redline for a 390
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,934
Likes: 0
From: iowa
i agree bear, 120 is tough. All i can do is 110 or so. I have a c6, seems like my converter slip is about 4% at 55mph. Back in the day 4100rpm in 3rd was all i had. 100 more peak hp got me about 300 more rpm.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 14
From: Colorado
Ah, this thread brings back a thread I recall not too long ago when Beemer was arguing with me that I couldn't get my truck to 120mph. And then I suceeded.
Oh I see, that thread got deleted. "Top End Speed, attn: Beemer Nut" was the title, darn.
Oh I see, that thread got deleted. "Top End Speed, attn: Beemer Nut" was the title, darn.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Bozeman, MT
well I thought I might chime in with some manual numbers for you guys. The last build I had in the truck only hit 114 @5500 ON A DYNO, that means no head wind. That was on 35" tires, NP435 4 speed, and 4.10 rearend, dyno recorded only 210hp at the rear wheels. I can't imagine that more horsepower would really help that, it would only get you there quicker right? On the highways here in Montana I can hit 100+mph but I get way too nervous to keep it there for long (not so much cause of the engine, but on 4inchs of lift and 35" tires, im too high in the air to gamble with an accident) so I don't know top end with headwind factored in.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
And the wind resistance is what kills you. It's like try to run your hand thru water. Hold your hand sideways and it slips thru pretty easily. Hold your palm at 90 degrees to the direction of movement and it gets a lot tougher. With my '68 F250 with the 390, I got about 110 out of it down in Nevada, but put the camper on and the extra wind resistance kills not only top speed but your milage. With the race boat (about 2500 total pounds) added on behind the truck, with or without the camper and you had no change. Aerodynamics is part of the reason trucks get such poor MPG.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Bozeman, MT
no doubts there, they deffinately didn't design our drivable shoe boxes for speed, but look so good going fast don't they. I guess our only hope is obscene amounts of power, and theres no complaints about it here.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
390 redline
It depends on the parts you are using. Most 390s will run out of valvespring before anything else. After that, the heads most of us have have start running out of air at 6250 or so. Above 6500, I would worry about the cast pistons most of us have. But if you have ported heads, lots of valvespring pressure and good forged pistons, the block, crank (cast), and rods can handle 8500 without trouble. But the camshaft required to use that much rpm will be worthless at lower engine speeds, do you really want to turn it that fast ? DF, @ his Dad's house
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
There are a few dreamers that have very flexable motors that start pulling off idle to 7,500+ rpm's, one trick cam and induction system that professional engine builders can't accomplish. Lets see, a 3,400 rpm stall with 15 mpg and idles like a flathead.
.....=o&o>.....
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Beemer Nut
There are a few dreamers that have very flexable motors that start pulling off idle to 7,500+ rpm's, one trick cam and induction system that professional engine builders can't accomplish. Lets see, a 3,400 rpm stall with 15 mpg and idles like a flathead.
.....=o&o>.....
.....=o&o>.....
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
What about an engine that has variable valve timing seperate for intake and exhaust with rpm's, magnetic coil valve opening with no intake throttle plates like a diesel, valve lift from zero lift to full lift that controls idle speed to full throttle. It's been around for a couple of years made by BMW.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Beemer Nut
What about an engine that has variable valve timing seperate for intake and exhaust with rpm's, magnetic coil valve opening with no intake throttle plates like a diesel, valve lift from zero lift to full lift that controls idle speed to full throttle. It's been around for a couple of years made by BMW.
.....=o&o>.....
.....=o&o>.....
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
You can't swear at progress, look at fuel injection vs a carb. With BMW's valve control on identical motors HP went up 13% and Tq up 11%. This is from a unrestrictive intake as well fighting valve springs and the rpm limits are rod failure for those 18,000 rpm plus motors. Now with this valve control with MPI on a FE with Pent Roof heads and all aluminum motor?
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi, Texas
Well I will put my two cents in here on this redline rpm or mph subject. I have about 150 miles on my new 418 (390 428crank). I have the timing cut back to only give me a total of 28 degrees timing. This engine will smoke the tires in 1,2 and 3 gears witha c-6 auto and 3500 stall. 4.22 gears. this engine will wrap up to 5000 rpm right know with very little effort. I have progressive linkage on my holley 750 and it will wrap up quick with just the front two barrels . I have put the timing up to 32 degrees total timming and it goes above 6000 rpm with very little effort. Like the earlier guys said it is how you build and what your willing to do. and it will hit a 100mph pretty quickly with lower timming numbers??? this is in a 1966 ford F100 truck
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