|
Lone Star Engine
Home
Supercharging
For the swap shown here, we followed
along on both an '86 and '83 Mustang (gray and red, respectively). In stock
form, the '86 produces about 215 hp, but with the mod motor it now has 305 hp,
and 175 pounds less weight as well. Although that may not sound like a really
big power gain for a changeover that costs at least $8,000 (unless you provide
the labor), keep in mind the power potential of the engine. Sure, you could bolt
a centrifugal supercharger on a 5.0 engine instead for about $3,000 and kick out
the same level of power as a stock Cobra motor. "But if you bolt a supercharger
on a Cobra motor," Sanchez points out, "you're talking about a huge increase, an
engine that'll produce 600, 800 or even 1000 hp." In that case, you're not
talking about just a Cobra in a Mustang—it's a whole new animal.
On a car that sees occasional duty on a roadcourse, such as the Mustang
shown here, acceleration off the line is not as important as a strong pull out
of a curve. For that application, the Performer RPM Power Package focuses on
increasing power from 1500 to 6500 rpm. It still offers a broad operating range
for streetable performance, but with more mid and high-end horsepower. The
dual-plane design of the Performer RPM intake works with an Edelbrock carburetor
for more throttle response and power up to 6500 rpm. The Performer RPM camshaft
has more lift and duration than most street cams with acceptable low-end torque
(10"-12" Hg @ idle). Going even further up the powerband is the Torker II,
designed for power in the 2500 to 6500 rpm (especially for engines with a low
hood clearance).
Lone Star Auto Engine: After the test drive:
Shut off
the engine and restart it at least twice to make sure it starts normally.
Recheck the oil level, coolant level, belt adjustments, etc. to make
sure everything is okay. Also look underneath to make sure nothing is leaking.
Take it easy for the first few hundred miles, and change the oil and
filter at 500 miles (and every 3,000 to 5,000 miles thereafter).
Lone Star
Engine
Lone Star Engine
Installation
Lone Star
Engine
Until recently, bolt-on carb choices for the ZZ 350 have
been somewhat limited. The trick is finding a unit that's compatible with the
small-block's valvetrain and that also maximizes the engine's power curve:
low-end torque and high-rpm horsepower. Chevy's testing points to the Holley 750
four-barrel for maximum power. However, aftermarket testing showed that this
carburetor works well from 3,000 rpm upward, but was too much at idle.
|
|
