We’ve built a giveaway engine three times before. The first was a 427-cube LS engine powered by the winner’s choice of Vortech superchargers. The engine was rated at 1,500 horsepower with the Vortech V-30 94mm supercharger, or 1,300 horsepower with the V-7 YSi-B, which is what the winner ultimately chose. The next year, we put together a twin-turbocharged 1,000-horsepower Ford Godzilla engine. The third engine was a 426-cube Gen-III HEMI engine with a 3.8-liter Whipple supercharger that made well over 1,200 horsepower on the engine dyno.

This year, we’re doing something different with the giveaway engine. All three previous engines have been small-blocks. All three engines have been forced induction. This time, we’re going with the total opposite — a naturally-aspirated big-block Chevy engine. This year, we’re shooting for 632 cubic inches and well over 1,000 horsepower, while still being streetable on pump gas.

The core of our naturally aspirated big-block is one of Jason Line’s new cast iron blocks. Built under the JLine Performance brand, these are some incredible engine blocks, just hitting the market. Another key to achieving that magical 632 cubic-inch displacement is the SCAT forged 4340 Superlight 4.75-inch-stroke crankshaft.

In order to accomplish this, we’re turning to one of our longtime friends in the industry, Nick Bacalis, who, by an odd turn of fate was the one who machined LS5.0. Bacalis now owns Bullet Racing Engines, and he’s no stranger to high-horsepower racing engine building. When we pitched him this year’s idea, his answer was simple. “Easy.”

We’ll be using some new and frankly, incredible parts in this engine build, like the brand-new JLine Performance cast iron engine block, and Edelbrock’s new DR-17 cylinder heads being worked over by the Legendary Pat Musi. We’ll be diving deeper into the parts being used in future articles, and, like in previous years, we’ll be building the engine in our booth, live on the PRI Show floor. Immediately after the PRI Show, we’ll be heading up to the University of Northwestern Ohio to dyno test the engine and prove the engine’s power.

Nick Bacalis has only recently taken ownership of Bullet Racing Engines, but he’s been a fixture in high-horsepower race engine building for a long time. He’s not only an engine builder but also an accomplished drag racer as well.

This year’s EngineLabs Giveaway contest will open on December 1, 2025 and run through April 2, 2026, and like all of the previous EngineLabs Giveaways, will be totally free to enter. You can enter at www.EngineLabsGiveaway.com or, by stopping by the Power Automotive Media booth (#1105) at the PRI Show, not only to enter, but also to watch Nick Bacalis building the engine live on the show floor. In addition to the grand prize of the engine, we’re changing it up this year, offering nine additional giveaway items for nine more entrants, ranging from a rolling toolbox to Summit Racing gift cards. Stay tuned for more information on all the details.

The 2026 EngineLabs’ Engine Giveaway is presented by Summit Racing and made possible thanks to partnerships with Bullet Racing Engines, University of Northwestern Ohio, Automotive Racing Products, ATI Performance Parts, Bendpak, Cam Motion, Cometic Gaskets, Edelbrock, ETS Racing Fuels, Ferrea Racing Components, Holley, Jesel, JLine Performance, King Bearings, Klotz, Lemons Headers, Manton, Melling, Moroso, Powermaster, RaceTec Pistons, Total Seal, United Engine & Machine, Williams Performance Products, and Wilson Manifolds.

This is one of the very first Edelbrock DR-17 heads that Musi Racing has received to develop the CNC porting program with. Musi has had a long-standing relationship with Edelbrock, so you know the program will be excellent.