Redline for Ford racing crate engine

[Mole21401]

Have a new Backdraft Cobra with a Ford Racing crate engine.302/345 hp.Tach shows no redline.Any advice appreciated!

[Dwight]

a wild guess would be 5800 to 6000. 5.0 Mustang motor are limited at 6250.
A dyno chart of your motor would tell you.

I had a 302 in my Cobra for years and spun it to 6250 all the time.

Dwight

[MFE III]

this would seem to indicate 6,000 rpms would be safe, but the power starts to drop off above 5,500.
X302/340 HP CRATE ENGINE WITH CARB, INTAKE AND DISTRIBUTOR -- M-6007-X302D

[bobcowan]

Your redline really depends on two components: Camshaft, and valve train.

Your engine has hydraulic roller lifters, and matching valve train components. Those lifters are good for just a hair over 6,000.

The camshaft has a specific power band, where it makes the best power. You want to shift gears as the engine is falling off the back side of the power curve, so as you up shift and step on the gas, you'll be making enough torque to push the car along. Continuing to run the rpm's up after the cam stops making power is often pointless.

You'll have to look at the cam specs and see what kind of power band you have.

[Mole21401]

Thanks for the help,everybody.5500 is tops for my type of driving.The 302,with the gearing,really winds up quickly.I can definitely sense when it is up on the cam.one reason for my question stems from the tach which is defective(hits @ 3200 and just flutters).Backdraft will take care of it during the 500 mile service.So far,they have been fantastic and expeditious sorting out a few niggling problems.I highly recommend them to anyone waiting to decide upon a Cobra!

[Z-linkCobra]

Stand on it until she floats the valves....then grab another gear...lol.

[CobraEd]

Originally Posted by bobcowan

Your redline really depends on two components: Camshaft, and valve train.

Your engine has hydraulic roller lifters, and matching valve train components. Those lifters are good for just a hair over 6,000.

The camshaft has a specific power band, where it makes the best power. You want to shift gears as the engine is falling off the back side of the power curve, so as you up shift and step on the gas, you'll be making enough torque to push the car along. Continuing to run the rpm's up after the cam stops making power is often pointless.

You'll have to look at the cam specs and see what kind of power band you have.

The bottom end! If the top end is all built out to run to 7,000, but the crank and rods are all original cast iron pieces, you might want to re-think how high you want to run it.


.

[dallas_]

If it is a Ford Racing crate motor, get the number off of it and look it up on the Ford Racing website. That should give you all the specifics of that motor.

Competition Crate Engines, Competition Mustang Engines, Competition Drag Racing Engines, Competition Stock Car Engines, Competition Funny Car Engins, Competition Racing Engines - Ford Racing Performance Parts

[Mark IV]

Rev it till it blows and then back it down one hundred............