Dyno Day

Before heading off to see what this monster would do, I talk to Ron at R&R Performance in Spring Lake Park, MN (Minneapolis). He's a great dyno guy and does a lot of Ford FE's.

I tell him what I have and he asks cryptically "What do you think it will make". I am wondering; A, is he truly interested in my opinion; B, he want’s to know so he can set his equipment to produce my desired result (I'm not paranoid - really); or C, he wants to start thinking of strategies to prevent me from going into depression when it makes 100 HP less. Anyway, I tell him I am hoping for 500. He says he doubts it will make that. I start lowering the stakes ...475?? "Maybe," he says. 450?? "It should do 450," he remarks. I make the appointment.

On Dyno day I bring along a friend of mine and his built-up 454 Chev motor, also to be dyno'd. My 428 is up first. This is always an exciting time. Everything needs to be hooked up and thoroughly checked and rechecked before starting the motor. Remember that it hasn't been run up until now. Even with the most careful assembly work, there's always a point where you hold your breath as you hit the ignition. The engine starts up without a hitch and we run in the cam for about 20 minutes. Everything looks good. The roar of the exhaust is awesome! Check out the video and hear for yourself! The first pull nets about 430 hp. Not too bad for a first pull, I figure. But I noticed the idle seemed to be a tad off too. After a little timing adjustment, and secure the electrical connections, we try again and it gained about 10 HP.

Those numbers were respectable, but we felt there was more power to be had. We pulled the valve covers and reset the valve lash. The next dyno pull and, OHHH YEAHHH ..now we are cooking - a 20 hp gain! We're up to 460 now!!

Now we're getting there! But the motor still idled like a pig and it was only pulling 5 inches of vacuum at 900 rpm. We played with carbs and spacers and did some more tinkering and finally end up with a best pull of 467!! Pretty close to what Ron originally estimated.

I am pumped though, as I estimate that my buddy’s 454 has to make 493 HP to beat me in hp/cu in. That's going to be tough. We go through the the same basic process with his motor, and it yields a best pull of 487 HP. Fords rule again!

Conclusion:

Fords motors are expensive to build, and it’s easy to go over budget. My story isn't atypical when you're looking to get the max out of a motor. What started out as a warmed-over stocker is now a pretty high dollar project. BUT, it was a total blast, and my satisfaction comes from the process of making the decisions on which parts to use, putting it all together, then measuring the results.

These days 467 HP is not that hard to get with the right engine, tons of tech support and warehouses full of go-fast parts. But I feel 467 IS a respectable number for an engine which has not been made in a performance version since 1970. In addition, it should make a great powerplant for a future AC Cobra kit or Thunderbolt.

Of course this is not the end of the 428 story. I found out that R&R has never dyno'd a 428 that made 500 hp on pump gas. This is a new challenge. I think a different cam, or a cam/intake combination could get me there. It's worth a shot anyway. If and when I do get there I will post the results here and claim the prize for the strongest 428 on 92 octane.

Royce