reliability experience with bridgeport
 

So I have been speaking with a very well reputed engine builder locally about building me a new engine for my track car. Right now even though the chassis has moved away from ITs Speck the engine is still 100% ITs legal, and even for IT standards is low on power IMO.

I have been plotting the build of a small bridgeport running with webers and a new custom exhaust. By small BP I mean no intrusion into the side seals. Other than that I would keep all of my ITs stuff, balanced rotating assembly, stock apex seals, etc.. and add only a few things like a lightened flywheel and a bigger oil pan.

First off I was told that I should be talking about the 250hp mark at the crank. Is this accurate?

I'm hesitating a bit because I really dont want to immerse myself into reliability issues. The added HP in my case will only by to add in the fun of the experience, as I am no longer racing the car, I dont NEED it per se. My current engine has been running flawlessly with no problems at all. All I have been doing maintenance wise inbetween events is to change the fluids, and load it back onto the trailer. Will I be able to realistically expect that sort of bullet proof reliability out of the new engine (given it is built well)?

For those who don't know, my car was raced in ITs and now Im just converting it into a track day only car, just to have fun. It sees about 4 hrs of track time a day so about 8 hrs a weekend. Any input would be appreciated! :icon_tup:

A bridge port is less reliable than a street port only due to the eyebrow eventually getting fatigued from heat cycles and cracking. I've personally never seen one crack so dont know the exact amount of hours before it will. Three or more full race seasons out of the engine is where I would expect it to last. With that said, a street port can yield 250 crank horsepower too. There are a couple we've built making 206-209rwhp, street ported, on a very basic setup with more room to grow. These would be about 242 flywheel horsepower.

You are going to need to go to cereamic or carbon apex seals for bridge port hi-rev power band road race reliability, and also need the better stationary gears too.

bridge ports sound so cool