Update 7 : The Engine For Our Project.
OK, let's get right to it.
We're going with a small block Chevy. I can almost hear the moaning and groaning (coming from some quarters) about our selection. After all, we did say in the About section that we were building a car
that would be a "...straight-ahead interpretation - in a traditional style...". So, for some people, small block Chevy isn't traditional. We'd beg to differ but more on that later.
Others would say, "I would have gone with a flathead" or why not a (different) "Ford in a Ford". To be candid, we talked about both those options. That is, a flathead or perhaps a Ford 302, 351, etc. And, to be candid again, there's nothing wrong and, in fact, a lot right about those options. However, after a lot of discussion and soul searching, we ended up back with the small block Chevy.
About traditional, have a look at the photos that follow. The top photo is of the famous Bob McGee '32 roadster that appeared in Hot Rod Magazine in 1962 (then owned by Dick Scritchfield). In the second photo, you'll note that the car was then running a small block Chevy (verus the '34 vintage flathead as built and as shown in HRM in 1948). Dick went on to set a C/Roadster record on the salt with the SBC-powered car.
The point is: there's tradition in SBC-powered hot rods. And, we like the weight, it's on-road cruising potential and where you can take it from a horsepower, and more importantly, torque perspective through the useable RPM range. OK, enough justification already. Let's move on.
Our Engine
Here's the specs:
- Campbell Automotive 383 Stroker based on a late 70's block
- Edelbrock Performer RPM Aluminum Heads
- Comp 274 Extreme Energy Camshaft, Rockers and Pushrods
- Scat 9000 Series Crank and Rods (3.75" stroke / 5.7" rods)
- Speed Pro Hyperutectic Aluminum H860CP .040 Flat Top Pistons
- Melling High Volume Oil Pump
- Double Roller Timing Set
- Edelbrock RPM Dual Quad Air Gap Intake
- Edelbrock Thunder AVS Series 500 cfm Carbs
- MSD Distributor, Coil and Wires
- 10.5:1 Compression designed for 91-octane pump gas
In terms of the build process:
- Tank & magniflux block
- Sonic test cylinder walls for thickness
- Clearance block for stroker crank and rods
- Align hone mainline
- Deck and square block w/CBN surfacer
- Bore and hone block w/torque plates
- Disassemble heads / setup springs for Comp camshaft
- Balance the rotating assembly
- Blueprint engine and assemble
- Dyno test on Superflow SF902 Dyno
So, how did it do on the dyno? Click chart for larger format (back button to return)
Below: Watch the video of our engine on the dyno at Campbell Automotive.
NOTE ABOUT VIDEO PLAYBACK: When the video starts, you'll see 360p in the bottom right hand corner of the video frame and, to the right of that again, the fullscreen "expanding arrows" symbol. You can click on the 360p then optionally select the HD 720p version then click on the "expanding arrows" symbol to expand to fullscreen view. Don't forget to turn up your speakers!
Below: Speed Pro Pistons and Scat 9000 Series crank.
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Below: Assembly photo at Campbell Automotive
Below: Crank balancing at Campbell Automotive
Below: Scat rod
Below: Edelbrock Performer RPM head
Below: Edelbrock RPM dual quad air gap intake manifold
Below: Edelbrock Thunder AVS Series 500 cfm carb
Below: Edelbrock intake, carbs, linkage and fuel rail assembled
Below: Still photos of our engine on the Superflow dyno at Campbell Automotive.
NOTE: Click the photo immediately below for larger format (back button to return)
You'll see more of our engine as things progress.
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