2019 Engine Masters Challenge rules posted.

[Joe-JDC]

The class rules are finally out.      https://www.hotrod.com/events/engine-masters-challenge/     


FE might be a contender if the 427 MR is allowed, or 428CJ.    Joe-JDC

[CaptCobrajet]

I saw that too.  I'll bet they won't allow the Medium Riser.  If they did, they should allow a single 4V High Riser.  I love a Cobra Jet, but by those rules a 460 would be hard to beat with the power peak at 6300.  Now, too bad they won't let a 352 run as a small block.  That could be fun and interesting!!

[Stangman]

Why wont they let the medium riser in, its stock and was in stock vehicles. It would be nice if we could kick alittle ass!!!

[blykins]

TP or HR would be legal wouldn't it?

[Stangman]

If there not going to let medium risers in why would they let TP or HRs in. They didnt come in any stock street vehicles did they. 

[Joe-JDC]

The '65-'66-'67-'68 Galaxies/Mercury '66-'67 Fairlanes/Comets '68 Cougars had 427 Engines, but they state the heads are specific to block you say you want to build.  A well ported C6AE-R, C8-J, or C80E-N head would work well with their 10% stroke allowance.  A 428 PI/CJ with Scat 4.150/4.250/or RPM 4.375 crankshaft and 6.800" rods could be possible with 428 build.  The 10.5 compression ratio, .600" camshaft lift will level the playing field a lot.  A 427+.060 with 4.150 stroke would be awesome with MR heads.  Joe-JDC

[Royce]

Medium riser should make it in since it came in street cars. Run the casting numbers by the rules guys for an answer.  Tunnel Port and Hi Riser were specifically mentioned as no no at the PRI roll out.
Looks like a 385/BB Scrub show in Big Block. 385 might be hampered by big bore short stroke vs Scrub... To win you need to make a lot of torque down low, which usually means a long arm.. The more cubes you have the bigger the penalty when they compute a score. A 425 to 450 cube with a 4 inch or more stroke probably has an advantage if the heads are roughly equal.

Who has the best stock iron small block head 68 and back?.

PS, JDC prepped y block heads are pretty damn good vs the other small blocks

[Barry_R]

Really depends on what they consider a "high performance" specialty OEM head, which are specifically called out as not legal.  There is a LOT of interpretation allowed by the rules makers on that.  Since the high riser package was only installed in a very few vehicles it would not pass muster for sure.  The medium riser has a better chance.  The CJ should be a shoe in and competitive with over 20,000 production figures unless the "fix is in".

[thatdarncat]

Who has the best stock iron small block head 68 and back?.

PS, JDC prepped y block heads are pretty damn good vs the other small blocks

The requirement to have a currently available cataloged header for a passenger car application using the claimed engine might be a problem for a Y-Block, and probably many other engines, but I haven't looked to see what is available out there. Maybe there are some good fenderwell exit headers that would qualify? Might be a good time to get friendly with a header manufacturer.

[CaptCobrajet]

There were 64 Galaxies with single 4V High Risers.  The lightweight and TBolts were not the only cars that got them.  They are in the NHRA class guide from 64 in regular passenger cars.  If they let the MR run, they should let the HR run.  Tunnel Ports never came in production cars at all.  I could see why they would be a no-way.  Seems to me if a BBC could run a square port HP head, or a 429 an R head, the MR and HR should get to run. 

Too bad they don't allow epoxy and brass.  I'd take a 428 from the heart of hell if they did.  I have the leftovers from my iron head Super Stock stuff that went 9.30s back 10+ years ago.

[Joe-JDC]

Who has the best stock iron small block head 68 and back?.

PS, JDC prepped y block heads are pretty damn good vs the other small blocks

The requirement to have a currently available cataloged header for a passenger car application using the claimed engine might be a problem for a Y-Block, and probably many other engines, but I haven't looked to see what is available out there. Maybe there are some good fenderwell exit headers that would qualify? Might be a good time to get friendly with a header manufacturer.

The FPA headers for '55-57 Thunderbird made 595 hp 561 lbft on my 375 Y.  They actually were the best headers tested out of five different sets, including Kaase's 2015 winning engine set.  We tested them back to back on the 2016 winning EMC engine, and because they were so good, I used them on my 2018 engine.  Stan is still making them for the Thunderbirds.  I just bought another set for my second engine build.  Joe-JDC

[thatdarncat]

Who has the best stock iron small block head 68 and back?.

PS, JDC prepped y block heads are pretty damn good vs the other small blocks

The requirement to have a currently available cataloged header for a passenger car application using the claimed engine might be a problem for a Y-Block, and probably many other engines, but I haven't looked to see what is available out there. Maybe there are some good fenderwell exit headers that would qualify? Might be a good time to get friendly with a header manufacturer.

The FPA headers for '55-57 Thunderbird made 595 hp 561 lbft on my 375 Y.  They actually were the best headers tested out of five different sets, including Kaase's 2015 winning engine set.  We tested them back to back on the 2016 winning EMC engine, and because they were so good, I used them on my 2018 engine.  Stan is still making them for the Thunderbirds.  I just bought another set for my second engine build.  Joe-JDC

That's excellent info, thanks.

[fekbmax]

How about the 406 heads ?

[Barry_R]

There were 64 Galaxies with single 4V High Risers.  The lightweight and TBolts were not the only cars that got them.  They are in the NHRA class guide from 64 in regular passenger cars.  If they let the MR run, they should let the HR run.  Tunnel Ports never came in production cars at all.  I could see why they would be a no-way.  Seems to me if a BBC could run a square port HP head, or a 429 an R head, the MR and HR should get to run. 

Too bad they don't allow epoxy and brass.  I'd take a 428 from the heart of hell if they did.  I have the leftovers from my iron head Super Stock stuff that went 9.30s back 10+ years ago.

I'm thinking that production volumes of a couple hundred or a thousand won't get past the guards.  Harder to deny an iron rectangular port BBC or a CJ.  Those were cars for the masses.  You should do a Stock Eliminator style CJ - - these rules are right in your wheelhouse.

[Royce]

Actually, when the rules were discussed at PRI, it was mentioned that the Stock Eliminator rules would be used as a guide as to what parts would be acceptable