I'm not one to brag, but I felt I had to announce the birth of a brand new 427 big block. I finally finished building my pet monster and installing it in my 1968 Corvette roadster. I was going to install a great set of Hooker Supercomp undercar headers, but I had to have "the look" :cool: and get chromed sidepipes. The thing is, these sidepipes have spiral baffles in them instead of glass packs, so as you can imagine, it is a true 4" exhaust, noise and all. Sounds like you're standing next to a funny car. Maybe just a few decibels quieter, but man is it wild sounding!

It's got a big hairy solid roller cam that simply won't idle happily any lower than 1400 rpm. Right now, I'm chasing down some carb parts to optimize my tuning, but I'm thinking I've created a monster here. I was trying to recreate a modern version of an L88, but I think I really overdid it this time.

I only took it for about a half a mile drive because of a very severe power steering leak I didn't previously have (Hmmmm...the only thing I haven't restored yet, go figure), but man is this gonna be a handful to drive.

With 3.36 gearing, a Muncie M21 4-speed, and BFG 255/60SR-15 tires on all 4 wheels, and travelling down the road at about 30 mph, I just slightly blip the throttle in gear to smooth out the "idle" and the rear tires go up in smoke and I'm sideways in an instant. How the heck am I going to drive this thing on the street? What was I thinking when I built this over a bigger small block?

The truth of the matter is, like it or not, I have traded in my fun little 68 Corvette roadster driver for a flame breathing dragon that takes no prisoners. I guess I'm going to find out what living with a street legal race car is like.

I will reserve final comments on the driving experience until after I get the carburetor tuned a little happier. I'm too lean but there are hardly any places open on weekends anymore that sell carburetor parts. (A disadvantage of modern technology). However, the only direction this is going is faster, and mostly sideways or fishtailing.

I've learned a few things. There is no such thing as too much cooling for these machines. Back when the L88's first came out, you couldn't keep them from overheating in traffic. Now with my humungous radiator and oil cooler, I pretty much hardly get off the cool mark on my gauge. So that's good. I'm ready for racing in the deserts of Nevada.

The tires are woefully inadequate. I think the only street tires that'll work on the rear of this thing are a pair of the biggest drag radials I can fit back there, plus the best front tires I can find for 15" wheels. Obviously, I'm going to have to compromise here too. The best high speed radials I can find at the expense of not being able to launch without smoking them to nothing. At least that'll keep me out of the weeds when I'm pushing 170 racing the clock.

Oh boy am I going to need a roll cage. Something to keep my head on if disaster strikes. I'd like to get a rollcage that is only permanent below the bodywork, so that "mild" cruising doesn't totally ruin the fabulous lines of this shark. The top half can be bolted in with several high grade bolts, that the NHRA may not like, but at least I'd still have my head intact (hopefully).

I also learned that although the small block hood still barely fits over the drop top air cleaner sitting on the race carburetor sitting on the Torker II single plane, I really need to get breathing room when the temps start to rise next summer. The small block hood is basically just a "dust cover" right now.

What stops me from really going out and thrashing this right now is a pretty nasty power steering leak. I can only go a mile or two at a time before that runs dry. Pretty frustrating when I'm trying to dial in the carb.

But anyway, the monster lives.
Folks...if you want a driver, stick with a nice healthy 383 build up.
I no longer have a driver. Great Vette, but NOT a driver!!!


[Modified by MoMo, 10:58 PM 12/1/2002]

 

good job momo :cheers: sounds like shell be a handful on the street :yesnod:

 

Re the cam, define 'big hairy solid roller cam' please. I'm looking to change mine and am curious what you are runnin. Thx for a reply!

Also, the Hooker sidepipes are the best look on a chrome bumper C3 IMO!

 

Very Sweet! Please forgive the drooling as I type this reply. :cheers:

 

:cheers:

 

:eek:
:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
Congratulations :cheers: Sounds like TOO much FUN!!!

 

Let's see if I can remember the cam.
It's a Crane. At 0.050" it's 246 degrees intake and 254 degrees exhaust.
I really need to check, but I'm thinking lift is 0.565" intake/0.585" exhaust.
Engine displacement is actually 433 cubic inches.

My self imposed redline is 7200 rpm, limited by a Crane Hi-6 Fireball ignition system, but it'll tach to at least 7500 with this cam. Power peak occurs at 6500 rpm. Torque peak at 5000 and 5500.

If you want the part number, I'll look it up.

 

I really enjoyed reading your report!!! :cheers: Sure wish I could get a ride in it someday, but your a long way from home. :(

 

Can we see some pictures of this Monster???
:cheers: :cheers:

 

And another one comes over to the "dark side".



If you small-blockers only knew. :D :thumbs:




[Modified by 67HEAVEN, 11:05 PM 12/1/2002]

 

sounds baddazzz...congrats :cheers:

 

very good writing momo,i feel like i was there too!who needs a daily driver.
can't wait until i got mine back together. :cheers:

 

MoMo...

Thanks for passing on your thoughts about that much horsepower under the hood. I don't think some on this board realize how radical 600+ horsepower can be. I sold a '69 Vette in favor of having a Super Gas doorslammer built. To make a long story short... I had an ex-drag racer make sure it was completely set up & safe the first 3-4 weekends before I ever even took a shot at putting it down the 1/4 mile. The guy ran two 9.60's that day before I got in it. I did the burnout fine, but leaving at 5000RPM's off of the transbrake and fishtailing made me short shift into a 11.20 @ 127MPH.

I don't mind admitting it... I was shaking all the way back down the return road. A totally different world.....

 

Glad to hear another Vette is back on the ground. Where'd you get the HP/TQ figures? Did you have it dyno'd?

 

:eek: impressive numbers! Good to hear it turned out great! :yesnod: :cheers: :cool:

 

Congrats! Sounds like it's a real beast.....the way a BB Chevy should be! Gotta love those Hookers and JCL baffles, too---they scare old ladies and little kids.........
:lol: :smash: :lol:
Welcome to the Rat Pack!
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:

 

That sounds awesome, what a fire breather. Frightening and fun at the same time, yipee. I need to build a big block for one of my cars.

 

Sounds good MoMo. That cam is not that hairy for the street and you should be able to get decent idle out of it. My favorite street cam was a Crane with 256, 264 @ .050. but it lacked idle vacuum for power brakes.
Once the car is reworked, the idle circuit is the problem the idle should come down.
Welcome to the world of too much power.

 

MoMo from the sounds of it, you're going to have to learn how to steer with your right foot :D . Sounds like all your homework is paying off :thumbs: .

Congrats :cheers:

 

Great piece of prose, just like I was there with you. Glad I went with the 383 afterall now. :thumbs: