interesting sbc combo

[grumpyvette]

I got a call this morning from a guy I rarely hear from,but a guys whos located near the palm beach track, who was looking for a few parts for his t-bucket street rod, that cars always been and Im sure will continue to be trailer-ed , not driven to the local track.
we got to discussing his current engine combo that he built on a some what limited budget, using as few new and expensive parts as he could .
we got to discussing his engine combo, and I was rather impressed with his resourcefulness at using mostly parts that he already owned plus using as few new but still decent parts in a low budget , mostly week end toy race car.
and I figured Id list what he told me about it and get your opinions.

ok, first its a DART 400 SBC based block
a scat 350 forged crank
6" rods with 7/16" rod bolts
making it a 377 displacement sbc designed in this case to easily spin in the 6500-7000rpm power band.
215cc vortec large port heads, extensively reworked with valve springs that allow a .650 lift
he can only use race octane gas and hes installed the cam 2 degrees retarded from split over lap.
viewtopic.php?f=52&t=266&p=321#p321
a TH400 with a 4500rpm stall converter
a 9" ford differential with 3.90:1 rear gears
a crane solid lifter cam #110971

rotating assembly
http://www.jegs.com/i/Scat/942/1-40579BI/10002/-1
(after machine work true compressions near 12.9:1

he has a extensively ported single plane intake and an 850cfm holley carb that looks similar to this one below
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EFI-OR-NITROUS- ... 1073359450

comp cams 1.5:1 ratio roller rockers, a rocker stud girdle, 1 3/4" open headers
a 8 quart baffled oil pan
the car weight near 2500 lbs according to him

 

[87vette81big]

Just posting from my phone Grumpy.
No computer to use with DD 2000 engine simulation.
The cam he has & chosen is an Oval 3/8-1/2 mile.
Designed for 1.8 exhaust rockers. 1.7 intake rockers.
He has 1.5 rockers. Cam & breathing dynamics affected.

Is it a 350 Main Dart 400 Little M block?,??!
If 400 main block journals he has to use special main bearing spacers to use a 350 crankshaft.

Gearing 3.90 a little tall.
4.56 -5.13 required for serious 1/4 mile effort @7500-8500 rpm.
28-31 inch tall tires.
Normally aspirated.

Porting means little to me.
Flow numbers & velocity probe measurements best.

 

[grumpyvette]

I could not get all the details over a fairly brief conversation on the phone but he seemed to like the results so far
DART blocks fit 350 crank journals yet have 4.125 bores if so ordered
http://www.dartheads.com/products/engin ... ocks.html#
he chose the lower ratio to increase valve control due to the lower ramp acceleration rates on the lifters and the cams design to minimize high rpm valve train stability issues further helped by the lower rocker ratio.....not saying its going to work out ideally but there was a reason it was done that way.
net effect should be a 510/510 lift cam with a very stable valve train at up to about 7000rpm with out excessive valve spring load rates
again hes "thinking outside the box" to maximize a lower cash outlay combo

 

[87vette81big]

If he is happy that good Grumpy.
At 3 minutes overlooking it will run pretty strong.
But not optimized combo.
Have to think of all.
From Aircleaner fresh outside air entry to the Rear tire contact patch meeting the blacktop.
Few people do.
Your one of the Few also Grumpy puts thought deep as me.

 

[87vette81big]

I could not get all the details over a fairly brief conversation on the phone but he seemed to like the results so far
DART blocks fit 350 crank journals yet have 4.125 bores if so ordered
http://www.dartheads.com/products/engin ... ocks.html#
he chose the lower ratio to increase valve control due to the lower ramp acceleration rates on the lifters and the cams design to minimize high rpm valve train stability issues further helped by the lower rocker ratio.....not saying its going to work out ideally but there was a reason it was done that way

I see Grumpy.
High Ratio Rocker Cams make big power.
Can be unforgiving .

Whenever I see a Super Late Model engine unrestricted other than carburator used, 1.8-1.9 Rockers used.
Wanting 750+ HP.
They drop valves constant unless Titanium valves in place & Isky Tool Room valvesprings used.

 

[grumpyvette]

I got a short email note asking how I can possibly remember all the details of a phone conversation,
well I don,t remember everything, and Lord knows, I frequently forget things but I,ve learned too just normally keep a pad of lined paper and a couple good ball point pens near my computer, and when I answer the phone, if dealing with, some subject I like to explore or I need phone or part numbers or an address or web site, its something of interest, I try to ask lots of questions , try to get the caller to explain things in greater detail, and I try to take notes!
Ive found if I don,t I tend to regret it later

 

[87vette81big]

I got a short email note asking how I can possibly remember all the details of a phone conversation,
well I don,t remember everything, and Lord knows, I frequently forget things but I,ve learned too just normally keep a pad of lined paper and a couple good ball point pens near my computer, and when I answer the phone, if dealing with, some subject I like to explore or I need phone or part numbers or an address or web site, its something of interest, I try to ask lots of questions , try to get the caller to explain things in greater detail, and I try to take notes!
Ive found if I don,t I tend to regret it later

I gotcha Grumpy.
I do the same.

Waiting for the day when the Economy improves.
Get than phone call from an old friend that wants to go racing again.
Big budget of $50 k.
No goofing around or bench racing
Spend the $ and buy the hardware to compete & Win.
Trophies collected.
Names & photos in local paper .
My last name on the side of a race car again.
Thanking me.
Oh yeah, they pay me decent every week for my workmanship & help.
Good old days Grumpy for me.