Putting A Little Pep In My 390's Step

[Nightmist66]

Jared, that is an awesome first outing with new engine! I hope you get another trip to track in before season is over. If you do please consider posting results in Drag Racing section.
Did the 4.71s get engine to the trap rpm you were after? Are you running 9 x 28 slicks?
Great results!

Thanks JB!

I am planning on going back this weekend. The 4.71 is pretty much exactly as I expected. I do believe it could actually use a 4.86. Fortunately, I have one laying around already polished. Yes, M/T ET Drag 28×9 tires.

[FordEver]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jTxmXuZR4L96trACngK91qslq3_0ftDx/view?usp=drive_web
Jason got one off our runs Saturday

[Nightmist66]

Thanks Bob!

I was pretty frustrated from the pass right before that, so I hot lapped it since I knew it would be my last. Terrible launch, looked like slight wheel hop combined with bog and I was shiftin like an old lady. Anyway, it was a great time talking to you and Dick. Look forward to more next year...

[FordEver]

We had a great time the last two weekends hanging out with you and Dad.  Good way to end the season. Quality / appearance /performance off the Fairlane is great.  Talk to you later, Bob

[fryedaddy]

Cool.  What are the cam spec's?

i guess you have your reason for not sharing cam specs,but there are lots of different cams will go low 11s.not like your running in the nines with a 390.

[6667fan]

Jared, if you go with the 4.86s and you don’t want to put the 4.71s on the shelf please keep me in mind. I’m going with a taller tire and I might need ‘em.
Be well

[Nightmist66]

Cool.  What are the cam spec's?

i guess you have your reason for not sharing cam specs,but there are lots of different cams will go low 11s.not like your running in the nines with a 390.

It's a shelf grind. I would be burned at the stake by the experts if I gave the exact specs. I know I'm an idiot for not going with a custom grind, but oh well. It's in between a 3/4 and full race. I'd say maybe 13/16 or 7/8.

[Nightmist66]

Jared, if you go with the 4.86s and you don’t want to put the 4.71s on the shelf please keep me in mind. I’m going with a taller tire and I might need ‘em.
Be well

JB, I will keep you in mind. I may keep them in case I find out I need to go back...

Hope you get your 10 sec pass, too.

[cjshaker]

Cool.  What are the cam spec's?

i guess you have your reason for not sharing cam specs,but there are lots of different cams will go low 11s.not like your running in the nines with a 390.

It's a shelf grind. I would be burned at the stake by the experts if I gave the exact specs. I know I'm an idiot for not going with a custom grind, but oh well. It's in between a 3/4 and full race. I'd say maybe 13/16 or 7/8.

LOL!!! Now that's funny, Jared!!
I've had a couple shelf grinds that worked pretty darn well. One Crane that's out of production, I wish I could find NOS.

[fryedaddy]

in my 428 im using an old comp 292 hyd .243 at 50 and on the street and track im happy with it.

[turbohunter]

It's in between a 3/4 and full race. I'd say maybe 13/16 or 7/8.

Hah, made me wonder if anyone ever bragged about a 1/2 race cam? Gotta be quicker than stock.

[Nightmist66]

in my 428 im using an old comp 292 hyd .243 at 50 and on the street and track im happy with it.

When you find something you're happy with, that's all that matters. This one is 267@.050". This is by no means a max effort build. It is just a 390 with 12.5:1, solid roller, dual plane, and for now a 750 carb. Nothing special. A good set of heads, though. At 123+mph and 3650lbs, I feel it is respectable for what it is. Other than some driveability, I am happy with it. Fingers crossed, I will see a 10sec slip this year.

[Posi67]

I thought that comment about a secret Cam grind was funny. You're doing very well with the combo at hand however don't think you'll see any gain with a gear swap. Just not enough difference to make a difference. I ran a 4.86 and and went down to a 4.57 because my MPH picked up with engine improvements and I'm out of RPM. Could easily go down some more but then I do have a secret Cam in my 390 and yes it could use something better. Sometimes best to stick with what you know works.   

[410bruce]

Cool.  What are the cam spec's?

i guess you have your reason for not sharing cam specs,but there are lots of different cams will go low 11s.not like your running in the nines with a 390.

It's a shelf grind. I would be burned at the stake by the experts if I gave the exact specs. I know I'm an idiot for not going with a custom grind, but oh well. It's in between a 3/4 and full race. I'd say maybe 13/16 or 7/8.

Nice! You truly had me laughing out loud at this! 

[Nightmist66]

You're doing very well with the combo at hand however don't think you'll see any gain with a gear swap. Just not enough difference to make a difference. I ran a 4.86 and and went down to a 4.57 because my MPH picked up with engine improvements and I'm out of RPM.

Thanks for chiming in, Dale. I have always been inspired by your 390. Not many guys still left running one. Strokers seem to be the knee jerk reaction for builds anymore. Anyway, I was speaking with a gentleman who has a bit more experience than I, and he thought for my combo, that I could use more gear. I already have a 4.86 laying around and had it polished, so I am debating tossing it in and trying. I still need to get my suspension figured out first and work on the shifts a little more. Maybe I won't need it after all? I'm not sure yet. One thing that doesn't help me any is the lousy 2.78 first gear. I still have a little room for more RPM through the traps as is.....I dunno

Just curious what your current trap RPM is. Is it around 7000?