Engine Masters 2016 rules are realeased!

[Barry_R]

http://www.hotrod.com/events/1602-2016-amsoil-engine-masters-challenge-new-classes-dates-and-rules-announced/

Looks like day 2, big block spec is "us"!

[jayb]

What are the spec heads?  Edelbrocks?

[XR7]

I find it funny that you have to use Edelbrock heads and they specify the castings allowed for each engine, also same thing on the Edelbrock "only" intakes. Plus you have to use MSD distributor's, use there Amzoil, etc. Camshaft and lifters HAVE to be Comp Cams (and will be checked).

I understand they get sponsorship money from those companies, at least I would assume so, but "wow"!

[Barry_R]

Its a "spec" class.  They did the same thing for small blocks last year.  Trying to make it a catalog deal for the readership.  I am OK with that.

[XR7]

Gotcha... I guess I couldn't see the forest through the trees. LOL. My bad.

[nhsohc]

Very O/T 
Having just read the Vintage class rules for the first time, I would think a Gen 1 Mopar Hemi would walk away from all others.  With the "Hot Heads" after market aluminum heads and a 450+ inch 354/392 based platform they would be a real killer.  Don't see where they are restricted.  But..I may have missed it.  Also, with regards to the requirement for "rated" balancers and flywheels some of the old engines may not have them available.  I assume that you would be required/allowed to use other engine families parts to meet the spec.

Lastly, I agree the Big Block class should be very good for the FE platform.

[thatdarncat]

nhsohc wrote: "Also, with regards to the requirement for "rated" balancers and flywheels some of the old engines may not have them available.  I assume that you would be required/allowed to use other engine families parts to meet the spec"

I think that must be allowed. I can't pull up the actual rules right now ( I don't have "Word" on my computer ) but in reading Royce B's Engine Masters story on the Off Topic page here it sounds like he had a custom SFI flywheel made through Ted Eaton for his Lincoln Y-Block and looking at the Engine Masters coverage in the new April 2016 Hot Rod I see quite a few engines with an Innovators West SFI balancer, it's probably possible for them to make a custom hub for most any engine, just a guess on my part.

[cjshaker]

Lastly, I agree the Big Block class should be very good for the FE platform.

I don't know, there's nothing that I saw to rule out hemi's or Boss 9's in "Spec Big Block". Even though Edelbrock doesn't make a head for the Boss 429, I don't see anything ruling out a stock head, just anything aftermarket other than Edelbrock. Even a ported stock headed 429 should pretty well trounce a basically stock FE. Of course I don't know if anyone would want to cut on a stock Boss head. Speculation runs wild...lol

Either way, it'll be interesting to see the combos this year.

[Joe-JDC]

You have to look at the heads available for the 385 series engines, and that excludes any Boss or SOHC, etc.
Joe-JDC

[Royce]

Early Hemi and SBC are not allowed in Vintage. Last yr the Hemi had their own class, but no Gen 1 showed up.. This yr I guess they would be relegated to big block. Yes  it would be an all Hemi show if they were allowed in Vintage.. Almost all rules for Vintage are unlimited.. so you can adapt any part from any engine you want.  (Mine has plenty of SBC and BBC parts).. I had the SFI flywheel made special for my Lincoln but it was not really any more expensive than for any other engine . Minimal mods are required to make an SBC damper work on the Lincoln or Y Block.. Innovators West is a sponsor so a lot of guys use them. They do make a Y block specific damper. Another change for this yr in Vintage is you do not have to run a V-8.  You can enter a straight 6 or 8.

[Qikbbstang]

I didn't notice if there's a limit on the amount of nitrous --- that could get truly amazing. I guess you could run the motor without "air" if they don't restrict the nitrous?

[Dumpling]

The definition for "small block" seems to be virtually non-existent in the rules.  Why not petition the rules committee to allow the FE into small-block class.  It's not really a big block anyway.  Are they allowing Oldsmobile 350's into small-block class?

And why Isn't the FE written in for the Vintage class like the Nailhead and poly-engines?

[machoneman]

Boy, that nitrous class could get really wild!

On edit, I did just now read the nitrous rules, small block only, 150 hp targeted nitrous system. Darn, I though it would be unlimited nitrous.

Btw, below is what I've thought was a pretty good test of just how much hp one can bring to the table. Spoiler alert! It's a TFS headed turbo'ed Windsor but it did make just over 1,050 hp......before it blew!   

http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-to/engine/1407-how-to-push-a-junkyard-351-windsor-past-1000-hp/

[Royce]

FE is not allowed in vintage because of the pre 55 rule.. Packard and Mopar got exceptions for engines brought out in 55.. I don't think Pontiac is allowed in small block either... same situation as FE. I asked for an exception to run my MEL in Vintage, but I expect a no.. If they allow an engine from 58 that would open a can of worms