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Sign up for our E-newsletterFor 2011, I’ve decided to produce two new engine projects, each of which will provide handy and informative tips for our readers. Naturally, each build will be presented in our normal manner…as a multi-part series of technical articles. The new projects for this year include a Pontiac 455 and a “Budget LS” build.
Tag: COMP CAMS
ENGINE PRO AWARDS DART RACE ENGINE
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
October 23, 2009 ·
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A Kalamazoo, MI racer added a $20,000 racing engine to his list of winnings during Engine Pro’s Engine Giveaway presented by Dart Machinery at US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, MI on September 12, 2009, during the Fifth Annual IHRA Funny Car Nationals. Justin Wanamaker’s name was the last one remaining as names of [...]
PROJECT FE PART 5
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
October 8, 2009 ·
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The FE ready for it’s dyno visit. PROJECT FE PART 5 Text and photos by Mike Mavrigian INTAKE MANIFOLD With the heads installed, and before installing the rocker shaft systems, you must install the intake manifold. FE manifolds feature captive pushrod holes (the pushrods pass through the intake manifold). In order [...]
TOLD YA SO
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
August 12, 2009 ·
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How long will it take to convince some folks that flat tappet cams must be “broken in” and operated over the long term with enough zinc phosphate (ZDDP) in the oiling system? Professiona engine builders should all know by now that the major oil companies have greatly reduced the amount of high-pressure ZDDP from their [...]
PROJECT FORD FE, PART 2
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
August 3, 2009 ·
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WE BALANCE AND BEGIN ASSEMBLY text, photos and assembly by Mike Mavrigian Crankshaft balancing was next on the agenda. Since the Diamond pistons are already weight-matched by Diamond, and the Scat connecting rods are weight-matched at both small and big ends, we didn’t need to perform any weight corrections to those components (I [...]
PROJECT LS2: Final Prep and Dyno (Part 2)
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
June 4, 2009 ·
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The COMP Cams billet aluminum belt tensioner is adjustable for belt tension and offers rock-solid serpentine belt guidance.
PROJECT LS2: Final Prep and Dyno (Part 1)
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
June 4, 2009 ·
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Whenever I build an engine, regardless of my confidence in terms of fitting and assembly detail, I’m always a bit apprehensive when it comes time to light the fire. But when things go picture-perfect and you hit high numbers without a single glitch, it’s a feeling that’s better than sex (I’m sure you know what I mean). This LS program proved to be a total success.
SPECIAL FIRING ORDER CAMSHAFTS
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
June 3, 2009 ·
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SPECIAL FIRING ORDER CAMSHAFTS Tricks for smoother-running, longer crank bearing life, and maybe a few extra horses in the process. by Mike Mavrigian photos by author The cam on the left is a standard firing order bigblock Chevy. The cam on the right is a 4/7 swap cam. Notice that the second and fourth lobes [...]
VINTAGE ENGINE PRODUCTS
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
June 2, 2009 ·
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FLATHEAD FEVER Edelbrock has released two new Flathead Ford cylinder heads. P/N 1116 is designed with a raised roof combustion chamber for 1949-53 8BA engines, CNC-machined 74 cc chamber volume (for reduced compression for supercharged applications or for those who wish to run low octane fuel in naturally aspirated engines). P/N 1126 was designed with [...]
VALVE MATERIALS AND DESIGNS (Part 2)
Posted By Mike Mavrigian,
June 2, 2009 ·
4 Comments »
SODIUM-FILLED VALVES Sodium-filled valves feature stems that are precision-gun-drilled and filled with a specially formulated sodium. This achieves weight reduction (the result of the gun-drilling to create a hollow stem) and better heat dispersion. There is some debate concerning the efficiency of this heat transfer due to concerns that the heat transfer to the guides [...]