Paging Dr.Dusty Ventures

Kinja'd!!! "mcseanerson" (mcseanerson)
08/15/2014 at 15:56 • Filed to: None

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This guy claims that LS powered Volvos are legal in Rally America because Volvo Marine sells them. If this is true I know what I wanna build.

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DISCUSSION (13)


Kinja'd!!! crowmolly > mcseanerson
08/15/2014 at 15:59

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Pictured:

Not an LS engine.


Kinja'd!!! mcseanerson > crowmolly
08/15/2014 at 16:01

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Read the ad. It's an LT1. He references installing LS engines as being legal in the ad.


Kinja'd!!! RallyWrench > mcseanerson
08/15/2014 at 16:01

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There used to be a guy running a V8 powered S10 in RA, so why the hell not?


Kinja'd!!! crowmolly > mcseanerson
08/15/2014 at 16:05

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Gotcha, couldn't open the link the first time. I think he is referencing the Volvo/Penta engines?


Kinja'd!!! MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > mcseanerson
08/15/2014 at 16:05

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Volvo Marine steals GM V8s all the time I believe.

My dad's 23ft Stingray has a GM 305 Small Block in it which is branded as a Volvo motor.


Kinja'd!!! Dusty Ventures > RallyWrench
08/15/2014 at 17:07

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The issue isn't the engine size, it's who made it. The rulebook says "The engine is unrestricted, but must be derived (at least the engine block) from a product line offered by the manufacturer of the vehicle."


Kinja'd!!! RallyWrench > Dusty Ventures
08/15/2014 at 17:10

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Yep, which is why the S10 was ok, and why my mad scientist rally buddy is putting a VW MkV inline 5 into his battle-worn old Jetta.


Kinja'd!!! Dusty Ventures > mcseanerson
08/15/2014 at 17:12

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The exact wording of the Rally America rule (10.2.A.2) is: "The engine is unrestricted, but must be derived (at least the engine block) from a product line offered by the manufacturer of the vehicle." So he could be right. If so that's some serious top notch loopholing right there.

...That said, as a new competitor in Rally America you'd be limited to Group 2 or Open Light for your first 4-6 events (unless you have enough racing experience in other disciplines that they'd waive the novice period), which limits you to a maximum engine size of 3.0. Of course you could always start with a 4-cyl Volvo, do your probationary period, then swap in the LS motor.


Kinja'd!!! mcseanerson > Dusty Ventures
08/15/2014 at 17:16

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I used to have a 740 turbo wagon and have been contemplating another one as a winter driver/rally car. This would be perfect to start with the stock drivetrain and upgrade to a ls drivetrain. My concern would be they might say the ls engine has to be from Volvo Marine or they might view Volvo Marine and Volvo Auto as separate entities.

Next plan is a Semi motor in w123.


Kinja'd!!! Dusty Ventures > mcseanerson
08/15/2014 at 17:22

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One thing you'll have to watch out for is the overall max engine size. Max size in the open classes is 5.1L, or 6.3 with a pushrod


Kinja'd!!! mcseanerson > Dusty Ventures
08/15/2014 at 17:23

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LS engines are pushrod so I could use almost all of them. I assume if you turbocharge the max size is reduced.


Kinja'd!!! Dusty Ventures > mcseanerson
08/15/2014 at 17:26

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Yep. Turbocharging a non-pushrod limits you to 3.0. Turbo pushrod 3.7


Kinja'd!!! mcseanerson > Dusty Ventures
08/15/2014 at 17:29

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Yeah I just looked it up. So best option would probably be the LS3. The LT1 adds more complexity than I'd want in a rally car.