Racerchaser
02-25-2006, 09:47 PM
Throwin' It Down
Jeff Patterson
Throwin’ It Down: Spec Big Block Talk with Mike Truppi
By Jeff Patterson
With big block modified car counts dropping throughout the North East, New Egypt Speedway and well known motor builder, Mike Truppi decided to come up with a plan. The plan was to create a well built engine with enough power to get a good driver a victory but also offer a long service life. Sounds easy, right? But the trick was to make this spec motor affordable but still competitive with the high dollar big blocks that have become so prevalent. Wait, but they wanted to take it a step further and make sure that the motor would be legal with other tracks and sanctioning bodies. With New Egypt Speedway being the “testing grounds and pusher” for the spec motor, they also decided to introduce some other very reputable motor builders into the fold. The Swansons, Buffy and Jim, brought in Tony Feil and Simmonek, two of the areas most successful and respected engine builders. Feil builds motors for the likes of Billy Pauch, Ryan Godown, Jimmy Horton and others where as Simmonek built motors for Frank Cozze, Rick Laubach and others. They injected their opinion and thoughts on the T/K creation, helping to validate the research Truppi had done. Recently, New Egypt Speedway announced that the 2006 season at NES would see the approved spec big block be a legal, viable choice for lower dollar teams and sportsman teams looking to make the jump up to run with the big dogs.
Since the announcement by New Egypt Speedway, racing message boards have been active with banter surrounding the new spec piece. Everything from how it would not be able to compete with the big teams high dollar pieces to let’s give it a chance was uttered from members of the racing community. Many words were said but much of what was written was from those without either the technical knowledge or background to accurately comment on the program. And, unfortunately, it’s led some drivers, crew members and fans to have an inaccurate view of the new program. Fortunately, Mike Truppi agreed to discuss the program and lend some info on his current views of the circle track racing scene.
Truppi began, “I see circle track racing going down a very bad road. This motor wasn’t meant to take away the competitive edge from racers but with car counts dropping in the big block modified division I thought something had to be done. I had spoken to Jay James and Dave Adams, of Bridgeport Speedway, and after several discussions and some preliminary work, Bridgeport decided to go more towards a crate program for their cost savings edge. And let me tell you Jeff, I’m not an anti-crate guy for beginner classes. I actually think it’s a great way to get new racers into the sport. I just don’t feel it’s the way to go for big block motors. Many of the crate big blocks lack components that will provide a solid service life. And that’s something that was very important to us when designing the motor for New Egypt Speedway.”
“Ever since the new style chassis’ came into play it’s increased the cost of motors at an alarming rate. These new cars have just made the power so much more “usable”. I believe that if something isn’t done soon big block racing could be lost. I believe we’re just seeing the initial phases of what can be done to these motors. In a few years, without some more regulation, these motors will break the $50,000 mark. Jay James actually let me know the motors he’s using for his own car are $43,000”
But how can a spec motor with well known, solid parts only cost a racer $18,000? “To make this program work, we went straight to the manufacturers. We wanted name brand parts for the major components, heads, crankshaft, rods, pistons, rocker arms, etc. And the manufacturers were very receptive, knowing that these parts would be 100% spec and that they’d get all of that business. Of course each builder has some flexibility with bearings, timing chain (no belt drive), valve covers, manifold, etc. But the compression, by the nature of the motor, almost has fixed compression”, elaborated Truppi. Furthermore, Truppi designed the motor without some of the hottest trick parts on the market. But in keeping with the original intent, Truppi along with Feil and Simmonek chose parts that were reputable, well built and could get the job done without the overkill expense many teams are resorting to.
I’ve spoken to several teams and one of their largest concerns is for their motor builders. What if we don’t want to go to T/K, Feil or Simmonek? Unfortunately, this year is a test program and that’s something that New Egypt Speedway decided made the most sense. In fact, the three builders would serve as a sort of “pseudo” tech inspector for each other. So if T/K builds a motor, either Feil or Simmonek will inspect and seal the new piece. And why would that work you ask? “It would be bad business for each of us if we let another builder get away with something illegal. In fact, we’ll provide some of the strictest tech each other has seen and that can only mean good things for the future of this engine”. Mike mentioned.
I know for me, one thing I was interested in were some real numbers off of the T/K dyno. And as many know, each dyno is sort of a unique piece. Truppi, fortunately, at his soon to be sold facility, has years and years of records in his database that he can query. “We all know people talk about these 850 and 875 HP motors but I’ve never seen one on my dyno. In fact, only one motor on my dyno ever printed over 800 HP and that was a Pontiac headed motor setup for Syracuse. Mark at Feil told me the best motors that come out of their shop are just a “touch” over 800 HP. So, with that said, a top of the line modified engine will make 800 HP and 690 pounds of torque. And this isn’t your run of the mill motor, these are the ones maybe the top three to five guys at a track have. Our spec motor will make 780 HP with 660 pounds of torque. And we’ve heard all about how the torque number is just too light but the power in this engine comes over a very broad range. In fact, I’d say that it’s probably better then 50% of the motors running in the big block ranks in upstate NY right now”, Truppi proclaimed.
I’ve also heard a few guys make a stink that T/K isn’t known for their big block engines. I brought this up and after a brief pause Truppi waxed, “My brother Brian and Don Barone have used our big blocks. We’ve had many people tell them how strong a motor they have. Don had a few chances to win this year and for a lower budget guy really ran great. Brian, two years ago, was one of the top heat winners at Bridgeport Speedway, a track well known for the need to have some serious power and a stout piece under the hood. And most know us for our sportsman motors but we weren’t known as sportsman motor builders until a few guys came to us and started winning with our motors.”
Truppi elaborated that, “We don’t know how many guys will use these engines this year. I know my brother Brian will be at NES with one and an almost new Bicknell. We had some interest from some very well known drivers. Keith Hoffman actually was going to buy one until he inked a deal with Jim Scherer. One of the major DIRT teams wanted to buy two and wanted one for Florida! Ryan Godown actually stopped by the shop to see what the real deal was. When I told him the makeup of the motor he basically said that is almost exactly his motor but that the crank he runs is actually heavier then what we’re using.” And while I know many racers are truly concerned with a spec motor competing on a track like New Egypt due to the fact that it’s normally pretty tacky, Godown did very well and was never short on power. I think any fan that went on a weekly basis noticed that Godown’s motor had some serious smoke!
In the end, I think we need to give this program a chance. The builders involved all know what it takes to build competitive, solid race engines. They’ve weeded out the junk components, cut manufacturer deals ranging from rock bottom prices on great parts to actually putting up real cash dollar incentives for racers that go the spec route and it’s legal everywhere. Will it change the state of racing? Both Mike and I were on the same page in thinking that while it could surely grow the number of big block drivers competing, it may not get new fans in the stands. But with that said, you need solid car counts to keep fans there and try and grow that base.
With a late jump, we may not see too many of these motors in cars but Truppi would be happy with just three or four of them. “My Brother will be there”, stated Truppi. But maybe that’s the best thing? Brian Truppi isn’t expected to win races or be a top dog. They aren’t the most funded team out there.
Only time will tell what the future will hold but the new spec program has surely given new hope to some of the young wheelers that are in the sportsman ranks. Surely more then a few men have begun to dream of going wheel to wheel with a Billy Pauch or Kenny Brightbill or Jimmy Horton or Frank Cozze where just mere months ago thought it would never be a possibility. So keep your fingers crossed that this program works and that the next generation of big block wheelers are just about to come up over the hill we’re approaching. You never know, robust car counts may again grace the evolving ranks our North East Modifieds.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MIKE IS WORKING HARD ON FOR THE NORTHEAST MODIFIEDS. Ladies and Gentelman racing is getting more expensive everyday motors at $34,000.00/$40,000.00. I hope this works for Mike, but don't get confuessed, this is NOT a CRATE MOTOR, this is a SPEC MOTOR.With Mike's ieda you have a choice of engine builders and the parts you want in it OR you can put it togeather yourself. Right now he is trying to get it off the ground up here for the MODS. Maybe down the road if this works someone in the Late Models see's the same light to help the lower budget late model teams run with "BIG BOYS".
FROM SJDR (www.southjerseydirtracing.com) that I am also associated with but they are more on the dirt modifieds where as LRC is Late Models. Also this is NOT an ADVERTISMENT in anyway.
Jeff Patterson
Throwin’ It Down: Spec Big Block Talk with Mike Truppi
By Jeff Patterson
With big block modified car counts dropping throughout the North East, New Egypt Speedway and well known motor builder, Mike Truppi decided to come up with a plan. The plan was to create a well built engine with enough power to get a good driver a victory but also offer a long service life. Sounds easy, right? But the trick was to make this spec motor affordable but still competitive with the high dollar big blocks that have become so prevalent. Wait, but they wanted to take it a step further and make sure that the motor would be legal with other tracks and sanctioning bodies. With New Egypt Speedway being the “testing grounds and pusher” for the spec motor, they also decided to introduce some other very reputable motor builders into the fold. The Swansons, Buffy and Jim, brought in Tony Feil and Simmonek, two of the areas most successful and respected engine builders. Feil builds motors for the likes of Billy Pauch, Ryan Godown, Jimmy Horton and others where as Simmonek built motors for Frank Cozze, Rick Laubach and others. They injected their opinion and thoughts on the T/K creation, helping to validate the research Truppi had done. Recently, New Egypt Speedway announced that the 2006 season at NES would see the approved spec big block be a legal, viable choice for lower dollar teams and sportsman teams looking to make the jump up to run with the big dogs.
Since the announcement by New Egypt Speedway, racing message boards have been active with banter surrounding the new spec piece. Everything from how it would not be able to compete with the big teams high dollar pieces to let’s give it a chance was uttered from members of the racing community. Many words were said but much of what was written was from those without either the technical knowledge or background to accurately comment on the program. And, unfortunately, it’s led some drivers, crew members and fans to have an inaccurate view of the new program. Fortunately, Mike Truppi agreed to discuss the program and lend some info on his current views of the circle track racing scene.
Truppi began, “I see circle track racing going down a very bad road. This motor wasn’t meant to take away the competitive edge from racers but with car counts dropping in the big block modified division I thought something had to be done. I had spoken to Jay James and Dave Adams, of Bridgeport Speedway, and after several discussions and some preliminary work, Bridgeport decided to go more towards a crate program for their cost savings edge. And let me tell you Jeff, I’m not an anti-crate guy for beginner classes. I actually think it’s a great way to get new racers into the sport. I just don’t feel it’s the way to go for big block motors. Many of the crate big blocks lack components that will provide a solid service life. And that’s something that was very important to us when designing the motor for New Egypt Speedway.”
“Ever since the new style chassis’ came into play it’s increased the cost of motors at an alarming rate. These new cars have just made the power so much more “usable”. I believe that if something isn’t done soon big block racing could be lost. I believe we’re just seeing the initial phases of what can be done to these motors. In a few years, without some more regulation, these motors will break the $50,000 mark. Jay James actually let me know the motors he’s using for his own car are $43,000”
But how can a spec motor with well known, solid parts only cost a racer $18,000? “To make this program work, we went straight to the manufacturers. We wanted name brand parts for the major components, heads, crankshaft, rods, pistons, rocker arms, etc. And the manufacturers were very receptive, knowing that these parts would be 100% spec and that they’d get all of that business. Of course each builder has some flexibility with bearings, timing chain (no belt drive), valve covers, manifold, etc. But the compression, by the nature of the motor, almost has fixed compression”, elaborated Truppi. Furthermore, Truppi designed the motor without some of the hottest trick parts on the market. But in keeping with the original intent, Truppi along with Feil and Simmonek chose parts that were reputable, well built and could get the job done without the overkill expense many teams are resorting to.
I’ve spoken to several teams and one of their largest concerns is for their motor builders. What if we don’t want to go to T/K, Feil or Simmonek? Unfortunately, this year is a test program and that’s something that New Egypt Speedway decided made the most sense. In fact, the three builders would serve as a sort of “pseudo” tech inspector for each other. So if T/K builds a motor, either Feil or Simmonek will inspect and seal the new piece. And why would that work you ask? “It would be bad business for each of us if we let another builder get away with something illegal. In fact, we’ll provide some of the strictest tech each other has seen and that can only mean good things for the future of this engine”. Mike mentioned.
I know for me, one thing I was interested in were some real numbers off of the T/K dyno. And as many know, each dyno is sort of a unique piece. Truppi, fortunately, at his soon to be sold facility, has years and years of records in his database that he can query. “We all know people talk about these 850 and 875 HP motors but I’ve never seen one on my dyno. In fact, only one motor on my dyno ever printed over 800 HP and that was a Pontiac headed motor setup for Syracuse. Mark at Feil told me the best motors that come out of their shop are just a “touch” over 800 HP. So, with that said, a top of the line modified engine will make 800 HP and 690 pounds of torque. And this isn’t your run of the mill motor, these are the ones maybe the top three to five guys at a track have. Our spec motor will make 780 HP with 660 pounds of torque. And we’ve heard all about how the torque number is just too light but the power in this engine comes over a very broad range. In fact, I’d say that it’s probably better then 50% of the motors running in the big block ranks in upstate NY right now”, Truppi proclaimed.
I’ve also heard a few guys make a stink that T/K isn’t known for their big block engines. I brought this up and after a brief pause Truppi waxed, “My brother Brian and Don Barone have used our big blocks. We’ve had many people tell them how strong a motor they have. Don had a few chances to win this year and for a lower budget guy really ran great. Brian, two years ago, was one of the top heat winners at Bridgeport Speedway, a track well known for the need to have some serious power and a stout piece under the hood. And most know us for our sportsman motors but we weren’t known as sportsman motor builders until a few guys came to us and started winning with our motors.”
Truppi elaborated that, “We don’t know how many guys will use these engines this year. I know my brother Brian will be at NES with one and an almost new Bicknell. We had some interest from some very well known drivers. Keith Hoffman actually was going to buy one until he inked a deal with Jim Scherer. One of the major DIRT teams wanted to buy two and wanted one for Florida! Ryan Godown actually stopped by the shop to see what the real deal was. When I told him the makeup of the motor he basically said that is almost exactly his motor but that the crank he runs is actually heavier then what we’re using.” And while I know many racers are truly concerned with a spec motor competing on a track like New Egypt due to the fact that it’s normally pretty tacky, Godown did very well and was never short on power. I think any fan that went on a weekly basis noticed that Godown’s motor had some serious smoke!
In the end, I think we need to give this program a chance. The builders involved all know what it takes to build competitive, solid race engines. They’ve weeded out the junk components, cut manufacturer deals ranging from rock bottom prices on great parts to actually putting up real cash dollar incentives for racers that go the spec route and it’s legal everywhere. Will it change the state of racing? Both Mike and I were on the same page in thinking that while it could surely grow the number of big block drivers competing, it may not get new fans in the stands. But with that said, you need solid car counts to keep fans there and try and grow that base.
With a late jump, we may not see too many of these motors in cars but Truppi would be happy with just three or four of them. “My Brother will be there”, stated Truppi. But maybe that’s the best thing? Brian Truppi isn’t expected to win races or be a top dog. They aren’t the most funded team out there.
Only time will tell what the future will hold but the new spec program has surely given new hope to some of the young wheelers that are in the sportsman ranks. Surely more then a few men have begun to dream of going wheel to wheel with a Billy Pauch or Kenny Brightbill or Jimmy Horton or Frank Cozze where just mere months ago thought it would never be a possibility. So keep your fingers crossed that this program works and that the next generation of big block wheelers are just about to come up over the hill we’re approaching. You never know, robust car counts may again grace the evolving ranks our North East Modifieds.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MIKE IS WORKING HARD ON FOR THE NORTHEAST MODIFIEDS. Ladies and Gentelman racing is getting more expensive everyday motors at $34,000.00/$40,000.00. I hope this works for Mike, but don't get confuessed, this is NOT a CRATE MOTOR, this is a SPEC MOTOR.With Mike's ieda you have a choice of engine builders and the parts you want in it OR you can put it togeather yourself. Right now he is trying to get it off the ground up here for the MODS. Maybe down the road if this works someone in the Late Models see's the same light to help the lower budget late model teams run with "BIG BOYS".
FROM SJDR (www.southjerseydirtracing.com) that I am also associated with but they are more on the dirt modifieds where as LRC is Late Models. Also this is NOT an ADVERTISMENT in anyway.