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By Mike Mavrigian
We finally had a chance to run the Pontiac 501 on dyno. Following are the results. We ran the engine at Ross Racing Engine’s new Superflow SF-902 engine dynamometer in late May, 2012 (Ross is located in Niles, OH, about 62 miles east of my facility).
After setting the engine up on the dyno stand, we installed a set of Hooker Super Comp headers, featuring 1/75” primary tubes and 3” collectors. The sump (and oil filter) was filled with Brad Penn 30W specialty Break-In oil, which contains a high level of ZDDP. Even though this engine features a roller camshaft, break-in oil is nonetheless a good idea in order to aid ring seating and to provide added protection for rocker arms and valve stem tips with higher spring pressures. Again, although high-zinc-content break-in oil is primarily targeted at break-in for flat tappet cams, but the high pressure lubrication provided by this specialized oil is a good idea for any fresh engine, regardless of the cam/lifter style.
The engine is mounted to the SuperFlow dyno cart, and the drive plate assembly is installed to the PRW flexplate. We installed a “stock” Pontiac starter (which required 3 starter shims for proper tooth alignment).
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Once oil was added (through the distributor hole, in order to introduce oil directly to the oil pump), the oil pump drive was run with an electric drill until 63 psi oil pressure was recorded. This insured against a dry-start. Immediately after pre-oiling, both valve covers were removed to inspect the rockers and to verify that each rocker was receiving proper oil delivery.
The engine was initially fired using one of Ross’s “house” carburetors (a 4150 type Holley 850 cfm double pumper). Ross’s Tony Lombardi prefers to initially fire all dyno engines using a carb that has a proven track record, to avoid any potential mixture/backfire problems (primarily to avoid issues with damaging his pricey air sensor). Once the engine ran for about 20 minutes (at around 1800 rpm), the engine was shut down and inspected again (valve lash, inspecting for leaks, etc.). The engine was then run with Holley’s “black” Ultra HB 850 cfm carb (the new all-aluminum monster), which, by the way, provided our best horsepower runs.
Connected and ready for its first firing on Ross’s new SuperFlow dyno cell.
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During carb swaps, fuel was spilled onto the intake manifold (difficult to avoid that). The clearcoat on our carbon fiber film treated manifold held up to both heat and fuel, with no lifting or staining whatsoever. Nice to know. The only issue I saw was a slight deformation of the clearcoat around the perimeter of a few intake manifold bolt washers (simply due to pressure exerted by the washers on the thick clearcoat). In the future (when I have another manifold treated in this manner), I’ll spot-face all bolt holes to fit the intended washers, and tell the graphics house to avoid applying clearcoat to the spot-faced washer recesses, which will eliminate this minor concern. But in terms of heat and fuel exposure, the urethane clearcoat held up extremely well. I’m really pleased with the appearance and durability of the graphics treatment and will definitely consider this in future builds.
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Before initial firing, the engine was pre-oiled. Valve covers were then removed to verify that each rocker was receiving oil.
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Tony checks our timing. Timing checks were performed during each run.
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Initial runs were made with Ross’s “house” carb before swapping out to our Holley 850cfm black Ultra HB carb.
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Our timing as set at 36 degrees.
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Ross Lombardi (at the control panel) and Tony monitoring an initial run.
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Our max power was recorded at 525.4 HP at 4900 rpm, and max torque was 604.8 lb-ft at 4100 rpm.
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SCFM at max HP was 622.
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Oil pressure was consistent throughout the runs.
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Horsepower (red curve) and torque (blue curve).
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The only minor glitch we ran into involved a disappointing failure of our Spectre engine oil dipstick that I had purchased from Summit Racing. During one oil level check, the “billet” aluminum handle simply popped off of the stick (poor press-fit connection of the stick to the handle). Luckily, about ¾” of stick protruded above the dipstick tube, so extraction wasn’t a problem. After tossing the aftermarket dipstick into the closest trashcan, we temporarily sealed the dipstick tube with a rubber cap and proceeded. Considering that this was our only gremlin, the session went great.
OUR BEST PULLS
Budget-wise, I didn’t have the luxury of spending additional time on Ross’s dyno for fine tuning or experimentation with different intake manifolds, timing setups, carb adjustments or cams. In the short time we spent that day, our peak horsepower was recorded at 525.4 HP at 4900 rpm, and peak torque was a whopping 604.8 lb-ft at 4100 rpm, with timing set at 36 degrees. Obviously, the valvetrain and bottom end is certainly capable of handling much higher rpm. We strongly felt that with more cam duration and experimenting with larger-volume intake manifold runners, the rpm band would move upwards, and obtaining very close to 600 HP would be realistic. However, for the first time out of the gate, we felt that this session was very successful. She’s definitely a stump puller.
MY PARTS LIST
BLOCK………………………..Original Pontiac 455 (core)
CRANKSHAFT……………….Ohio Crankshaft P/N 44554500P
4340 forged, with 4.500” stroke,
455 mains and BBC rod pins
CONN. RODS………………….Scat forged 6.700” BBC P/N 2-454-6700-2200
STEEL CENTER MAIN CAPS..Pro-gram Engineering P/N P455C
MAIN STUDS…………………ARP P/N 194-5601
HEAD STUDS…………………ARP P/N 190-4305
CYL. HEADS………………….Kaufman Racing aluminum D-port, 81cc CNC
CAMSHAFT/LIFTERS………..Comp Cams hyd. roller P/N CL51-433-9
ROCKERS……………………..Harland Sharp alum. rollers, P/N S6001 (1.5:1)
PISTONS……………………….JE forged aluminum (custom order)
TIMING GEARS……………….Melling Performance P/N 40408
OIL PUMP………………………Melling Performance P/N 10540
TIMING COVER……………….EQ (EngineQuest) P/N TC400N
INTAKE VALVES………………Del West titanium (custom order: 2.10” x 5.100”)
EXHAUST VALVES……………Ferrea stainless steel P/N F5144 (1.77” x 5.100”)
VALVE SPRINGS………………Comp Cams P/N 995-16 (330 lb, triple)
RETAINERS…………………….Comp Cams 740-16 (10-deg, steel)
VALVE LOCKS EXH…………..Comp Cams 613-16 (10-deg Superlocks)
VALVE LOCKS INT……………Manley 13161-8 (10-deg Beadlock)
VALVE SEALS…………………Comp Cams, Teflon
VALVE SPRING LOCATORS…Comp Cams 4771-16
BALANCER…………………….Fluidampr P/N 650401 (6-5/8”)
FLEXPLATE……………………PRW P/N 1845503
INTAKE MANIFOLD…………..Professional Products Hurricane P/N 56031
CARBURETOR…………………Holley P/N 0-82851 (850 cfm)
CARB. FEED……………………Earls –8, P/N AT101286ER (7/8” thread)
CARBURETOR…………………Holley P/N 0-80804HB (Ultra aluminum)
CARB. FEED (for Ultra)………..Holley P/N 34-44 (-8 to ¾” thread)
DISTRIBUTOR…………………MSD Pro Billet P/N 8563
SPARK PLUG WIRES………….MSD P/N 31179
SPARK PLUGS…………………NGK R5671A-7
WIRE SEPARATORS…………..Billet Specialties 69604 (4-wire)
WIRE SEPARATORS…………..Billet Specialties 69602 (2-wire)
LIFTER VALLEY COVER……..Kaufman Racing (aluminum)
GASKET SET ……………………Mahle Victor FS3494J
CYL. HEAD GASKETS…………Cometic C5712-045 (4.300” bore/0.045” thick)
MAIN BEARINGS………………Mahle Clevite P/N MS667P
ROD BEARINGS……………….Mahle Clevite P/N CB743HN
CAM BEARINGS……………….Mahle Clevite P/N SH2925
VALVE COVERS……………….PRW welded aluminum, satin
WATER PUMP………………….Tuff Stuff 1475NA (chrome) or PRW 1445510
ALTERNATOR…………………Tuff Stuff, P/N 7139ABULL (100A, chrome)
OIL PAN STUDS……………….ARP 400-1902
INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLTS…ARP 494-2101
ROCKER STUDS……………….ARP 100-7101
CARB STUDS…………………..ARP400-2403
TIMING COVER BOLTS……….ARP 490-1501
FUEL PUMP BOLTS……………ARP 490-1601
THERMOSTAT BOLTS………..ARP 490-7401
DISTRIBUTOR STUD……….…ARP 490-1701
CAMSHAFT BOLT……………..ARP 190-1001
VALVE COVER STUDS………..ARP 400-7504
FLEXPLATE BOLTS…………….ARP 200-2904
CRANK BALANCER BOLT……ARP 190-2501
HEAD TO BLOCK DOWELS……Pioneer S-1110
CAMSHAFT NOSE SPACER WASHER….Kaufman Racing
(takes the place of the OE eccentric fuel pump re thickness)
ENGINE LIFT HOOKS……………Kaufman Racing
DIST. HOLD-DOWN CLAMP……Kaufman Racing
POLY DISTRIBUTOR GEAR…….BOP P/N PDG37/38 (.500” for MSD)
OIL PAN (steel OE type)..…………Kaufman Racing
DIPSTICK………………………….Spectre P/N 5748 (billet handle)
UPPER DIPSTICK STUBE………..Kaufman Racing
LOWER DIPSTICK TUBE………..Kaufman Racing
OIL FILTER HOUSING…………..Kaufman Racing
FUEL PUMP BLOCK PLATE…….Kaufman Racing
THERMOSTAT HOUSING……….Spectre P/N 4737
OIL PAN PLATES…………………Kaufman Racing
OIL PUMP DRIVE ROD ………….Melling
VITON REAR MAIN SEAL………B.O.P
ASSEMBLY CHEMICALS……….Valco, ARP, Royal Purple
PUSHRODS (5/16”)………………..Trend 9.000” int/8.950” exh (0.080” wall)
CRANK PULLEY………………….CVF Racing, P/N PONT2CR
WATER PUMP PULLEY………… CVF Racing, P/N PONT2WP
ALTERNATOR BRACKET……….Tin Indian TIP-029
V-BELT (3/8”W x 46.1”)…………..Goodyear Gatorback 15461
BREATHERS………………………Billet Specialties
CRANK PULLEY BOLTS…………ARP 613-1250
WATER PUMP PULLEY BOLTS…ARP 712-0750
AIR CLEANER……………………..Holley P/N 120-145
ENGINE PAINT……………………Pontiac Light Metallic Blue in
Dupont Chroma basecoat/clearcoat…custom match
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OUR PROJECT’S SUPPLIER DIRECTORY
ARP, INC.
1863 Eastman Ave.
Ventura, CA 93003
800-826-3045
Birchwood Automotive Group
10205 Wooster Pike Rd.
Creston, OH 44217
330-435-6347
B.O.P. Engineering
N3651 Schmidt Rd.
Jefferson, WI 53549
920-674-6058
Brad Penn Lubricants
77 N. Kendall Ave.
Bradford, PA 16701
814-368-1340
www.bradpennracing.com
Comp Cams
3406 Democrat Rd.
Memphis, TN 38118
800-999-0853
CVF Racing
Del West Engineering
28128 W. Livingston Ave.
Valencia, CA 91355
800-990-2779
DipNDesign
Wooster, OH
330-988-2632
Earl’s Performance Plumbing
Holley Performance Products
P.O. Box 10360
Bowling Green, KY 42102
270-782-2900
EQ (Enginequest)
2580 N. Commerce St.
North Las Vegas, NV 89030-3876
800-426-8771
Ferrea Racing Components
2600 NW 55th Ct., Suite 234
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
888-733-2505
Fluidampr-Horschel Motorsports
180 Zoar Valley Rd.
Springville, NY 14141
716-592-1000
GoJo Industries
One GoJo Plaza, Suite 500
Akron, OH 44311
800-321-9647
Goodson Tools & Supplies
156 Galewski Dr.
Winona, MN 55987
800-533-8010
Greber Powdercoating
313 Clark St.
Elyria, OH 44035
440-323-8588
Harland Sharp
19769 Progress Dr.
Strongsville, OH 44149
440-238-3260
Holley Performance Products
P.O. Box 10360
Bowling Green, KY 42102
270-782-2900
JE Pistons Inc.
15312 Connector Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
714-898-9763
Kaufman Racing Equipment
22280 Temple Rd.
Glenmont, OH 44628
740-599-5000
Lista International
106 Lowland St.
Holliston, MA 01746
800-722-3020
Luke Engineering & Mfg. Co.
456 South Blvd.
Wadsworth, OH 44281
330-335-1501; 800-624-6943
Mahle Clevite
1350 Eisenhower Place
Ann Arbor, MI 48108-3282
734-975-4777
Mac Tools
505 N. Cleveland Ave.
Westerville, OH 43082
800-622-8665
Medina Mountain Motors
199 Factory St.
Creston, OH 44217
330-435-6236
Melling Select Performance
P.O. Box 1188
Jackson, MI 49204
517-787-8172
MSD Ignition
1490 Henry Brennan Dr.
El Paso, TX 79936-6805
915-857-5200
Ohio Crankshaft
5453 South State Route 49
Greenville, OH 45331
800-333-7113
Professional Products
12705 S. Van Ness Ave.
Hawthorne, CA 90250
800-478-5441
Pro-Gram Engineering Corp.
P.O. Box 472
Barberton, OH 44203
330-745-1004
PRW (Performance Racing Warehouse)
193 West Orangethorpe Ave.
Placentia, CA 92870
714-792-1000
www.performanceracingwarehouse.com
Ross Racing Engines
1763 N. Main St.
Niles, OH 44446-1277
330-544-4466
Royal Purple Ltd.
One Royal Purple Lane
Porter, TX 77365
888-382-6300
Saeco Enterprises
495 E. Bergey St.
Wadsworth, OH 44281
330-334-3271
Scat Enterprises
1400 Kingsdale Ave.
Redondo Beach, CA 90278-3983
310-370-5501
Snap-On Tools
2801 80th St.
Kenosha, WI 53143-5699
262-656-5200
Summit Racing
P.O. Box 909
Akron, OH 44398-6177
800-230-3030
Tin Indian Performance
P.O. Box 1162
Uniontown, OH 44685
330-699-1358
Trend Performance
23444 Schoenherr
Warren, MI 48089
586-447-0400
Trick Flow Specialties
285 West Ave.
Tallmadge, OH 44278
888-841-6556
Tuff Stuff Performance Accessories
9004 Madison Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44102-2715
800-331-6562
Valco Cincinnati CP, Inc.
411 Circle Freeway Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45246-1284
800-788-3865
Tags: 455, 501, ARP, B.O.P., BRAD PENN, CLEVITE, COMP CAMS, CVF RACING, DEL WEST, DIPNDESIGN, DYNO, EARLS, ENGINEQUEST, FERREA, Fluidampr, GOJO, GOODSON, GREBER, HARLAND SHARP, HOLLEY, JE PISTONS, KAUFMAN RACING, LISTA, LUKE ENGINEERING, Mac Tools, MAHLE, MEDINA MOUNTAIN MOTORS, MELLING, MSD, Ohio Crankshaft, PONTIAC, Pro-Gram Engineering, PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS, PRW, ROSS, ROSS RACING ENGINES, ROYAL PURPLE, SAECO, SCAT, SNAP ON, SUMMIT RACING, TIN INDIAN, Trend, TRICK FLOW, TUFF STUFF, Valco
