Re-learning curve

I had made a few posts about getting back into a big block already. I'd like a little advice / tech / don't do this / do  this on the following setup.

Untouched DOVE heads atop a 545. Should be in the 11:1-12:1 ratio BUT I am not 100% sure which pistons are in it to run the calculations.
Victor intake, 1050 dominator.

Cam is a solid flat tappet as follows:
Herbert CLH5PS - http://www.herbertcams.com/255-265-dur-050-610-630-108lc-3000-7300-cam-lifters/
RPM Range: 3000-7300
• Advertised Duration: 300/310
• Duration @ .050: 255/265
• Lift: .610/.630
• Lobe Center:108c

Car is a Fox hatch, full weight street car. Will be getting a 8 point to tie everything together. Suspension is all Team Z. Adjustable everything, coil overs in front, anti roll bar. Stock springs out back. 275/60 PRO Radial.
Currently 3.31 gear. I can change that as advised by you guys.

Trans.... Found a good deal on a Turbo 400 and a fair deal on a bell so it looks like that's what I am going with. Waiting on parts to arrive now. Need a recommendation on a convertor. Looking to have a local guy do a custom unit I think (Dave Swim with Atlantic Coast Convertors) but would like yours input before I go talk to him.

Also the car will have a plate kit on it. Progressively controlled. Plate goes to 400 hp but I'll probably be reigning that in a little and keep it under 250 to help keep everything alive.

Basic rundown but you get the idea. Same engine but with aluminum SCJ's went 10.30's n/a Couldn't make a full nitrous pass due to spinning (in the other car)

I have a Dove-c headed 545 in my 1969 mach 1, it is about 3500 to 3600 lbs. with driver. My heads are pocket ported with CJ size valves. I have the probe -22 pistons which gives about 11.2 comp. with decked block and +.005 deck clearance (pistons above deck). 262* .640 lift solid flat tappet cam, shifting at 6000 or 6100rpm usually. Engine has always run well and is very torquey. My best e.t. has been in the 11.13 range at 122mph, but that is at 4400 ft. elevation, so most places would be faster than that. I don't think the machine shop cut the area under the valve bigger when they installed the larger valves, so maybe they are performing like smaller valves ???

Sorry, forgot to add that is with a c-6, 8" converter, 4.11 rear gear in car

Also I need a recommendation for a belt driven water pump. Not going to put an electric on at this time..

4500 converter, leave the gear (3.31) with the 400 and nos. Shift it at 6000. You could use more cam, 265 276 on a 110 on the hose (5000 conv).  Make sure to get rid of the air injection hump in the exhaust, and make the port bigger from the bowl to exit.

This is a street car, so I'd like to keep the convertor a little lower and maybe drop to a 3.55?? I know this motor will make this cam smaller but its what I have to work with for now. The spray is gonna be controlled via MSD progressive. 400 sounds like a whole damned bunch to me. I was thinking the 2- 250 range would settle me in nicely.

IDT-572 wrote:4500 converter, leave the gear (3.31) with the 400 and nos. Shift it at 6000. You could use more cam, 265 276 on a 110 on the hose (5000 conv).  Make sure to get rid of the air injection hump in the exhaust, and make the port bigger from the bowl to exit.

^^^^^this the 4500 converter won't be as bad as you would think do to the trans gear ratio it will pull like a freight train

Dang... 4500 sounds like a lot. I know the motor will make the torque to justify it.. just REAL different coming from a small block turbo setup to a 4500 stall. DAAAAAANNNNGGGGGG

A turbo car wants the weight to pull against so the small stall helps the load where the big block don't need load it just wants to build torque

Sounds like its going to be a fun street ride!!

Does the turbo 400 have the stock gear ratio ?

Coupe Devil wrote:This is a street car, so I'd like to keep the convertor a little lower and maybe drop to a 3.55?? I know this motor will make this cam smaller but its what I have to work with for now. The spray is gonna be controlled via MSD progressive. 400 sounds like a whole damned bunch to me. I was thinking the 2- 250 range would settle me in nicely.

3500 stall with your current cam and 3.55 to 3.73 gear 28" tall tire shift at 6500 . On the sauce flash should be around 4500. Good luck and keep us posted on what your final set up and how it runs.

When I spoke to my trans guy we didn't discuss changing gear ratios in the trans.

Another thing that bothers me with the 4500 convertor is the potential for heat on the street. 99.9% of my time will be on the street. Cruising or otherwise. I don't think I can put a cooler big enough for for a 4500 convertor.

Coupe Devil wrote:Another thing that bothers me with the 4500 convertor is the potential for heat on the street. 99.9% of my time will be on the street. Cruising or otherwise. I don't think I can put a cooler big enough for for a 4500 convertor.

Large fluid capacity and large cooler with shround and fan...maybe 2 of them. If you're not making long trips with high loads, it'll live.