SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
CUP, NATIONWIDE and TRUCK series vehicles
updated 2-15-2008
Currently, the three top series -- Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck -- run a 12:1 compression ratio. That rule went into effect during the 2001 season. They all use cast-iron, 5.7-liter V8 engines with aluminum cylinder heads, and each engine has a maximum displacement of 358 cubic inches.

But the main difference among the Cup, Nationwide and truck engines is the size of the carburetors -- 830 cubic feet per minute (cfm) in Cup and 390 cfm for Nationwide and trucks -- which allows a richer air-fuel mixture in Nextel Cup. According to the NASCAR media guide, the torque is 550 feet per pound at 7,500 RPM for Cup, 535 feet per pound at 6,500 RPM for Nationwide and 535 feet per pound at 6,500 RPM for trucks. That gives the engines the ability to produce horsepower in the range of 850 at 9,000 RPM for Cup, 750 at 8,400 RPM for Nationwide and 750 at 8,400 RPM for trucks.

This table is incomplete, as I find more info, I will fill it in, thanks

*358 cubic inches is the maximum permitted by NASCAR for the Sprint Cup Series. **360 cubic inches for the Nationwide Series with a spacer to reduce air flow and horsepower. The Fusion racing engine is based on a 351 cubic inch “small block” design. Specifications Sprint Cup Nationwide Family Car Length 198.5 inches 197.5 inches 190 inches Height 53.5 inches 53.5 inches 57 inches Wheel Base 110 inches 110 inches 107 inches Tread Width 71 inches 71 inches 62 inches Weight (w/o driver) 3,450 lbs. 3,450 lbs. 3158 lbs. (Min. right side wt. = 1,700 lbs.) Aerodynamic Rear Spoiler 4 x 64.5 inches Rear Spoiler 4 x 64.5 inches with end extensions Optional Rear Wing Fuel – Gasoline – Sunoco Green E-15 98 Octane – unleaded 98 Octane – unleaded 87 Octane – unleaded Fuel Capacity 17 ¾ gallons 17 ¾ gallons 17 ½ gallons Oil Capacity 20 quarts 20 quarts 5 quarts Power Train Rear Wheel Drive Rear Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive Engine V8 – *358 cubic inches V8 – *360 cubic inches V6 – 182 cubic inches Horsepower 840+ hp 640+ hp 221 hp Fuel System McLaren EFI McLaren EFI Fuel Injection Design Holley 4BBL Holley 4BBL NA Throttle Body Throttle Body Venturi 1 1/2 inches 1 1/2 inches NA Throttle Bore 1 5/8 inches 1 5/8 inches NA Compression Ratio 12:1 12:1 9.7:1
Stat Sprint Cup [COT] Old Car Nextel Cup Nationwide Truck
Engine Cast Iron 5.7L V-8
Aluminum Cylinder Heads		 Cast Iron 5.7L V-8
Aluminum Cylinder Heads		 Cast Iron 5.7L V-8
Aluminum Cylinder Heads		 Cast Iron 5.7L V-8
Aluminum Cylinder Heads
Displacement 358ci 358ci 358ci 358ci
Compression Ratio 12:1 12:1 12:1 12:1
Horsepower
(approx)		 850@9000PRM 850@9000PRM 750@8400PRM 750@8400PRM
Torque 550 ft/lb @ 7500 RPM 550 ft/lb @ 7500 RPM 535 ft/lb @ 6500 RPM 535 ft/lb @ 6500 RPM
Fuel System 830cfm 830cfm 390cfm 830cfm
Weight 3450lbs 3400lbs 3400lbs 3400lbs
Fuel Tank 17.75 gallons x 17.75 gallons 17.75 gallons
Wheelbase 110" 110" 105" 112"
Height 53.5" (min) 51" (min) 50.5" (min) 59" (min)
Length 198.5" 200.7" 200.7" 206"
Width 74.0" 72.5" 74.5" 75.0"
Gear Ratio 2.90 to 6.50:1 2.90 to 6.50:1 2.90 to 6.33:1 2.90 to 6.50:1
Spolier Wing NASCAR Supplied
was 55" wide x 4.5" high		 57" wide x 5.75" high 66.75" wide x 8" high
Front Air Dam
Splitter		 4.5" max x 4" min 7.5" min


This info is unofficial and compiled from sources on the internet, books and magazines.

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