your $ better spent
Survival FE Engine Kits

 

Iskendarian Cams are definitely made in the US. It's a small company run by the same old dude who started the whole thing. It's hilarious how much of a pack rat he is though. Google up Ed Iskendarian and you can read all about him in online magazine articles.

 

I understand that shaving the heads means adjustable push rods, machining of the intake. It's not that I'm not listening, it's that I've got a guy that can take care of that at a very reasonable price. I've also read something about 390 piston having a taller crown (lower pin) that eliminates much of the recess. I don't know that for fact. Thanks for the info.

 

You're right if maximizing power was my goal. That's exactly the route my machinist Virgil wanted me to go, explaining that every FE engine wants to be a 428.

Now I'm thinking, at $4+ per gallon for premium fuel, it might be wiser to see what kind of power can be gotten from the little 360. If I can achieve early 460 numbers (340hp 490lb/ft) I'll be happier than a pig in poop. More than adequate power with the efficiency advantage of 100 fewer cubes.

 

Well I like the description about unbelievable low end and mid range torque, and that I can run a higher compression ratio. I want an engine that instantly comes alive and revs heroically. I know that fuel injection would help this a lot but my Carter afb 600 should be fine.

 

Okay since much of this thread has turned to increasing compression (a necessary evil on later FE engines). I know that compression ratio has little to do with horsepower. An article I read years ago took a Chrysler 318 at 8:1 and measured the power at something like 170hp. Then, with no other modifications, raised the compression ratio to 11:1. This increased horsepower to 172hp. Only two hp! They mentioned that while the increase in compression did little to increase total power output, it substantially changed the way the engine behaved in responsiveness. I liken that to efficiency. It's little wonder that peak volumetric efficiency and peak torque occur at the exact same time. That's what I'm set on the high compression ratio. 10:1 or close to it should be marvelous for making the engine spirited.

 

Makes me want to get my quench heads done up. Then I'd have between 10 and 10.2 compression.

 

Are there pistons for these engines (dome or other) that are for the purpose of raising static compression. I know that engines, especially low rpm engines, run better with flat tops but a lower pin height would effectively reduce deck height and reduce volume. Anyone?

 

Higher compression gives you the STAGE for more power. It will do little on it's own. By this I mean other parts around it and tuning. Example: if you try putting a Cool lopey cam meant for 3000 and up (I know that's not what You want. follow me) in an engine with 8:1 it will Lose power over the stock cam. Same with some High flow heads. If a person were to put the same ported,polished,blended heads on a low compression and then a higher compression engine, the amount of power gain on the higher compression engine would be higher than the low compression engine. If you go too high on the compression ratio then Premium fuel would be necessary. Talk to you machinist about a target compression ratio with your local gas.

 

Punch it .010 over and run .060 over 352 pistons = a little over 9:1 in a 360 without decking the heads or block.

The only thing is, if your going to do any work, why not get a 390 crank and rods to use with the stock 360 pistons. That will get you around 9.8:1 compression ratio (if you have the pistons with valve reliefs and no dish) and a fair bit more power.

 

Well my initial idea was to get similar output of an early 460 out of 360 cu in. Now I'm thinking of putting it off longer, saving my money up and putting a stroker crank assembly in it to make it 430cid at 9.7:1 cr. It will be expensive but worth it in the end. I'll post updates in case anyone is interested.

 

A longer throw crank will give you the biggest boost for the $$ for the range of operation you are looking for. Couple that with a cam of your choice turned 2 degrees ahead and keep your 600 cfm carb.


Get a jar and starting throwing your coins in it...I just pulled $178 out of a quart sized jar. It won't buy me a stroker crank yet but it still helps.


And yes...we always like to hear how it turns our so updates are appreciated.

 

i use an old spitune for my change jar real easy to toss change in it , last time i filled it I got $650 out it's about half full now .