When it comes to most things in racing, the closer you get to the front of the alphabet the more exciting things get. AA is normally the top of the heap when we are talking about drag racing or land speed stuff but when it comes to NHRA Competition Eliminator, my crank really gets spun when the letters retreat to the other end of the alphabet. Why? Because that is when things get the most interesting. Take for example the engine that is featured in the video below. I am virtually certain these are the guys who rendered Herb Mccandleuss speechless during comp eliminator qualifying at Indy when they ran deep into the 6-second range on a 120i engine that may be the exact bullet featured below.
The engine is a legendarily tough Mitsubishi 4G63 four banger and they have been found in millions and millions of cars over the years a few different iterations. The 120ci four bangers have been bolted in naturally aspirated but the real fun ones are the turbocharged versions and they make for hellacious race engines. This is a 2 liter engine (maybe a shade more if bored or stroked) that is producing 1,100hp. That’s about 550hp a freaking liter. Is everyone here on crazy pills? No just these guys.
There are a few guys making these power levels out of the mighty little mill but most are content to wring 500-600 out of them all day long and have ’em live forever under all kinds of abuse. The engine that powered the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and all different other stuff is one hell of a stout design and when it is assembled and modified in the hands of a talented machinist, the magic really happens!
We may not be huge four banger fans around here but respect is given where it is due and this thing is due a bunch!
