Hi guys, I´m sure that most of you have heard about the "Baja 250, 500 and the Baja 1000". For those who don´t know anything about off-roading... here´s a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGA1V31_1Cs

Now, I have read a lot of threads about engine builds, but I´ve never seen one talking about off-road engines (baja or desert races). How should I build a reliable engine that will last at least 1000 miles of pain?

What info am I looking for in this thread?
-Oil pan mods are required?
-ECU mods are required? (I´m sure it´s a must... but I´m talking about eliminating censors and stuff)
-How would "jumping" affect the engine? (Would it loosen up the bolts from the crank, head, etc?)

Any info is appreciated...
Thanks in advance.

 

over build it, tune it up conservatively and run it.

 

^this...maybe add an accusump to try to ensure it never starves for oil as it's bouncing around.

(just be sure the cutoff valve for the accusump is somewhere easy to get to so you can shut if off in the event you cut an oil line and find yourself dumping 5-gal bottles on it to try to put it out...had a friend do this recently - kept emptying extinguishers on the burning lines but the fire wouldn't go out...afterwards realized the accusump has not been shut off and just kept pushing more oil into the cut lines and feeding the fire)

 

Ooh, yea. Good idea.

 

This is probably not a question that can be answered in a thread on the internet.

Depends on how deep you want to go. Like accusump for example, good idea, however most of those guys are using dry sump oiling to fix oil sloshing / cavitation / temperature control.

Look for books on the subject, and talk to people at the races, see what they have to say.

 

you know the B16 is fairly popular in the 1600 class. alot of people run them. unfortunatly I cannot point you in the direction to help out. best bet would be some baja forums or at the events.

 

Yep. I don't know that we have anyone with much experience in that here. For such an extreme activity, you'd want to do it right the first time.

 

Thanks for your input, guys. I really appreciate it.