Naturally, Livernois-spec...
Naturally, Livernois-spec valvesprings are utilized in all of the cylinder heads.
The Comp Cams Stage 4 cams that were installed on the engine featured here are pretty aggressive. The cam, however, is completely street worthy. Just don't expect to claim it to be stock when you are at the street races, it is quite noticeable. The head and cam package will enable a Three-Valve engine to rev to 6,500 or so rpm, in naturally aspirated trim. Thanks to the Livernois valvesprings, achieving that type of rpm range was really easy.
Like the cylinder heads, installed camshafts with the engine out of a car made the process so much easier. In no time, the camshafts were swapped and the engine was purring on the dyno. The extra air let into the cylinders was worth a whopping 31 hp. That brought total output to a rather impressive 451 at 6,500 rpm. Torque output rose as well with a peak of 401 at 5,500 rpm.
Schropp lowers a fresh set...
Schropp lowers a fresh set of Livernois heads onto the engine block.
Cranking out 451 naturally aspirated horsepower at the crank is good for something in the low 12s. Those types of times would require 4.10 or 4.30 gears, super sticky rear tires, skinnies, and the usual assortment of suspension upgrades. Naturally, the driver will have to run through the gears very aggressively. Swapping to the ported heads and larger cams is something that can be accomplished with your engine still in the car. Schropp gave props to the Three-Valve engines and said they respond very well to boost. He did caution that it is easy to push the engine beyond its safe limits when power adders come into play. It just so happens that Livernois has short-blocks to go along with its induction pieces as well. Horsepower sure does come easy these days.
 Stock cams were used initially...  Stock cams were used initially with the ported heads, and then we swapped in a set of aftermarket ones. With the stock cams, the engine still produced a stellar 420 hp. The heads picked up 104 hp over stock. |  After the chains have been...  After the chains have been properly reinstalled, the front engine cover is bolted back on. |  Here is a computer-controlled...  Here is a computer-controlled valve that regulates the flow of oil to the cam sprocket. Oil is used to manipulate cam timing, thanks to a series of channels and drains in the sprocket. |