A 2,339 WHP Ford Engine in a Camaro? | Ducky Johnson, Limited Drag Radial

Swapping LS small-block engines into everything from drag cars to rat rods is definitely a worldwide movement…but could a new trend be emerging with small-block Ford swaps? Ducky Johnson, formerly of X275 fame, is causing trouble by running a small-block Ford engine in his 2002 Chevy Camaro SS with the goal of running in the Limited Drag Radial category. Yes, there are many out there cringing while others are cheering and in the end, a 2,339 WHP combination on the FuelTech in-house hub dyno is worth the swap!

The engine comes from Bennett Racing Engines, one of the leaders in the small-block Ford category for nearly 30 years, and it features a special set of billet cylinder heads to help direct the airflow. Two other major ingredients for the robust small-block are the Precision 118mm turbocharger and the full catalog of FuelTech goodies to keep it running smooth and under control. The car has already run a best of 4.12 and the team is gunning for 3-second passes in Limited Drag Radial competition. Lofty goals require the utmost control and the FT600 engine management system is all-inclusive unit, streamlining data analysis and vehicle functions through the FTManager software.

All PowerFT engine management systems—FT600, FT550, FT550 LITE, and FT450—are capable of sequential injection and ignition, O2 closed loop, Data Logger, Delay Box, Traction Control, Boost Controller, PRO-Nitrous Controller, and much more. Further eliminating the need for additional add-ons is the LCD display that is standard on FT600, FT550, and FT450 control boxes. The display features a TFT touchscreen showing real-time data and allowing the user to make adjustments without a PC connection. This is an extremely valuable tuning option in motorsports when track and weather conditions can vary dramatically and without warning. Adding a FuelTech Switch Panel offers CANbus connection, high quality and visible buttons, and the ability to expand the inputs for additional sensors or functions that feed back to the ECU.

Johnson’s Camaro currently features the FTSPARK GEN I ignition system with matching FuelTech smart coils and it used to be one of the most powerful CDI systems on the market, until recently. FuelTech released a GEN II version of the FTSPARK as well as FTSPARK EXTREME—two ignition systems far more powerful than its predecessor. The FTSPARK GEN II offers a guaranteed 750mj of energy and 140 amps of current at the primary coil. If that isn’t enough, the FTSPARK EXTREME goes even further with a minimum rating of 1,500mj and 175 amps of current at the primary coil.

Disrupting the norm with unusual and powerful engine swaps is easy when FuelTech gets involved. It is the reason you’re seeing #FuelTechEverywhere