speedracer, at this point I really don't know how to respond or if I should just keep my mouth (typing fingers) silent. You don't know me at all or what my history is. I was a very active competitor both in pylon and pattern (both AMA and IMAC) many years ago and I believe I know what my expectations are when it comes to an engine. I still have bags and boxes full of old trophies in storage for proof. I was even the IMAC newsletter editor for a short stint in the early days back when IMAC was about to go away when Jerry Nelson abandoned the organization. When the organization started to come around, several California people took over and I was glad to get away from something that was really quite foreign to me .... and that was putting out a national newsletter. But I like to think my efforts had a small part in keeping the organization together in a tough time. But that is ancient history to most today.

Frankly sir, it smacks of arrogance on your part to suggest that other people don't possess the skills and knowledge to know a good engine from a bad one. Especially sad when I read such words from someone like yourself who's knowledge and advice I have come to respect on these forums.

As far as competitors being some sort of expert, I'd say, "well maybe"! Certainly some are but some are not. I've known top racers and other competitors that couldn't tune an engine at all but their caller could and together they made a team and won many contests. Likewise, I've known sport fliers that were indeed engine experts so they should not be left out of the knowledge mix.

Oh well