Quote:
Originally Posted by NewToPanozGTS
Hi Kel,
I'm familiar with the Holden, and the Holden vs. Falcon wars that continue to this day. I rarely miss an Australian V8 Supercar race on TV and plan to be in Austin TX this May when they come to the US for the first time. The DTM and V8 Supercar drivers are the best in the world! My GTS will soon have a down-under connection as the 302 intake is a Parker Funnelweb and the Ford Motorsport harmonic balancer was made in Australia!
My '64 Falcon Sprint is a true survivor that was first road raced in 1966. It's set to '65 FIA specs. with fiberglass hood, fenders, doors, deck lid and bumpers. Throw in some lexan and a million little things and it hits the scales at 2,680 pounds wet, sans driver. That 302 (with the required iron heads & flat tappet cam) put out 477 hp at the crank at 7200 rpm and it as good to 7500 rpm. I adjusted the valves every race weekend, replaced the valve springs at 20-25 hours and freshened the motor at 40-45 hours. Never a mechanical DNF.
There is no magic to my engines beyond quality parts and machine work, meticulous assembly, big compression, a custom flat tappet cam and heads matched to the cam. That said, I'll happily share anything I have -- I'll just have to find it. However, my guess is (based on the level of preparation of your car) that you're not going to learn much from me.
The 302 for the GTS nearing completion and I expect only slightly higher HP and a little more torque mostly from it's aluminum heads and Parker manifold. I'm sticking with a flat tappet cam of similar design to the Falcon. I'm also ditching the -10 oil lines for -12 and will likely change the radiator / oil cooler arrangement as well. Hope to track test late next month.
Bill F.
GTS #35.
Tallahassee FL.
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Yes the Ford Holden thing is still very strong. Not sure if you are aware that Supercars have Mercedes and Nissan joining the fray for the coming season Bill. I am really looking forward to seeing how the cammer V8's go against the now well developed pushrods. The Mercedes team is based around Stone Brother Racing who are owned by 2 Kiwi brothers. They have been very sucessful so I expect Mercedes to do well.
Your Falcon sounds like a very cool car with a great pedigree. There are a couple of race classes over here that you would really enjoy that the Falcon would fit right in with. Muscle car racing is very strong over here these days although the cars are getting crazily fast and not so "period". Lots of NASCAR engines being fitted to early Mustangs, HQ Holdens and Camaros. Hence speeds up to 300kph.........
I looked at a Parker Funnel web for my 369, I think the design is very very good. Only reason I did not go down that path was need to import one and the additional height which would have made fitting the cold air system an issue. Quality of the knock offs is also a potential issue from what I have read although I am sure good prep can sort this.
I opted for a Super Victor instead but this has worked out well due my extra cubes. Hard to believe but with the Super Victor we picked up substantial torque at 2500 - 4500rpm and 5000 - 6500rpm. Biggest gains down low and up top and tapered off through 4500. I put the low end down to additional compression and better carb signal/atomisation.
What heads are you going to run on the 302 Bill? What sort of compression?
Kel.
PS - Totally agree with your approach to engine building Bill.