Cylinder head dyno shoot out

[NC Engine Builder]

It went into valve float at just past 5800, the cam was a custom grind, and had extremely aggressive lobes. I went back into the heads and lightend up the retainers, and worked on the geometry a bit more, but the short installed height was extremely difficult to get a spring that worked. It added rpm to the powerband, but it didn't get put back on the dyno, as the customer was in need of getting it in the car

 

[318willrun]

Here is another airflow limited dyno test of a oval track 360 I did 7 or 8 years ago. It's a .010 over zero deck stock stroke 360, with a .420! Lift hydraulic flat tappet cam (class rules) a set of EQ magnums, no porting allowed, but bunch of time spent on the valve job, a shitty edelbrock performer 318/360 (class rule again) and a 500 holley two barrel carburetor. 1 5/8 garbage headers.

View attachment 1716338953

Very impressive for the pieces used....

 

[rumblefish360]

1-3/4 dyno header. Don’t remember if it had an extension on it or not. Probably not.
Edited to add;
Just went back and checked the engine masters episode my engine was on, S6 E23 and it did have an extension on the header. Looks like about 18”.

“Power Nation”, not “Engine Masters.”

 

[TT5.9mag]

“Power Nation”, not “Engine Masters.”

Huh? Definitely engine masters, the tv show.

 

[NC Engine Builder]

And the plan will probably be to sell the shortblock after the dyno session, to try to at least recover some of the expenses associated with this experiment. And a few of the heads being discussed may also be up for sale also, but nothing concrete on that so far

 

[318willrun]

And the plan will probably be to sell the shortblock after the dyno session, to try to at least recover some of the expenses associated with this experiment. And a few of the heads being discussed may also be up for sale also, but nothing concrete on that so far

I was thinking of that yesterday. It would be a great way to recoup some of your efforts.

 

[Nat]

Yeah a stock baseline is moot I see that now. actually Nicks garage ran a stock 340 (or it looked stock) and I think he got 335 or 340 horse out of a pull. So I guess I'm saying it's already documented about what you could get in a stock configuration. So that leads to the question where would the starting point be? what configuration or setup?

before Nick got famous he made 390 hp 420 tq on a stock head 340 i have the dyno sheet somewhere , but it has been a long time and many engines back in 2010 before he made videos of every pull

 

[Cuda_Carl]

I’m lucky enough to have a set of x heads done by PRH. They are unbelievable.
Thanks again Dwayne!

 

[PRH]

Any updates on what heads are currently slated for this shootout?

 

[NC Engine Builder]

Any updates on what heads are currently slated for this shootout?

@Earlie A should be able to confirm that. I'm doing the shortblock work

 

[TT5.9mag]

@Earlie A should be able to confirm that. I'm doing the shortblock work

Flat top 408 for the base?

 

[Dart Frog]

I know that this head shoot out will be comparing the top players. I for one would love to see a fully ported set of X orJ's because I believe there is a group of us that would like to keep their motors looking original while swinging a 4-in arm and sporting a nasty set of factory iron ported heads.

 

[Earlie A]

So far we have ProMaxx 185 Shockers, Trick Flow 190 and Bloomers. The Shockers vs the TF's should be an interesting comparison. I would love to find a pair of PBR heads to try against the Bloomers. I think many on this forum would enjoy that. So if you know of a pair, let's see what we can work out. Otherwise, there may be another set of heads in the mix.

I too would love to see all kinds of different things tested, but time and money will be a (the) limiting factor. NC Engine Builder is putting together a 408 short block. I'm sure he will share details and probably pictures as he is able.

For manifolds we have a ported Victor 340 and a ported Super Victor. Time will probably only allow one of the two to be used.

Cam is TBD. Talking with Jim at Racer Brown.

 

[qkcuda]

I love to see dyno results...waiting patiently.

 

[NC Engine Builder]

Flat top 408 for the base?

Yes sir, have both icon flat tops and mahle flat tops on the shelf

 

[273]

I know that this head shoot out will be comparing the top players. I for one would love to see a fully ported set of X orJ's because I believe there is a group of us that would like to keep their motors looking original while swinging a 4-in arm and sporting a nasty set of factory iron ported heads.

My guess they would be similar to mildly ported edelbrock type heads.

Probably getting the most CSA is gonna be the biggest concern.

 

[NC Engine Builder]

And the biggest issue is definitely cost, I'm not sure how to offset that, I'd be open to more heads and testing, but dyno time is not cheap.

 

[fishmens67]

I have 10 bucks on the bloomers making the most hp with the Chinese based head and 5 bucks on the Trick Flow over the shocker.

 

[Garrett Ellison]

It looks like we may need to start a fund drive for helping out with the testing here.

 

[Dart Frog]

I can donate a six pack of one of Oregon's best pale ale or IPAs if that'll help?

 

[33IMP]

I'm not sure on a stock iron head. Those really dont flow enough for a stockish 340/360 build

That's WHY it's interesting! To show just how big a cork a set of stock iron heads is, compared to even a decent aftermarket aluminum head
(Kinda like the giant cork stock big block heads are!). Anyone who contemplates an (standard, not w2) iron head 408 should knew better.

 

[Dart Frog]

What is the type of Cam and numbers will you be using. Will you be looking for Max effort like solid roller or something else with a lot of steam?

 

[crackedback]

What is the type of Cam and numbers will you be using. Will you be looking for Max effort like solid roller or something else with a lot of steam?

429-444 stock lift 340 auto cam.

 

[PRH]

Will the cam be selected mostly based on this series of tests, or will it be chosen for the engine to be used in a particular future application?

 

[Earlie A]

I'll respond about the cam questions, but just because NC Engine Builder has given me a little latitude to pick a cam. This is his test and he has veto power. Cam will be solid roller, strong effort but maybe shy of max effort. Something in the 260-270@0.050 and 0.650ish lift. We'll get the flow numbers and other specs to Racer Brown and let them help decide.

At this point the cam is for testing only. I bought the Bloomer heads to go in a '65 Dart, so that is still an option for this motor. Or it may be for sale. All of this could affect the cam choice. If someone steps up with PBR heads then I think the cam choice should reflect the Bloomer/PBR challenge.