FE Guys: 6,000 RPM

[rodneym]

3:31 rear, 8k RPM, as told by Gordon Levy.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by rodneym

3:31 rear, 8k RPM, as told by Gordon Levy.

Yours doesn't count. In fact, we might not even let you play in any of the reindeer games either.

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Yours doesn't count. In fact, we might not even let you play in any of the reindeer games either.

No, no, no. Those were Gordon Levy's account of Dick's 198.

I'm chipped at 6k. Conservative and safe.
Besides, the Paxtons don't breathe so well in the clouds of RPM.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by rodneym

No, no, no. Those were Gordon Levy's account of Dick's 198.

I'm chipped at 6k. Conservative and safe.
Besides, the Paxtons don't breathe so well in the clouds of RPM.

Damn, I'm getting as senile as Chas. OK, still no reindeer games, but we'll let you visit the Island of Misfit Toys instead....

[ERA Chas]

Like your post count, you're waaay ahead of me on that one.

[PLDRIVE]

I believe this engine will get the job done (198MPH).

Kuntz 521 FE

BBF FE - YouTube

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by PLDRIVE

I believe this engine will get the job done (198MPH).

Kuntz 521 FE

BBF FE - YouTube

Are they using those Prostock style fully CNC'd heads that are essentially a Chevrolet design altered to work with an FE block? I wish those heads were around when I did my FE build.
I have heard that they flow close to 500 cfm and will easily make that kind of power. I'll bet you could get over 900 even with a manifold that would fit under a stock Cobra hood. Now if the Kirkham's would just use all that machining talent to build a decent FE head the world would beat a path to their door...

[PLDRIVE]

Sorry i don't remember. Jim was telling me about the engine a few weeks back but do not recall specifics. I do remember it makes an easy 1000+HP


MP

[Silversmith]

Was set @ 6k. (prev owner) Raised to 7.5k as per hm recomendations. Man what a differance. I'll shift around 7 to 7.3k. No fade!!! a little spooky really Finding the open space! HM knows there stuff! I won't go back. Man! What a Rush

[BOURRET]

6300rpm for my KC alu 482 with alu flywheel.

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by Cobra #3170

Are they using those Prostock style fully CNC'd heads that are essentially a Chevrolet design altered to work with an FE block? I wish those heads were around when I did my FE build.
I have heard that they flow close to 500 cfm and will easily make that kind of power. I'll bet you could get over 900 even with a manifold that would fit under a stock Cobra hood. Now if the Kirkham's would just use all that machining talent to build a decent FE head the world would beat a path to their door...

The heads are a Chevy type head designed and altered to work with an FE block, they are billet aluminum and cost $10,000 for a pair, pony up if you want that kind of power.

[REAL 1]

What rpm where NASCAR guys spinning back in 1965? That should tell you what the engineered max is for the FE427 SO w/o Dick Smith's magic and luck.

My dyno sheet stops at 5800. My max hp is at 5600 and max torque at 4600.

My max sphincter tightness (moi's natural rev limiter) is at 4000. Clearly I will never reach max hp or torque. Sad but true.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

What rpm where NASCAR guys spinning back in 1965? That should tell you what the engineered max is for the FE427 SO w/o Dick Smith's magic and luck.

From the Ford LeMans 427 MkII program docs. Note references to both NASCAR and LeMans/Daytona in the 6200-6400 range. No value in spinning it over that if the power curve starts falling:

[REAL 1]

There is your answer.

I rest my case.

[elmariachi]

One point worth mentioning was that the shift points at LeMans (and probably elsewhere) from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd was higher at 6800 rpms.

[Bernica]

I guess another reminder is that back then in the day, it was all up to the driver to watch the tach and not over-rev. No chips back then. I suspect that not many of those guys really paid much attention to the tach in the heat of the battle, but maybe I'm wrong. Certainly a testament to the durablility when it was just hard parts, a good mechanic and driver. No ECU's, MSD's, limiters etc......

[Cracker]

My old 427 S.O. was spun up to 7800 on the dyno (667 hp) and prior to that had a 7000 redline. It can be done reliably but top grade components, especially in the valvetrain is required. My entire rocker system was Jessel.

[bret a ewing]

KC 582cu in dynoed to 6500rpm, chipped @ 6200.

[Bob In Ct]

BTW, at 6,000 RPM the pistons are going up and down 100 times per second. That's 400 power strokes per second! If you're going to spin your engine that fast at least let the oil get warm before you do it.