It’s a rare sight to witness the internal operation of an engine while it’s actually running; you can often get a view of the short block assembly being spun on an engine stand, or the valvetrain in use while running the valves in the pits. Some engine builders have even built clear intake manifolds and valve covers for use on their dynos. But Chicago Wiseguys racers Alex Kucia has taken it a step further by actually building and running a set of clear valve covers, giving passers-by in the pit area a pretty gnarly view of his Chrysler powerplant.

Kucia’s Rick Jones Race Cars-built Plymouth Duster, which tips the scale at just over 2,200 pounds with him in the seat, is powered by a Mopar 496 Predator-headed big-block with a Nitrous Express direct-port nitrous oxide system and a Pro Systems SV1 four-barrel carburetor. Lucia has fabricated a set of valve covers for the engine featuring a clear, see-through panel on the top, allowing one to see the rockers in operation.

Ace videographer James Hrovat captured an up-close view of the Predator motor while Kucia warmed it up in the pits at the Byron Dragway in Illinois last fall. The view shows the oil being splattered onto the valve cover from the lift galley, along with the speed at which the rockers operate (which is already impressive even at virtual ide rpm).

Kucia’s car later cranked off a 4.40 at almost 160 mph, showing what a potent engine combination in an ultra-light race car can accomplish.