Engines Used in Truck Pulling
Truck pulling is an extremely popular form of motor sport in the American Midwest and South. However, power-mongers worldwide enjoy this contest of titanic towing, relishing the sight and sound of these trucks' massively powerful engines. Many are home built, but some of the higher-end sponsored teams employ engine builders like BRE, Banks and even Corvette specialist John Lingenfelter. Engine types and specs vary by class.
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Two-Wheel Drive Trucks
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Two-wheel drive street classes are very restrictive. These classes generally allow a 468 cubic engine that must match the make of the vehicle, does not utilize a tunnel-ram intake and runs on 93 octane pump gas. The 2WD Modified class allows the truck owner a little more leeway, permitting a 540 ci automotive engine of any manufacture that runs on either race gas or alcohol.
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4WD Classes
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4WD street trucks are generally limited to a 485 ci engine that matches the make of the truck, but many sanctioning bodies have grandfathered in 496 cubic inch Chevy and Ford race engines until they go out of production. These engines must use factory cast iron or aluminum heads or aftermarket iron heads. Modified trucks may use any kind of head, are allowed 650 ci, two carburetors and race gas or alcohol.
Pro Class Trucks
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Pro Trucks are generally two-wheel drive, but many sanctioning bodies allow 4WD as well. As they are pure race trucks with no pretensions of street-ability, the rules are fairly liberal for this class. There are no cubic inch or induction limits on these trucks, but they can only utilize a single engine running on alcohol or race gas.
Diesel Class Trucks
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Diesels must be kept in a separate class, since any sanctioning bodies that have allowed diesels in the general pool were rapidly over-run with them. Most regulations require that the engine must have been a factory option on chassis, be no more than 444 ci displacement, have a single turbo of with no more than a 3-inch compressor inlet, do not use any secondary fuel like propane and use an upward facing exhaust so that shattered turbine blades don't go flying into the crowd.
Popular Engine Choices
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Most engine builders prefer to use aftermarket engine blocks from manufacturers like Dart, GM Performance or Mopar Performance Parts. These blocks utilize much stronger architecture to deal with the 1,000-plus horsepower levels they witness. Dedicated race trucks usually use aftermarket forged crankshafts, rods and pistons. Many diesel trucks rely on the stock rotating assembly.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Steve Jurvetson
