For break-in purposes, we...
For break-in purposes, we used Comp Cams new Break-In oil. Though we're running a hydraulic roller camshaft and lifters, it still doesn't hurt to have the extra zinc-enhanced additives to protect the rest of the engine during this critical period.
At the higher water temperature, horsepower peaked at 589, while torque came in at 538 lb-ft. This is still quite a bit more than the 550 we had hoped for, so we're doing pretty good at this point. Horsepower junkies that we are, there's probably going to be a power adder on this engine at some point, but Repeat Offender should go low-10s, high-9s on motor alone.
Chris Holbrook told us that there was definitely some power left in the engine, and noted that some additional cylinder head work and port matching could yield another 20-35 horsepower. I if we wanted to see even more, a solid roller camshaft would be the next step.
Perhaps those are some good tech articles for the future. Next month, we plan to make a few front suspension and steering changes, and hopefully drop the engine and transmission in for mock up. Stay tuned.
Note
Ford Racing Performance Parts' Jesse Kershaw also provided us with a set of the company's newly minted Z304 cylinder heads (PN M-6049-Z304PA) that feature a hefty CNC milling all around. With the 2.08-inch-intake/1.60-exhaust valves moving the mixtures through the 427, the FRPP crate engines that use these heads are knocking out a healthy 535 hp with a relatively mild hydraulic roller camshaft.
With the non-CNC head and 2.02-inch valve, the compression ratio is 10.4:1. With the 2.08-inch valve used in the CNC heads, it's 10.5:1 because they take up an additional cc or so in the combustion chamber.
MSD Ignition set us up with...
MSD Ignition set us up with a complete ignition system, including a Programmable Digital 6 box (PN 6530), billet distributor (PN 85840), Blaster coil (PN 8207), and high-performance plug wires (PN 31189) and looms.
We made some adjustments to...
We made some adjustments to the Quick Fuel Race Q, mainly to set the float heights and adjust the idle.
We topped off our 427 build...
We topped off our 427 build with an FRPP carbon-fiber air cleaner and Comp Cams valve covers, and it was time to head to the dyno.
Our 427 True Street powerplant...
Our 427 True Street powerplant was bolted to the DTS dynamometer at Holbrook Racing Engines in Livonia, Michigan. Dyno testing was done using 110-octane fuel, a 1-inch Edelbrock carb spacer, and a set of headers with 2-inch-diameter primaries.
With the air/fuel ratio and...
With the air/fuel ratio and water temperature optimized, our Ford Racing Performance Parts-infused 427 offered up 609 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque. We will, of course, try to cool the engine down as much as we can during True Street competition, but in all reality, a coolant temperature of 160 degrees is more likely, especially during the summer months, so we had the Holbrook staff run the engine at a hotter temperature. That being the case, horsepower came up at 589, while torque was a still stout 538 lb-ft of twist.