by moore1 | Feb 6, 2020 | News |
In 2020, TorqStorm will participate in a new campaign, sponsoring NMCA’s True Street, a quarter-mile drag racing class for grass-roots enthusiasts, including those who have never raced before. The racing campaign promises to be a welcome addition, particularly the early March event for those who enjoy a little racing and an early vacation in the sun. With scarcely time to draw breath following a busy 2019 season of shows, developing new supercharger applications, moving to larger premises, and managing increased production schedules, 2020 is hoped to be a landmark year. Both TorqStorm co-founders, Chris Brooker and Scott Oshinski, plan participation at all six NMCA racing venues as well as the two LS Fest events and perhaps two Mopar adventures (Hemi Fest at Summit Sports Park, Norwalk, and Mopar Nationals at National Trails Columbus). The True Street calendar of events is as follows: March 5-8 18th Annual NMCA Bradenton Motorsports Park Bradenton, FL April 2-5 12th Annual NMCA Atlanta Dragway Commerce, GA May 28-31 Inaugural NMCA Technology R’way, Gateway Madison, IL July 30-Aug 2 15th Annual NMCA Route 66 Raceway Joliet, IL Aug 27-30 19th Annual NMCA Summit M’Sports Park Norwalk, OH Sep 24-27 19th Annual NMCA Indianapolis Raceway Park Indianapolis, IN NMCA’s True Street class permits enthusiasts to race on premium tracks at a cost of $125 over the course of three days, (Thursday is regarded as set-up day) and the average car count for the class numbers around 50 but can climb to 125 at some venues. Prizes are awarded to the overall winner and runner-up. Prizes are also awarded for the best 9-second average, 10sec, 11sec,...
by moore1 | Feb 6, 2020 | News |
Following ten years of supercharger manufacture, TorqStorm has developed approximately 100 variations, which, of course, increases to 300 variations when three choices of finish are included. Chris Beardsley of Technical Sales elaborates, “Consider our small-block Chevrolet kits, for example, these are available with left- or right-hand mounting and with long- or short-style water pump. They are also available in single or twin configurations as well as our comprehensive Plus kit. In addition, there are two different twin kits: a regular twin and a 2XR kit—and all of these represent just our small-block Chevrolet offerings!” Future developments? “The Hemi guys,” says company co-founder Chris Brooker, “regularly inquire about complete kits; that is, a turnkey kit that provides a tune, injectors, cooler, and piping. When we eventually pursue the development of these, we will probably first focus on the Ram truck, Camaro, Pontiac G8, Pontiac GTO, and Silverado. At the moment we have these—about six or eight kits available—but they are incomplete and non-smog compliant.” Source: TorqStorm SuperchargersTorqStorm.comTelephone (616) 706-5580 or visit www.TorqStorm.com or e-mail the knowledgeable Chris Beardsley...
by moore1 | Oct 18, 2019 | News |
Action in last summer’s Australian Drag Challenge peaked on the Thursday, the penultimate day of their annual five-day contest, when Frank Marchese took the lead, recording 7.36sec at 192mph. On the following day, he won the event, which is similar to the US Hot Rod Drag Week. It was his first attempt. Son of a Melbourne farmer, the forty-three year old is hardly famous in the US, but in Australia, Marchese (pronounced Mar-chej-zee) is notable in the 275 class, a class restricted in use to 10.5in wide drag radial tires. Three years earlier, his notoriety came about when photographs emerged on social media of three engine blocks, all blown to bits. One of them, an aluminum style, shattered from top to bottom after five racing passes. The outer halves of the cylinders parted from the core of the block and wrecked everything in its path, including the bellhousing and converter. Alarming for most race engine devotees, it was the greatest catastrophic failure they had seen, and the replacement cost of Aus$35,000 was no less daunting for Marchese. Yet, his racing efforts descended into further chaos when the remaining two cast iron units fractured from the cam tunnel downwards. All were US made. The tumult was so financially destructive it cast him out of racing for two years. “At that time,” said Marchese, “I was aiming for only 2,000hp. If I’d had the slightest hint that those racing blocks were unfit for purpose—and in one case, the disreputable behavior by a company head—I would never have risked my racing capital.” Yet, it turned out that these successive tragedies could...
by moore1 | Sep 10, 2019 | News |
Race engines from Oakley Motorsports won NHRA Top Dragster championships 2017 and ’18. In NPTA championships (National Tractor Puller Association) they succeeded twice, in Battle of Bluegrass truck pulling championships four times as well as various circle track dirt championships and big-money Bracket events. They even conquered the Engine Masters’ Horsepower King and Torque Monster contest of 2013—the year the company was founded by Phillip Oakley. “When I was 15, my Dad started an automotive service station business—auto repairs. We held onto it for 25 years but by the 19th year I’d had enough. I dreaded going to work, and in 2012, the tiresome adventure was over. Before long I closed the operation and replaced its weary prospects with the promise of building race engines. I married Jessica when I was 19. We met in High School and have been married 28 years. She has gamely supported me through the highs and lows, the times of drudgery and uncertainty. For years, I had been building my own race engines on the side at our home, but now I risked everything on a dream: hoping to sustain a living by building 10 to 15 race engines per year. Even then, I harbored hopes of continuing my own drag racing endeavors. I was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, and today my son Jay works closely with me. You ask how I cultivated the bond. The relationship with my own father, Greg, had always been difficult. A former Marine, it was often his way or the highway; we couldn’t occupy the same room for more than 20 minutes without friction. So, I determined...
by moore1 | Jul 11, 2019 | News |
Grand Rapids, MI: TorqStorm’s latest supercharger kit pursues small-block Mopars—the 318, 340, and 360cid units produced between 1967 and ‘93. As part of TorqStorm’s Plus range, this new kit includes air conditioning compressor, alternator, power steering pump, pulleys for both crankshaft and water pump in addition to the regular supercharger components. Blow-through carburetor not included. The ideal compression ratio for engines with cast-iron cylinder heads is 8.5:1 or 9.5:1 with aluminium heads. According to TorqStorm, adding their supercharger and blow-through carburetor to a stock engine increases power output by an average of 40 percent. A compact assembly, this new Plus supercharger kit extends no more than 17.5 inches above crankshaft center and, similarly, 17.5 inches laterally. Constructed almost entirely from 6061-T6 billet aluminum, TorqStorm superchargers are supplied with limited life-time warranties. More consequential, its boost range exhibits urgency, usually beginning around 1,800rpm and extending to 6,500rpm. Available in natural alloy or black anodized or with a micro-polished finish, Plus kits are now available and selling for $4950.00, which include all above-mentioned components. Common tuning questions from those interested in supercharging: The installation of aluminum cylinder heads, high performance intake manifold, and camshaft improve the supercharger’s capability. But adding a free-flowing exhaust system is usually first priority. Because superchargers add substantially more air to the combustion process, factory exhausts, particularly headers, restrict gas flow, impairing its potential. Modified engines with improved breathing are further enhanced by...
by moore1 | May 17, 2019 | News |
Louisville, KY: World Products has released a new 9.200in deck version of their Man O’War Ford small block. It is ideal for oval track and drag racing applications. The shorter deck height accommodates smaller, lighter connecting rods and pistons which improve acceleration. It also reduces overall weight and lowers the center of gravity. What’s more, the iron alloy castings have been upgraded to 40,000psi. They also feature stronger main webs. The front web is now 0.080in thicker than previously and the center three are increased by 0.030in. This new block is available with 3.995in or 4.120in Siamese cylinder bores (to finish at 4.000in or 4.125in), and either 302 (2.248in) or Cleveland (2.749in) main bearing journals with billet steel 4-bolt caps on all five mains. World Products also changed from the standard 1/2in main cap fasteners to 7/16in ARP fasteners. Assigning more material to the main webs strengthens the structure. The Louisville manufacturer’s Man O’War accommodates any standard SBF cylinder heads, and it is the only production SBF block with 6 head bolts per cylinder. The cylinder barrels extend into the crankcase by 1/2 inch to provide superior piston support with long-stroke crankshafts, and the block is supplied already machined with clearance for a 4.125in stroke crankshaft. 087150 – 9.200 Deck, 3.995 Bore, 302 Mains, Billet Caps 087160 – 9.200 Deck, 4.120 Bore, 302 Mains, Billet Caps 087152 – 9.200 Deck, 3.995 Bore, Cleveland Mains, Billet Caps 087162 – 9.200 Deck, 4.120 Bore, Cleveland Mains, Billet Caps World Products’ blocks and heads are 100% American made and are subject to stringent quality assurance procedures to ensure superior quality and...
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