[NHRASuperStock455SD]

Originally Posted by Ron H

Does the block have to standard? Can someone send a complete short block to be worked over?

No problem! Right now I am grappling with what standard valves to put with the street motor. We all know that RA-Vs came with hollow stem valves for a big reason! I am trying to keep the price down.

We will work with what you have. Some 455 blocks get too thin to go out to 0.060 without filling. We magnaflux every rod, crank, and block. We also sonic check all cylinders for wall thickness. There is only one way to do a RA-V and we have been working with them since 1975. BES is simply up there with one of the best machinist out there, and they will be doing all my machine work.

Lynn

[NHRASuperStock455SD]

Originally Posted by mysticmissle

"I hope to have a 4.550 bore RA-V race engine done by the end of the First Quarter next year. The RA-V street engine will be done this year. We will first build with stock heads, then with ported heads."

woohoo thats awesome> i need to sell the mustang and get another pontiac to put a V motor in!
only way to get that big a bore is no water jackets right? thats why not a street motor? how bout on alcohol?

The no water jacket heads would be for like Funny Cars, cant really think of too many applications, but all out racing only. The Race only RA-V's have water also, but they are going to be tough to justify installing in a street car. Headers and intake are different so custom work is required. It also takes a special pan as all RA-V big bore motors will have external oiling and a special camshaft location.

Lynn

[Brian Baker]

Like Lynn said, no water jackets would be for a drag race only application on alcohol (or perhaps nitromethane).

[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by NHRASuperStock455SD

The no water jacket heads would be for like Funny Cars, cant really think of too many applications, but all out racing only. The Race only RA-V's have water also, but they are going to be tough to justify installing in a street car. Headers and intake are different so custom work is required. It also takes a special pan as all RA-V big bore motors will have external oiling and a special camshaft location. Lynn

Make the block (Cast or Billet) from one big chunk. Put the camshafts in the Valve Covers (LOL) run the thing on alcohol or Nitro, and go Bear Hunting.

Would be really nice to see a Pontiac SOHC RAV Engine (Hint hint).

Tom Vaught

[440GP69]

I can't wait to get my hands on a set with jackets to send to my ole pal Dave B, I got to have a set on my 537 street/strip motor, Lynn ill be using a fairly aggressive sollid roller But i'm waiting on getting one because of this 5 deal, with all the goodies ie Bigger cubes-11.3:1 comp, 270ish sollid roller .750lift Do these heads have the capability to support 850+hp on pump gas?

[NHRASuperStock455SD]

Only 850?

Lynn

[BVR421]

Maybe I missed it but whats up with valve size and angle? Can we expect to need new matching pistons for the V or will our existing pistons be close enough with maybe a bit of gouging? Example: my Ross set up for 2.25 intake?

[NHRASuperStock455SD]

Originally Posted by Tom Vaught

Make the block (Cast or Billet) from one big chunk. Put the camshafts in the Valve Covers (LOL) run the thing on alcohol or Nitro, and go Bear Hunting.

Would be really nice to see a Pontiac SOHC RAV Engine (Hint hint).

Tom Vaught

Took the words right out of my mouth Tom. I think we are going to do a kit, but it depends on the cost. What new technologies are out there to get rid of that long chain?

I am a philanthropist, but for little kids not Pontiac guys, it depends if we have any takers for the additional cost. Tony Bishoff and I talked about that pushrod location yesterday. I said, why dont we just take out the pushrods? He looked at me with that crazy look, but after seeing the RA-V casting he knows how crazy nut-so I am.

Lynn

[Tom Vaught]

Look at the new Modular Ford Engines. No super long chain. (long is a relative term).

Tom Vaught

[NHRASuperStock455SD]

Originally Posted by BVR421

Maybe I missed it but whats up with valve size and angle? Can we expect to need new matching pistons for the V or will our existing pistons be close enough with maybe a bit of gouging? Example: my Ross set up for 2.25 intake?

The street heads are set up for stock style pistons. The heads will be casted with about 75 ccs. They can be machined out to about 85-90. There is enough deck to machine it down to about 50. I hope in most cases all you need is to swap the holes, but not 100% for sure yet.

We are trying to design the street heads as painless conversion as possible.

Lynn

[NHRASuperStock455SD]

Tom,

I have a Police Intercepter engine in my shop 1998, is it like that one? My son said that engine is a toad, but I thought it looked killer.

Lynn

[Tom Vaught]

If you look at a Lightning Truck Set-up you will see that it uses a "double sprocket" crank gear (like a double roller chain), You can run one link chain to each head/ camshaft and use 2 short chains.

Lots of room in a pontiac timing cover area for a dual chain drive to the heads.

Tom Vaught

[BruceWilkie]

Imo a belt drive might be an easier way. All kinds of options with todays belting. Plenty of support from belting companies in designing your belt system as well. I got 30 plus years of belting experience and very positive of Gates products and support and reliability.

[NHRASuperStock455SD]

Tom,

What are your ideas about a best system verses a chain?

Lynn

[FrankieFeenixx]

Any news?

[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by NHRASuperStock455SD

Tom,

What are your ideas about a best system verses a chain?

Lynn

Biggest issue with a belt is getting a belt of the proper material that is the right width and will handle the drive loads/ RPM of the system.

That is the main reason why Ford went with a chain on the 4 valve stuff.
If you have a "free wheeling" engine (you can turn the engine over at full valve lift through the complete piston motion without interference) then you can typically use a belt. If you have a Non "free wheeling" system if the belt breaks the owner will not be a happy guy and will come after you for the repairs, unless it is a Pure RACE deal.

I like Chains.

Tom Vaught

[brians]

Originally Posted by NHRASuperStock455SD

Taking deposits on RA-V heads without water jackets!!!!!!

Taking deposits soon on water jacket RA-V heads. Yes we are doing a RACE BLOCK ONLY! There is already two very good after market blocks that I need not duplicate.

My block will not be compatible with street engines, however invaribly someone will build a complete RA-V race engine and put it in a street car. ;-)

I hope to have a 4.550 bore RA-V race engine done by the end of the First Quarter next year. The RA-V street engine will be done this year. We will first build with stock heads, then with ported heads.

Lynn

Lynn - any numbers to report on the street engine? Interested to read how the heads with water jackets worked out.

Thanks - Brian

[NHRASuperStock455SD]

The first few heads are poured and at the heat treat shop waiting in line. The street 455 RA-V (RS) street engine is a .070 bore and 4.250 stroke with a cast crank all done ready to go!

The water jackets cores came out slick, we will see what they all sonic check to and if Tony wants any changes for porting areas.

Lynn

PS...RS = Regular S*&^

[Tom Vaught]

Glad to see that you are getting some "V" heads cast up. Ballpark cost for finished heads?

Tom Vaught

[NHRASuperStock455SD]

Originally Posted by Tom Vaught

Glad to see that you are getting some "V" heads cast up. Ballpark cost for finished heads?

Tom Vaught

I am pretty much sticking to the $2499 bare pricing with seats and guides ready to go including press in push rod tubes. (not installed optional). Since the alum on the top is thicker then there is no guide that protrudes into the intake port which is killer improvement for head flow. The other think I think that is way cool is the way we raised the ports, but also redesigned for use with the stock intake config.

Now I am trying to decide on valves. We already made the decision to scrap the 3/8 valve stem and go with a 11/32 on the street head that significantly reduces valve weight. The OAL is 5.75 inches at my insistence. Since the RA-V only came with hollow stem intake valves and sodium filled exhaust, then I think we should keep with the killer Pontiac tradition in light weight valve train. Any suggestions? Hollow stem? Titanium? I really hate the thought of doing a RA-V with stainless valves, it does doesnt sit well with me.

Thoughts?

Sorry I havent posted in awhile we have been doing testing on a new patented process for clean coal technology. It passed for SOx and NOx, now we are going after Mercury. We are doing the designs for a $100,000 boiler testing apparatus for continuous coal burn testing.

thanks,

Lynn
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317-839-8378