Huge, big-block V-8 are usually reserved for drag racing. Anywhere else, they’re overkill. One pro drifter thinks a proper big block is the way forward for the sport, so he’s going all in on an enormous 10.3-liter V-8 for his BMW M2 drift build. And it sounds incredible.
Adam LZ published a video to his YouTube channel last week documenting the powertrain set to reside in his carbon-kevlar-bodied M2. He paid a visit to Steve Morris of Steve Morris Engines, learning about the build and getting a few clips of the engine on a dyno.
Morris is the go-to builder for reliable drag engines, so building this 10.3-liter motor for Adam was a piece of cake. It’s loosely based on a Chevy’s big-block platform, but basically everything, including the aluminum block, is new. There’s a lightweight camshaft, RaceTech pistons, AFR heads, a billet oil pan, a dry-sump oiling system, a custom intake, and more.
The lightweight internals were important for Adam, as he wanted an engine that could rev quickly and reach a relatively high redline—the type of stuff you need for drifting. On the dyno, the engine is able to throw down a monstrous 1,125 horsepower and 931 pound-feet of torque at 7,000 rpm, all without the use of forced induction. There’s no replacement for displacement, after all.
The most important part of this engine is the low-end torque. Whereas the turbo motors Adam is used to can’t be lugged at low rpm, this engine will happily post huge torque numbers from idle. On the dyno, this engine was pushing over 700 lb-ft of torque at just 3,000 rpm. And if Adam needs some extra revs, this V-8 can rev out all the way to 8,000 rpm while maintaining most of its power.
Now all Adam needs to do is get the engine in his car.
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