Whats funny here is that you can give me 5 different BB Chevy heads, all falling within the same category, cc's, chamber volumes, flow numbers, etc...and I'll show you 5 completely different combinations on the same short block. I guess that's not possible with the FE?
Here's a news flash...the cylinder heads do NOT make the build. It's the COMBINATION that either works, or doesn't. I see some of these "pro built" FE's and their numbers and I think, really?? Not impressive.
What I get really tired of is the "this is an FE...it's "special"..." BS. Or, "I'm an FE specialist, so no one else could possibly build a better FE than me"...or "if it's not on my dyno, it can't be right". I think a few of you guys are just a little full of yourself.
Sounds like a bunch of sour grapes to me. No real evidence of any error or misdoing on the builder's part...just a bunch of jealous "FE specialists" who this guy just poked right in the eye.
Scott, this would be an EXCELLENT time for you to build your FE and hop around to a few different dynos to see the difference.
If I would have to guess, there’s about a 10-12% spread between all the dynos represented here.
Absolutely no sour grapes here, but just a recognition that things are not the same between testing equipment.
What an opportunity for you to gain some experience!
Perry, if you think that these heads are night and day difference from the other modern heads that are available, then I will refer you back to my thoughts about engine builders being privy to information that the average public is not privy to.
Brent, unlike some of you, I don't get real hung up on dyno numbers. I know what to expect out of certain combinations based on math and physics, not voodoo black magic that the "average guy" isn't privy to. That's a bunch of BS. This is why you would never see me in an EM contest. As far as hopping form dyno to dyno, from what I understand if it's not YOUR dyno, or Barry's dyno, it doesn't count. I have found an excellent dyno to use for my projects. He doesn't care about impressing people but I guarantee you he has a Rolodex on his desk with the phone number for anyone you've ever heard of in the engine building world, and can call them at home. And he's a Ford guy. Used to do overflow work for Kasse. Does a lot of FE's. Never find him o the internet either.
I'm building my iron headed 395 ci pump gas hyd roller FE. I'm even going to test two different intakes...an Edelbrock RPM with a big 4150 and a med. riser with a pair of 1850's but I'm not about to run around chasing dyno numbers to try and prove I'm not sure what point...
If he's not on the internet, then he's already a wiser man than me.
My suggestion for you to dyno hop was just an answer to:
1. Your comment that all dynos that are "calibrated" should be the same.
2. Your comment that "I see some of these pro-built FE's, and I think....really?? Not impressive."
Dyno results are all over the map, and as much as you have the right to look at a "pro-built FE" and say, "Really? Not impressed.", I have a right to look at bogus numbers and say, "Really? I'm not buying it." What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
My statement about dyno variation was not exaggerated. In internet-land, engine builders are judged by the horsepower of the engine. Is it fair for the guy who has a tight pump? Does the guy who has the loose pump deserve to be called a better builder?
I'll be straight up: the dyno I use had a hardware change a few years ago and some of the data collection equipment was moved into the dyno cell. My stuff instantly began making about 5% more corrected horsepower. In the end, it's not my dyno, so I can't do anything about it, so I just began posting non-corrected numbers on the forums, along with weather data.
The EMC is nice because all engine builders are on the same pump, so that variable is removed.