Dart to Build Hybrid Block
No, we're not talking about anything that Al Gore would be the least bit interested in, which means it's right up our alley. Dart Machinery is currently developing a cylinder block, called the Dart Hybrid, that will allow the use of Gen I small-block rotating components with GM Gen III and IV cylinder heads. Best of all, Dart plans to offer this block through normal retail channels and sell it for the same competitive price as its current Iron Eagle performance blocks. So, what does this mean to you? Let's take a closer look.
According to Dart's Ted Keating, the block will accommodate current small-block Gen I crank and rod packages as well as offer the standard Gen I small-block Chevy bellhousing pattern. This Hybrid is possible because the Gen III small-block was designed around the 4.400-inch Gen I bore spacing. The Hybrid will be drilled for the standard, four-bolt, Gen III head-bolt pattern, and it's possible other five- or six-bolt patterns will also be available. The block deck height will be the standard Gen III dimension of 9.240 inches (the standard Gen I deck height is 9.025), which allows all current Gen III intake manifolds (both EFI and carbureted) to bolt to the Gen III- or IV-style heads with no problem. The Hybrid will also accommodate a distributor.
What are the advantages of putting Gen III heads on a Gen I block? Let's start with the Gen III/IV's 15-degree valve angle, overall superior flow numbers to most Gen I aftermarket heads, a taller deck height for more internal room (especially around the cam) for a stroker crank, a larger cam core for less deflection, and just the opportunity to do something that most people probably won't do just because it's different.
There are still some details to work out, and according to Keating, the most unusual is the lifter spacing arrangement that will require a special cam blank, although the diameter will also be Gen III spec. Because the current Gen III/IV engines are reverse cooling, so will be the Hybrid block, which makes it similar to the layout of an LT1/LT4 (Gen II) engine. As of press time, Dart did not have any photos of even prototype pieces, but the company does currently plan on having the block ready for production by June. As soon as we can sneak some photos out of Dart for this new block, we'll get them to you.
Car Craft Street Race Class 2007
While the powers that be are still ironing out the rules for the new season (we don't expect any changes, though), we can give you a first look at the new season's schedule, so you can start marking up your calendar to hit the circuit for our very own NMCA class. A shootout will be added this season; the September race in Georgia will feature $1,500 for the winner, with the runner-up, semi, and quarter taking home $800, $200, and $100, respectively.
'07 NMCA-Edelbrock Drag-Racing Series Schedule
Fifth annual Ross Pistons NMCA Hot Rod & Muscle Car Nationals; April 13-15; Bradenton Motorsports Park; Bradenton, Florida
Sixth annual NOS NMCA Hot Rod & Muscle Car Nationals; May 4-6; Beech Bend Raceway; Bowling Green, Kentucky
Third Annual Jeg's NMCA Hot Rod & Muscle Car Nationals; June 1-3; National Trail Raceway; Columbus, Ohio
Second annual Motive Gear NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing Presented by Nitto Tire; July 19-22; Route 66 Raceway; Joliet, Illinoi
Inaugural NMCA Hot Rod & Muscle Car Nationals; August 17-19; Milan Dragway; Milan, Michigan
Sixth annual Nitto Tire NMCA Hot Rod & Muscle Car Nationals; September 14-16; Atlanta Dragway; Commerce, Georgia
Sixth annual Nitto Tire NMCA World Street Finals; October 11-14; Memphis Motorsports Park; Memphis, Tennessee