USRA engine

[88bluestar]

Which engine would you suggest, USRA hobby stock?
: FUEL SYSTEM
7.1 Fuel:
7.1.1 Automotive or racing gasoline is permitted. Oxygenated fuel is not allowed; however, an Ethanol blend
up to 85% is permitted. Additives of any kind are not allowed. Penalty for illegal fuel is loss of points,
cash and awards earned for that event.
7.1.2 May not be blended with ethers or other oxygenates, and may not be blended with aniline or its
derivatives, nitro compounds or other nitro containing compounds. Fuel is tested using a Digitron
dielectric meter. It is the responsibility of the driver and/or owner to have fuel tested.
7.1.3 Upper cylinder lubricants are not allowed.
7.2 Electric fuel pumps are not allowed.
7.3 Carburetor:
7.3.1 OEM Two-Barrel Carburetor: GM to GM, Ford to Ford, Chrysler to Chrysler; May remove choke, but other
alterations are not allowed. Holley carburetors are not allowed. Top flow air filter is permitted.
7.3.2 A limit of one (1) standard fuel filter is permitted between the fuel cell and the carburetor. Cool cans are
not allowed.
7.3.3 Alterations to carburetor booster are permitted but must maintain stock appearance and must not exceed
one-quarter (0.25) inside diameter.
7.3.4 Venturi must be no wider than one and three-eighths (1.375) inches wide, and no more than one and
sixty-nine one-hundredths (1.69) in width at the base.
7.3.5 Carburetors shall be subject to claim, as outlined in Claim Procedures (Article 16).
7.4 Fuel Cell:
7.4.1 Must be commercially manufactured. Boat or stock automotive fuel tanks are not allowed. Maximum
twenty-two (22) gallons capacity.
7.4.2 Must be securely fastened inside trunk of racecar, above the level of stock trunk floor. Must be mounted
by a minimum of two (2) one-eighth (0.125) inch solid steel straps that are two (2) inches wide around
the fuel cell.
7.4.3 Must be in steel container.
7.4.4 Firewall must be between driver and fuel cell.
7.4.5 All mounts must be made of steel and attached to frame or roll cage. Adjustable fuel cell mounts are not
allowed.
7.4.6 Must have check valve. Fuel cell vent (including cap vent) must have check valves, a flapper spring or
ball-type filler valve.
7.4.7 Fuel lines passing through the cockpit must be enclosed in metal pipe or metal conduit. Fuel filters are
not allowed in cockpit.


ENGINE
13.1 Aluminum pulleys and radiators are permitted.
13.2 Overflow tubes must be directed to the ground, and inside of the frame rails.
13.3 Racecar must have the capability of starting without being pushed or pulled. Must be able to join lineup
on demand and unassisted.
13.4 Aftermarket steel motor mounts in stock location are permitted. Mid mounts are permitted (no mid plate).
13.5 OPTION #1 – Crate Engine:
13.5.1 GM Performance Parts (GPP) factory-sealed CT350 Chevy small block crate engine (Part No. 88958602 or
19258602): includes four-bolt-main block, 9:1 hypereutectic pistons, cast iron crankshaft, GM iron Vortec
cylinder heads, high-rise dual-plane intake manifold, 8-quart single kick-out circle track oil pan, valve
cover kit with breather tube and breather, unique dual-pattern cam and special "kool nut" rocker arm nut
design.
13.5.2 Must utilize one (1) GM two-barrel Rochester carburetor. Spacer between carburetor and intake may be
no more than one-half (0.5) inch total with one-tenth (0.1) inch maximum thick gaskets and may not be
throttle bore adjustable. Aerosol carburetors are not allowed. Carburetors shall be subject to claim, as
outlined in Claim Procedures (Article 16).
13.5.3 Must utilize soft-touch rev control box with a 6,200 RPM limit. This must always be out of reach of the
driver but easily accessible for inspection at any time.
13.5.4 Must have “Crate” sticker on racecar or crate engine is claimable. Any driver running a “Standard” engine
with a “Crate” sticker will be disqualified. Any driver running with a crate motor will not be eligible to claim in that season. Any driver that claims a standard engine and switches to crate engine will be eligible
to be claimed.
13.5.5 Must be unaltered and sealed from factory at appropriate points (intake, head, timing chain cover and oil
pan) with approved GPP break-off bolts. Any altered, damaged or missing GPP break-off bolts will result
in driver being disqualified from that event, loss of all track and national points accumulated up to, and
including, the date of the offense, and a $2,000 fine and fourteen (14) day suspension from all USRAsanctioned events. Second offense carries a $5,000 fine and one (1) year suspension.
13.5.6 GM seal bolt exception is USRA, USMTS or approved rebuild seals (call 515-835-9946 for verification).
13.5.7 Oil pan may be replaced by USRA certified repair center with KEVKO Part No. 1087 NRH (pan) and
KEVKO Part No. 1003-1 3/4 (pick-up). Call KEVKO Oil Pans & Components at 800-770-3557 or visit
kevko.net.
13.5.8 Crate Engine is not subject to claim.
13.6 OPTION #2 – Standard Engine:
13.6.1 Must be stock appearing. Any American make is permitted. Absolutely no changes allowed. Must use
stock firing order for that make and model (GM to GM, Ford to Ford, etc.). Titanium is not allowed.
13.6.2 May be a maximum of 360 cubic inches. (370 c.i. for Chrysler).
13.6.3 Must be a maximum 9.5:1 compression. Exception: 302-, 305-, 307- and 318-cubic-inch engines may run
10.5:1 compression. Only flat top or dished pistons are permitted.
13.6.4 Must appear strictly stock for that model and make and in the original mounts. Parts for 400 cubic inches
or larger are not allowed. Stroke must match block. Block casting number must remain visible.
13.6.5 Only stock appearing crankshafts are permitted. Lightweight cranks are not allowed. No undercut, bull
nosed, gun drilled or knife edge crankshafts allowed.
13.6.6 Lightweight, aluminum and/or fluid dampeners are not allowed
13.6.7 GM five and seven-tenths (5.7) inch or six (6) inch rods are permitted. Must be stock appearing I-beam
non-polished rod. Aluminum or light weight is not allowed. Cap screw rods are permitted
13.6.8 A minimum one (1) inch plug above the oil level in the side of the oil pan is recommended. If not utilizing
a plug, oil pan will have to be removed at time of inspection.
13.6.9 Only stock, unaltered two-barrel low-rise cast iron intake manifolds or Approved aluminum intakes are
permitted. Approved aluminum intakes are GM – Edelbrock (#2101 or #2701) or Weiand (#7547 or
#7547-1); Ford – Edelbrock (#2121 or #2181 or #2665) or Weiand (#7515 or #8023 or #7516);
Chrysler – Edelbrock (#2176) or Weiand (#7545 or #8022). Porting, polishing or port machining is not
allowed. Bowtie, aftermarket, SVO and W2, marine, VORTEC or other special production intake manifolds
are not allowed. Spacer between carburetor and intake may be no more than one-half (0.5) inch total
with one-tenth (0.1) inch maximum thick gaskets and may not be throttle bore adjustable. External
cooler lines from back of intake to front of intake is not allowed.
13.6.10 Cast iron stock production or aftermarket steel stock replacement heads are permitted. Porting and/or
polishing is not allowed. GM cars must utilize 76cc heads (approved head numbers are 336, 339, 388,
441, 454, 487, 624, 813, 882, 991 and 993). Aftermarket head numbers are: GM – EQ Part #CC167ES2
or #CH350I; Dart Part #10024267 or #10024360; World Products Part #043600 or #042670; Ford
– World Products Part #53030; Chrysler – EQ Part #CH138B; RHS/Indy Part #20300 or #20301. Heads
may be flat milled to reach the 9.5:1 compression rule. Valve size no larger than 2.02 intake and 1.60
exhaust. VORTEC heads are not allowed. Beehive valve springs are not allowed.
13.6.11 Screw-in studs, guide plates and poly-locks are permitted.
13.6.12 Roller cams and lifters are not allowed. Roller Rocker arms are not allowed (stock-type stamped steel
rocker arms or cast steel rocker arms only). Roller tip rocker arms are permitted. Chryslers may utilize
OEM steel shaft rockers but may not exceed one hundred twenty (120) pounds of valve spring seat
pressure and must maintain OEM valve spring dimensions. Under valve cover pressurized valve train
oiling systems are not allowed.
13.6.13 Mushroom lifters are not allowed (stock diameter only). Must match make and model.
13.6.14 Stud girdles are not allowed.
13.7 Exhaust System & Mufflers:
13.7.1 Must be cast iron exhaust manifolds. Headers are not allowed. Center dump type manifolds are not
allowed.
13.7.2 Exhaust must extend past the firewall.
13.7.3 Must remain dual exhaust. Crossover or “Y” pipes are not allowed.
13.7.4 Exhaust adaptors between manifold and cylinder head are not allowed.13.7.5 Oil pan EVAC systems are not allowed.

[Baprace]

I don't want to be rude but that is way too much reading for me , why don't you try and figure out what rules make sense to you , keep it simple ( it's only a hobby stock ) get a plan together on what you think will be a decent combination and let the forum help you out. KISS keep it simple stock. If it was easy , every one would be an engine builder. Sometimes the most simple combination of parts can be a great starting point , don't make the engine a complicated combination of parts. Good luck to you Pay attention to the oiling system , make sure it has rod side clearance .016 - .020 per pair , stock type oil pump ( don't go crazy with oil pressure < stock pressure is good with an entry level engine ) with a wix racing oil filter and 15w 40 oil with zinc is a good place to start. I looked briefly at your rules and all I can say is they are way over the top , way too much for an entry level race engine.

[rustbucket79]

I’d run the crate, nothing to think about, including whether or not you’ll have an engine at the end of the night.

[barnym17]

Key words to me are stock "appearing "crank to me that means I can stroke a 302 ford to 347 and take advantage of lighter engine and place weight where I want it on the chassis.

[Lizardracing]

If your new, get a crate and go have fun. Although I dislike crate racing, it's the simplest and most reliable way to get you on the track.
If your well seasoned and have a decent budget, find a local engine builder who knows more about the situation than the internet does and discuss the options he has found to be best for reliability. Honestly here, if you are fighting engine problems or engine with high maintenance then you don't have time to work on the chassis and the fun factor goes WAY downhill fast.

[dannobee]

In your case, crate engine all the way. The rules seem to direct you that way, plus there's a claimer clause in there. Spend any money on a nice (read that, can pass other people down the straights), and some jack hole will claim it.