IMAGINE THIS: A 10,000RPM, 708HP

Shut ’er down and pop the hood. Now imagine that perfect run coming from only 258 ci of small-block Chevy, making 703 hp and 416 lb-ft of torque. Hard to imagine? 

For some very savvy Bonneville racers, it’s a reality, just another bullet for another hot lap on the salt. For most of us, it’s only a dream. For some, it’s a way to propel them to speed, glory and perhaps membership into an elite group of racers that have gone 200 mph.

As you can see here, the 10,000rpm small block we’re talking about is very much a reality, and will serve as the powerplant for “The Hanky Panky Special,” the infamous Geisler/Vail/Banks ’53 Studebaker that has been a permanent fixture at Bonneville for over 40 years. There’s a lot of planning and precision assembly that goes into an engine happily spinning to 10,000-plus rpm. Follow along, as we’re going to tell you some dirty, little (okay, salty) secrets that Gale Banks’ chief engine builder, David Basham, passed on for you to use on your next engine build. Thanks, David. Thanks, Gale.