It's not just con-rods, there are dozens of parts that can all contribute to the best SP engines. Head volume is significant, but so is port shape, with so many different moulds, finding the perfect head alone has virtually endless possibilities. At least the GX160 ports are not restrictive, unlike the GX120.
However once you go down the blueprinting route and remove easily identifiable original machining marks, you make the scrutineers job ten times harder, as then every part has to be carefully measured if a thorough engine check is to be carried out. Those with money will push tolerences to the absolute limit to gain an advantage and you're back to square one.
What is clear is that whatever rules are formulated in karting, they are always a compromise. That is a compromise between the desires of the competitors and the demands of the karting businesses.
In an ideal world, you world have buy back schemes for club and pool engines for national. But where would this leave the poor engine builders?
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