I noticed on my most recent long road trip that my BJ8 seemed to be running out
of HP and/or torque on long uphill grades. I seem to get to about 4K RPM then
the engine won't rev any more (yes, I downshift as required--it just seems the
engine should be able to rev a bit more to go with the low-end torque). The
engine is mostly stock--except for aftermarket air and oil filters and
Pertronix ignition--and has about 80K miles on a rebuild. Cylinders were bored
0.030" over from an earlier rebuild. The cam is the mildest of 5 grinds offered
by Crower; slightly lopey at idle but generally smooth and responsive (about
252deg overlap at 0.050"). I have a Lempert 3.54 rearend installed, which of
course has a significant impact. The exhaust is made of Ansa pipes with newer
glasspacks stitched in--I believe it flows reasonably well.
Anyway, I'm starting to think about the next rebuild and wondering what might
address this issue. I know headers, Webers, etc. would address breathing
issues, but I want to keep stock intake and exhaust. What would help this
engine's apparent emphysema; more radical cam, Al head, shorter exhaust system,
lightened flywheel, higher CR, ...? I don't want to build a racer, just want to
address the wheezing at higher RPMs. IOW, I'm willing to trade (a little)
bottom end torque for a bit more top end.
Bob
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Bob Spidell - San Jose, CA
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Healeys@autox.team.net
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