1968 Camaro "Badmotorfinger" v2.2

[Chad-1stGen]

Man I don't look at this post for 24 hours and it grows by 5 pages lol!

[intocarss]

Originally Posted by Chad-1stGen

Man I don't look at this post for 24 hours and it grows by 5 pages lol!

We're on a mission!!

[FETorino]

Yea we were talking about an old school 18 deg resurrection build. I'm into it.

We can compare dyno numbers in June.

Originally Posted by Flash68

You guys are frickin hilarious.... thanks for helping make this thread the polar opposite of the tech-heavy and tuning-heavy thread of Todd's.

Dropped off some more parts today and solidified most of the build plan today. The builder/shop is Mike Blackstone @ Watson Racing & Engineering in Concord, CA. An awesome facility to say the least. 26,000 sq ft full of top shelf parts and machines, yet is a small mom and pop type shop with only 3 employees including Ben Watson the owner. Pete is the general machinist. Not sure how they crank out so much killer stuff but they do. 10, 12, 15, and 18 degree heads on the shelf, blocks of all kinds, and they do Pro Stock, Stock Eliminator, circle track, road race motors... not much they don't do.

Mike has already spent a few hours with me schooling me on 18 degree stuff and engine building in general. He's a super nice guy and already treats me like I've already spent $20k with him before.

Mike is a big fan of Keith Dorton (as am I) and is a big proponent of the 394 SBC, so that's what we are going with after telling him what parts I already have and what my intentions are. Here's my parts list, most of which has been acquired over past couple months:

-PBM iron race block, 350 mains, 4.155 bore, .903 bushed lifter bores, splayed caps on all 5 mains, bore cam tunnel to BBC cam size of 50mm
-3.625 stroke crank (looking for one)
-6" rods (have a set - may use, may not)
-Dished piston to achieve no more than 11:1 (Mike will spec and order)
-GM Bowtie 18 degree heads (being checked and flowed by Mike soon to verify 373cfm flow sheet provided by seller ) (ebay)
-GM Bowtie 18 degree intake (ebay)
-Jesel shaft rockers 1.6/1.6 ratio (ebay)
-Morel/Roush Yates .903 roller lifters w/ .180 offset intake (ebay)
-Stainless 18 degree 1-3/4" stepped to 1-7/8" headers w/ merge collectors (they're a tad rough, but scored these on Craigslist in Nascar country for $350!)
-Holley 830HP (I bought awhile ago off Yellowbullet but not sure if will be used)
-Solid Roller spec'd by Mike

I am leaning toward dry sump, but Mike suggested and also likes a wet sump with an external oil pump for what I have and on a budget, so I need to look into that.

When it's all said and done we are shooting for near 700 hp at no more than 7000 rpm on 91 octane. Mike says the 18 degree heads are so damn efficient that they don't need the cubes the 23 degree stuff does, but they can be a little more tuning sensitive, another reason it will be dialed in correctly. And they like a lot less timing than a 23 degree I guess - like 32 degrees. I plan on him dyno tuning it in his shop after assembly. You get the dyno room for the whole day whether it takes 3 hours or 8 hrs to get her dialed in.

I gotta thank our resident good samaritan and butt of many jokes, Greg Weld. He offered to sponsor me for some stuff after I blew up at RTTC and I am greatly appreciative. He supports this niche a lot thru his time and money and spreads it around to help many people. Ok enough about that guy. Thanks G-Dub. I'll put your decal on my car now (see below).

Ok here's the pics so far. Hope I did not disappoint.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by intocarss

I'm pretty sure I just saw that posted on the Bullet recently.

Originally Posted by FETorino

Yea we were talking about an old school 18 deg resurrection build. I'm into it.

We can compare dyno numbers in June.

Thanks dude. I think you probably got me, but I think we'll both be happy with our numbers... and make some nice noise doin it.

And for getting this back on point.

After watching Greg's and Charley's Mustangs, as well as a couple stock cars, run today at Thunderhill... I am so itchin to get on track.

A small update on my parts hunt that I am proud of... I scored a "blemish" version Holley billet fuel pump (mechanical) for about $110 off retail. Those kinds of things and even savings make me enjoy the hunt.

[badmatt]

Originally Posted by Flash68

I'm pretty sure I just saw that posted on the Bullet recently.



Thanks dude. I think you probably got me, but I think we'll both be happy with our numbers... and make some nice noise doin it.

And for getting this back on point.

After watching Greg's and Charley's Mustangs, as well as a couple stock cars, run today at Thunderhill... I am so itchin to get on track.

A small update on my parts hunt that I am proud of... I scored a "blemish" version Holley billet fuel pump (mechanical) for about $110 off retail. Those kinds of things and even savings make me enjoy the hunt.

I have a CV reworked carter if you wanted it.. I shouldve put it out there.

[FETorino]

Originally Posted by Flash68

I'm pretty sure I just saw that posted on the Bullet recently.



Thanks dude. I think you probably got me, but I think we'll both be happy with our numbers... and make some nice noise doin it.

And for getting this back on point.

After watching Greg's and Charley's Mustangs, as well as a couple stock cars, run today at Thunderhill... I am so itchin to get on track.

A small update on my parts hunt that I am proud of... I scored a "blemish" version Holley billet fuel pump (mechanical) for about $110 off retail. Those kinds of things and even savings make me enjoy the hunt.

I have 100+ ci on you but you have 20 + years of head development on your side.

Funny but our flow #s are pretty similar. You have me on the exhaust side. I knew I should have spent the $$ and filled the exhaust port floors and raised the roofs. That's what I get for going cheap. I am crutching my exhaust flow with some custom step headers but you have those also. Hmmmm..... good thing I have all those extra CI.

I find it hard to believe with the cam specs and ci you have that peak hp will be under 7000. Maybe I need to re read the specs.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by badmatt

I have a CV reworked carter if you wanted it.. I shouldve put it out there.

I've been looking a CV low pressure pump actually (CV2502). I'll PM you.

Originally Posted by FETorino

I have 100+ ci on you but you have 20 + years of head development on your side.

Funny but our flow #s are pretty similar. You have me on the exhaust side. I knew I should have spent the $$ and filled the exhaust port floors and raised the roofs. That's what I get for going cheap. I am crutching my exhaust flow with some custom step headers but you have those also. Hmmmm..... good thing I have all those extra CI.

I find it hard to believe with the cam specs and ci you have that peak hp will be under 7000. Maybe I need to re read the specs.

Funny. My heads are like the weakest of all the heads sitting in the engine shop I'm at. It's like the saying goes -- try to buy the ****tiest house on the nicest block or nicest neighborhood. The rising tide lifts all boats.

I've learned flow #'s are only a small part of heads, as you know I'm sure. Velocity is just as important or more. Still, for the money my top end cost I am stoked to see the results. I'll put them up against anyone on a dollar per $ basis. I guess I should wait til the dyno in case we don't break 500.

Your cubes are gonna make incredible torque... and incredibly hard to manage.

Yeah we are shooting for peak power at 7000rpm. If it comes in at 7200 I guess that's okay. It'll be built right so I'm good with that. Rods are rates to 7500 rpm and 700hp I believe I read.

I'm more looking for that sweet flat torque curve from 4000 up that Mike says he loves about the 394 combo.

[FETorino]

Originally Posted by Flash68

:

Your cubes are gonna make incredible torque... and incredibly hard to manage.

I'm more looking for that sweet flat torque curve from 4000 up that Mike says he loves about the 394 combo.

It's all about matching all the pieces of the build. I'm banking on more of a torque shelf. High and flat.

What fun would it be to drive if the power was easy to manage.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by FETorino

It's all about matching all the pieces of the build. I'm banking on more of a torque shelf. High and flat.

What fun would it be to drive if the power was easy to manage.

Absolutely. It is fun (and new) for me to be part of the design process of a motor from A to Z.

High and flat. And a bear to manage. I like it. A LOT.

[intocarss]

Originally Posted by Flash68

Absolutely. It is fun (and new) for me to be part of the design process of a motor from A to Z.

High and flat. And a bear to manage. I like it. A LOT.

I'm glad you're enjoying it!!! It's a blast for rookies LOL Just wait until you get to stand next to your eng on the dyno. I get to hear & feel it monthly or sometimes weekly

Here's a taste for ya...

Our dyno, first pulls on my new 540 back in 2005
I was nervous cuz the warranty expires as soon as it fires And I assembled the whole damn thing LOLOL