The AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge Is Underway

The engines arrived safe and sound, and the teams were on hand for the AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge yesterday at Comp Cams in Memphis. You can see from the pictures that they are already hard at it.

Up first was Schurbon Engine and Machine, last year’s winner with Scott Schurbon eager to retain his title. According to editor Randy Bolig, "Scott, Bob Seigwarth, and Larry Griffen had a large challenge facing them, as they planned to do a cam and intake swap during their allotted time. With a small block Mopar, that’s a daunting task." After their Third qualifying pull, the thrash was on, and the parts swapping began. They made it with time to spare, but the results weren’t what they expected. Power and torque were down after the swap, but there wasn’t enough time to change it back.

Next on the dyno was the team of Chenoweth Speed & Machine and LaRoy Racing Engines. Right after the engine was fired up, something didn’t sound right. Apparently there was a dead cylinder, and water was running out of the left header. This was definitely not a good sign. After some thought, it was determined that they would not continue on for risk of damaging the engine. Perhaps we will get a full report once the engine has been torn down.

Tuesday will start off with Mid-America Racing Engines in the morning and then MRL Performance. We'll keep you posted.

Big Week for AMSOIL

AMSOIL is all over the place lately, and not by accident. In an economy that has people hesitant on buying anything they don’t need, it is especially important to get the message out there about how they don’t need to change their oil every 3,000 miles. AMSOIL has been hard at work to get this very message to consumers who are still following the old 3,000 mile oil change myth. Below are two areas AMSOIL has been increasing exposure to prove that not only is using synthetics better for the environment, your wallet, and vehicle, it stands up to some pretty tough challenges as well, whatever kind of vehicle you drive.

The 2009 AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge is underway this week at Comp Cams test facilities in Memphis, TN. The challenge details: teams of builders build engines to put through rigorous tests to prove they can take the heat. In a series of dyno tests the engines are given several ‘pulls’ to gauge horsepower and torque, and the engine that has the most of both in 3 scored pulls in 45 minute time frames wins. Once the engine is on the block there is no tuning allowed with the exception of a few brief moments in the second 45 minute period, but it doesn’t stop the clock. If three qualifying pulls are not met within the time frame, that engine is out. With the competition currently in progress, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top. From what we hear, it has been one powerfully exciting week.

In other action, this week is Hot Rod Drag Week, an event like none other. In addition to five days of drag racing, these street legal racers will also put in a thousand miles of highway drive time as they vie for prizes in eleven categories. There will be no maintenance crews in big rigs or support trailers, only the tools they carry along for the ride.

Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan will play host to the events this week, beginning at Muncie and culminating back at Muncie after completing the circuit. This week long event is just as much about dependability as it is about speed, with little surprises along the way to prove they are doing it of their own power and not being hauled around on a trailer from track to track. At each track, a driver can take as many passes as he or she wants to achieve the best E.T. (elapsed time) but too much time can cost a person the race. Once they hand in their best time at one track, they are given maps to the next.

Like the AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge, this event is also currently in progress as we write this. Check back in here at the Promotions Blog next week where we'll provide a full recap and photos.

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.

Mopar Muscle Covers AMSOIL Sponsored Competition

Mopar Muscle magazine is the leading magazine in the MOPAR enthusiast car scene. In 2007 AMSOIL became an official sponsor of the Mopar Muscle Challenge. Every engine builder is required to use AMSOIL products in the effort to build the most cost effective power plant possible.

Jim Foos, publisher of Mopar Muscle recently notified us that their coverage of the Mopar Muscle Challenge competition is the most exciting tech feature in their magazine, according to reader response. This photo shows just a little bit of the action. The Mopar Muscle Challenge isn’t just for motorheads. Follow along in the coming editions of the magazine.

This year will be the Fourth Annual Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge, featuring a 440-based spec engine. This year’s eight builders will display their respective engine combinations at the 2008 Mopar Nationals the weekend of August 8 in Columbus, OH.

Visit the AMSOIL website for more information on AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants.

Mopar Muscle Announces 2008 Engine Challenge Participants

This week Mopar Muscle Magazine announced its selections for the 2008 AMSOIL/Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge. The eight builders will have till mid-summer to assemble their creations, which will then be put on display at the Mopar Nationals again in Columbus, Ohio. Testing will take place a month later, with winners to be announced at the PRI Show in Orlando.

The selected engine builders are again from north, south, east and west. We'll wish them the best!

Indy Cylinder Head
Russ Flagle
8621 Southeastern Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46239

Schurbon Engine and Machine
Scott Schurbon
203 South Clark St.
Maquoketa, IA, 52060

Mid America Racing Engines
David Bruns
1945 W 18th Street
Washington, IA 52353

Cederstrand Racing Engines
August Cederstrand
P.O. Box 1653
Brea, CA, 92821

Diamondback Engines
Dave Schultz
7723 FM 723
Richmond, TX 77469

JMS Racing Engines
Mike Johnson
5450 Peck Rd
El Monte, CA, 91732

Chenoweth Speed and Machine
Mike Chenoweth
368 Erie Ave
Morton, IL, 61550

JD Engine and Machine
Jeff Dickey
900 Spencer Ave
Columbia, MO, 65203

Inside the Top Two Engines

If you love a good engine build competition, and especially if you are a Mopar fan, you will want to pick up a copy of the April issue of Mopar Muscle magazine, on your news stand now. On page 30, feature writer Dave Young goes deep inside the makings of the two top engines from the ’07 AMSOIL / MOPAR MUSCLE ENGINE CHALLENGE.

The rules are interesting. These engines must demonstrate that they are capable of the full range of what engines are called upon to do. With multiple qualifying passes and multiple judged pulls on the dyno, the engine must show that it can endure the abuses of highway cruising, and drag strip bruising.

This year’s two top engines were built by Indy Cylinder Head and Schurbon Engine and Machine. It was the closest battle yet in this annual competition, and every picture tells a story in this month’s Mopar Muscle magazine. See how they did it. It’s a pretty cool story with AMSOIL lubricants right in the middle of it.

AMSOIL/Mopar Muscle Challenge: It's a Wrap

The final day has past, and the roaring of engines has ceased. The 2007 Amsoil/Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge is in the books. All-in-all, the event went well. Only one engine failed qualify, and they even got done a little ahead of schedule.

First up on Thursday was MRL Performance. He was on a qwest for a big number, but fell considerably short. Mike did have the misfortune of a couple of rocker arm studs coming loose at different times, but was able to fix them and move on.

Next up was Indy Cylinder Head. Russ Flagle and Kenny Lezzarri brought in an engine that required very little in the way of tuning. The engine posted some serious numbers, and during the teardown inspection showed some really cool rules interpretation within the heads.

Now that it's over, it's time to tally the results. Stay tuned for more details.

Mike Liston was on a qwest for a 550 horsepower 318. Unfortunately, he fell substantially short. Mike had to deal with several rocker arm studs that misteryiously came loose at different times.

The Indy Cylinder Head team was the last team to dyno their engine. Russ, Ken, and the Legendary Herb McCandless were on hand for the testing.

Top of Page: One of the Indy Tuning tricks was placing washers on the spark plugs to vary the depth of the tip into the cylinder. If you're not sure why they would do that, stay tuned for the full story in Mopar Muscle magazine.

Tuesday's Results from Memphis

By day's end Tuesday two more competitors had run on the dyno, David Bruns of Mid America Racing Engines and Tucker Caven from Speed-O-motive. Neither had the misfortune of having any problems. The power numbers were good, and so far, the big number is over 560 horsepower. Check in tomorrow for Wednesday's results in the AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge.

David and Diane Bruns of Mid America Racing Engines are the defending champions, and made it look easy again this year. So far, they have posted the big number.

David Bruns made several timing changes during his dyno time.

Likewise, the carb received a lot of attention.

AMSOIL/Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge Underway

Here's the latest report from Comp Cams in Memphis.

The 2007 Amsoil/Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge started off a little interesting. The first competitor, Diamondback Racing Engines, had an issue during their first qualifying run when a couple of rocker arm adjusters broke. As a result six of the rocker arms galled on the shaft. Unfortunately, repairs could not be made in the time allotted, and they were unable to continue.

Next up to the plate was RM Competition with his tunnel-rammed 408. After three easy qualifying pulls that consisted of a tuning practice of running the engine with and without an air cleaner, he was able to continue on to the scored portion of the competition. Again, all three pulls were made, and slightly over 500 horsepower was achieved.

When Monday finally ended, Mid America's engine was bolted to the dyno. Today we'll see what last year's winner can do.

Damon of Diamondback prepares to make first pull.

Randy Malik of RM Competition changed his spark plugs between the qualifying round and the scored portion of the competition. His big tuning trick for more horsepower, though, was putting the air cleaner assembly back on. It upped his power number each time he replaced it.

Randy was running quite a bit of compression, so the timing couldn't be set for more than 30-degrees or a substantial rattle was heard.