[HWYSTR455]

I need to dial back the power output of my 461 combo, and since this is new territory for me, am looking for suggestions.

Preface - I built the 442 clone for my daughter, and my son is next in line, promised them both a hobby car. He originally wanted a 2nd gen 'bird, but after thinking about it, and seeing the 442, he now wants the LeMans. He's 22, and no way in heck am I going to give him something with the power that thing makes. So my options are dial it back or build a new engine. I originally was thinking in the 375-400hp range.

The engine is a 400 block-based 4.25 6.80 rod stroker, with 315 87 Eheads. Would simply re-camming it to reach the 375-400hp goal do-able, and retain good manners? Or should I just chuck that idea and start fresh?

.

[72LuxuryLeMansLa.]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

I need to dial back the power output of my 461 combo, and since this is new territory for me, am looking for suggestions.

Preface - I built the 442 clone for my daughter, and my son is next in line, promised them both a hobby car. He originally wanted a 2nd gen 'bird, but after thinking about it, and seeing the 442, he now wants the LeMans. He's 22, and no way in heck am I going to give him something with the power that thing makes. So my options are dial it back or build a new engine. I originally was thinking in the 375-400hp range.

The engine is a 400 block-based 4.25 6.80 rod stroker, with 315 87 Eheads. Would simply re-camming it to reach the 375-400hp goal do-able, and retain good manners? Or should I just chuck that idea and start fresh?

.

Start fresh with a 400 that has the stock 3.75" stroke so that he can feel the factory power. As he learns and wants more power, teach him how to stroke an engine and let him do it. I'm sure you can find some stock or slightly ported iron heads for this type of build.

Karl

[HWYSTR455]

Yeah, actually have a line on a couple stock, untouched 400s, can use the block and crank, buy pistons & rods, and was planning on iron D ports. That was one option, and may continue down that road, depending on the parts I find. May bit the bullet and go with aftermarket heads, haven't decided.

Still wondering if I can dial the one I have back, would prevent a duplication of efforts/parts, and control costs.

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[Scarebird]

I think this is a fool's errand; not going to be much difference on how your son drives 250 hp vs. 400hp. I would save the money for bail.

[HWYSTR455]

Heh-heh! Funny! But to his defense, he's driven the car man times as is, and has grown up around power, just like my daughter has. Has a pretty level head when it comes to driving, only one ticket, and one accident (not his fault) to his name in almost 8 years of driving. I'm just not comfortable giving him around 600, the car can be a handful, and don't want him 'testing' his skills with that much. I think around 400hp is totally within his abilities.

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[Scarebird]

One would think he would be fine then. What about a simple throttle stop and lower ratio rockers, along with dialing back the timing?

[HWYSTR455]

Thottle stop, nah, doesn't even exist in my vocabulary! And who knows, along the way, he mey figure out how to remove it.

If I re-cam it, how low do you all think I can get it? Think I can get it in the 450 hp range? It's like 10.9 SCR as it is, not sure I can cam it too low, no?

Maybe I should model it....

.

[sixgunsblazing]

He's 22 and you're babying him?

[72LuxuryLeMansLa.]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Thottle stop, nah, doesn't even exist in my vocabulary! And who knows, along the way, he mey figure out how to remove it.

If I re-cam it, how low do you all think I can get it? Think I can get it in the 450 hp range? It's like 10.9 SCR as it is, not sure I can cam it too low, no?

Maybe I should model it....

.

Man, I'm sorry but you are talking about committing crimes against nature here! Give it to him as is or build another engine! Choking 200hp out of a Pontiac is just not cool......
That 10.9scr probably would cause a problem. Maybe you would need to change to some of them large chamber stock heads and switch cams....

Karl

[72LuxuryLeMansLa.]

Originally Posted by sixgunsblazing

He's 22 and you're babying him?

Dude, I was a Paratrooper when I was 18yo but would have probably ended up wrapped around a t-pole with over 300hp...................... I would wring every drop of power out of a vehicle at that age, all day long, every day!!!

Karl

[74Grandville]

2BBL dualjet =)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROCHESTER-DU...-/251143774611

[Formulas]

Dump the NOS, 20 degrees less cam, smaller intake with a 750DP, should trim a considerable amount of HP off, and you probably have these things laying around

[old66tiger]

Get a brick for under the gas pedal. Last I checked, they were $0.042 for a nice one.

[android 211]

Build a low compression 400 with unported iron 2 bbl heads and the 067 cam with log manifolds. It'll still be quicker than most everything else on the road but not so powerful he'll wrap it around a tree next week.

[Scarebird]

Originally Posted by android 211

Build a low compression 400 with unported iron 2 bbl heads and the 067 cam with log manifolds. It'll still be quicker than most everything else on the road but not so powerful he'll wrap it around a tree next week.

Not quite. Most V6's are north of 240hp nowadays, and 400+ is the bar to enter V8 territory...

[Skip Fix]

My kids got an 81 TA I put a 400 with a 2801 Summit cam and a Performer and 750 cfm Qjet/RA exhaust manifolds for their school car. Don't know that either will ever get to drive my TA with 550 HP but have thought about a 455 in the 81 for when they come home to drive.

[TCSGTO]

Originally Posted by 74Grandville

2BBL dualjet =)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROCHESTER-DU...-/251143774611

Not a bad idea. I mistakenly installed a Holley spread bore gasket under my Q-jet and the secondary holes weren't big enough & blocked them from opening. It turned a mid 11 car into a low 14 low 90 MPH car. Felt great when cruising and giving it a little throttle, no missing or surging at WOT just no power. Cheap way to trim 200+ HP.

[mchell]

Intake... Even a 2bbl..

Choke the exhaust..

Head change....

Stock converter and 2.73 gears without a posi...

[jonmachota78]

you can have the XE274 i'm taking out of my engine. That'll gitter under 500!

[Nicks67GTO]

When i was 16 I got my 67 GTO on the road for the first time. It was a 360hp factory HO engine. I put a cheap 230/230 .480/.480 lift on a 110 hydraulic cam in it, stock 670 heads with better springs/retainers and pc seals, comp roller tip rockers, a torker 1, and 750 holley, and a mallory ignition box and unilite, and some cheap hedman headers with a flowmaster 2.5" exhaust on it. Behind it was a M21 muncie 4 speed and some 3.36 gears. I built the entire thing myself.

I had driven all over the place with my Dad in his Chevelle. I even drove the Chevelle for a while off by myself after i got my licence. My neighbor had a Nova he raced and i'd been in that thing a ton and it was REALLY fast. When i got this GTO out on the road by myself, i beat the everloving dogpiss out of it. I would even occasionally skip class and take buddies out for a big run down highway 20 and just hammer the crap out of the thing. My point is that i dont care how many times hes driven with you, hes going to destroy whatever you give him. I also never got any tickets, simply because i wasnt stupid about where i got on it.

I finally spun a bearing in the engine heading down an on ramp and banging gears at WOT when i was 19....that was when I finally learned respect, when I saw my engine money and hard work go to hell in the blink of an eye.