This article is using Dodge engines, the criteria, (a base-line) is the same for Ford, Chevy. This site can help guide you in your selection of engines: (excerpt) Here are some of the factors: * The displacement is large -- 358 cubic inches (5.87 liters). Not many cars have engines this big, but the ones that do usually generate well over 300 horsepower. * The NASCAR engines have extremely radical cam profiles, which open the intake valves much earlier and keep them open longer than street cars. This allows more air to be packed into the cylinders, especially at high speeds (see How Camshafts Work for more details). * The intake and exhaust are tuned and tested to provide a boost at certain engine speeds. They are also designed to have very low restriction, and there are no mufflers or catalytic converters to slow the exhaust down either. * They have carburetors that can let in huge volumes of air and fuel -- no fuel injectors on these engines. * They have high intensity programmable ignition systems so the spark timing can be customized to provide the most possible power. * All of the subsystems like coolant pumps, oil pumps, steering pumps and alternators are designed to run at sustained high speeds and temperatures. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question588.htm
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