Classic Glass Takes On The MTI Racing Dyno

Seventh-generation Torch Red Corvette at rolling dyno — Reese Cox preparing to dyno Scott’s Z06 – Classic Glass Corvette Club

There was a time when the average car enthusiast couldn’t step foot on these hallowed grounds. For decades the Ernie Elliot racing facilities in Dawsonville, Ga, were off-limits to all but a select few.

The ominous, tall chain link fence with razor barbwire is testimony to that fact.

These sprawling facilities are considered by many to represent the pinnacle for NASCAR Winston Cup engine development in the ’80s. In 1985, NASCAR awarded Ernie Elliot “Engine Builder of the Year.”

Ernie also received the coveted “Engine Builder of the Decade for the 1980s.”

That legacy of automotive engineering success is alive and well. Today the 33,000 sq ft facility is owned by former World Challenge racer Reese Cox and home to famed MTI Racing.

Recently we got invited up to the MTI Racing facilities to be a part of the Classic Glass Corvette Club of Marietta’s dyno day.

Of course, we jumped at the chance to visit this legendary facility and hang out with the fun-loving people of Classic Glass, wouldn’t you?

DynoJet horsepower and torque sheet for Z06 Corvette — Scott’s C7 Z06 DynoJet results – We knew you were curious

Classic Glass members touring MTI Racing — Some of the Classic Glass members – Sergio of MTI Racing is 2nd from left

Classic Glass members at MTI Racing — The depth and breadth of the finished product assortments are impressive.

Classic Glass member examining an engine block — Getting some hands on experience

Personalized Tour

If you’ve never been inside a dedicated engine fabrication shop, it can seem a bit overwhelming at first. Fortunately, the team at MTI Racing patiently answered questions as they gave the members of Classic Glass a personalized guided tour.

More than merely showing off the rooms full of fabricated parts, and pre-built engines, they took the time to share their expertise. Trust me; there are those with decades of experience building race engines walking these halls.

There is a reason why some well known, high-performance aftermarket retailers commission MTI Racing to build their parts. They have the expertise and the machinery to get it done right.

MTI Racing dyno with control panel — One of several engine dyno rooms

Computer programmed maching cutting metal — State-of-the-art milling & fabricating

In-House Build

Many speed shops today put together packages of preexisting bolt-on parts to increase performance. MTI Racing has the in-house capability and technical know-how to create whatever you need for your spec build.

There are many state-of-the-art milling and fabricating machines in this facility. It’s impressive to watch these machines turning out bespoke engine parts effortlessly.

MTI Racing utilizes the latest engine-building technology. They feature a full CNC machine shop capable of producing parts in-house, including five-axis simultaneous machining of cylinder heads and intake manifolds.

They also have multiple engine-testing dyno cells at their disposal.

MTI Racing dyno facilities — Reese Cox, Owner of MTI Racing

Sixth-generation Corvette coupe at the MTI dyno — Strapping down the author’s stock 2013 Grand Sport – 383 hp, 400 ft-lb torque

Dyno & Historic Wind Tunnel

Back in the early ’80s in NASCAR, wind tunnel testing was something only aircraft manufactures like Boeing were doing. This trailblazing facility in Dawsonville built one of the first wind tunnels strictly for NASCAR racing applications.

Assembled from four industrial fans, it produces wind speeds of just over 30 mph. It’s here that Ernie Elliot and his team fine-tuned the aerodynamic package for his brother Bill.

Bill Elliot became NASCAR’s fastest man ever with his official qualifying speed of 212.809 mph, set in 1987 at Talladega Superspeedway. Those kinds of historical images kept bubbling up in my thoughts as the various Corvettes were being strapped down on this historic dyno.

Hearing the mighty V8’s straining to pull maximum horsepower, you couldn’t help but feel connected with the racing Hall of Fame legends of the past.

Sixth-generation Velocity Yellow Grand Sport Corvette — Roger – 2011 C6 Grand Sport – Classic Glass Corvette Club

Making Horsepower

This chilly Autumn day was the perfect day to make some horsepower on the dyno, and experience this legendary facility. The genuine hospitality of Resse Cox and his MTI team was on display throughout the morning’s event.

The fact that they bought everyone lunch at Chick-fil-A was just an added bonus. Later that afternoon they open the dyno experience up to the public.

Special thanks to Resse Cox for inviting us up and to the Classic Glass Corvette Club of Marietta for letting us tag along during their event. The morning was great fun and we enjoyed watching Classic Glass take on the MTI Racing dyno.