The shortblock is down at South Austin machine shop. I've had good experiences with these guys before. Let''s hope it continues. They are going to sleeve the number 1 cylinder, and check all the tolerances and reassemble. It's supposed to be a couple hundred bucks and less than 2 weeks. What are the odds?

I'm considering sending my heads and intake to Keith Craft, to get Stage II porting on the heads and port matching for the intake. This is another grand$ +. But it would also get a valve job and a general check of the springs etc. by some pros. That would make me feel better. I'm going to wait for reassembly to measure for the pushrods again. Then I'll be upgrading to the next level from Smith Bros. to accomodate those springs.

I'm also considering the March pulley set.They offer a 4 groove setup through Summit. Does anybody know if this will work with the power steering and A/C setup? I can't quite tell if it's a power pulley setup (not somthing I'd really want) Where is the best place to get the infamous Romac balancer (did not see those at Jegs or Summit)?

Last but not least. I'm pondering the use of enough happy juice to find the limits of my new traction setup (Detroit locker and Mickey Thomson ET Streets). This will probably be a simple plate system in the 100 Shot range.

In keeping the current cam, the torque curve and idle remain very truck friendly. But the ported heads reallly open up the top-end. I think with the new speings and the tougher and correct pushrods, this beast will revv higher as wanted at the track.

I''m hoping to make the FE nationals, but you know how these things go.

 

I think you are pushing the envelope for making the nationals but I think your build plan is awesome!!! You should have a "no worry" bottom end when you get done. The 100HP shot will be of no consequence if you get the mixture right. There is a lot of info out on the web about nitrous setups. Get educated. Your engine could probably handle a 200HP shot with no problem but a 50HP shot set up incorrectly will have you calling a tow truck in a matter of minutes. You can get the Romac from DSC. There is another place that I will have to find that is a little cheaper but I can't remember what it is and I don't know how their service is.

 

Gtex good luck getting your truck back together, I am also planning on instslling nitrious on mine later after I getit up and running. Maybe we can get together at little river or seguin once both our trucks are up and going.

 

Thats for certain. If I get it running good, I'll be out at Little River or Seguin every chance I get :-)

I'd like to haul my car there with the truck, and spank me a Civic in both vehicles :-)

 

Doing the happy dance, I hope someone has video or pictures of your guys trucks at the nat's.

 

Sounds like a plan, Greg. Sending your heads to Keith is a good move imo. Heads are one area in which I never skimp, and always go for the best port jobs.

 

Greg... Glad to hear your on top of things and seems the 446 will be a terror again in the very near future...

you did say you were running crn 521 with a stock converter right?

Good Luck!! Russ

 

Greg,

When you send your heads to Keith Craft, be sure to emphasize that you want your manifold PORT matched to the Stage II heads. When I first ordered mine the heads came back with big ol' CNC ports, but a manifold that was GASKET matched to a 1247 Felpro medium riser gasket. Not cool.

Also, you may want to describe your engine, vehicle and usage to Keith, and see what his feelings are about the cam you have. He has some valuable dyno experience with Hydraulic Rollers.

-Scouder

 

Is $219 a good price for the Romac? Why is the Romac wiorth 2-3x the other units I see.

 

i myself would be a little scared of using nos on your motor. To much to lose. I agree that keith craft porting the haeds and intake as a good idea. Good luck on the rest of the build Greg!

 

$219 is what I paid for mine. It was the cheapest price I had seen by a wide margin. You are paying for quality, and an SFI certification. Spend the money and know you have the best balancer you can buy.

-Scouder

 

You guys know I don't have a problem spending the money. But sometimes the engineer in me say, what 's the difference?

It seems like such a simple part. There are other SFI certified units from the same etailer on Ebay for a lot less money.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW


Any ideas why the Romac is the "best"?

 

After a little more research, it looks like the cheaper part 80009, is not SFI certified? Although, that's not clear in teh charts on the 90009 web page, which has a listing for teh 80009.

I'll probably go with the Romac. I just want to know why.

 

gtex, You might also consider using "The Cylinder Head Shop" in north Austin off 620. I have known those guys forever. Dave'll do you right, just have to get past his bark. He's the type that could remove rust with his personality! But he is very consciencious, and will do things right the first time. He will port match and flow your heads, plus do all the block work. Take a 12 pack if you go...goes a long way with them!!