Take a Peek at a 4000-HP Fuel System with a Window in the Plenum

Steve Morris knows his way around powerful engines. He’s built mills for Pro Mod racing as well as Drag-Week-winning turbo V-8s that have to survive punishing conditions. He’s developed his own engine, the SMX, that’s capable of 4000 hp and surviving long stretches on the street. Fortunately for anyone who’s a fan of big power, Morris also has a YouTube channel where he shares some of the things he learns in his efforts.

Morris is also a driver—he runs one of his twin-turbo SMX big-blocks in the 1993 Caprice wagon he’s dubbed “Boostmaster.” The car competes in drag-and-drive events and runs 1/4-mile times in the mid-six-second range at more than 220mph. That’s hustling, especially for a steel B-body that weighs close to two tons.

Morris recently added a clear top to the intake manifold of his Boostmaster’s SMX engine, allowing a clear view into the plenum and down the massive intake runners. We’ll soon get to see this engine run under boost, however, the first installment gives some interesting diagnostic information. Morris used his race car’s fuel system to test his fuel injectors while simulating the engine running under load. A set of 3D-printed extensions funneled the fuel into graduated beakers to measure the fuel to make sure each injector was pulling its weight. By using as much of the car’s fuel system as possible, the rig can help find flaws in wiring or even the fuel rail. As it turned out for this test, a faulty injector wasn’t flowing as much as it should. The video is an effective reminder that eliminating variables can be very helpful when troubleshooting an issue.

There’s plenty of theory and science behind the design and construction of engines, but so many variables can affect an engine, and sometimes strange issues arise. Intake valves opening and closing cause pressure waves on the air in the plenum, and overlap with the open exhaust valves create tuning waves of their own, so things can get quite hectic in a running engine. We’re looking forward to seeing the transparent top when the engine is on the dyno. We probably won’t have to wait too long.