For those racing disciplines where durability is just as important as horsepower, validation testing in the dyno room can go through a truckload of fuel.

The new Katech 550 LS3 engine swallowed 12 drums of gas during a 20-hour simulation run of the 24 hours of Daytona. In the video above, you can hear the change of revs to simulate acceleration and shifting through a few laps. These simulation programs manipulate the throttle and instruct the dyno to apply the proper load to the engine to reproduce racing conditions at a prescribed track. The simulation programs are developed from data acquired during testing and racing at the Speedway. The runs can even include pit stops and restarts. According to Katech, Daytona provides an excellent test ground. 

“The track has great advantages for validation testing with its extended power pulls between the bus stop chicane through NASCAR turns Three and Four, back to turn One and then blasting at wide-open throttle,” say Katech officials. 

The engine is then disassembled and inspected.

The Katech 550 is a 6.2-liter dry-sump package with CNC-ported heads that delivers 550 horsepower. It’s designed for road-racing classes like Trans-Am where rules allow these type of engine packages. Cost is just under $18,000.