarter-mile elapsed times and is often used as a test mule for the industry’s latest advancements in LS parts.

Dalton Shearer, 29, works alongside Dan every day at Michigan Motorsports. Dalton takes an active role in the company’s marketing, photography, social media, and overall operations while his wife, Becky, and 2-year-old son, Carter, often help out at races and events.

Finally, Darren Shearer, 25, obtained his Business Economics and Management degree from Albion College. Although he is currently employed in the banking industry, Darren was a part of Michigan Motorsports throughout his high school and college years, and still steps in from time to time to assist as needed.

“When you choose to shop with Michigan Motorsports, you choose to support a small business run by enthusiasts who are just as passionate about the LS platform as you are,” noted Dan. “We still race on a weekly basis and we do it together as a family, testing every part we sell so that our customers can be sure what they’re getting is authentic, reliable, and race-proven.”

For LS and LT performance enthusiasts who want to shop with their peers while showing support for a family-owned business, Michigan Motorsports is proving that the American Dream is still alive and well by providing a truly winning combination with its huge selection, low prices, and unparalleled customer service.