My thoughts on why there should not be a limit…
There are just too many variables. The vehicles that we race are over 20 years old, and parts wear. Computers are different, fuel tanks and pumps are different, air flow meters are always not 100%, and engine mileage is different, stock vs .20 over bore, just to name a few. There is really no way of policing every aspect with so many engine builders and or drivers building his or her own.
What i think would be the only way to control engine output would be sealed engines. We have a spec exhaust, a spec engine? With a spec engine a stock rebuild could be built and put on an engine dyno and have true hp and torque numbers before it gets into a car. Simple fuel pressure testing, compression, dme, and cam timing could be checked at the track for possible cheeters. But everyone would have to buy a spec engine which would never happen, unless it could be set at a later date like 2015. I believe a spec engine, with stock bore, could be built for around $2,000 and would need a simple rebuild every 2-3 years for maybe under $500 bucks.
All that would never happen, so just drive what you have. I have a stock rebuild engine and about 10hp down from the highest engines. I have fun racing and sometimes win races. Can i throw down 5-7 grand for a new engine, sure, but i dont think its really worth it. Some of my best and exciting races have been ones that i have lost.
Peter Thibault