Finally, yes, you will need to add an aftermarket transmission cooler. Anytime you add a performance engine to a vehicle, you should upgrade the transmission cooler. The factory sizes the in-radiator cooler to the power output of the engine when it leaves the factory, before us gearheads push things over the limit. Go with a B&M Super Cooler, PN 70264, designed to handle 14,400 BTU of heat and low-pressure drop with its stacked-plate design. As you know, Dad is always right! Stick with the 'Glide and check with Hughes or B&M for help rounding out your package. Mid to low 13s are totally doable! Good luck. Sources: bmracing.com, hughesperformance.com
A PIG OR A PRINCESS
Q:Please help me choose a cam for my 388ci small-block with a 3.75-inch-stroke Scat crank, 6-inch H-beam rods, and forged 10:1 Keith Black pistons. I'm using aluminum heads with 200cc runners and springs that will handle 0.570 inch max lift. I bought a shaft rocker system with 1.6:1 intake and 1.5:1 exhaust rockers. The intake is an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap. I'm looking for an rpm range around 2,500-6,500, and the cam must be a solid grind. The vehicle is an '88 Chevy short-wide with a five-speed and 4.10:1 gears. It will see very limited street use, mostly quarter-mile passes on the weekends.
Joe Delossantos
Via e-mail
A:Yes, you have given me some info to choose a cam for you. However, if I get it wrong you won't be happy. It's somewhat like asking me to pick out a girlfriend for you from across the room! From your engine specs, it should be going into a lightweight street/strip car, not a heavy 1/2-ton with a truck five-speed and 4.10:1 gears.I'll give you two choices that have worked very well for me in the past, the first being more conservative. Again, the engine specs point to you wanting a hot rod. We'd recommend going with a Crane PowerMax F-280-2 (PN 114681), which specs out at 244/252 degrees of duration at 0.050 inch tappet lift, 0.518/0.536 inch max lift, ground on 112 centers. This is an aggressive mechanical-lifter camshaft that will give you the 6,500-rpm powerband out of your 388. You should see the torque peak around 4,600 rpm with the dual-plane inlet. To step it up another notch, go with the PowerMax F-290-2 (PN 114691). This takes the duration up to 252/260 degrees at 0.050 inch lift, 0.536/0.554 inch max lift, also ground on 112 centers. This cam will really scream in your small-block. The torque will peak around 5,000 rpm, and the horsepower peak should come in around 6,800 rpm with the dual-plane.
I have a 350 dyno mule with the 252/260 camshaft in it at 9.0:1 compression, Dart aluminum heads, a Victor Jr. manifold, and a 13/4-inch header, kicking out 560 hp on pump gas. Your 388 should easily make 580-plus horsepower if you went to a single-plane inlet. The dual-plane is going to keep the peak horsepower down a little, but it will drive better and give you a broader torque band.Have fun with your truck. I sure hope I picked the right date for your taste. If you have any more questions on your specific application, give Crane's tech line a call.
Source: cranecams.com
LS1 TRANSPLANT
Q:I'm going to trade out the six-cylinder in my '57 Chevy for an LS1. I read somewhere that there is a difference between the Vette and other Chevy LS1s. Is that true, and if so, what is it? Is there a certain year to look for? I want the whole car for the tranny and computer.
Johnny Butler
Pegram, TN