Nasa has many classes that use power as measured on a dyno as part of the basis for legality. In my experience with them, I dont see anyone going to the dyno regularly during regional competition. They go to set their baseline, then go whenever big changes are made. Sure, occasionally guys spin over when doing a random check. Guys weigh under when going across the scales now and then too. Its all because the driver chose to leave himself very little wiggle room. Thats their choice.

At nationals all the guys that think they can be in the top 5 go dyno for sure.

For the driver, I believe the incremental cost of a couple of hundred dollars a year (worst case) for dyno time is much lower than the cost of what is required mechanically to get to 140+. For the series, I believe having to tell the drivers they need to do dynos and that they will get DQd if they spin over is a much lower political/image cost than telling drivers they need to spend untold thousands if they want a podium finish. Maybe they dont need to yet, but they will as their region matures.

For the drivers who think they are not on the podium because of HP have not yet invested the tens of thousands of dollars in tires, fuel, books, driving instruction, test days, travel expenses and track fees to get to the podium. The dyno expense is a mere pittance compared to what it really takes.

As to the cost to build a 140 hp engine, mine cost $800 for the bottom end rebuild at a shop and a $2,500 head rebuild by Milledge. Throw in a new water pump, timing belt and rollers and a gasket set and there you go. Not the thousands that the nay sayers are raving about.
More than a garage rebuild? YES! But still under $4K.

Can you spend more? Of course. Will you get more? Who knows.

I hope to compete some day with my $350 head, and copy of "Speed Secrets" Think I've got a shot?

$2500 for a head?!? That better be some good head

That's one of the things that I like about this rule, you can spend a million dollars on the best head or bottom, just as long as you only bring out 138/138 to play with, of course with the right curves.

I would guess that lots of times you pay more for reliability and not performance, I haven't heard of any head failures from John's work, which says a lot for his workmanship.

Sterling Doc wrote:


The copy of Speed Secrets is more important than the head. Track time with Speed Secrets will make you even faster if you have the ability to accept you need to learn more than you know.

Unfortunately a $350 head job and Millers extra long straights will give you a handicap.

But I know darn well you will not show up with a weak car. And we are all counting on that.