So I've been researching like crazy and I've listened to ACTUAL drivers who run in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan and there's significant issues with the current CT602 which is a mandatory engine for the limited late model class. So without further or due here's the new CJCT limited late model engine specs..This will be an extremely long and nerdy post.
Let's begin with the block,the current one piece rear main seal blocks pose significant issues with parts compatibility and hinders racers. Most report that a block is good for 2 seasons and it has to be replaced as there's a no bore rule in this class.
The main caps aren't strong enough for high endurance circle track racing at the late model level.
The Standard Deck Bowtie Sportsman Block Chevrolet Performance Part Number: 19212192 , would solve A LOT of issues.
It's available in a two piece rear main seal configuration,and it's just a significantly stronger block that would last longer and stand up to more abuse.
If they change the nodular iron main caps to forged steel with a splayed bolt configuration this block would last for multiple seasons without needing a refresh.
Another significant change would be to add a Teflon crank scraper,in circle track racing the oil sloshes around significantly and this causes issues as the sbc itself is designed to over oil as a precaution, which isn't ideal for short track racing. Adding a Teflon crank scraper would greatly help.
Here's some of the benefits,At high RPMs, oil tends to "rope" or wrap around the rotating crankshaft, creating significant parasitic drag. A scraper peels this excess oil off the counterweights, which is dyno-proven to free up \(1.5\%\) to \(2\%\) more power.
Sustained cornering forces oil to climb the walls of your oil pan. A scraper clears the spinning crank, preventing it from turning the oil into an aerated mist, keeping the oil in the sump where your pickup needs it.
By keeping the rotating assembly dry of excess oil, it prevents the oil pump from pulling air, leading to more steady, reliable oil pressure on high-banked ovals.
If Teflon is used once the crankshaft starts to flex it will be gentle enough to not harm the rotating assembly,steel and other materials have a tendency to gouge parts.
The center bolt valve covers are SEVERELY PROBLEMATIC!!! These cheap covers tend to flex after around 50-75 races and begin to leak,and rules for the limited late models DOESN'T allow for valve cover swaps,if GM performance changed to the Small Block Tall Aluminum Valve Covers Chevrolet Performance Part Number: 10185064
This would be a HUGE win as the traditional 4 outside bolt design has greater sealing capacity and is literally a race proven design, and let's be honest,THEY LOOK AMAZING!!!
Next let's look at the camshaft, which is a real bummer , it's got a flat tappet cam .435 intake / .460 exhaust which is fine for lower classes but not for a performance limited late model. If GM would go with a hydraulic roller cam with Dur @ .050” Lift: 232°/240° RR: 1.5/1.5 Gross Lift: .549”/.559” LSA: 110° it would open these engines up and allow them to breathe so much better and it would allow the engine to run at peak performance levels while eliminating alot of wear internally.
Let's look at the heads,this is another issue, almost every single limited late model track has a strict iron head rule and the current (P/N 12558060): Vortec iron; 64cc chambers are lackluster as well as being significantly difficult to find 180 headers for,BUT if GM switched to the Chevrolet Performance Vortec Cylinder Heads 12691728,
23 degree head with Small Block Double Valve Spring Chevrolet PerformancevPart Number: 10212811 this would GREATLY IMPROVE overall durability at sustained high rpm racing.
Next let's look at the intake the Ct350/Ct602 has the (P/N 12366573): Dual-plane aluminum intake and it's not a great circle track racing intake, it's better suited for street racing and definitely not suitable for the limited late model requirements,but the Chevy Small Block Intake Manifold, Eliminator Vortec Head Design Chevrolet Performance Part Number: 12496822 is definitely suitable for the requirements of the limited late model class, it's just substantially better in every single way.
Next let's look at the ABSOLUTE GARBAGE pistons that's currently in the Ct the Pistons (P/N 88894280): Hypereutectic aluminum THESE ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR RACING APPLICATIONS AND ARE A SERIOUS WEAK POINT, GM doesn't currently have any forged 10:1 pistons, which is exactly what this engine needs.
A 10:1 ratio can run at a good performance level ON PUMP GAS with an octane booster additive it would run even better without breaking the bank wich is the whole purpose of the limited late model class.
The biggest problem reported is the weak powder rods,this is a MASSIVE week point where reports indicate these rods almost ALWAYS snap right off the turn under hard acceleration which isn't good if you're making a premium premier purpose built racing engine, it's actually laughable.
The Connecting Rods (P/N 10108688): Powdered metal steel might be good for street applications with standard city and highway driving BUT THESE ARE COMPLETE TRASH FOR RACING APPLICATIONS!!! Gm should have known better and used a forged H-beam connecting rod for the Ct crate engine, the H-beam rod is designed for extreme strength and high RPMs. They are heavily favored in high-horsepower street, boosted, and racing applications because the "H" shape provides superior rigidity to handle high compressive forces. And they HAVE TO BE FORGED to deal with the constant stress of off the corner acceleration!!! I can't figure out why on earth GM performance would put such a inferior part in a purpose built racing engine!!! IT LITERALLY MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER!!!
The crankshaft is another weak point Crankshaft (P/N 10243070 ,they say it's forged,but it doesn't act like a forged crank at all , it's definitely to bulky and could use a weight reduction, there's just too much rotating mass to contend with and that adds stress and wear on the engine.
The Rocker Arms (P/N 10089648): Stamped steel are a massive disappointment!!! Gm performance actually has the Roller Rocker Arm Set, 1.6:1 Ratio ChevroletPerformance Part Number: 19210729 roller rockers which are actually really freaking good,they handle sustained high rpm racing with ease with almost no reports of failure even after multiple seasons of racing, it's a no brainer decision,and yet GM performance DIDN'T use them on an engine that entire classes of racing are built around, make it make sense!!!
The fuel pump,this class almost ALWAYS demands a mechanical fuel pump,and GM performance DIDN'T use it on this engine!?!
Gm performance makes the GM Performance Small Block Mechanical Fuel Pump 12355612 which is a moderate flow system that is extremely durable and has no problem feeding this engine with ease,soo why isn't it on this engine?!?
Another massive problem is the timing chain, IT'S TRASH!! The GM performance single roller is sooooo problematic, it's notorious for stretching and causing timing issues,
GM is on of the largest and most well known manufacturers on the planet,and they can't develop a simple gear to gear timing set?!? Seriously?
A gear to gear timing system would solve a lot of problems,and it would absolutely be a welcomed blessing in a circle track racing engine.
It would eliminate the drag of a chain system,it would eliminate A LOT OF WEAR!! And it would eliminate chain stretch.
The Chevy Small Block Circle Track " Late Model" Oil Pan Chevrolet Performance Part Number: 25534354 was actually a great decision and it does help with cutting the wind from under the car,so I thought I'd make mention of that, that was a good call..
Lastly,PAINT IT ORANGE!! It's impossible to see leaks and issues if the engine is black!!!! A small block Chevy engine wants to be orange,it needs to be orange!!
There's nothing worse than not being able to address leaks before they cause a serious issue,and a simple color change would solve this problem immediately.

I can't figure out why GM performance would risk their reputation and name to make an engine that is sooo terrible and yet have the audacity to label it a "racing engine".
This engine might be suitable for a hobby stock or Detroit iron classe but it's definitely not suitable for limited late model applications.
And the majority of asphalt tracks in America won't allow you to run aluminum head engines in limited late models,so the Ct604 is useless as it has aluminum heads and the same problematic parts for the internals.
I spec'd this engine using data and what racers have to say,and this is a lackluster engine,they only stay in the limited late model class due to cost and some tracks require a NASCAR certification driver's license to run anything higher.
If GM performance built my specs and offered a refresh option, where you can send the engine back for refresh it could be a game changer.
The refresh option could replace worn parts and reseal for many seasons of racing and it would help GM to build a relationship with their customers,and the world desperately needs that today.
There's a massive market for this crate engine as most tracks are switching to crate engine racing to provide a fair and affordable racing option.
This is the time to grab the opportunity and build actual legitimate racing engines that are durable, reliable,good looking and most of all EXTREMELY POWERFUL!!
You can't just slap GM performance on EVERYTHING as it ruins the reputation and name.
But I'm a nobody, GM doesn't care and I'm probably doing nothing but waisting precious time to help a company that doesn't even care or know I exist.
But, I love my circle track racing especially outlaw body limited late models, I think this class is the future of American racing, I think the days of $20k-$100k racing engines is gone forever,and this is a prime time for fresh ideas to keep the sport alive.
GM performance is capable of soo much more,but they see it as a dead end, they don't see local short track racing as a prime business opportunity and they could care less if American short track racing is gone forever.
American short track racing is our identity!!! We did this!! We didn't bring this from other nations,it was founded right here in America and has been a source of entertainment and fun for over a half a century!!! For 70+ years this style of American racing has entertained the people of America, it's worth saving and investing in.
I believe GM performance could do wonders for this sport,but are they willing?!?


If you made it this far congratulations, you're amazing!!! I appreciate you taking the time to read.