On track, McDonald scored...
On track, McDonald scored a new-best e.t. of 11.63 at 120 mph. Though not able to lay down another run in the 11.60s, he did run several 11.70s—one at over 121 mph. Though FRPP isn’t going to make these camshafts available, you can see almost identical results from its Hot Rod Three-Valve camshafts.
Thankfully, Pete Epple let us scavenge (temporarily) the coils and boots from his Three-Valve Fox-body project, and the following day we were on the dyno. After a custom SCT tune by Ramsey, we were making power, but boost was down from 10 psi to under 8 psi. Also, the spark was being blown out at about 5,000 rpm. Ramsey recommended a Boost-a-Spark from Kenne Bell. “The higher airflow of the ported heads is blowing the spark out,” said Ramsey. So another favor was asked, and Jim Bell of Kenne Bell obliged, sending us the Boost-a-Spark on the overnight flight. We also called on Innovators West for a 10-percent overdrive crankshaft pulley. The next day, we had our boost back up to 10 psi and our spark living throughout the entire run.
Finally, Ramsey recorded a full, clean pull on the Dynojet. The result was 523 rwhp and 512 lb-ft of torque, a 35hp and 25–lb-ft gain. The real test, though, was at the track. There the GT did not disappoint. The first run of the day produced an 11.63 at 120 mph. Though he couldn’t get back into the 11.60s, McDonald did follow up with an 11.71 at almost 120 mph and an 11.75 at 121.
We test FRPP’s new CNC-ported Three-Valve heads and a pair of prototype cams on a blown GT.
On track, the GT did not disappoint. The first run of the day produced an 11.63 at 120 mph.
3 At Ramsey’s Performance,...
3 At Ramsey’s Performance, technician Robert Bugg begins by disassembling the engine. Here, he is carefully removing the timing cover.
4 Then, he removes the stock...
4 Then, he removes the stock cylinder heads.
5a The stock cylinder heads...
5a The stock cylinder heads (above) have 174cc intake runners...
5b ...The FRPP high-flow...
5b ...The FRPP high-flow CNC-ported heads boast 214cc intake runners.
6a Dennis Ramsey inspects...
6a Dennis Ramsey inspects McDonald’s stock heads for damage and compares them to the new FRPP ported heads. We then sent both sets to Fulco Racing Engines of Lutz, Florida, to be compared on a flow bench...
6b ...At 0.600-inch lift,...
6b ...At 0.600-inch lift, the ported heads flowed 288/207 cfm (intake/exhaust), compared to the stock 232/180 cfm (intake/exhaust). This increased airflow will undoubtedly lower our boost pressures, but should still increase power output.
7a To accept the new camshafts,...
7a To accept the new camshafts, FRPP sent cam lockouts to be installed in our stock phasers...
7b ...Bugg accomplishes this...
7b ...Bugg accomplishes this by removing the phaser cover and installing the spring-loaded limiter in the cavity shown in the installation instructions...
7c ...He then reinstalls...
7c ...He then reinstalls the cover and tightens the bolts.
8 Using Cometic MLS head...
8 Using Cometic MLS head gaskets, Bugg prepares the short-block for the new heads.
9 He then installs the new...
9 He then installs the new heads on the Aluminator short-block.
10 Bugg installs ARP head...
10 Bugg installs ARP head bolts and torques them to specification.
11 He then reinstalls the...
11 He then reinstalls the stock lash adjusters and followers.
12 Then he installs the new...
12 Then he installs the new camshafts.
13 The original timing chains,...
13 The original timing chains, guides, and tensioners were in great condition, so Bugg reinstalled them and set the timing.
14 Because these head castings...
14 Because these head castings only accept the new-style spark plug, Blow-by Racing sent us a set of plugs.
15a Sarasota Ford supplied...
15a Sarasota Ford supplied us with new timing cover, cam cover, and intake manifold gaskets...
15b ...It is possible to...
15b ...It is possible to reuse these, but we recommend replacing them.
16 It takes two people to...
16 It takes two people to reinstall the blower to avoid injury or damage to the manifold or other components.
17 Bugg installed new gaskets...
17 Bugg installed new gaskets into the coolant crossover and lubricated it to ensure a proper seal upon installation.
18 Because we swapped plugs...
18 Because we swapped plugs to the newer-style, we also had to swap the spark plug boots. Thankfully, associate editor Pete Epple’s Three-Valve project served as a parts car until we could later replace the coils and boots.
19a Once it was completely...
19a Once it was completely assembled...
19b ...Ramsey then created...
19b ...Ramsey then created a custom SCT Performance tune and uploaded it.
On the dyno, power output...
On the dyno, power output was up from 488 rwhp and 487 lb-ft of torque to 523 rwhp and 512 lb-ft—that’s a difference of 35 hp and 25 lb-ft.