Flexible engine options? (Check inside for explanation please)

[cobrathegreat]

I know this might be a wierd question, but I have to ask anyway.
I drove my roadster today (302 EFI, Eldelbrock cam and heads 3.55 gears) and although I love it and the torque of the engine, kinda not happy with the fact that the engine runs out of steam real quick (around 5k rpm) and it is just not flexible like some other motors.
I know some will not like the comparison, but my BMW MCoupe's 3.2L straight six with about 260HP is much more fun to run fast and hard. It loves to rev, very flexible etc.
Although it is not as powerful nor mean sounding....I like it better!!!
(Ducking to avoid all the rocks thrown at me....)

So, is there a way, a 302 can be understocked (not sure of the terminology) where the engine could rev to over 7 grand, not be as torquee that low and have more of that flexible feel to it? Even my brother's Z06 motor does not have that flexibility (although it is a monster).
So, just wondering, to those of you that understand what I am trying to explain, any ideas? Unlikely that I will do anything about it, just trying to get some ideas.

[frankeeski]

It is all in the way the motor is built Sam. It does sound like you built yours for low down torque. With a change in internals plus cam and intake a 302 can be built to rev close the the 7000 rpm mark. You would not want it to live there regularly but for occasional use it would be OK. Talk to Gordon and he can steer you the direction you are looking at. Frank

[cobrathegreat]

Hey Frank, nice to see you on here!
Not exactly ready to talk to the engine builders, just looking for some general ideas on what needs to be done and opinions of those that have actually done this.
It seems that most of the builders here have done the opposite of what I am looking for.

[frankeeski]

I think Most here look for the 0-60 or 0-100 sort of thing. Depending on how quick your engine revs, that will be allot of shifting. The stock computer in the EFI based car sets the rev limiter at 6200. So if you're hitting a flat spot at 5000 you may be getting some valve float. Frank

[Howard]

Not sure that you really need to rev it to 7k, rather I think you need more cubes. I have an e46 M3 and know what you mean about the engine loving to rev. However you have to wind the engine up to get the power out of it (and the M3 has 333 hp). I have a 408 in the cobra, and it's a totally different beast. I've ridden in 302 powered cobras and they feel a tad underpowered to me. I think if I were in your shoes, I'd pull the 302 and turn it into a 347 if I was planning on doing something with the car. My M3 doesn't throw you back in the seat the way the cobra does - it's got way more power than I need - really need to ease into the throttle - the M3 on the other hand I can give it full throttle and not worry about the *** coming round uninvited.

[cobrathegreat]

Frank, I sure hope the power loss is not due to valve float as these are Eldelbrock heads with about 2.5k miles on them.
It seems that the car runs out of breath around 5,500 rpm or so but it feels real good till that point and it definitely is fast and faster than my BMW. It could even rev more than 5,500, but I have not really pushed or made sure that it can go to 6,200.

Howard, my 302 should be making around 340+/-hp with the setup, (no I have not dynoed it yet, I will soon) and I thought it would be enough, as many have said that is plenty, just right etc. Well, I think I needed a bit more from the beginning.
But, my roadster goes through the gears real fast. Basically it gets up close to 5.5k rpm almost right away in the lower 2 gears and I have not really tested any other gears at that high rpm on the streets.

[Gordon Levy]

What intake system are you using, carb or EFI? Once I know this we can talk about the proper changes to change you from a low end torque engine to a higher end hp engine. Depending on your intake it might be as easy as a cam change.

[rich grsc]

Gordon, 1st post EFI, Edelbrock heads and cam

[dv/dt]

I'm with Gordon, what intake? It can make a big difference in where you see the power and when it falls flat. I have Edelbrock heads, Comp Cams cam and a Spyder (Victor Jr. copy) intake. Mass-Flo EFI. Right now I have a 6000 rpm chip in the MSD and plan to change it for 6200 (stock is 6250 but I prefer to cut spark instead of fuel) because I hit so often because it is still pulling hard at 6000.

Cheers, Rod

[Gordon Levy]

I still need to know what intake. The Edelbrock packages are really good street packages designed for heavy cars. These cars are so light that low end torque is really not your friend. The cams I design work really well from 3000-6500 revs. They tend to be a little soft on the bottom in heavy cars but work really well in these cars.

[cobrathegreat]

Hey Gordon,
It's the BBK SSI intake system.
Pictures of the intake are in my Graduation link
Down in my sig line.

[Gordon Levy]

If you have a minute, give me a call at 520-494-2745 and we can talk about your setup. That intake works well we just may need to change the set up for it.

[03SC]

Give Gordon a call. He'll hook you up.