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FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: 66FAIRLANE on May 17, 2012, 06:24:59 PM

Title: Experts please have a look at my sonic results
Post by: 66FAIRLANE on May 17, 2012, 06:24:59 PM: This was done by me, at home, with an ebay sonic tester. I calibrated it on the block I was checking and when returning to this spot or other measurable spots it seems fairly accurate. I checked bottom, middle and about 1" down from the top on 4 sides of the cylinders. I poked around a bit about the size of a small coin in these areas and recorded the thinnest result.

This block is at +030 and is a candidate for my next build which will be a stroker or a 10psi 390.

I know the sonic aint the be all and end all as there could be a 010 spot somewhre I never put the tester on. What do you think at 040 overbore? Safe ish?

(http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac109/newmanandy/Scan20006.jpg)
Title: Re: Experts please have a look at my sonic results
Post by: Barry_R on May 17, 2012, 07:03:32 PM: Looks pretty normal to me based on a very quick glance. Run it...
Title: Re: Experts please have a look at my sonic results
Post by: machoneman on May 17, 2012, 07:18:02 PM: Hey, Barry does this stuff for a living but consider that another .010 overbore takes 1/2 that or .005 off each wall.

2x to run it!
Title: Re: Experts please have a look at my sonic results
Post by: jayb on May 17, 2012, 08:06:04 PM: I'd run it too. In fact, I'll bet you could go to +.060".
Title: Re: Experts please have a look at my sonic results
Post by: 66FAIRLANE on May 17, 2012, 08:29:29 PM: Thanks guys. Now the descions.

Plan A) Use the bottom end out of my current 040 390 in this block and throw some boost at it.
Pros: Smaller cam, better fuel consumtion, great power potential, put blower on any future motor
Cons: Smaller cam, added complexity, added cost over stroker

Plan B) Take this block to 040 or current engine to 060 with stroker kit
Pros: Nasty sounding cam, great torque, reduced converter, marginal fuel consumption improvement, cleaner engine bay
Cons: Less power potential than blower, less cost

Damn. Been thinking about this for a long time and its not getting any easier! :D
Title: Re: Experts please have a look at my sonic results
Post by: machoneman on May 17, 2012, 09:02:11 PM: Sometimes 66 it does pay to ask around. Do you want more power or better fuel economy?

Not easy but only you have the answer!
Title: Re: Experts please have a look at my sonic results
Post by: 66FAIRLANE on May 17, 2012, 09:53:16 PM: Of course I want both! ;D

I know thats a tough ask. I don't care about fuel consumption when the boot is in but I would like it to not be too obcene just cruisin or on longer drives. I attribute most of its guzzling behavior to the converter and I believe both scenarios would allow me to pull converter out. This may mean the 445 is no better but probably no worse. A blown 390 with a smaller cam would probably out run the 445 and produce better milage on the cruise.

Been thinking it over for a long time. May run through next summer and have desicion by then. Maybe. ;)
Title: Re: Experts please have a look at my sonic results
Post by: BigNate on May 21, 2012, 09:28:18 PM: The only reason that I would say "plan B" is that plan A is my plan... :P
Title: Re: Experts please have a look at my sonic results
Post by: hotrodfeguy on May 25, 2012, 09:16:59 PM: X2 A blown 390 with a smaller cam would probably out run the 445 and produce better milage on the cruise.