Opinions Please - BDR or Other Builders of BDR

[jeffnolan]

Keep in mind that with a Coyote there are a lot of systems that come together to make it work. I’m not an expert on the Coyote but did look at the option for my car and in the final equation determined that it wasn’t more or less reliable than any other engine option, but it did increase complexity quite a bit.

I went with a Smeding 427 built on a 351 Dart block. The motor dynos at 571 HP with a nice broad power band. Runs on pump gas and is, most certainly, very reliable.

Insofar as what is the upper limit for power on these cars, given the weight advantage these cars have over production cars I would say that anything over 450 HP is probably under-utilized. Having said that, you can certainly drive it hard with 600 HP and not be well over your ski tips. The front-mid engine configuration makes for a car with good balance, which works really well in high HP applications. My last track day was up at Thunderhill on the 3 mile layout and Corvettes, Mustangs and Vipers were no match. The Porsches were quite a bit faster because they have much better braking due to their unique balance, so they could come in hotter, brake hard, then accelerate at an increasing rate through the turns to slingshot out of the exit. Having said that, it is a good feeling to go around a track with 50 year old technology, updated components but it’s still analog tech, and put the fear into drivers with much more exotic cars.

[PCW]

Originally Posted by jeffnolan

Keep in mind that with a Coyote there are a lot of systems that come together to make it work. I’m not an expert on the Coyote but did look at the option for my car and in the final equation determined that it wasn’t more or less reliable than any other engine option, but it did increase complexity quite a bit.

I went with a Smeding 427 built on a 351 Dart block. The motor dynos at 571 HP with a nice broad power band. Runs on pump gas and is, most certainly, very reliable.

Insofar as what is the upper limit for power on these cars, given the weight advantage these cars have over production cars I would say that anything over 450 HP is probably under-utilized. Having said that, you can certainly drive it hard with 600 HP and not be well over your ski tips. The front-mid engine configuration makes for a car with good balance, which works really well in high HP applications. My last track day was up at Thunderhill on the 3 mile layout and Corvettes, Mustangs and Vipers were no match. The Porsches were quite a bit faster because they have much better braking due to their unique balance, so they could come in hotter, brake hard, then accelerate at an increasing rate through the turns to slingshot out of the exit. Having said that, it is a good feeling to go around a track with 50 year old technology, updated components but it’s still analog tech, and put the fear into drivers with much more exotic cars.

jeffnolan did you just get your BDR as a roller and install your engine an trans yourself. Smeding use to be here in northern CA but moved, I believe to tx a few years ago. They make a great motor at a good price....

[jeffnolan]

Originally Posted by PCW

jeffnolan did you just get your BDR as a roller and install your engine an trans yourself. Smeding use to be here in northern CA but moved, I believe to tx a few years ago. They make a great motor at a good price....

I had the car built in SoCal and spec’ed the Smeding; they are indeed out of Texas now. I’m really happy with their engines, would buy another without much thought.