5. The small-block unit utilizes...
5. The small-block unit utilizes stock 55 lb/hr injectors that have been flow-matched to within 1 percent of each other. An adjustable fuel pressure regulator is also included--Turbo City installs this extra-long knob so adjustments can be easily made.
Miller wouldn't tell us much about his tuning techniques, but he did tell us this: Vortec motors like different timing and fuel curves than Chevys with traditional cylinder heads, and so he starts with a Vortec-specific program, then goes through a process of testing and reprogramming 'til he gets it right. So, how right did he get it?
Miller got The Bitchin' Camaro's tuning pretty right on, we'd have to say. With the high-flow throttle-body in place and Miller's tuning calling the shots, our Vortec-headed '92 RS Camaro jumped up another 27 hp at the rear wheels, coming in at a stout 257 ponies--which translates to 330 at the crank (allowing for the same 22 percent loss factor we used in Part I). Torque-wise, we stayed right where we were before, coming in at 294.96 lb-ft of torque, which translates to a mind-boggling 378 at the crank. Given that The Bitchin' Camaro is making at least 280 rear-wheel lb-ft from 1800 rpm all the way to 4600 rpm, this thing pulls like crazy. It revs right up to six-grand (where it's still making 230 rear-wheel horsepower), and just straight-out flies. Not that we approve of unsanctioned acceleration contests on public roads, but we will say that a '97 SS Camaro and more than one Mustang Cobra have already been abused by our creation (we don't count anything equipped with a wing and a coffee can). We'll get you strip numbers when we can, but for now, the dyno and our right foot tell a helluva wild tale.
Not that we're saying that 305s should become the new basis for performance engines. What we are saying, and a look at the dyno chart should confirm it, is that the often-disdained mini-mouse motors have a lot of potential in them. Mission accomplished.
 6. Side by side, the much...  6. Side by side, the much increased airflow potential of the modified unit (left) over the stocker is evident. Turbo City's injector is mounted on a 1/4-inch spacer. This extra height, along with the smooth, radiused bore openings, provides 620-cfm worth of airflow, 100-cfm more that a stock unit. The additional injector height also helps fuel atomization. |  7. With the Super Flow TBI...  7. With the Super Flow TBI unit bolted onto The Bitchin' Camaro's new TBI Vortec manifold, Miller turned his attention to tuning the computer to make the injection system and modified motor work in power-producing harmony. After removing the Camaro's ECU, Miller uncovered and removed the stock PROM (arrow). |  8. We grabbed this photo of...  8. We grabbed this photo of Miller burning a new chip for The Bitchin' Camaro before he chased us away--like most tuners, he has his secrets, and doesn't give them up easily. He did tell us that a car like our '92 RS has 10 separate fuel and ignition timing tables, and that there's no magic at work here--the tuning process involves "pounding away" at these tables until he obtains the optimal combination. After looking at the dyno chart, we'll let you decide how close to optimal he came. |