514 Ford Crate owners - torque question

[rsimoes]

For you guys that own the new 625HP Ford Crate 514, I know it performs well over 3500 RPM.

But how does it behave with just cruising around town from idle to 3500? Is it uncomfortable to torquey?

Is it a reliable motor?

How does your car handle? Too much understeer?

[Tom Wells]

Yo rsimoes,

I answered this for you here as best I could:

521 comments

If you want more specific answers, it would help if you gave a lot more details about your intended usage and the rest of your car.

Street use? Miles/year? Track use? Show mostly (trailer queen ) ? Weight? Trans? Gearing and tire size?

We'll be happy to try all we can to give some info.

Or maybe you could come by and we could answer all your questions very quickly by taking you for an introductory ride

PS: There's a guy named Fred Gimbel in Fawn Grove PA whom I strongly recommend as a source for info - and cars too! It's about 60 miles from your location...

[craigayl]

rsimoes

I have the older 600HP version of the 514. It has not been totally trouble free as it failed valve springs after about 2000 miles. I’m told that problem is now fixed and in fact FRPP now warrants the motor for one year or 12000 miles.

I would never trade down. I have driven some really nice high HP small blocks, but in my opinion, nothing matches the torque or sound of the BB 514...Just my opinion.....

Craig - You never have TOO much:

[rsimoes]

My use is just for a fun car. Maybe a track here and there.

I want the power, because it is a Cobra.

But I don't want it to be the kind of car that can't be driven below 3500 RPM.

My current Vette's torque curve is flat. From 1000 RPM to redline, the torque does not drop below 300 ft-pounds.

My 88 Mustanf GT wasn't that way, those 5 liters were very peaky.

I'm trying to find out what the torque curve looks like below 3500 RPM on the 514/521 (whatever you want to call it).

Is it 100 ft pounds until 3500 and then 550 ft pounds (exageration) or does it keep a high rate of torque right from idle?

[klayfish]

Rob,
Simple solution. Get a 514 specifically designed for the driving style you want. I have no doubt that you can find a motor with that many cubes that's a stump puller. The car is going to be a street car just for fun. How often will you really run 5000+ rpm for more than a second or two? For your needs, you should be easily able to design a motor to smoke the hides at the hit of the throttle but still be streetable. If you call an engine builder and tell them your needs, they can select a cam, etc... to fit you. And I'll bet that as long as you don't go nuts and ask for an aluminum engine that can rev to 9000rpm yet still be streetable, you'll probably save some $$$, as big displacement, high torque engines seem fairly common.

Steve

[Tom Wells]

Hey rsimoes,

Heeeheeheee!

My 521 with the hyd cam downgrade produces 460 ft-lb at the back tires from 2900 rpm up through a C-6 automatic. The torque peak is higher than that, probably in the neighborhood of 500 ft-lb and is below 2900. Way below. The trans wouldn't stay in 3rd on the dyno below 2900 so we didn't find out.

Let me put it this way: you can roll gently into the throttle from a stop. If you press a little too hard at any speed from zero on up, the 315-35-70s will spin. Including at over 100 mph (done on a track of course!).

The writer from Kit Car mag called it "seamless" after his demo ride.

It's a hoot! And, uh, no 'vette I've ever been in will do that, although I've heard Callaway has made a few

Tom

[rsimoes]

Originally posted by Tom Wells


Hey rsimoes,


The writer from Kit Car mag called it "seamless" after his demo ride.

It's a hoot! And, uh, no 'vette I've ever been in will do that, although I've heard Callaway has made a few

Tom

Hey, before you guys make fun of the Corvette, you really should know a little bit more about it.

Here are some specs on the 2004 Z06 with "only" 405 NET HP (not gross, like we've been talking here)

Look at the Z06 weight, and performance:Vette

3118 lbs
1.0g on the skid pad
70+ mph in the slolam
3.9 seconds to 60
12's in the quarter
171 MPH top end
18 - 28 MPG

All of that in a car with all kinds of electronic toys and comfort. And yes, it is a completely seemless torque curve.

The car has a split personality, it can be nice to you and it can be a race car.

And that's nothing compared to the new 2006 Z06. . .

[jjtarnow]

514 is a fun motor but as you can see from the postings is NOT trouble free. Valve spring problems with me as well.