This mammoth Chevy from Sonny Leonard is large in every way. Leonard has this 864 cubic-inch, Chevy-based, semi-hemispherical-headed monster on display. New for 2008, it comes with three stages of nitrous installed and goes out the door complete and dyno tested for just under $90K. As they say, speed costs mammoth amounts of money -- how fast do you want to go? On a technical note Sonny told Max Chevy that this engine peaks out around 8000 rpm. The huge pistons are moving very fast at that rpm and Sonny told us that a regular size engine pistons would have to be turned about 12,500 rpm to get the equivalent piston speed. (Ian Tocher photo)
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Twenty-five years ago, Crane Cams produced the first retrofit hydraulic roller lifters and now has released its new Ultra Pro version. Intended for use in high-revving, high valve spring pressure applications, the Ultra Pro lifters are designed to drop into their respective block with no machining required in most applications, but retaining standard oiling configurations. The initial product offerings include most popular Chevy V-8s from 1955-1995, with optional .904-inch diameter versions for modified standard or late aftermarket big blocks. Also new from Crane for the Bowtie crowd are Pro Series aluminum rocker arms and related hardware for L92/LS3 cylinder heads. Among the special features are quiet needle bearings in the fulcrum assembly designed to avoid triggering the engine's knock sensors. It is a bolt-on kit with no machining required and will fit within the engine's standard valve covers with no spacers required. (Ian Tocher photos)