Ohio Crankshaft, known for their over 1,000 crankshafts in stock is also a leader in complete racing engine development. From a 5 inch bore center Brodix bullet, Ohio Crank has designed their own 763 cubic inch engine that puts out 2,048 horsepower with 1620 ft/lbs of torque on a conservative Shannon Jenkins/SpeedTech nitrous set-up. The same engine combination produces 1,500 horsepower with 1,250  ft/lbs of torque on "motor only" on the Ohio Crank dyno in the research and development center. Scott Ray of Ohio Crank comments,

"The new 763 we developed has a brake specific fuel consumption of about .400, low exhaust temperatures and 100 psi of oil pressure." Features include a Brodix 5" bore and 11.2 deck block with Brodix CNC heads. A 5.5 Ohio Crankshaft custom crank, BME Hemi forging rods, JE custom pistons, all Jesel valve train, Moroso dry sump and SpeedTech billet intake  make up the basics of the engine.

For much more info on the 763 or other Ohio Crankshaft engines and engine kits, visit www.ohiocrank.com.

If you alter the combustion chamber, altering the piston dome to suit is simple

Diamond Pistons has introduced its combustion chamber mold kit, the first such complete checking device to ever appear in the automotive aftermarket. While making an impression of the cylinder head combustion chamber is well-known, Diamond provides a break-through by including all the materials needed in a single package.

 When cylinder head combustion chambers are modified and dome pistons are required, an accurate mold reflecting the inverse image of the combustion chamber is necessary. By pouring an epoxy mold, all the necessary data the piston maker requires will be captured, except the depth of the valve pockets. The data includes valve center lines, the valve positioning in relationship to the cylinder, the angle of the valves, and an accurate chamber footprint from which the dome can be formed.

Thickness of the head gasket is another critical consideration. The thicker the gasket, the greater the volume of the combustion chamber will be. From the mold shape, a piston can be designed with the perfect crown profile. Also, the mold kit can be used to calculate the compression ratio as well as cubic centimeter (cc) capacity of the combustion chamber. With regard to valve pocket depth, if the engine builder is unsure as to how far the valves will travel toward the piston, Diamond will provide them a sample piston with estimated valve pockets incorporated. They in turn can fit the sample piston to the engine and advise Diamond of any adjustments necessary.

A mold is produced by fixing a fully assembled cylinder head (with a substitute spark plug in place) on an empty block (without head gasket), turning it upside-down, and applying WD-40, a light coat of oil, or silicone spray to the cylinder bore. Mix the two epoxy mediums in a 1:1 ratio for 2-3 minutes, pour the mixture in from the bottom of the bore in an amount at least 0.150-inches up the cylinder wall, and let cure for 30 minutes. If the heads are canted valve type, before removing the chamber mold from the head, install the dowel pins, set a straight edge against them, and scribe a parallel line on the back side of the mold, as shown in the instructions supplied. Ship the mold to Diamond in the container provided with the kit.                     

Diamond scrutinizes the customer’s mold with a 3D laser scanner to determine the dimensions needed to develop the most advantageous dome configuration. In some cases, engine  builders require the piston dome to fill as much of the combustion chamber as possible while others only want to fill as much of the chamber as needed to achieve a pre-determined static compression ratio. This new Diamond Chamber Mold kit, which costs $42, achieves it all.
                                          
For more information, visit www.DiamondRacing.net.

RAM Clutches are well-known to drag racers whose engines exhibit more than 2,000 horsepower and RAM’s street repertoire is no less efficient. The company has just announced a new twin-plate high-performance DirectFit StreetDual clutch assembly for the ZR1 Corvette supercharged LS9 engine and GM Performance Parts LS9 engines.

This assembly (PN 90-2115) is directed at street applications and is a bolt-in upgrade for the factory twin-disc hardware. Its dimensions are similar to the original: overall height is comparable to stock measured from the crankshaft flange to the fingers of the cover assembly and it has a diameter of 10.5 inches.

From here on out, the benefits of the DirectFit StreetDual assembly over the stock unit are exemplary. The diaphragm clutch assembly weighs a whopping 10 pounds less, exhibits a 2400-pound clamp load, and employs a nodular iron pressure ring for strength.

The twin friction discs employ RAM 300-series organic material, the chief advantage being that organic friction material has superior blend of holding power and improved drivability without the tendency to chatter on initial clutch release. Concurrent, the top clutch disc springs are stiffer than stock and by encasing them in urethane, their rate of compression increases approximately three times that of an uncoated spring.

Simple computer tweaks easily elevate the LS9 power rating to more than 700horsepower. As a result, the RAM StreetDual assembly has the capacity to capture as much as 1000 horsepower at the wheels while providing stock drivability. A 900 series disc version is available for higher horsepower applications (90-2115N).  Since this clutch assembly will combat greater rotational forces than the stock assembly, RAM provides it with steel friction backing.
Further, the facing is riveted steel-to-steel in direct contrast with factory non-back facings.

RAM is aware that all your questions about the DirectFit StreetDual experience may not be addressed here. To that concern RAM has a wise and able team that can provide valuable, free information.

For further information visit: www.ramclutches.com

Sometimes, it seems to Trans-Dapt Performance's R & D Department that engineers intentionally design engines to be as hard to work on, and as messy to deal with as possible. Take your oil filter, for example. Instead of the filter being mounted upright and in an easy to reach spot, it tends to be positioned in a narrow crevasse, hidden behind a bracket, and laying on it's side. With all their smarts, haven't these Detroit geniuses ever heard of gravity? If you don't have oil dripping onto the block, crossmembers, suspension boots...and yourself, when you when you unscrew the oil filter, consider yourself one of the lucky few.

The solution to the oil filter change problem is simple, and Trans-Dapt Performance Products has the solution. Trans-Dapt is the original manufacturer of Oil Filter Relocation Kits, and they are still considered to be the best oil filter relocation system for the money. If you are not yet familiar with what they do, filter relocation kits allow you to relocate your vehicle's oil filter to virtually any spot in your engine compartment. To put one on your vehicle, just locate a sturdy spot in your engine compartment (firewall, fenderwell) and mount the horizontal oil filter base. Install the oil filter bypass adapter where the stock filter used to be, then run the two oil lines from the bypass adapter to the filter mounting base. Screw on your PH8A (or equivalent) oil filter (or filters, if you choose the dual filter model), and that's it. Next time you change the filter(s), it will be quicker, easier, and since the filters are mounted upright, there's no oil spillage.

SINGLE and DUAL filter Trans-Dapt Oil Filter Relocation Kits are available for most popular gasoline fueled cars, trucks and SUVs, including Ford, GM, Honda, Mazda, Mopar, Nissan, Toyota and VW. In addition to obvious improvement in accessibility, Trans-Dapt's Dual Oil Filter Relocation Kits also increase you engine's oil capacity by approximately a quart and doubles the filtering surface to provide a cooler, cleaner engine oil.

Each kit comes with all the brackets, hoses, fittings and mounting hardware you'll need to install it. Just supply your favorite brand oil filter, or order Trans-Dapt's #1156 compact oil filter. Trans-Dapt Kits are not for diesel, marine or competition applications. For these applications, Trans-dapt's sister company, Hamburger's Performance Products, manufactures billet aluminum oil filtration components that meet the special needs of diesel, marine and race vehicles.

To find out more about Trans-Dapt's Oil Filter Relocation Kits, visit www.tdperformance.com, email the Trans-Dapt sales staff at sales@tdperformance.com.

American Made "Tight Tubes" Street Rod Hedders, from Hedman Hedders, have a patented collector design that tucks in tight against the engine block, providing more clearance during custom engine installs. They are ideal for narrow frame rails, or for virtually any tight application where the use of ordinary block hugger hedders is impossible, and off the shelf hedders are non-existent. Since the unique design of the Tight Tubes collector produces as much power as a standard hedder collector, builders have more design flexibility without sacrificing performance.

Hedman's "Tight Tubes" Hedders are available for SB Chevy (including D ports), BB Chevy and Mopar engines. Each model uses the same compact, power producing 4-into-1 collector, and each is available with or without Hedman's great looking, highly durable HTC Ceramic-metallic coating.

The hedder shown here is a Hedman #68506 coated header for Chevy 283-400 applications (will fit aluminum angle plug heads). They employ 1-5/8" primary tubes and have a 2-1/2" collector. Shown HTC coated, this hedder is also available uncoated (#68500). As with all Hedman street bound hedders, they are expertly built, and the quality construction is factory backed by Hedman's Limited Lifetime Warranty. Even Hedman's coatings are covered for five full years.

For additional product information on Tight Tubes Hedders, or any of the many other performance related products available from the Hedman Performance Group, visit www.hedmanperformancegroup.com

The latest addition to the Williams Engineering line of billet induction products, each single plane manifold is custom designed, and cnc machined to perfectly match any type of engine configuration.

Billet manifolds are ideal for single, 4 barrel carburetor applications, as they offer several advantages as compared to production cast, sheet metal, and single top, tunnel ram manifolds. While cast single plane manifolds are effective, you are limited to the amount of customization, due to the fixed plenum, as well as the fixed sizes and contour of the cast runners. Sheet metal, single plane manifolds have high distortion, and have difficulty maintaining the consistency of the runner sizes and curvatures. Single top, tunnel rams are also effective, but often struggle with the fuel distribution on the outside cylinders 1,2,7,8. Utilizing CAD & CFD software, we can custom design the plenum, runner sizes, and runner curvatures that will optimize your induction system.

Facts & Features:

•    Constructed of 6061 billet aircraft grade aluminum
•    Location and length of runners are custom designed to optimize the carburetor signal to all cylinders.
•    Fully ported. Minimal port matching
•    Lighter than cast intake manifolds
•    Plenum Contouring available for optimal air flow
•    Machined nitrous bosses available
•    Available for small & big block V-8 applications

Visit them at www.williamsenginedesign.com under the Williams Engineering section.

The K&N High-Flow Intake System for the 2008-09 Chevy Corvette 6.2L V8, (part no. 63-3073), increases horsepower by 17.72 hp at 4750 rpm over the stock configuration. To achieve more horsepower, K&N replaces the original intake assembly; including the air box, air filter and intake tube with an all-new intake design. The new system draws air through a K&N High-Flow Air Filter that increases airflow and never needs to be replaced. Protecting the carbon fiber oval air filter, and isolating it from engine heat, is a powder coated heat shield that replaces the stock air box. As it passes the filter, air travels through a larger diameter K&N Roto-Molded Polyethylene Tube that is formed and shaped, in the design phase, to drive a more laminar flow of air to the Vette’s engine.     

The 63-3073 is available where quality performance is sold and is backed by the same K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty® as all K&N OE Replacement Air Filters.      

For more information, visit www.knfilters.com®.

The biggest thing to hit the NHRA Pro-Stock class in recent history is the Quick Fuel Technology (QFT) 1450-cfm QFX carburetor (#FX-4714). This mega-sized carb is hand-assembled with race engineered and tested components including the new 3-circuit QFT Billet Metering Blocks (#34-77).

The new proprietary QFX lightweight aluminum main body design features a reshaped venturi entrance for consistent and improved airflow, a lengthened venturi section for better throttle response, screw in air bleeds and CNC-Billet aluminum annular boosters. The air bleeds are shielded from the air entering the venturi to nearly eliminate air turbulence allowing for a smoother air stream and better fuel atomization through the carb.

The unique metering blocks are engineered with 5 emulsion channels with screw in restrictions to help optimize the air/fuel ratio in this enormous 1450-cfm carb. Changing these restrictions are as easy as changing jets and offer unsurpassed tuning ability throughout the RPM range. QFT assembles the QFX carbs using its aluminum fuel bowls with dual sight glass windows and inlets. The contoured fuel entrance and internal baffling helps reduce turbulence and fuel aeration.

Every QFX carb comes with non-stick gaskets and 2 additional links to change the opening ratio of the secondaires from soft progressive to medium progressive or 1:1.

For more information, visit www.quickfueltechnology.com, or e-mail quickfuel@earthlink.net.

Performance leader launches new lubricant product designed specifically for use by professional engine builders during break-in of new and rebuilt engines

With the current government regulations, today’s oils are missing many of the critical ingredients needed for engine protection. Engine builders and performance hobbyists are being forced to add in extra protection additives in order to maintain engine safety and performance – but not anymore. Engineers at COMP Cams® and Endure Performance Lubricants™ have been working hand-in-hand to develop a full line of automotive lubricants, the first being the ZDDP-enhanced Engine Break-In Oil that provides maximum protection during initial engine break-in.

Heavily tested and proven by the COMP Cams® R&D team, this advanced lubricant provides maximum engine life while also allowing it to reach its full performance potential. It does so by improving the surface mating of valve train components (especially flat tappets), rotating assembly, rod journals, piston rings, valve guides and other vital areas of the engine. This proprietary formula includes the optimum amount of critical additives ZDDP (Zinc & Phosphorus), Molybdenum, detergents and high grade base oil.

The multi-viscosity, mineral-based COMP Cams® Engine Break-In Oil is fully-formulated and requires no additives or supplements. In addition, this product from the most trusted name in valve train technology is fully compatible with gasoline, methanol and high octane racing fuels.

For additional information on all the latest COMP Cams products and images, visit www.compcams.com.

Airflow technology leader introduces a comprehensive product catalog that includes informative technical information & a cylinder head reference guide

Featuring 48 full color pages of the latest RHS® products with images and application/part number listings, the new RHS® product catalog features the latest in cylinder head and engine block technology coupled with an 8-page cylinder head reference guide insert. The catalog is broken down into distinct sections that cover application-specific products, including engine blocks, cylinder heads, intake manifolds, gaskets, valve train components and much, much more.

In addition to new product innovations, RHS® also introduces a new line of cylinder head “Parts Kits” that include everything needed to assemble a set of RHS® cylinder heads for your engine block. Along with the new parts kits, the catalog features a highly-informative Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section, as well as several other resource sections. Whether you’re a novice performance enthusiast or a cylinder head expert, the new RHS® catalog will give you the most comprehensive guide to cylinder head technology in the industry.

This master guide to RHS® products and supporting information is available in both printed format and as a downloadable PDF on the RHS® website.

For additional information on all the latest RHS products and high res images, visit www.racingheadservice.com.