The 2008 Amsoil/Mopar Muscle engine challenge took place last week at Comp Cam's Memphis R&D facility, and the 440s in this year's challenge really made some impressive power.

I just returned from a week at Comp Cams, where we held our annual engine challenge. This year, the engine builders were limited to a .060 over 440, and all had to use the same Indy SR cylinder heads as well as the same Rockett Brand 93 octane pump-gas.

Prior to the challenge, and based on my knowledge of the 440, I predicted it would take over 700 horsepower to win this year's competition, and it did. The Chenoweth entry made just at 700 horsepower, and the JD Engine and Machine entry screamed to more than 735 horsepower with a single four-barrel.

Indy Cylinder head made the most power this year at just under 760 horsepower, and 600 lb/ft of torque, from their tunnel-ram inducted big-block. Be sure to check out the engine challenge videos on our home page, and stay tuned for several months of in-depth articles as we go inside these engines and share the tricks with our readers.

I'd like to especially thank Comp Cams for letting us use their Research facility, staff, and dyno to conduct our engine challenge. I'd also like to thank Amsoil for their engine challenge sponsorship, as well as Cometic gaskets, Holley, Clevite, and Rockett Brand fuels.

Another thank you goes out to our participants, without whom we couldn't have an engine challenge. If your in the market for a new engine, we encourage you to contact the shop nearest you to discuss your next project.

Thanks again to all for a smooth engine challenge, and look for upcoming tech about these engines in the magazine and on the website.