Crate Engine Program
Why is a Crate Engine Better than My
Current Engine?
Cost!!!! Engine costs are going up every
year. Cost is the number one reason
why less and less racers can afford
to race each year. Car counts are down
across the country due to the increased
cost of racing. The cost to build a
competitive short track engine increases
every year. As new parts are developed
and tested, it becomes harder and harder
for racers on a budget to be competitive.
A racer with a larger budget than his
peers is at an advantage, he is able
to keep up with the latest technology
and purchase the latest components for
his engine package. Cost is also a factor
in attracting rookies to the sport.
As the cost of racing is reduced, more
and more rookies and other competitors
will be able to start racing.
Why Obsolete
my Current Engine?
Generally, engines are only competitive
for 1-2 years, during that time they
generally need rebuilds and extensive
maintenance. After two years, most teams
have to build a new engine because it
is outdated, worn out or broken and
requires extensive costs to rebuild.
If a Crate Engine is an option at the
track and allowed to compete, it has
generally become the engine of choice
after a period of 1-4 years so your
current engine will not be obsolete.
There will be some "concessions" such as weight breaks in an effort to
make both engine packages competitive
just as your current engine went through
when the rule was introduced. After
1-5 years our experience has shown that
the sealed Crate Engine's value makes
it the engine of choice. In addition
competitors will find that when all
teams use the same engine package, racing
will become more competitive. The real
challenge then will come down to driver
skills and chassis set up. It also minimizes
track tech time and issues and complaints
of cheating. Most tracks will choose
to continue with the current engine
rules and make crate engines optional.
This allows current engine builders
the chance to continue to build engines
of there configuration.
Will I be Competitive?
That depends on several factors. The
ASA program has proven that anyone can
be competitive. Last year and this year "Rookie" drivers have won
races in ASA. The ASA program is a great
testimonial that anyone can be competitive
when the playing field is level. That
is why NASCAR is so popular. Can a crate
engine be competitive on the short track?
Yes, one track in NH built a 430HP crate
engine, installed it in a two year old
late model car and asked the 4 top drivers
from the prior year to drive it. All
four drivers broke the track record
with less HP. They found that they were
loading and unloading the chassis with
their old engine package and were smoother
with less HP.
What Crate Engine
Should I Use?
Review your local tracks rule book for
your class to see which engine package
is legal. GM will have several engine
packages available that should fit most
class's without adding or subtracting
much weight. If you have questions contact
your local track for a copy of the rules
or talk with the track officials.
What about Durability?
Will a Crate Engine Last?
GM's Crate Engines have proved themselves
on and off the track for durability.
Hundreds of engines have competed full
seasons at local short tracks around
the country. They have been successful
at 12 hrs of Sebring, IHRA drag racing
and the One Lap of America. Some engines
are still competitive after two seasons
with normal maintenance. The ASA program
has proven that "Assembly Line
to Race Track" can work. ASA engines
are on their second season with no reported
engine failures other than team errors.
What if My Engine
Fails?
Most crate engines carry a warranty.
But the warranty is void when used in
racing applications. They will however
as a general rule of thumb replace the
engine on "new defective failure".
That is: if the engine fails within
the first initial start up it will be
replaced. This will be at the discretion
of the factory upon inspection of the
engine.
Will I be Able
to Race at Other Tracks?
Currently more and more race tracks
are adopting crate engine rules. There
are at least 25 tracks in the USA using
crate engines. Tracks from as far away
as FL, to the East and West Coast and
North Carolina have crate engine rules
that are successful. As more tracks
locally adopt crate engine rules, competitors
will be able to race at several tracks
a week. Other factors such as tire and
chassis rules will affect your particular
class at those tracks. If more and more
tracks adopt similar rules, a day may
come when you could load up your family
and race car and take a vacation to
visit a relative and race at another
track for experience.
Why is The Engine
Sealed and Who Will Police Them?
Sealing the engine is the only way to
prevent tampering and keep the engines
competitive. Sealing engines will have
to be done locally. The local track
can approve one or two engine builders
for rebuilds and track servicing. The
track or engine builder will be responsible
to keep records of serial numbers on
the seals and make emergency repairs
at the track such as a bent push rod.
Hefty penalties and suspensions will
need to be instituted at the track to
keep the playing field level. GM is
developing a kit with the necessary
bolts and hardware for sealing engines
that can be instituted at the local
level. GM is also looking into sealing
the engines from the factory.
How Much Will
it Reduce My Engine Costs?
That depends on several factors. It
depends on which crate engine package
is legalized. What class you compete
in. How much you currently spend on
your engine package and how many times
you service the engine during the season
will all affect your "Average Engine
Costs". On average it will reduce
engine costs by 1/3 to 1/2. A typical
"Factory Stock" will expect
to see engine costs drop by as much
as 1/ 2 as the engine will be competitive
for an average of two years. That cost
will be further reduced because of the
initial cost of the crate engine will
be lower. On a Limited Late Model where
engine maintenance is higher, the "Average
Engine Cost" savings will be even
more because the engine will can be
competitively run all season with only
normal maintenance.
Where Will I
be Able to Purchase the Engine?
The engines will be sold through a local
GM dealer. Some tracks may elect to
purchase the engines from the dealer,
seal them and sell direct to the competitors.
Another option which several tracks
have implemented, is allow the local "Authorized" engine builder
sell the engines to competitors after
installing oil pans and sealing the
engine. Contact your local track and
ask how they plan to provide engines.
What Will it
Cost to Rebuild my Engine?
The cost for a rebuild will vary depending
on the amount of racing hours on the
engine. If the engine has limited hours
on it and only need rings, bearings
and a valve job, the cost will average
$1,500-$3,000.00 including parts. GM
recommends that the rods, camshaft,
lifters and valve springs be replaced
after two years or 300 hours of use.
The current tracks that are using crate
engines find most teams elect to purchase
a new engine after the second year.
Some competitors have three years on
their crate engine . The rebuild costs
vary due to local labor rates and what
each engine actually requires, so it
is hard to estimate the true cost in
each application.
Will My Carburetor
be Obsolete?
GM is recommending use of a 650 CFM
4BBLcarburetor on the crate engines.
There are several reasons GM is recommending
use of the 4BBL carburetor. First, the
engine is more efficient with the use
of a 4BBL carburetor and is affected
less by temperature changes with the
lower compression crate engines. Second,
2BBL carburetors cause a restriction
on the engine. Small CFM increases in
flow will have a larger effect on HP
gains than an efficient 4BBL carburetor
used on a low compression engine. Third,
engine damage & failure is more
prevalent on restricted engines. It
is harder to tune a 2BBL engine, easier
to lean out the engine due to dirt and
debris and pour carburetor tuning. Currently
well funded teams and engine builders
spend more money and time to develop
2bbl restrictor engine packages. If
Cost is a concern, then tracks can institute
a "Claimer Rule" on the crate
engine 4BBL carburetor to try and reduce
the money higher funded teams will spend
to gain an advantage.
What if I Want
to Race a Ford or Dodge?
ASA has successfully proven that if
all teams run the same engine package
and are able to use other makes sheet
metal (Ford & Dodge) that the racing
is very competitive. GM's crate engines
are very affordable compared to building
a competitive Ford or Dodge racing engine.
Currently Ford or Dodge does not offer
a crate engine package for use in circle
track racing. GM is advocating that
Ford and Dodge create a comparable crate
engine package so individuals who want
to race a Ford or Dodge can compete
on the same level.
What are the
Benefits of a Crate Engine Rule?
You will notice several benefits right
away. First, your initial engine costs
should be reduced at the beginning of
the year. Second, your "Average
Engine Costs" should be reduced
over the course of a season. If you
elect to use the engine a second year
you will see a tremendous drop in engine
expenses. Third, all your competitors
will have the same engine and competition
will be close. (This is why NASCAR is
so popular) Forth, teams with more budget
will not be able to "Out Spend" you in the engine bay and make you un-competitive.
Fifth, with lower costs and more competitive
racing more cars will be racing and
the purse should go up. Finally, do
you really know how much HP your engine
makes? Most local engine builders build
a different combination each time and
do not dyno them or has access to a
dyno. So how does he really know how
much HP each engine makes? GM will give
each and everyone the same engine package.
With a sealed crate engine everyone
will have the same chance to win, no
one can out spend you to buy the checkered
flag at the end of the night.
What Happens
When My Engine is Worn Out?
The teams can elect to sell the engine
to another team that may have it rebuilt
at the tracks "Authorized Rebuild
Center." Or they may sell it to
someone who is looking for an engine
for their HotRod, Street car or truck.
By changing oil pans and rebuilding
the engine it will be similar to the
crate engines we sell for off road street
packages. The parts used in the crate
engine packages are 4-bolt blocks, good
cranks and rods which are becoming harder
to find. These pieces make excellent
parts for high performance use.
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