 The piston's ring pack consists...  The piston's ring pack consists of a Speed-Pro Hellfire 1/16-inch top ring that was ground down to 0.055 inch. Kaase explains, "It's normally used on nitrous engines and features a higher temperature resistant ductile iron so it doesn't relax when hot. And there is no moly on the face to shock off if the engine detonates." A Total Seal 0.043-inch cast-iron second scraper ring is a one-piece design, and the Speed-Pro 3/16-inch oil ring controls the crude. The top ring was treated to diamond lapping to get a mirror finish, and Calico coating was used on the piston skirts to thwart cylinder-wall scuffing. Compression height is 1.565- inches. |  Photo by Jon Kaase Here is...  Photo by Jon Kaase
Here is a list of just some of the IAII block attributes straight from the company: "The IAII block features a reinforced cam tunnel and a front main oil feed (which adds longevity and helps prevent front main bearing starvation), oil-filter passages are threaded for easy remote filter mounting and have corner plugs at 90-degree turns to reduce flow restriction (plugs are included with kit), a threaded front external oil passage for lubricating superchargers or turbos, deeper lifter bores to allow the use of standard type corporate lifters, the standard Pontiac five-bolt motor-mount pattern, threaded freeze-plug holes for safety and wall rigidity (freeze plugs are provided with the block) to lessen the chance of the engine blowing out a freeze plug, and dual bellhousing bolt patterns for both Pontiac and corporate housings. All blocks are shipped dry deck." More descriptions of the features are sprinkled throughout the article. |  Rods are forged-steel H-beam...  Rods are forged-steel H-beam units from Carrillo. They are made from Carrilloloy, a proprietary chrome/nickel/vanadium steel mixture and are 6.500 inches long. |
 Photo by Jon Kaase The Bryant...  Photo by Jon Kaase
The Bryant Racing billet crank contributes greatly to the reliability of the engine and allows for small, 2.50-inch main journals despite the long 4.350 stroke, without worry of flexing or breakage. |  Photo by Jon Kaase These...  Photo by Jon Kaase
These Perfect Bore sleeves are distributed by Detroit Racing Components. They are made from Nicosil coated steel. |  The distributor didn't have...  The distributor didn't have the K&N Pontiac application for the oil filter that Kaase wanted at the time, so he whipped up this adapter to enable the filter to fit correctly on this Pontiac engine's adapter. (K&N does currently list oil filters for Pontiacs on its Web site.) |
Conclusion
And what of the fate of this engine?
Next year, the Engine Masters Challenge requirements stipulate 10.5:1 compression and 434 cubes in big- or small-block form and no roller cam bearings. Kaase says he may return with this same powerplant, modified to reflect the rules changes. For now, we'll have to just wait and see.
About Jon Kaase Racing Engines
Jon Kaase grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and began racing at 16. He worked at an engine shop to learn how to build engines to run quicker while earning a degree in mechanical engineering. By 23, he took the next step and landed a position working for the legendary Dyno Don Nicholson in Atlanta. After learning even more from the master and making important contacts in the industry, Kaase opened his own shop in 1979.
Currently, Jon Kaase Racing Engines covers 8,000 feet on 2 acres of real estate in Winder, Georgia, just north of Atlanta. The business caters to about 25 or so IHRA Pro Stock cars running Ford, Chevy, or Mopar powerplants. A Kaase-powered Pro Stocker has won the IHRA Pro Stock Championship for 10 years running.