What is the definition of "Racing" engine?

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myasylum

myasylum

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I was at the shop today that is rebuilding my engine. The guy that is doing the heads ask me if this was a "racing" engine. I just kind of chuckled and I said "no".
but... I kind of mean yes! I guess that all depends on your definition of "racing".
I mean I plan on taking it to the track a few times a year, if that makes it a "racing" engine?
It's not alcohol injected or anything, but? Now I kind do wonder if he's just going to do everything stock? He knows I'm getting a stoker crank.

What you you guys think he meant? Maybe that was just his way of telling me it's not a racing engine, so don't expect one? I don't know??

Thanks!
 
It's been my experience that when a machinist asks if it's a "racing" motor he wants to know if you plan on make 800+ hp and spinning the dang thing to 9k. However, to the local kids, and some of the street racing crowd 450+hp is considered a "racing" motor. Trust me if your machinist is worth his weight in salt. He'll know exactly what you're looking for.
 
The guy doing the heads,probably was wanting to know if you want them ported and polished?Helps a stroker motor perform better with HP gain.My 2 cents.
 
You should find out what he means. It's your engine and you need to know what the machinist is thinking, and how he is thinking.
"Race engine", I believe, is one of those subjective terms. It may mean looser clearances, thinner rings w/ lighter wall tension, smaller valve seats, high valve spring tension. This is why you need to talk w/ him at length and see how he thinks, so you can be on the same page as the engine progresses. I always use a machinist who does what I want, not what he wants. It's my motor!! Any good machinist will respect that, they're trained to work from blueprints, in this case, YOURS! Machinist and builder are two seperate things, and maybe the same person. A builder will sell you his his methods and theories, a machinist does what you tell him.
 
Tell him exactly what it is you want from this engine and how you plan on using it and what HP you are expecting from this build. Don't exagerate either.

I always have a plan when I walk into the machine shop and tell them exactly what I need done, I also have it written down and have him write me out a work order with all prices and work to be done. I don't do word of mouth. I also make sure that he has two ways to contact me in case they run into a problem of some sort.

Generally, a "Race Engine" means an engine that will never see street use, but it always helps to clarify with your machinist. Don't bug the crap out of him everyday, but be sure you have a very clear idea of what you want and communicate those ideas clearly.
 
The guy we have had do our work has built numerous engines above 500 horse for street cars so he never really says anything. Just does his work and asks what the car is for curiousity. Really nice guy and great work at that!
 

Yes i would ask him Exactely what he thinks a race motor is??..if he knows your stroking it any work he does should be along those guidelines..And you don't need to be making 800 h.p.to be a race motor,my 360 puts out half of that and has put many a RACE car on the trailer..never mind what the stroker does to them :-D:-D..p.s. if you don't feel comfortable with him i'd find another machinist,the shop i use has one of the best reps around and the work is top notch,and they do the work on a lot of the cars at the track..
 
I always considered a "Race" engine as something I cannot run pump gas in. Not that there are'nt some really bad a55 pump gas engines out there, but if it won't run on 93 without pinging because the CR is so high, to me, its a race engine.
 
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