Komet Motorsports in St. Charles does it again! Found 50hp

Jimbocobra · #1 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 11:18 AM

Finally gave Frank and Kurt over at Komet Motorsports in St. Charles a couple hours to mess around under the hood (check the timing, jetting, floats etc...) and they found another 50hp. The RWHP is now 375. My Ford crate 392 is bone stock - no modifications - running through stock Backdraft side pipes. If your in the area and need a tune or Dyno- call 630 584-5400.

Obviously the car was out of tune when I got it, but this is clear evidence of what a good tune from some good mechanics can do. I still have not changed the heads to AFR and it does not have the new "Z" head that comes with the new Ford crate 392 (that engine is rated 475hp, mine is supposed to put out 430hp). Seems Ford is underrating these a bit because my flywheel HP must be between 450-465 to put 375 to the rear wheels (right?)

Unfortunately, I could not test the motor without the pipes because the headers did not exit the car and I did not want to melt the fiberglass as I did not have a collector that exited the side of the car. The mystery of HP loss on the BDR pipes lives on, but based on these HP numbers, I think Reg Dodd at the Backdraft dealer in Florida was right, 8-10 hp loss, not 40-60hp loss.

CHRIS DAMSCH · #2 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 02:12 PM

Nice work Jim.

Bet you can't wait to get back to the track next year.

What did they set your timing at?

What carb are you running?

Jimbocobra · #3 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 10:18 AM

Chris,
Can't wait, 50 more ponies for $100 - not too bad. I will be buying some drag radials that will be as soft and sticky as molasses rather than the 5 year old, hard compound Goodyears. I am hoping to somehow break into the 11's.

capone · #4 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 07:07 AM

Hey boss

if you want to pick up cheap h.p. , creamic coat your headers you can get just by doing that 10 % more h.p. . I have done headers for a lot of cobra club guys . A set of shorties $282.00 long $344.00 . What you have done is a big plus , so just add 10% to what you just got .

You can call me and we can talk .

Thanks tiger ray ( vanilla gorilla coating systems )

mdmull · #5 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 08:44 AM

Jimbo,
I'll bring the trailer to Byron for the spring run. After the stickier tires & all that found HP, you may explore the limits of that BMW rear. Jeff is currently MIA but has been there(11's). Chris has managed without trashing his IRS diff & Rich S (corvette rear) are the only IRS guys I know of in the 11's (really in the 11s not 11.98) that have not had some kind of breakage at the strip. Try not to leave too hard & you will probably be OK.

Jimbocobra · #6 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 02:51 PM

Capone, thanks - my headers are ceramic coated already, but I appreciate the idea and any other suggestions for more cheap power.

mdmull - yes, please bring the trailer, I have heard about a few half-shafts snapping. I spoke with Reg Dodd about the BMW rear end, they have cars with 600hp using that and have had a couple broken diffs, but not too many. He thinks as long as I am not launching at a ridiculously high RPM, I should be fine - keep it below 3500. Hopefully that will still get me to the 11's. Oh, and by the way, 11.98 is fine with me! If I break it, I can fix it - change the heads and cam to get more power and launch at a reasonable RPM, if that doesn't work, there is always a supercharger or engine swap. Either way, 11 will happen sooner or later. I live 10 minutes from you, so you won't have to go out of your way to unload the trailer. Can't lose to a Nissan GTR!

RichMusson · #7 (**permalink**) 11-24-2009, 01:45 PM

50hp wow;
That would double the out put of my 3 cylinder GEO power plant

CHRIS DAMSCH · #8 (**permalink**) 11-29-2009, 12:00 PM

jimbo,

you should be able get into the 11.5 range exactly the way you sit now. I ran an 11.7 with my 396w that was 323rwhp. You don't need a head and cam swap. Just a little more practice to get there. If you're thinking heads and a supercharger, save some money and swap to a 500+" BB and be done with it. It should last longer also.

Ran a couple of 11.1's and a best of 11.00 with my 427w with a mild hydraulic roller cam. Only ran it at the track once. Just need more practice.
Spring is just around the corner........In about 5 months......LOL

Jimbocobra · #9 (**permalink**) 11-29-2009, 03:38 PM

Chris,

What's a 500+" BB? If it is a new engine, I think new heads and cam (and maybe a supercharger) will be a lot cheaper. I also love the way the way the car handles with the smaller block.

Wow, 11.7 on 323 rwhp, you have given me new hope - and crushed my ego (with my driving skills) at the same time. Maybe when I get some decent drag radials and get rid of the gutless tires I have, it will make a difference (along with the new HP). Maybe we can hook up at Byron and you can give me some pointers.