50-54 Sassy Engines 8/15/13 8:16 AM Page 50
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doors of Sassy Racing Engines in 1981 with John and Brian doing the wrenching and Rodalyn managing the office. “The 426 Hemi engines were the best match with the supercharging we did,” John explains. “They fit together perfectly, and could easily accept modifications that other brands couldn’t.” Initially the cast aluminum blocks were utilized from Milodon, Keith Black and Joe Pisano’s infamous JP-1. And in the supercharged pulling classes, the largest displacement allowed is 575 cid. “With our blown alcohol enValve train adjustment being gines, the standard is done by Kevin Taylor, who 526 cid for reliability makes up part of the 5-7 man reasons,” says John. “In crew at Sassy Racing Engines. effect, this is a stroker, since it increases the stock 426 stroke length by .750˝. and easier to repair,” says John. Through the years, as horsepower and “That’s why all the top fuel teams use torque numbers increased, the cast them today.” blocks have taken a backseat to the Another component utilized in a ultra-strong forged pieces out of Brad Sassy engine is the billet aluminum Andersen’s shop. “They are stronger cylinder heads crafted by Ken Veney’s
50 August 2013 | EngineBuilder
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team in Wadsworth, OH. One aspect of Sassy Racing Engines is the lack of major fabrication equipment. “We purchase most of our engine parts from other manufacturers who build them to our specs and we are able to