Turbo VS Displacement: First Hand Experiment for Hot Rod Drag Week 2026
Turbo VS Displacement: First Hand Experiment for Hot Rod Drag Week 2026
Three weeks before Hot Rod Drag Week 2026, Brian Acton and Jay Blanchard of Fast Act Racing, alongside a dedicated team from Baker Engineering, set out on an epic thrash nearly TWO Years in the making. Brian wanted to find out if there really is no replacement for displacement.
With the support of John Maher, a friend and fellow drag and drive racer, Brian schemed a plan to put John’s nitrous grudge motor in the frame rails of Brian’s Nova. As of last month, a multi-time class winning turbo LS combination lived there. The Nova is dominant in the 8.50 Index drag and drive world, winning classes from Illinois to Florida to Oklahoma.
Wanting an entirely new challenge was the initial driving force behind this decision. And let’s be honest, these guys have walked the walked and talked the talked for many years. The new engine has been in the capable hands of the Baker Engineering team in preparation of the change from an eight mile, fire breathing, nitrous guzzling grudge motor to a street worthy combo destined to see more than 1,000 street miles across five days! The valvetrain was swapped for something more naturally aspirated friendly, while also increasing the power! With 598 cubic inches, this thing is a monster compared to the LS that lived in the car. Add that to the 2.5” primaries and the twin throttle body tunnel ram, this thing is huge! We don’t have final weights or power levels yet as the team just got the car running last night, but we do know it will have the power to hurl this car down the quarter mile quicker than the 8.50 cert cage will allow.
The guys hope to test tonight at US 131 so you can expect updates on the Drag Drive Repeat News tomorrow morning. Being that the car is sorted suspension wise, while also running the transmission that was in the car prior, they look forward to a smooth transition.
When putting a combo together like this, it takes a village and Brian wants to thank:
John Maher - Maher Racing
Jimmer Kline - Go Fast Productions
Todd Redman - Coan Engineering
JayWire (Jay Blanchard)- my bestie!
Jon Capizzi - Capizzi Automotive- rear end rebuild
And last but not least the entire Baker Engineering team! Luke, TJ, Marv, Nate, and Chad.
That brings us to the plan for Drag Week. The car is certified to 8.50 in the quarter mile and has ran many times in the Street Racer category. For the 2026 event, the guys will be taking on the Street Race Big Block Naturally Aspirated class, which will be a first for them. The class has been dominated by Curt Johnson, currently holding the record with an 8.76 average from HRDW xxxxx. Brian was adamant that finishing the week is their #1 goal. But, he’s competitive and we know Jay likes to win…..
Make sure to follow Fast Act Racing for updates and be watching on Wednesday night Sept 2nd as the guys come on the Drag Drive Repeat Show presented by Summit Racing to tell the story of a six day thrash to go from Turbo LS to Huge Block Chevrolet, plus they threw in a rear end rebuild for good measure!!
