Northern Sport Mod Claim Motor

[ashurst21]

is it even possible to build an engine as reliable as the crate 602 that makes decent torque and power. i think the 602 runs around 3300 so round that up to 3500, could you build a competitive claim 9:1 motor with 76cc heads and max ci of 360 and a 2 barrel 500 for around 4500?

[dereksehi]

Yes you can I am running one right now and have built several of them the key is the camshaft and the amount of gear you have in the car try to stay around the same ratio as the crates I could get you a camshaft and lifters if you are interested pm me.

[stockcar5]

It's gonna be hard to build a reliable motor for $4500 if you have to buy everything new. If you have some parts laying around and can find some deals it can be done.

[dereksehi]

At my machine shop we are resonably priced and could do it for that I have even built 351 Fords with aftermarket heads for $4500.

[ashurst21]

we currently run a super stock basically a clip late model with a 3 link and it looks like its gonna get canned! so were gonna need to move to another class, i dont have a internal complex that i need to race the top division i just want to have fun and win races and the sport mod seems to be the class that would suit us best. i would rather have an open motor just because there is more wiggle room but at 3300 for a crate its kinda hard to compete. i saw on youtube cncmotorsports made a northern sport mod motor make 373hp and i like the sound of that. were can you make the power legally? your not allow to lighten max 360ci no touch eg crappy heads and 9:1 comp i guess get good rods light weight pistons and make sure you get the right cam.

[dereksehi]

As far as making power definitely run the EQ heads with the edelbrock eps intake. Make sure to keep piston to head clearance at .035 to get the best quench area for a good burn. Lighter weight parts help some but will cost you extra and may not be necessary. Run a longer set of headers 1 5/8 primary that is around 36" with a 3 inch collector. Try not to run pump gas either I like to see 9:1 engines run 100 octane fuel like av gas. And camshaft selection is important don't fall into the bigger is better trap and use a wider lobe seperation than 106. The crates don't usually out power the open motors they are just easier to hook up its more of a traction issue than power.

[ashurst21]

in our super stock motor we aimed to build a 600+ 383 we fell miserably short at 520hp but we made almost equal torque having said that it really opened our eyes that torque is what i as a driver like versus hp. but on 9:1 is it really possible to have a stump puller? i like the idea of working with a engine builder to find hp but it seems expensive in comparison to the crate i am just weighing out the pros and cons and trying to arrive at the best decision

[dereksehi]

Yes it is possible to build a stump puller at 9:1 for the simple fact the engines you will be running against will also be 9:1 and you are right torque will win more races than hp and that is where the camshaft comes into play more than anything.

[ashurst21]

can you run 6.0 H-Beam connecting rods? i have a 350 with an eagle crank and h beam rods i would need to change the pistons to flat top then new heads and intake spruce up the 500 carb and were in business

[dereksehi]

Rods have to be I beam non polished but cap screws allowed as is 6.0 and crankshaft must be oem or oem replacement without any lightening holes in the 2nd or 3rd rod journal throws.

[dereksehi]

I've been running my claim engine with the same gear as the crates are and haven't any problem keeping up with them and we have some pretty stiff competition.

[dereksehi]

I run a 351 ford with the aftermarket heads but the same could be done with a chevy. I don't run a chip just the same gear as the crates it has a lot to do with the camshaft that we worked on with a reputable grinder and even he didn't like the idea of wat we wanted to run but now he agrees.

[dereksehi]

Do you think the EQ heads are that bad?

[dereksehi]

I know the oem smoggers are crap but the EQs look like they have a better shaped runner as far as short side radius never had a chance to get them flowed for comparison though or dyno them.

[clbaker25x]

We turned our motor around 1,000 more RPM more than the crates to have similar power. That was with a Schmidt machine engine with 487x heads. We probably didn't need to go to that extreme, but the crates have such an advantage with a motor best case that is making similar power up to the carb and then you add a 4 barrel vs a 2 barrel and it is game over. With similar gearing I think it would be very tough to beat the crates night in and night out.