I have to admit it, I am considering a change
I have raced Mopars since 1977 and have had some success and very few engine problems. If you are reading the Project 540/E85 tech story this month you know that has changed dramatically in the last two months.
I am facing the task of basically starting from scratch to build a couple of engines for our dragsters. I would like to be fast enough to run some of the Quick 16 races in the Midwest, durable enough to run for a couple seasons (probably 300-400 runs) without having to disassemble the engine or know that I am going beyond its limits, and of course, it needs to be affordable (not cheap, affordable).
I never thought I would consider switching over to a Chevy engine but when I can purchase a new 605-inch Chevy that will easily take our dragsters to 7.60 ETs for under $10,000, it is tempting. I went on a Mopar Engine Hunt last night on the web and on the phone. I found used Mopar engines that probably produce 800 to 850 hp and would probably run 7.80s or .90s for sale but the prices were $12,500 to $15,000 for used race engines. No doubt they should come apart, be checked and freshened. That would likely cost about $3,000 more. (Note: I found a Huntsville 565 Chevy with 980 hp; 12 documented runs for $12,000).
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I found a dealer for the new B1 heads for bigger cubic inch Mopars and they sell for $6,995! Add in an Indy Maxx aluminum block ($4,500), Callies crank ($1,750), rods ($900), oil system ($750), Jesel belt drive ($900), special order pistons and race ring package ($1,000), camshaft and offset lifters($1,000). Gaskets, pushrods, intake, etc. It looks to me like a Mopar will cost about $20,000 after assembly and dyno time. That is about $10,000 more than a similar Chevy race engine with similar power.
I know, you don’t have to go there... I am still a Mopar guy through and through, but I am also a racer who wants to race a lot and be fast enough to get into the Quick 16 type races. I called one of the guys who offer the really good cylinder head packages that retail for about $6,500. I asked why they cost so much more than similar flowing heads for a Chevy. The answer caught me off guard. He said, “The Mopar guys KNOW they have to pay more, always have and always will.” When I asked him who is buying these expensive heads he said “a lot of the Mopar guys who run the ‘Mopar-only’ races around the country”. I asked why the Mopar-only events? His reply was even more insightful: “You don’t expect to qualify for the Quick 16 races with your Mopar if the Chevies show up, do you?” My reply was “Duh, for $20,0000 I better run as fast as the Chevies.” I won’t reveal this engine builder’s name because it is not relevant. I would imagine it is a typical answer all of us Mopar guys are way to familiar with.
Do we really expect to pay more and get less? Why is that? I am not satisfied with that answer and I am going to see if there is anything I can do to prove it wrong. What do you think? Are you satisfied with paying more for Mopar race parts, getting parts that always seem to need work before they fit and then ending up about 100 horsepower short of a similar-sized Chevy-powered drag car?
I tried the budget approach with the Project 540/E85. The companies that supported that project deserved a better return for their investment. To that end, I am going to offer them the first chance to become part of the new project engine, “Bowtie Beater.” It might not be the right name, but it might be the right attitude.
We are starting our search for pieces to put together a 605” to 655” Mopar that will be fast and durable and will put our Mopar dragster into the top half of the field of Quick 16 and Top Dragster type of races. Should be pretty fun to go bracket racing with as well.
The one decision that will come from all of this is that if the Mopar costs me twice as much as a Chevy to build I may have to become a traitor! I hope not, but racing comes first and it has to be affordable and competitive.
Note: If you are a Mopar engine builder and are looking for a competitive race team to represent your company, show the power your engines make and display your engines at dozens of Big Buck Bracket Races, Chrysler Classis Events and Division 5 and 3 Top Dragster races we might be the ones to do it for you. Email me and we can discuss the opportunities and you can tell us what it will cost us.
