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For the last three years, Trick Flow Specialties has built an engine to be given to the IHRA’s Summit Racing SuperSeries Top Class Champion as part of their prize package. This year, it’s a nasty 572 cubic inch big-block Chevrolet engine that’s based around one of Dart‘s Big M iron four bolt main blocks.
All photos courtesy of Trick Flow Specialties.
The entire goal of the project was to show the type of power that’s achievable with parts that anyone can buy – there’s no rocket science here.
“Our goal from the start of this program two years ago was to build engines that make 1,000 horsepower reliably and with off-the-shelf parts,” said Mike Downs, Trick Flow’s General Manager. “All three engines we’ve built—the 565 big block Chevy, the 598 big block Ford, and this 572 Chevy—prove that our concept works, and can be duplicated by any racer.”
Using a standard deck height configuration (9.800-inch) block as a solid foundation, the Trick Flow team, led by engine builder Todd Hodges, prepared it for service with the help of Gressman Powersports and their machine shop. The block is also available in a tall deck 10.200-inch version.
Left - Dart's Big M block was selected as the foundation. Left Middle - The Manley Pro Series forged crankshaft was selected for durability. Right Middle - A crankshaft scraper was included in the Moroso oil pan kit - careful trimming is required, but these reduce windage and boost horsepower as a result. Right - A set of Wiseco's gas-ported domed pistons topped off the Manley forged connecting rods.
The block’s cylinders were bored to 4.625-inches and the mains received a Manley Performance Pro Series 4.250-inch stroke forged steel crankshaft in anticipation of the rest of the rotating assembly. They went right back to Manley for a set of the company’s forged steel connecting rods, clamped by ARP 2000 capscrews. At the end of each connecting rod rests one Wiseco semi-hollow domed piston to help to achieve a static compression ratio of 14.3:1.
For Trick Flow, the point of the exercise was to show off the capability of the company’s PowerPort 365 cylinder heads and R-Series intake manifold – and show it off they did, making 1,015 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 781 lb-ft torque at 6,400 rpm. The CNC-profiled PowerPort cylinder heads were right off the shelf and feature 2.35/1.800-inch intake and exhaust valves, along with Trick Flow/PAC Racing triple valvesprings. The PowerPort heads are of a conventional big-block design and accept standard parts, helping to keep the expense to the racer at a reasonable number – no custom rocker arms or mega-dollar valvesprings here. One place where the Trick Flow engineers paid extra attention was to the dogleg runners; cylinders one, four, five, and eight are not a straight shot to the cylinder in a conventional-port big-block Chevy head, so the design team worked to balance out the airflow in those runners during the development process.
The single-plane R-Series manifold is designed with a raised plenum floor and extended runners to improve power production. On top, a Holley Gen3 Ultra Dominator 1,250cfm carburetor was installed to supply the fuel this big block needs.
Left - Trick Flow's PowerPort 365 cylinder head set atop the engine. Right - COMP Cams shaft rockers topped off the valvetrain.
Bullet Cams supplied the solid roller camshaft with dimensions of .914-inch intake and .874-inch exhaust lift, coupled with 114 degrees of lobe separation to get the air into and out of the chambers. A full complement of COMP Cams gear, including their 1.7:1-ratio shaft rockers, Endure-X roller lifters, and Hi-Tech belt drive finished off the valvetrain. Moroso‘s Drag Race oil pan, HV oil pump, breather tank, and vacuum pump completed the oiling system.
Big horsepower, off-the-shelf-parts, and all in all, a sweet prize for the winner of the 2014 Summit SuperSeries Top Class!
