I just read this
 

Hate that your motor broke. Look forward to you getting it back on the road. Sometimes it always seems one step forward, two steps back. Good luck to you and keep us posted. Car is too nice to sit around.

Thanks for the kind words Payton!

It has been about a month now I guess, and it is time for a little update.

I took the block over to Steve Demirjian of Race Engine Dynamics. After looking at it for about five minutes he came to the conclusion that it was pretty effed up. The passenger side cylinder bank saw some serious heat at some point, and all of the cylinders were out of round. Additionally the sleeves, which interlock had still managed to move, some might have sunken a hair. Basically it could be bored out from 4.185 to 4.200, however that still wouldn't insure that it wouldn't leak at all when hot.

In other words, that block is done. Since the engine came with a "Rupp warrantee" rather than get a new block, Steve has offered to raid his parts shelf so that we can put together a 416 LS engine. We could have done a 427 LS3, but I prefer the shorter stroke of the 416 LS3 for something that is going to see plenty of miles, some of which will be hard miles. I've got a couple of ideas on a few cool (looking) parts, but nothing is set in stone at the moment. Oh, and I will likely be tossing out the MEFI 4 computer...

In other news, I just bought a pair of 550 lb front springs, and have decided to downsize my brake master cylinders. When will it ever end :willy:

In the meantime I've been having too much fun with my newish GT500. I picked it up with only a thousand miles on it. The previous owner tossed a set of Eibach springs on (I have no idea what kind) and I've put tires on it. With only those two modifications it absolutely flies. Just ask David Pozzi :lol: We traded off driving it at MATS in Vegas this last weekend, and it managed to hang with all of the heavily modified new Camaros and Challengers. I think I'll be taking it to Buttonwillow in September :unibrow:

Matt

Well that was quick!

I like the 416 idea. keep the stroke shorter. But I hope you bring the Camaro to Buttonwillow.... :thumbsup:

That warranty was gold huh? :unibrow:

I wouldn't say it was quick just yet. Maybe I shouldn't have divulged my plans without having parts and pictures to post. I could have played the "I have a fancy secret new engine that is going to be uber-cool" card. We'll see who gets gets back on the road first :thumbsup:

And as much as I think it might be fun to take the Camaro up there, I have a fear of blowing it up 300 miles from home since I don't have a trailer. Also I don't want all of the rock chips from being stuck behind you guys to get on that car. It is almost too pretty. The GT500 already has chips, and its cheaper to repaint that car :lol:

Matt

Glad to hear she is in the process of coming back together. You gotta bring it out to Bwillow though! Throw on a clear bra (on the car...) and rent a trailer from Uhaul if you have to.

How are you liking your pedals now that you've had some time on them?

This is completely second hand information
 

But I have heard of problems with 45X stroker motors with the piston coming too far out of the bore at the bottom of the stroke and causing piston rock, scuffing, etc. Not sure if that caused the problems and the out-of-round cylinders.

What did you end up on the master sizing? I landed on 3/4 front and 3/4 rear. Did you change pads as well?

I have a 550 lbs in the front of mine and it works well, what are you running in the rear?

Right now I've got 7/8" front and rear. Originally I wanted the pedal really solid because it slows the car down from high speeds incredibly smoothly. Threshold braking is easy. It is hard to lock the brakes up, but not impossible by any means. however, trailing off the brakes smoothly is hard because there is so little travel. I haven't taken the car on a track with a lot of momentum based turns, yet, but that is where the smaller master cylinders will make a big difference for me. On little autocrosses it should help to as the change might afford me a little more initial bite.

As for the springs, I'm running 250 lbs in the rear with the smaller of DSE's two rear sway bars. The car has good initial turn in, but pushes a bit mid corner. When I was out at RTTC the car wanted to spin when entering corners fast. I'm hoping that that the 550 lb springs up front will help the car from transferring too much weight too quickly, and that the smaller master cylinders should give the idiot behind the wheel slightly better control of the brakes to help settle the car in turns as well. Hopefully we will find out soon!

Matt

Alright, I might bring it out. The Mustang is a lot of fun though, and I don't really have to worry about breaking anything. The last thing I want to do is tow it back to the shop and fix something. Again.

Now, about the pedal. I like them, but as I mentioned in my last post, I want to change the feel of the brake pedal.

Matt

cool
 

:thumbsup:

Matt glad to hear your engine is moving forward. The Mustang sounds like its a nice substitute at the track.. Car is sharp with its subtle mods.:cool:

Tom

picks
 

any picks of the Tang ?