This big-block Monte Carlo proves the old saying that there’s no replacement for displacement. It’s an argument that has been going on in the hot rodding community seemingly forever. Can you build a mean and powerful small block that can beat a big block in power output? The “50 Shades of Gray” big-block Monte Carlo proved, at least this time, that no, you can’t.

Big-Block Monte Carlo with monster engine wins “Big Tire Class” at local drag strip.

On July 29^th of this year, there was a race held at the I-29 Dragway in Pacific Junction, Iowa. The race is called the I-29 Dragway Heads-up No-Prep race. Older racers may recognize the entry and competition style of this event as what used to be called “Run Whatcha Brung” events. Only minor safety inspections are held prior to the competition. Like an NHRA competition, cars are divided by class, although the classes are different from an NHRA event.

The subject of this video, the “50 Shades of Gray” big-block Monte Carlo won the “Big Tire Class.” This class is defined as having tires larger than 29.5 inches tall, although they state “Anything with wheels!” is eligible. However, the major qualifier for any competitor is that it has to have doors, no doorless NHRA cars allowed.

The’re no replacement for displacement was definitely proven at the I-29 Dragway’s Heads-up No-Prep event.

The “50 Shades of Gray” Monte Carlo sports a 710 cubic-inch big-block powerplant running a small nitrous shot; it’s not mentioned, but is most likely a single-stage fogger kit. As can be seen in the video, the last two passes run by the car prove (for this week at least) that displacement is king. Both of the vehicles that were beaten also sported big blocks, albeit significantly smaller than the 710 cubes in the Monte Carlo. The Monte Carlo also beat a couple of smaller and lighter cars running small-blocks. In fact, it beat them quite handily.