10 Best Cover Cars from the first 100 Issues

09| ETS/English Racing Evolution VIII

Top Cover 09 ETS/English Racing Evolution VIIIStreet/Drag
Peak Horsepower: 1014 @ 6280 RPM (Dynojet Dyno)
Issue: 61 / January 2008
Published Time: 9.43@157.5MPH

For two liters and over 1,000 horsepower is just plain awesome. Putting that power down to all four wheels is even better. Extreme Turbo Systems (ETS) and Lucas Racing put their combined effort into Paul Nelson’s EVO VIII chassis with two objectives: break 1,000 horsepower and run single-digit times at the strip. A two-and-a-half year journey, including numerous broken turbos, rods, valves and rear ends, finally led to the successful achievement of the first objective, a 1,014 horsepower dyno pull. Shortly after, the chassis was dialed in and the car laid down a 9.43@157.5MPH, satisfying the second goal. For an engine to deliver over 500 horsepower-per-liter is incredible and deserving of top 10 recognition.

Rather than increase the displacement of the 4G63 mill, English Racing kept the displacement at 2 liters and generated over 500 horsepower per-liter of displacement.

UPDATE
The car is now owned and driven by Lucas English. A new 2.0-liter engine featuring high- compression Ross pistons, RNR aluminum rods, a Magnus mechanical fuel pump and a new turbocharger has made 1,118 horsepower and blasted to a 8.99@166.9MPH. Now, the goal is 1,200 horsepower on methanol and mid 8-second time slips.

Read the original article here