The participants in this year's...
The participants in this year's Engine Challenge impressed us with some powerful 440s. This month we'll recap the results of the 2008 competition, and look forward to what's in store for next year.
As we wind up the 2008 Amsoil/Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge with dyno results for each engine, we're reminded just how potent these 440s are. We'd like to thank each builder for bringing powerful and reliable engines to our dyno challenge, and would also like to thank all of our sponsors for making our contest possible. We feel fortunate to be able to share the techniques of some of the most professional Mopar engine builders in the business with our readers, and as usual, we learned a few tricks ourselves in the process. If you'll be building an engine for your project any time soon, we certainly recommend using any of the shops featured in this year's contest as we were impressed by their abilities.
Topping a list of tough competition, Indy Cylinder Head brought a potent 440 to the Amsoil/Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge in 2008, capturing first place as their big-block screamed to more than 750 horsepower and 600 lb/ft of torque on Comp's dyno. In fact, all of these engines made impressive power as even Promax's somewhat mild combination still made more than 550 horsepower on Rockett Brand 93-octane pump fuel. As we review the performance of these engines, remember that they are not exotic stroker motors, just 440s with a maximum .060 inch overbore. Follow along and you'll notice that these engines are built with off-the-shelf parts, and as the dyno results show, these are powerful combinations.
As you check out what these builders did with their 440s, remember that next year our Engine Challenge will feature low deck big-blocks, and there's no limit to displacement. The 2009 contest rules will also require all the competitors to utilize the popular Edelbrock Performer RPM cylinder heads, so it will be interesting to see how these rule changes affect horsepower and torque numbers. We'll also be factoring cost again next year; instead of the all-out peak power and torque rating determining the winner, the power numbers will be divided into the cost of the parts for a cost per horsepower factor like previous Engine Challenges. We think the new rules will make the 2009 Challenge fun and exciting, and look forward to seeing the results. If you have any ideas for future Engine Challenge combinations, or want to see videos of these engines running on Comp's dyno, be sure to visit moparmusclemagazine.com to share your thoughts.
 Indy Cylinder Head Indy Cylinder...  Indy Cylinder Head
Indy Cylinder Head won this year's contest, showing off their abilities as their 440 revved to 7,000 rpm, making well over 750 horsepower. |  The dyno chart shows the broad...  The dyno chart shows the broad torque curve of the Indy entry. Horsepower was strong as well climbing right through the 7,000 rpm limit of the contest. We congratulate Indy for winning the 2008 Amsoil/Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge. |  Indy's entry was a well thought...  Indy's entry was a well thought out combination of quality parts and accurate machining techniques. Check out the parts they used to achieve their impressive dyno results. |
Parts List
- Mopar Performance Mega Block
- Indy 440-SR CNC cylinder heads
- Manley titanium valves
- Comp Cams valvesprings
- T & D roller rocker arms
- Eagle forged crankshaft
- Manley H-beam connecting rods
- Diamond forged flat-top pistons
- Comp 55mm roller camshaft
- Comp solid roller lifters
- Indy timing chain and gears
- Melling oil pump
- Milodon oil pan
- Milodon windage tray
- Indy tunnel-ram intake manifold
- Two Barry Grant 675 Race Demon Carburetors
- Speed Pro piston rings
- MSD Pro-Billet distributor