1985 Hot Rod Magazine Doubles the 305HP
#1
1985 Hot Rod Magazine Doubles the 305HP
With stock exhaust manifolds and a 1.72 valve!
Not an LG4 block, but still worth a giggle.
Not an LG4 block, but still worth a giggle.
Last edited by theraymondguy; 09-16-2021 at 05:35 AM.
#2
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Re: 1985 Hot Rod Magazine Doubles the 305HP
Couldn't even ring out 1hp per cube on an engine dyno. Times certainly have changed. Interesting that Vizard was the dyno man. Fun vintage read. Thanks for posting.
#3
Re: 1985 Hot Rod Magazine Doubles the 305HP
"Yet the big disappointment was that the engine only picked up 11 HP from the headers."
Not shocking to anyone who has tweaked stock exhaust manifolds. An LT1 with matched/ported iron exhaust is a match for most headers. Oval track crews have been aware of that for decades, since many classes require(d) stock exhausts. Of course, there are significant variations in "stock" exhaust manifolds. Mopar had some very nice cast iron "headers" for some years for that very reason.
Not shocking to anyone who has tweaked stock exhaust manifolds. An LT1 with matched/ported iron exhaust is a match for most headers. Oval track crews have been aware of that for decades, since many classes require(d) stock exhausts. Of course, there are significant variations in "stock" exhaust manifolds. Mopar had some very nice cast iron "headers" for some years for that very reason.
#6
Re: 1985 Hot Rod Magazine Doubles the 305HP
"Yet the big disappointment was that the engine only picked up 11 HP from the headers."
Not shocking to anyone who has tweaked stock exhaust manifolds. An LT1 with matched/ported iron exhaust is a match for most headers. Oval track crews have been aware of that for decades, since many classes require(d) stock exhausts. Of course, there are significant variations in "stock" exhaust manifolds. Mopar had some very nice cast iron "headers" for some years for that very reason.
Not shocking to anyone who has tweaked stock exhaust manifolds. An LT1 with matched/ported iron exhaust is a match for most headers. Oval track crews have been aware of that for decades, since many classes require(d) stock exhausts. Of course, there are significant variations in "stock" exhaust manifolds. Mopar had some very nice cast iron "headers" for some years for that very reason.
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DynoDave43 (09-16-2021)
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Re: 1985 Hot Rod Magazine Doubles the 305HP
It's an interesting article. David was his usual methodical self.
To me, the low C/R, and the smallish 256 cam are limiting factors. I don't know all of the 305 head casting #s, but I don't recall 185s offering any special advantage. His trick back cutting the valves is good, though not revolutionary. So good results from a mild effort.
To me, the low C/R, and the smallish 256 cam are limiting factors. I don't know all of the 305 head casting #s, but I don't recall 185s offering any special advantage. His trick back cutting the valves is good, though not revolutionary. So good results from a mild effort.
#10
Re: 1985 Hot Rod Magazine Doubles the 305HP
It's an interesting article. David was his usual methodical self.
To me, the low C/R, and the smallish 256 cam are limiting factors. I don't know all of the 305 head casting #s, but I don't recall 185s offering any special advantage. His trick back cutting the valves is good, though not revolutionary. So good results from a mild effort.
To me, the low C/R, and the smallish 256 cam are limiting factors. I don't know all of the 305 head casting #s, but I don't recall 185s offering any special advantage. His trick back cutting the valves is good, though not revolutionary. So good results from a mild effort.
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DynoDave43 (09-18-2021)
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Re: 1985 Hot Rod Magazine Doubles the 305HP
I put a Summit K1103 cam, shorty headers, Edelbrock Performer intake and 650 DP on a stock flat tappet LG4 engine back in the 90s and it was a disappointment. Only pulled 14.8s and my stock auto LB9 91 Z28 pulled 14.7s They were both 2.73 geared Im sure and would have improved with steeper gears and a lil more stall but almost the same in power. Looking back Maybe the 214int 224 Dur cam was a lil much for that engine? Id say a set of 059 Vortecs or Trickflows built for 305s would really pep a 5.0 up though from what ive read.
Last edited by dmccain; 09-17-2021 at 07:40 AM.
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