Engine brief

Pro Line’s turbocharged race engines compete in NHRA and NMCA quarter-mile events as well as eighth-mile competition under PDRA and Outlaw Drag Radial rules. Commonly their engine block is created from billet aluminum by AJPE with displacements of 526, 540 or 572 cu in. Fueled by methanol they call the completed engine the Pro Line 481X. The term 481 originates from a big-block design AJPE developed for the alcohol dragster class. The original cast aluminum Chevrolet block used an oversized bore of 0.125-inch and a stroke combination that resulted in 481 c.i.

To maintain the correct compression ratio between the 526 and 572 c.i. engines, the piston's top profile changes. Because of its longer stroke, the same piston in a 572 would generate higher compression than in a 526 c.i.

Typically these engines cost $60,000 to $65,000. However, if you include the turbochargers, intercooler, injectors and fuel management system the expense increases to around $100,000. A new turn-key Pro Mod car can end up costing between $250,000 and $280,000.