Finally made some pulls on the 527 Cammer

[Barry_R]

I don't really mind the commentary. It keeps the posting up top.

This engine is a lot more exotic than a "normal" Cammer - and the performance reflects that. It is supposed to be an obsolete design from a combustion chamber and induction perspective - yet it just delivered 1.65 horsepower per cubic inch and 1.37 pounds of torque per cubic inch at 11.5:1 compression. Those are very solid numbers by any standard and exceed the best results I have had from a much more modern and comparably developed wedge headed package. This is a very telling comparison that certainly should change some commonly held views, and backs up what the Mopar guys have been claiming - and proving in NHRA competition - for years.

Consider that the common parking lot comment is that overhead cam engines or true hemi headed engines don't make as much torque. Obviously very wrong - - 722 pounds wrong!

For comparison's sake a 330 inch 5.4L engine would need to make 545 horsepower naturally aspirated to meet that same standard. Since we are talking efficiency we can add in the fact that the physical footprint of both the Boss 429 and the Cammer is similar to the 4.6/5.4 family despite the displacement. We tore down Mark McKewen's 4.6 SOHC and this engine side by side at the University of Northwestern Ohio and the similarities and design inspiration were very clear. If anything, the intake tract of the old engine was superior - far straighter - but not held under the constraints of hood clearance. The induction package on this engine is dramatically better yet, but the ports are nearly the same cross section as the originals.

Comparisons to boosted applications are not very meaningful. It would be fairly easy to hang an F3 and engine management onto this to get power numbers in the twilight zone - probably 1500 and more. That was never the point.

Comparison from a dollars spent perspective are only marginally more valid. You could build one of these with a cast stroker crank, more "normal" heads, catalog pistons, inline carbs on a "normal" intake and save a ton of effort and money. It will still make very good power and be very cool. I suspect that most of the ones built for customers will be of that sort. But this excersize is about pushing the design envelope and getting the most power without compromising durability or comparable behavior. Lessons learned from this build will improve future engines.

I don't care whether the new owner for this engine puts it into a Cobra, a Galaxie, a Mustang, or whatever - as long as it gets used.

If you're simply chasing a power per dollar and power per pound target you'll build a blown junkyard LS1, stick it into a Solstice, and be done with it. Nothing in Ford's stable even comes close. But then again it also looks like a toaster in comparison....

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Barry_R

I don't really mind the commentary. It keeps the posting up top.

And one of the reasons why I stayed in this thread for so long.

I think the LS1 in a Solstice just gave fordracing an idea, but I'm thinking that the LS1 in a Solstice may not corner well enough.

Again Barry, great job and thank you for posting on Club Cobra.

Plug Time: And for those of you who don't know, Barry also has written a book on FE's, so if more FE info is needed, just look for his book. A must read for any FE fan.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Again Barry, great job and thank you for posting on Club Cobra.

I agree, this is a WAY cool engine that needs no apology on any level. Who gives a sh!t if equal or more power can be had for less money. A guy builds a highly exotic engine, posts it up for all to see (video gave me a boner personally) and someone has to come along and turn it into a Kirkham vs FFR vs SBF vs FE fight.

Keep up the good work Barry, when my oil well comes in (or I get these kids out of college) I'm buying one.

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

I(or I get these kids out of college) I'm buying one.

Amen!

[slider701]

Blondes………….brunettes……….redheads……………natural or fake………..then silicone or saline……….no matter how you add it all up they all cost a ton of money, leak fluids once a month, and will make your life miserable if you don’t treat them right. Not much different than preferences in engines.

To me the Cammer is like the long legged blond that Blitz showed up to the drag strip with………high maintenance, lots of expensive parts and something that everyone drools over wishing she came with you.

The modern modular engine is the gal you end up marrying and mothering your children, always dependable but is plain vanilla in the sea of other soccer moms.

Like women these cars are part of the stage of mid-life crisis for most men………and the engine choice is not much different than the choice of women during these stages………..it all depends on how much disposable money you have to spend on them and what level of headaches you are willing to deal with on a regular basis.

[olddog]

Originally Posted by slider701

The modern modular engine is the gal you end up marrying and mothering your children, always dependable but is plain vanilla in the sea of other soccer moms.

You might not want your wife to read that comment

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by slider701

To me the Cammer is like the long legged blond that Blitz showed up to the drag strip with………high maintenance, lots of expensive parts and something that everyone drools over wishing she came with you.

Funny you should mention - her name is Jessa Lynn Hinton Jessa Lynn Hinton ::. Official Site .:: and Playboy just named her Miss July. She was kinda nice lookin' if I recall correctly.

Oh yes - awesome cammer, Barry. Definitely the stuff gearhead wet dreams are made of!