The curve was more aggressive through the mid-range thanks to the timing chart that Burcham plotted. The timing removal started off passive and grew more aggressive as the boost went higher. It is a technique that couldn't have been done without the capabilities of the MSD programmable 6AL-2 box. This allows the car to have more low-end as it starts making boost and keeps the engine safe at high psi readings. In naturally aspirated trim, the test vehicle produced 309 rwhp, showing a gain of 151 rwhp with 10 psi of boost. For those keeping score, that amounts to 15.1 rwhp per 1 psi of boost.
Vortech Powercooler
Our original intention was to add a Vortech Powercooler after the H.O. upgrades. That plan, unfortunately, was spoiled when the H.O. upgrade put our engine's output to 460 rwhp. It was much further than what Burcham deemed safe for a stock short-block application.
The Powercooler is a great product that replaces the discharge tube with a air-to-water intercooler. "Adding the Powercooler will allow for more timing, which means more horsepower," says Burcham.
We didn't get to sample this extra horsepower on Macintosh's ride, but Burcham did have a car in the shop that had just received a Powercooler upgrade. Power increased from 501 to 549 rwhp.
The addition dropped air inlet temperatures, but Burcham says the gains are due to the increased ignition timing he can run in the combination without fear of detonation. Cooler air is denser and less prone to pre-ignition (detonation).
Vortech supplies a Bosch bypass...
Vortech supplies a Bosch bypass valve in its H.O. kit, rated to 12 psi. The company also offers upgraded valves designed and built in-house for higher boost levels.
Thanks to our large Pro-M...
Thanks to our large Pro-M 80mm MAF sensor, the Vortech blower inlet system didn't fit, which led us to UPR Products and its blower inlet pipe. The plastic unit has a nipple (top right of the elbow) so a bypass valve can be plumbed into it.
Here is the elbow that the...
Here is the elbow that the bypass valve is routed to. The elbow normally is at the back of the blower, but we were running a UPR inlet pipe instead.
The new aluminum discharge...
The new aluminum discharge pipe added a distinct and classic 5.0L look to the engine compartment.
Once our work was completed...
Once our work was completed under the hood, Holliday mounted the MSD Programmable Fuel Pump Boost Control box in the trunk, and connected it to the Vortech T-Rex and UPR 255-lph pumps.
Real-time gauges are included...
Real-time gauges are included in the fuel pump booster program. The laptop can display the gauges during dyno runs or cruising, so the driver can keep an eye on critical bits of information such as battery voltage, engine boost (measured in psia), fuel pump voltage, and load amperage.
Like the timing retard, the...
Like the timing retard, the programmable fuel pump booster is simple to use and effective. It was a little bit of overkill in this application, but an engine can never have too much fuel!
The graph compares non-intercooled...
The graph compares non-intercooled to intercooled boost in a built 5.0L engine combination. This application features a Ford Racing Boss 302 short-block, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge heads with minor porting, Edelbrock Performer intake, and a custom JPC camshaft. It sees 15 psi of boost from a Vortech V3 Si-trim blower. The addition of the Powercooler brought max horsepower to 549 rwhp. Another note about this dyno test is the car has a five-speed manual transmission.