OR, do a max tune run at an 1/8 mile track? QM times could be mathematically extrapolated from the 1/8 mile times. So ya, basically a half track run. Good thinking Tony. Derek
Because the boost controller ramps the boost during first gear, A turbo car makes a lot more average power at the second half of the track than in the first half. The only way to extrapolated from the 1/8 mile times is to have a history based on full 1/4 mile passes of the same race car using the same boost control curve starting from launch. We used the Dyno to tune the engine. The ignition timing versus air/fuel ratio based on load is not an easy job to get right if you are trying to maximize power without hurting the engine. Once all problems are solved while stationary then it is time to suit up and test at the track. There have been several occasions where we rented the entire track for the day so we could do as many passes as needed to get the car running correctly. I have spent too many hours adjusting 4 link settings, ride height and pinion angles and so on.... Once you start with high horsepower turbo engines it can take a lot of time to get them down the track with all the power going to the pavement. And once you are done the power the engine is producing in the car is way different than the power it made on the dyno.
In before all the 'you aint bilt as menny moters az mee so yoos comments aint werth nuttin' comments/innuendos. First of all, dyno AND track results are both theoretical in terms of what can be done given specific circumstances; they are incidental numbers resulting from many variables and WILL fluctuate. What the dyno results will show is what the engine is capable of doing within a certain environment. Same with track results. Both are important, obviously. Both show what one can expect when one is realistic and conservative with their expectations. Both (dyno and track) results are also empirical. They can be reproduced (within reason and given a margin of error considered) when a similar recipe is followed by another builder/racer/etc. What's wrong with wanting to show off what the Buick 350 is capable of doing, both on the dyno and at the track? The main difference is though, you don't risk your life pushing the machine at a dyno session... Sending a new rocket into space is smart to do unmanned when outcomes are unknown. People love big numbers and big numbers sell parts. Show what it can do with a max tune/effort and then give a disclaimer that results will vary, if you have to spell it out. Having said that, building any racing engine is a risk, especially when you're breaking new ground with an engine that has never (or rarely) seen such stress on its components. Results will always vary, which is why I like to err or the conservative side with my numbers. Saying the engine can do this or that is one thing, but saying that it can be done reliably and (relatively) safely or with many repeated successes is something most anyone can replicate. Saying the Buick 350 is best suited for applications ranging from 350-650 hp is a very realistic and reasonable assertion. Telling people it can rev to 10,000 RPM once or twice without blowing up, or produce over 1,000 hp on a dyno without a similar result isn't the same as telling people to build it conservatively so it'll last, but you'll see ridicule from both ends of the spectrum and everywhere in-between. When is enough enough? What's even riskier is trying to tell someone what to do with their own money, and putting your name and reputation on the line while doing so. Tread carefully. Gary
Excellent Point! One of the goals here is to simply see how far a 350 Buick block can be pushed. Both the iron BBB and the SBB blocks have seen 1000 hp. It would be great to raise the Bar well above those numbers.
Some pics of my engine coming together. I plan to use my belt driven oil pump but I wanted to be able to use the stock setup if I wanted to for some reason down the road:
Dragged home another cool chevy truck... 383 stroker, 5 speed, swapped the starter out and now it runs great! Much lower than my daily driver truck:
Be careful driving that sbc 383 stroker, you might start liking that extra 33 cubes!!, I know I did with my heavy Chevy. Derek
Got my tires mounted and balanced, these are for dyno use only so I don't trash my drag tires on the rollers: 15X12 Steel rim with 295/50R15 BFG Notice how I used a nice wide rim to make a really wide flat contact patch... Put these on some 15X8 rims and you get far less contact patch:
It's too bad it sat in a field so long the frame is rusted out. Glass is good, engine is good, trans was rebuilt before it was parked, even came with a nice rear bumper and two new quarter panels... I was surprised to get it so cheep!
