2009 AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge Announced

For the third consecutive year, AMSOIL is preparing for the 2009 AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge as title sponsor. This year the competition pits 8 engine builders against one another to see who can design and deliver the best engine performance at the best cost. This is not just your everyday gearhead throwing together an engine that works, but serious builders committed to finding the right formula that outperforms the rest. These guys know their stuff, and put that knowledge to good use in this event.

In August, the builders will put their engines on display at the Mopar Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. From there the engines will be shipped to Comp Cams in Memphis, TN for three days of supervised dyno-testing in early September.

With a strict set of rules to follow, the engines are given an overall rating based on peak horsepower and peak torque divided by the retail cost of listed parts. AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic Oil is the only oil permitted for use in each B-Block based engine from the start, and this has contributed tremendously to the winners’ outcomes in past years. Testing is done with a 900 rpm-per-second acceleration test, and testing data will be gathered between the 3,000-7,000 rpm range. Over the course of 45 minutes, each engine is required to make at least three scored pulls and the one with the highest combined horsepower and torque number will be used for the final score. Tuning is only allowed before the 45 minute test phase during the setting of timing and idle. After that it all boils down to which engine has what it takes in terms of horsepower, torque and operating temperatures. In previous years some engines couldn’t take the heat and were disqualified.

The main purpose of this challenge is to give engine builders well-deserved exposure to a market that has a need for them. Full coverage of the event and all participating engines is given in Mopar Muscle Magazine, where ultimately the winners are given a platform to showcase their talent. AMSOIL will be on top of any new developments, so watch this space for updates and outcomes of one of the most anticipated events in the Mopar market.

We Have A Winner

Last week we saw the completion of the AMSOIL/Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge. Eight engines were put through the paces and one came out on top: Indy Cylinder Head. Again.

In 2007 the competition was pretty tight, since the rules heavily weighted cost as a variable. With different parameters, Russ Flagle and crew were able to flex their muscles to demonstrate what 35 years experience can do in terms of MOPAR engine-uity. From cylinder heads, crankshafts, rods, and bearings to short blocks, big blocks and everything in between, these guys know engines.

Without pressing him to give away any secrets, we asked Russ Flagle the key to his success. “The key to our success in this (competition), it was our head. It’s also an engine we like. We’ve got a lot of experience with this 451 cu. inch.”

Flagle also praised AMSOIL. “Your oil worked out great... We bought some up here and broke the engine in with it before we went down there, so it’s had nothing in it but AMSOIL from the start.”

Located on Indianapolis’s southeast side, Indy Cylinder Head employs 26. Their target customers are usually bracket drag racers, muscle car people and Good Guys people. Their business is pretty evenly divided between competition and street vehicles.

Congratulations to a great team. Here’s how their numbers stacked up at the Comp Cams facility last week.

Indy Cylinder Head
Manifold vacuum; 4.0
After initial start-up, confirmed timing at 35 degrees.
First Qualifier; 754.0/601.0—changed, nothing except letting heat get into intake before making second pull.

Second qualifier; 756.5/605.7; changed to a new set of spark plugs—same heat, and backed-off timing to 32.

Third qualifier; 748.9/599.9—Bumped timing up to 38

Fourth Qualifier; 754.3/603.1—put timing back to 35

First scored; 758.01/601.6—No changes made before second scored pull. Allowed engine to cool for 10 minutes.

Second Scored; 751.5/602.1—adjusted lash from 24 to 30

Third scored; 756.5/599.1

Read all the details in upcoming issues of Mopar Muscle magazine.

Fourth Annual Engine Challenge: Pictures From Memphis

Well, the week a lot of folks have been waiting for is now complete. Eight engines were put to the test at Comp Cams in Memphis for the AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge.

Randy Bolig, editor of Mopar Muscle magazine, sent us daily notes and a few choice photos from each of the dyno sessions this week. Having worked with Randy these past two years, it is hard to imagine anyone with more passion for this kind of thing... except maybe our eight contenders for this year’s prize.

The teams come from all points of the compass. They are seriously consumed with making engines perform to their utmost. For sure it has to be a privilege to be among the chosen few who make it to this final destination, the Comp Cams test facility.

Each 440-based spec engine was run on the same Rockett Brand 93-octane fuel while at the dyno, lubricated with AMSOIL premium synthetic motor oil.

Here are the notes Randy sent me from a typical pull. We’ll release our winner’s name as soon as we’re permitted.

Chenoweth
MANIFOLD VACUUM 4.1
First three qualifiers with timing at 35 degrees jets are XX;
680.1/553.9;
678.2/551.3;
676.5/554.9

Made first three qualifiers back-to-back with no changes

After third qualifier, checked lash—found a couple rockers with excessive lash.

Fourth Qualifier; 682.8/550.9
After fourth qualifier; added2-inch Plastic Super Sucker spacer.

First scored; 686.1/553.5
Made second scored pull immediately following first; 684.4/553.7
After second pull, changed from 1050 carb to 1150

Third scored pull; 686.2/556.7
After third pull, changed timing to 38
Fourth pull netted 698.5/561.0
Fifth pull was identical

Seventh pull 695.8/567.3

JMS Racing... In search of the perfect setup.