Chasing the Ghosts of LeMans - Thunder - Project 487 Super Snake

[FETorino]

Originally Posted by Ripped

Well, I am deciding cubic inches, this weekend. Hope to weigh all the options this weekend.
465 (428 block), or 482 cubic inches. (427 block)

Most of all the other parameters will be about the same. Maybe a slight cam difference with the cubic inch diff.

No comparison there. A crossbolted sideoiler block is a way better piece. Better add a steel crank for the road race use.

[Ripped]

Yeah, weight of the steel crank adds to the rotating mass, so I am not sure on this one. Wish I didn't have to fix the roof this year, and my budget was better

[Ripped]

Okay a bit of a decision was made on the engine, last week.

I killed the idea of getting a used sideoiler or topoiler block.

Probably going to be this Shelby block;


or

this Pond aluminum block;



Plan is to go .040+ making the cubic inches about 487.

First I was going to go 482 but that's a common FE stroker size. Then I was thinking 489, which is + .050, and call it an 8 litre. BUT the 7 Litre was a 428 designation.

The Pond block will go a max of 4.310 so a +080 over. I figure If it ever needs a rebuild I can go custom pistons in +.010 steps and still have 4 small overbores, left in the block before a resleeve.

Plus 487 sounds nice... different.

Then this build theme, starting with the engine, will continue along the lines of the (one only) 1967 Shelby Super Snake, which was tested on Goodyear's Texas test facility, at a reported speed of +170 mph using a light-weight 427 high riser engine.

This engine featured a remote oil filter and oil cooler. We will see if those features make an appearance on the upcoming engine. I like the KISS philosophy for reliability, less things to break or go wrong.

There were a reported, unknown number (likely less than 50) of specially built 1967 Shelbys made with the 427 medium riser engine, shipped to select dealers and customers.

Using an aftermarket aluminum block the front end will get a 75# diet which should be good for the road course.

The bad part is it's a big budget impact, so may take a while longer to put together

[FETorino]

One of those blocks looks familiar.



The Pond block is

Cheaper
Lighter
Looks like an original sideoiler
Is strong enough to support 1000hp

Nothing wrong with the Shelby block if you can find a deal on one but if buying new I don't see the value for the extra $$$$$.

[Ripped]

Originally Posted by FETorino

One of those blocks looks familiar.



The Pond block is

Cheaper
Lighter
Looks like an original sideoiler
Is strong enough to support 1000hp

Nothing wrong with the Shelby block if you can find a deal on one but if buying new I don't see the value for the extra $$$$$.

Quite the eye candy.
How are you going to finish your block? Paint? Leave it aluminum?

[FETorino]

Originally Posted by Ripped

Quite the eye candy.
How are you going to finish your block? Paint? Leave it aluminum?

It will be on the dyno on Nov 9th. I'll snap some pictures of the final finish for sure when we load it in the truck the previous tues.

No matter what the finish the underside will have the most bling.

[Matt@BOS]

Go aluminum block, getting that weight off the nose will off will help the car. What do I know though, I'm the guys everyone is worried about putting an LS in a fastback.

[Flash68]

This thread just got a lot juicier.

[FETorino]

Originally Posted by Matt.A

Go aluminum block, getting that weight off the nose will off will help the car. What do I know though, I'm the guys everyone is worried about putting an LS in a fastback.

I'm not worried. you'll do the right thing.

Now let's talk Doug into spending all his extra $$ on this motor.

[Matt@BOS]

Rob, he is a car guy and the way I see it, the car is going to get what it wants. If the money is already sitting in the bank, as gear heads all we get to do is decide how long we want to hold on to it for. If we're saving up for parts then we have a little pile of money we get to watch grow for a while until one day the wife/gf finds it and steals it, or it goes poof when parts get ordered.

Matt