There are several big-time engine-building competitions out there but there’s only one that caters strictly to the Mopar-loving crowd. This one, backed by Mopar Muscle magazine will be held at the Comp Cams facility in Memphis, Tennessee. We’ve been lucky enough to tour the place a couple times during the now defunct Pump Gas Drags and it’s a great facility.

Enough about us. Check the press release below from Comp for the details on how to take in the action and see some major Mopar muscle flexing!

COMP Cams® To Host 2009 Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge

Over the last few decades, valve train technology leader COMP Cams® has proven that success comes from extensive research and testing, which is why Mopar Muscle magazine has once again selected the COMP Cams® Research and Development facility in Memphis, Tennessee, to be the dyno testing battleground for their fifth annual engine challenge. The dyno competition is set to occur sometime in mid-September 2009, with finalized dates to be announced.

The 2009 event will feature a simple outline that both COMP Cams® and Mopar Muscle magazine feel will provide each engine builder with the opportunity to build an engine using unique design methods. Eight engine builders will be selected to design and build their respective Mopar engine combinations and bring them to the 2009 Mopar Nationals on August 7th. The engines will be on display for attendees, giving engine builders the opportunity to answer questions and market their engines to the thousands of consumers.

After the Mopar Nationals, the engines will be delivered to the COMP Cams® R&D facility, where the competition will commence a few weeks later. All contestants will be required to submit a verifiable parts list with a legitimate retail cost-to-build for their engine before its run on the dyno. Each engine will be scored based on the engine’s retail cost divided by the sum of peak horsepower and peak torque. In the case of a tie, the winner will be determined by a “bonus rating” given for each inch of vacuum produced by the intake manifold at 1,000 rpm.

Testing will be done via a 600 rpm-per-second acceleration test, with all data being gathered between 3,000 and 7,000 rpm. First, there will be a 45-minute time period given to complete at least three non-scored, “qualifying” dyno pulls, with setting of the timing and engine idle being the only tuning allowed during this period. From there, a 10-minute recess will be given for the builder to inspect the engine. Finally, another 45-minute timer will start for the three final scored pulls. The one with the highest peak torque and horsepower numbers will be used for scoring.

Immediately following the dyno session, each engine will be required to pass a parts-compliance inspection. Each contestant is required to be present during tear down. To see complete rules for the 5th Annual Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge, visit www.moparmusclemagazine.com