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THE DYNO RUN
Build, text and photos by Mike Mavrigian
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Well, we finally ran this engine on dyno. The dyno location was Platinum Engine Designs in Norwich, Ohio, a clean-as-a-whistle top-notch race engine shop in southeast Ohio, equipped with a late-model SuperFlow engine dyno.
While performing the setup, I added 7.5 qts of 30W non-detergent oil along with 12 ounces of Comp Cams “break-in” additive (this provides a concentrate of ZDDP for high-pressure lubrication. Even though we’re running a roller cam and have no concerns about breaking-in a flat tappet cam, the zinc additive serves to protect valve stem tips when using high pressure springs. Basically, the addition of ZDDP is absolutely essential for a flat tappet cam, but it can help to protect additional contact areas, and can never hurt. Just add it as a matter of course.
Since we needed to change the distributor gear over to bronze anyway, and to achieve more clearance between the distributor head and the front of the intake manifold, I swapped out distributors in favor of an MSD ready-to-run pro-billet distributor, P/N 8354, which we equipped with an MSD bronze gear (for compatibility with our billet Lunati roller cam). The ready-to-run distributor features a built-in ignition module and does not require an external MSD ignition control box. I’ll set the Performance Distributors’ Duraspark distributor aside for a future build.
The MSD ready-to-run distributor is a nice upgrade from the bulkier Duraspark version. The billter aluminum housing is 5/8″ smaller in diameter, providing much-needed clearance and compactness. The built-in module produces a 7.5 amp single spark through high rpm. The mechanical advance is easy to adjust with included springs and stop bushings. The vacuum advance canister provides improved economy but can easily be locked out. The maintenance-free magnetic pickup and precision reluctor creates stable trigger signals throughout the entire rpm range. The polished steel shaft is QPQ coated for friction reduction and is guided by a sealed ball bearing. The unit is supplied with a small-diameter cap with HEI (male) style terminals.
The MSD P/N 8354 Pro Billet Ready to run distributor features a built-in ignition module, requiring no external ignition controller box.
In order to ensure compatibility with our Lunati steel cam, we installed an MSD bronze gear to the MSD distributor. After the runs, I pulled the distributor to check for tooth condition (seen here). Condition was beautiful and the engagement wear pattern was peachy. Gear depth (from bottom of housing seat to bottom of gear) was set at 4.000″.
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Because neither I nor the dyno shop had no previous experience with the Projection III EFI, I decided to initially run the engine with a carburetor (to establish base timing, seat the rings, verify oil pressure, check for leaks, etc.). Once we made a few initial runs, we’d then switch to the EFI. My early estimate in terms of horsepower was in the high 500 / low 600 HP range. I have to be honest and admit that we didn’t hit those numbers, and I freely admit that I made a mistake in terms of carb and cam selection.
We initially ran the engine with a Demon 750 double-pumper 4-barrel carb. Our best pull was 516.9 HP at 5,900 rpm and 529.2 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm. It quickly became painfully obvious that the engine wanted much more than the 750 cfm carb could deliver (an ideal carb size would be 850 or even 900 cfm). However, the 750 was the only carb I happened to have on my shelf (if I had a bigger fuel/air bucket, I would have used it).
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Todd at Platinum Engine Designs fits our motor to his SuperFlow dyno.
Here the engine has been prepped and is ready for the initial fire-up. The dyno shop’s exhaust headers featured 1 5/8″ primary tubes, stepped to 1 3/4″, with 3 1/2″ collectors.
The MSD 8354 distributor features a small-diameter head, providing additional clearance at the front of the intake manifold.
After initial running, Todd adjusted total timing to 34 degrees. Throttle response was extremely quick.
After verifying that the engine had no issues and ran like a watch, we then installed the Projection III EFI setup. Our best pull with the EFI was 500 HP at 5,700 rpm and 517.5 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm. Lower numbers, granted, but I wouldn’t automatically blame the EFI system. The potential seems to be there, but more tuning time is needed. The Projection III EFI is a very cool system. The unit provides the appearance of a large 4-barrel carb while providing the crispness and tenability of an EFI system. Two fuel injectors reside inside each of the “fuel bowl” housings. Installation is not complicated at all. The throttle body unit bolts onto the intake manifold in the same manner as a carb. A main harness connects to power, ignition switch and coil. A dedicated oxygen sensor harness plugs into the supplied O2 sensor (a clamp-on or weld-on O2 sensor bung kit is included).
A mini ECU is integrated onto the right side of the throttle body, so no external ECU is required. The fuel feed (supplied) consists of a dual feed -6AN log, with an already-installed pressure regulator. Fuel pressure recommendation is 45 psi. An aluminum in-line electric fuel pump is also included in the kit.
Tuning the EFI can be accomplished either by adaptive learning (simply running the engine and driving the vehicle over a period of time/cycles prompts the unit to “self learn” to adapt to the engine’s operation), or by custom-tuning the system via the supplied software.
The Projection III EFI system from Professional Products includes everything required (wire harness, O2 sensor with harness and mounting bung, programming software, a very detailed instruction manual, coolant temperature sensor, USB cable for programming connection to a PC, electric fuel pump, pressure regulator and -6 fuel feed and in-line filter). The EFI installation and connections were a breeze.
A pair if injectors are hidden behind each “fuel bowl.” This is a very clever design that allows you to display an “old school” appearance while taking advantage of electronic fuel injection technology.
The TPS (throttle position sensor) is built onto the EFI unit. The TPS must be calibrated for both minium throttle position and maximum throttle position. This is easily accomplished using the included software.
The EFI kit includes a coolant temperature sensor. We installed this to the intake manifold’s front left water port. The EFI unit’s built-in ECU must read a minimum of 145 degrees F water temperature before any programming can take effect.
The Projection III fuel feed consists of an included -6 fuel log with incorporated fuel pressure regulator.
Todd at Platinum Engine Designs loaded the Projection III software to his computer and began to program the EFI, establishing desired air/fuel ratio and adjusting fuel trim. The programming software is quite detailed, and requires a bit of time to become familiarized. Professional Products definitely invested in quite a bit of time in developing this program.
The Projection III software allows you to monitor and adjust fuel trim across the rpm range.
The Projection III connections were relatively simple. Driving about 400 mioles or so will theoretically allow the unit to “self learn,” while manual programming with their software requires time and patience.
In our brief experience with the system, the adaptive learning feature obviously requires more operating time than we had during our dyno run. We opted to load the software CD and attempted to tune the system (we ran a USB cable from the unit’s tuning cable connection to the dyno control room’s computer). After playing with the fuel trim and adjusting the air/fuel ratio for about an hour, we managed a 509 HP pull. I think that the potential is there, but a bit of time is required for tuning. The menus and graphics on the Projection III software is very high resolution and easy to read, but it appears that you will need to spend some time to achieve final tune. Again, Professional Products tells us that you don’t need to use the software to tune the system, due to the adaptive learning feature of the system, but it’s nice to know that the option is available.
In a nutshell, in order to fully take advantage of the engine’s potential, we need a bigger carb (or more extensive tuning of the EFI) and a bigger cam. Carb size should be in the 850 to 900 cfm range, and the cam could definitely use more duration. Our cam featured duration (at 0.050”) of 232 intake and 242 exhaust (very smooth and easy compatibility with a lock-up torque converter). A better choice (again, to hit the magic 600 HP mark) might be Lunati’s P/N 51018 cam that features 240/252 duration @ 0.050”.
Even better, a custom cam could easily be ordered to suit this engine. Bullet Racing Cams suggested a hydraulic roller with 0.612″ intake and exhaust lift, with 245/253 degrees duration at 0.050″ (lobe sep of 108 or 110), which should really wake this engine up. While I’d love to swap cams and tune fuel/air to hit 600 HP, quite honestly, my dyno-time budget ran out, and I simply couldn’t afford to perform additional dyno tuning.
While we didn’t realize the engine’s maximum potential during the dyno runs, the 500+ HP range and 500+ lb-ft of torque is still nothing to sneeze at, especially for a street car. The extra 100 HP that can be had is probably overkill for the street (after all, how long do you want the tires to fry?), but as we all know, more is always better, either for performance or mere bragging rights.
Current camshaft:
Lunati hydraulic roller P/N 51012
Valve lift 544 int / 560 exh
Duration @ 0.050 232 int / 242 exh
Centerline 108 int / 116 exh
Suggested upgrade camshaft (to allow us to hit the projected 600 HP range):
Lunati hydraulic roller P/N 51018
Valve lift 560 int / 576 exh
Duration @ 0.050 240 int / 252 exh
Lobe separation 110
Suggested custom cam profile (re Bullet Racing Cams):
Valve lift 612 intake and exhaust
Duration @ 0.050″ 245 intake / 253 exhaust
Lobe separation 108 or 110
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427W ENGINE DYNO DATA (with our 750 cfm carb)
EngSpd STPPwr STPTrq Fuel1M Fuel2M BSFC CoolOt OilSmp Oil P
RPM CHp Clb-ft lbs/hr lbs/hr lb/hph degF degF psig
4100 413.1 529.2 128.3 59.7 0.495 154 210 56.6
4200 421.3 526.9 129.2 60.9 0.491 156 210 56.7
4300 431.5 527.0 129.7 62.2 0.484 156 211 56.8
4400 440.6 525.9 130.9 63.4 0.480 157 211 56.8
4500 449.7 524.8 132.1 66.0 0.480 158 211 56.9
4600 458.7 523.7 134.4 69.7 0.485 158 212 57.1
4700 467.7 522.6 137.9 73.8 0.493 159 212 57.4
4800 475.5 520.3 138.3 78.1 0.496 160 212 57.7
4900 482.1 516.7 137.4 78.0 0.487 160 212 58.0
5000 488.5 513.1 137.2 77.8 0.480 161 212 58.3
5100 493.6 508.3 139.6 78.1 0.481 161 213 58.6
5200 497.3 502.3 139.1 78.2 0.477 162 213 58.7
5300 499.6 495.1 138.9 79.1 0.476 162 213 58.8
5400 500.4 486.7 138.9 80.6 0.479 163 213 58.8
5500 503.4 480.7 140.0 80.1 0.478 163 214 58.9
5600 506.2 474.8 140.0 80.1 0.474 164 214 59.0
5700 508.8 468.8 140.5 81.1 0.477 165 214 59.0
5800 513.2 462.9 142.1 82.9 0.482 165 214 59.1
5900 516.9 455.7 143.0 84.4 0.487 166 214 59.2
6000 514.6 446.0 144.5 85.5 0.495 167 214 59.2
Special thanks to Todd at Platinum Engine Designs for his dyno services.
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OUR PART NUMBERS
DART 351W IRON EAGLE BLOCK…………………31385135
SCAT CRANK 4.00 STROKE…………………………4-351C-4000-6200
SCAT RODS 6.200……………………………………..2-ICR6200-7/16
JE PISTONS AND RINGS 4.125 BORE………………232474
CLEVITE MAIN BRGS ……………………………….MS-1010HX
CLEVITE ROD BRGS …………………………………CB-663 HN
VICTOR GASKET SET………………………………..FS3428A
VICTOR MLS CYL HEAD GASKETS………………..MLS 54293
FEL PRO INTAKE GASKETS…………………………1262R (size needed for our Trick Flow heads)
LUNATI ROLLER CAMSHAFT……………………….51012 RRN1-232-242
LUNATI ROLLER LIFTERS………………………..…72335LUN
RACE PUMPS FUEL PUMP…………………………. 1700 (if carb is used)
RACE PUMPS REGULATOR …………………………5011(if carb is used)
PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS ELECT. FUEL PUMP.. (for EFI)
PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS FUEL REGULATOR… (for EFI)
MOROSO OIL PAN…………………………………….18507
MOROSO VALVE COVERS…………………………..68450
MOROSO OIL PUMP PICKUP…………………………24507
ARP OIL PUMP SHAFT……………………………..154-7901
ARP FASTENERS
Head studs……………..….254-4703
Intake manifold……………454-2103
Oil pan studs………………454-1904
Balancer bolt………………150-2501
Alternator bracket bolt……450-3301
Valve cover studs…………400-7614
Distributor stud…………….450-1701
Cam bolt……………..……155-1001
TOTALLY STAINLESS FASTENERS
Intake manifold……………6-0838
Fuel pump (mech)…………6-0596
Distributor bolt…………….6-0512
Balancer bolt kit……………6-0725
Valve cover bolt kit………..6-0542
Oil pan bolt kit…………….6-0572
Note: Both ARP and Totally Stainless offer great fastener kits for this application.
TRICK FLOW CYLINDER HEADS……………………TFS-5170T012-C01
MELLING OIL PUMP…………………………………..10833
MELLING TIMING SET……………………………..…40402
MEZIERE WATER PUMP………………………………WP311B
MEZIERE WATER NECK…………………………..….WN0023B
SILVER SEAL TIMING COVER……………………….TW6600
PRW 6.5” RACE DAMPER……………………………..2430203
PRW FLEXPLATE………………………………………1830213 (157 TOOTH)
PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS HURRICANE INTAKE….54032
PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS POWERJECTION III EFI .70027
PERFORMANCE DISTRIBUTORS DIST………………35720 DURASPARK
PERF DIST PLUG WIRES……………………………….C9059 LIVEWIRES
(Blue, 135 deg. boots. Pre-made, designed for over-valve cover routing)
(while I used trim-to-fit wires to achieve my wrap-around routing, the Livewires are an excellent option if you prefer over-the-valve-cover wire routing)
PERF DIST MODULE/COIL KIT……………………….31721 FOR DURASPARK
PERF DIST BILLET LOOMS…………………………….9100
MSD SPARK PLUG WIRES (Multi-angle HEI)…………31189
MSD PRO-CLAMP WIRE SEPARATORS………………8843
HARLAND SHARP ROLLER ROCKERS (OFFSET)…..S4202
LUNATI PUSHRODS 5/16X.083X7.700……………..….82135 PRO SERIES
EDELBROCK BILLET BREATHER……………………4213
SUMMIT PCV……………………………………………SUM-440308
BOSCH SPARK PLUGS…………………………………7957 Super Plus
ROYAL PURPLE MAX TUFF ASSEMBLY LUBE……….01335
ARP MOLY THREAD LUBRICANT………………………100-9905
ARP 4.125” PISTON RING COMPRESSOR……………….900-1250
VALCO ALUMINUM RTV…………………………………71195
JOE GIBBS BREAK-IN ENGINE OIL (W/ZDDP)…………BR
PUROLATOR OIL FILTER…………………………………PL30001
MSD BILLET READY-TO-RUN DISTRIBITOR……..8354
OUR FASTENER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
MAIN CAP TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Dart specifies the following torque values for their main cap bolts…
(Note: all torque values listed are based on the use of oil on threads and bolt head undersides)
INBOARD ½”-DIA BOLTS………………………………….105 ft-lbs (w/oil)
OUTBOARD 7/16” SPLAYED BOLTS AT CAPS 2-3-4…… 65 ft-lbs (w/oil)
OUTBOARD 3/8” BOLTS AT CAPS 1 & 5…………………. 35 ft-lbs (w/oil)
(Note: with all cap bolts in place, tighten the ½”-dia bolts first, followed by the 7/16” outboard splayed bolts, followed by the 3/8” outboard bolts)
CONNECTING ROD BOLT TORQUE
ARP 7/16” 8740 ROD BOLTS………………………………..63 ft-lbs (w/moly)
(or tighten by monitoring bolt stretch…. 0.004 – 0.005” ….0.005” max)
CAMSHAFT SPROCKET BOLT ARP 155-1001…………….45 ft-lbs
CAMSHAFT RETAINER PLATE BOLTS……………………9-12 ft-lbs
OIL PUMP TO BLOCK 3/8” BOLTS………………………….25 ft-lbs
OIL PUMP PICKUP 5/16”X 18 BOLTS………………………18 ft-lbs
OIL PAN NUTS………………………………………..………12-15 ft-lbs
DAMPER BOLT ARP 150-2501………………………………80 ft-lbs (OE spec)
CYLINDER HEAD STUDS ARP 254-4703
Studs to block……………………………………….finger-tight plus @ 8-10 ft-lb preload
Nuts to studs (in 3 steps)..………………………………………45, 75, 105 ft-lbs
ROCKER ARM STUDS (7/16”) TO HEADS…………………45 ft-lbs
(intake locations require thread sealer)
FLEXPLATE……………………..……………………………..85 ft-lbs (OE spec)
TIMING COVER TO BLOCK….………………………….…..18 – 20 ft-lbs
WATER PUMP TO TIMING COVER.…………………….…..18 – 20 ft-lbs
INTAKE MANIFOLD………………………….10 ft-lbs initial on all bolts, followed by 15 ft-lbs on all bolts. Finally, 25 ft-lbs on only the center eight bolts. These are the specs provided by Professional Products, for their Hurricane manifold.
VALVE COVERS …………….………………………….……………………100 in-lbs
(I used ¼”x20 ARP stainless bullet-nosed studs and 12-point nuts)
THROTTLE BODY (OR CARB) TO MANIFOLD…………….80 in-lbs
SPARK PLUGS (w/moly)……………………………………….15-18 ft-lbs
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PARTICIPATING MANUFACTURER DIRECTORY
Thanks to all of the following for their participation in this project.
ARP
1863 Eastman Ave.
Ventura, CA 93003
805-339-2200
BIRCHWOOD AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
10205 Wooster Pike Rd.
Creston, OH 44217-2221
330-435-6347
BOSCH MOTORSPORTS
2800 S. 25th Ave.
Broadview, IL 60155
919-846-2115
CAM MOTION
2092 Dallas Dr.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
225-926-6110
DART MACHINERY
353 Oliver Dr.
Troy, MI 48084
248-362-1188
FALL AUTOMOTIVE MACHINE
3519 Jackman Rd.
Toledo, OH 43612
419-473-1557
FRAGOLA PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS
888 West Queen St.
Southington, CT 06489
866-337-2739
www.fragolaperformancesystems.com
GEARHEAD TOOLS (TM MACHINE PRODUCTS)
24773 Avenue Rockefeller
Valencia, CA 91355
800-733-4463
GOODSON TOOLS & SUPPLIES
156 Galewski Dr.
Winona, MN 55987
800-533-8010
GREBER POWDERCOATING
313 Clark St.
Elyria, OH 44035-6105
440-322-3685
e-mail: gmt313@yahoo.com
GRESSMAN POWERSPORTS
904 Lime St.
Fremont, OH 43420
419-355-8980
HARLAND SHARP
19769 Progress Dr.
Strongsville, OH 44149
440-238-3260
INNOVATORS WEST
1800 E. 4th Ave.
Hutchinson, KS 67501
800-816-2393
JE PISTONS
15312 Connector Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
714-898-9763
LISTA INTERNATIONAL CORP.
106 Lowland St.
Holliston, MA 01746
800-722-3020
LOCK-IN-TOOL
2511 Providence Rd. South
Waxhaw, NC 28173
LUNATI
11126 Willow Ridge Dr.
Olive Branch, MS 38654-4013
662-892-1500
MAC TOOLS
505 N. Cleveland Ave.
Suite 200
Westerville, OH 43082
800-622-8665
MAHLE CLEVITE
1350 Eisenhower Place
Ann Arbor, MI 48108-3282
800-338-8786
MEDINA MOUNTAIN MOTORS
199 Factory St.
Creston, OH 44217
866-218-7467
MELLING SELECT PERFORMANCE
PO Box 1188
Jackson, MI 49204
517-787-8172
MEZIERE ENTERPRISES
220 South Hale Ave.
Escondido, CA 92029-1719
800-208-1755
MOROSO PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS
80 Carter Dr.
Guilford, CT 06437
203-453-6571
MSD IGNITION
1490 Henry Brennan Dr.
El Paso, TX 79936-6805
915-857-5200
PERFORMANCE DISTRIBUTORS
2699 Barries Dr.
Memphis, TN 38132
901-396-5782
www.performancedistributors.com
PLATINUM ENGINE DESIGNS
8485 Bethel Rd.
Norwich, OH 43767
740-796-6215
PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS
12705 S. Van Ness Ave.
Hawthorne, CA 90250
323-779-2020
PRW INDUSTRIES
193 West Orangethorpe Ave.
Placentia, CA 92870
714-792-1000
PUROLATOR AUTO FILTERS
3200 Natal St.
Fayettville, NC 28306
800-526-4250
RACE PUMPS
222 Hillcrest Dr.
High Point, NC 27262
336-476-9720
ROYAL PURPLE, LTD
1 Royal Purple Lane
Porter, TX 77365
888-382-6300
SCAT ENTERPRISES
1400 Kingsdale Ave.
Redondo Beach, CA 90278-3983
310-370-5501
SILVER SEAL PRODUCTS CO.
PO Box 1050
Trenton, MI 48183-1050
734-479-2255
SUMMIT RACING
PO Box 909
Akron, OH 44398-6177
800-230-3030
TOTALLY STAINLESS
PO Box 3249
Gettysburg, PA 17325
800-767-4781
TRICK FLOW SPECIALTIES
1248 Southeast Ave.
Tallmadge, OH 44278
330-630-1555
VALCO CINCINNATI
411 Circle Freeway Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45246
800-788-3865
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Tags: ARP, BIRCHWOOD AUTOMOTIVE, BOSCH, CAM MOTION, DART, DYNO, FALL AUTOMOTIVE MACHINE, FRAGOLA, GEARHEAD TOOLS, GOODSON, GREBER POWDERCOATING, GRESSMAN POWERSPORTS, HARLAND SHARP, Innovators West, JE PISTONS, LISTA, Lock-In-Tool, LUNATI, Mac Tools, MAHLE CLEVITE, MEDINA MOUNTAIN MOTORS, MELLING, MEZIERE, MOROSO, MSD, PERFORMANCE DISTRIBUTORS, PLATINUM ENGINE DESIGNS, PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS, PRW, Purolator, RACE PUMPS, ROYAL PURPLE, SCAT, SILVER SEAL, SUMMIT RACING, TOTALLY STAINLESS, TRICK FLOW, Valco
