Ep 19. Bracket Blaster 572

In Season 2 Episode 19 of PowerNation: Engine Power, titled "Bracket Blaster 572," the hosts Mike and Pat are going to be working on a 572 cubic inch engine to see how much horsepower and torque they can make. They will use a combination of parts, including a custom camshaft, cylinder heads, and an intake manifold, to reach their goal of 1,000 horsepower.

The episode starts with the hosts explaining the importance of the bracket racing class in drag racing, which is a class that restricts how fast a vehicle can go. This means that most of the racing is won by the driver who can consistently get the best times and react to the light the quickest.

Mike and Pat want to build an engine that can run well in the bracket racing class, so they start by taking a Chevy Big Block and boring it out to 572 cubic inches. They then install a custom camshaft, which was designed specifically for bracket racing. The camshaft will have a duration that is not too long, so that the engine can make power at lower RPMs, but it will also have enough lift to ensure good airflow into the engine.

To ensure the camshaft works properly, they install new cylinder heads that have larger ports than the factory ones. This allows more air into the engine and helps the engine breathe better. The heads also have a higher compression ratio, which will help the engine make more power.

Once the cylinder heads are installed, Mike and Pat install a single plane intake manifold that is designed to work well with the camshaft and heads. This will help the engine make more power at the higher RPMs that the bracket racing class allows.

To ensure the engine can handle all the power, they install a set of long tube headers that are designed to provide the best exhaust flow possible. This will help reduce back pressure and allow the engine to make more power.

With the engine built and installed on the dyno, Mike and Pat start making pulls to see how much power the engine is making. They start off with a mild tune to get a baseline, and then start increasing the power with each pull. Eventually, they are able to make close to 1,000 horsepower, which is their goal.

In addition to the engine build, there are also segments in the episode that cover other topics related to bracket racing. They explain how the timing system works, and why it's important to have a consistent reaction time. They also talk about how to properly stage a car, and why it's important to do so correctly.

Overall, this episode of Engine Power is a great watch for anyone who is interested in drag racing, or who wants to learn more about building high performance engines. With lots of great information and tips, it's sure to keep you entertained and informed.