GT350 Engine Refresh Time!

[svttim]

You are a crazy man!


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[Darkane]

Awesome work. I’m very curious to the results of the headwork.

This could be the first 550whp voodoo.

 

[madlag]

Think I have a plan in place. Spoke with a few trusted folks that have been kind enough to answer a billion questions and help me walk through the thought process. Looks like we're going to go with JPC/RGR's recommendation.

Going to take the heads off and send them to RGR for some head machining (porting, polishing, etc.) and a beefed up valve train using Ferrea super alloy exhaust valves and Ti retainers, PAC Racing valve springs, and custom bronze guides. These add a bit of weight to valve train, so RGR pulls some weight out of the head to compensate. They spin their development engine up 10K rpm using this build.

According to what I've learned, Ford lightened the valve train to handle the high RPM. However this creates a bit of weak spot when compared to the rest of the engine. JPC told me all of the engines they've rebuilt/refreshed saw the problems in the valve train, not the bottom end (outside of OPG failures, of course).

End result should be between 30-50 hp gain and a near-bulletrpoof valve train. Between this and the oil cooling upgrades I am doing, I am hoping to have covered all of the Voodoo weak points within a reasonable budget spend.

All head work and parts from JPC/RGR will cost $3,900. This does not include the parts I've bought for the bottom end, OPG, etc. I'll tally those up after I'm done.

Very happy to hear this and to know the cost. This will be my "next winter" upgrade to the valve train. I agree it's a weak point.

 

[JR369]

Think I have a plan in place. Spoke with a few trusted folks that have been kind enough to answer a billion questions and help me walk through the thought process. Looks like we're going to go with JPC/RGR's recommendation.

Going to take the heads off and send them to RGR for some head machining (porting, polishing, etc.) and a beefed up valve train using Ferrea super alloy exhaust valves and Ti retainers, PAC Racing valve springs, and custom bronze guides. These add a bit of weight to valve train, so RGR pulls some weight out of the head to compensate. They spin their development engine up 10K rpm using this build.

According to what I've learned, Ford lightened the valve train to handle the high RPM. However this creates a bit of weak spot when compared to the rest of the engine. JPC told me all of the engines they've rebuilt/refreshed saw the problems in the valve train, not the bottom end (outside of OPG failures, of course).

End result should be between 30-50 hp gain and a near-bulletrpoof valve train. Between this and the oil cooling upgrades I am doing, I am hoping to have covered all of the Voodoo weak points within a reasonable budget spend.

All head work and parts from JPC/RGR will cost $3,900. This does not include the parts I've bought for the bottom end, OPG, etc. I'll tally those up after I'm done.

Getting a tune? Running pump gas?

 

[honeybadger]

I thought the bottom end looked really good especially considering the 12k track miles on an 8,000 rpm engine.

Thanks for the post.

Grace and Peace,

Agreed!

You are a crazy man!


Love it

I do what I can

Awesome work. I’m very curious to the results of the headwork.

This could be the first 550whp voodoo.

Me too. I’m hoping a good bit north of 500 at the wheels. 550 would be a dream. Maybe on e85

Very happy to hear this and to know the cost. This will be my "next winter" upgrade to the valve train. I agree it's a weak point.

I’ll definitely keep y’all updated on it. I’ll be running the snot out of it once back together.

Getting a tune? Running pump gas?

Yep. Have figure out who yet. Would like to have the ability to run a few different options. Might try e85. Definitely would like to optimize it for 100 as well. But 93 will be the base.

 

[crazymayhem]

Definately curious about the headwork too, before and after shots/comparisons would be awesome!

 

[loco_GT350]

Definately curious about the headwork too, before and after shots/comparisons would be awesome!

Same here. This is the type of mod I am interested in doing once the warranty is up. I am definitely following this thread, good stuff!

 

[EF300]

so far this is the best thread of 2019

 

[honeybadger]

So finished up planning things with JPC this morning. Heads will be going out to RGR on Saturday. Expected turn around time 4 weeks. The wait might seriously kill me.

Of interesting to note, apparently have the timing chains have a fairly limited lifespan. JPC thought it was somewhere between 30-50k miles. I tried to confirm in the service manual, but couldn't find it. Either way, ordering a new set of chains. They're only $22 a piece, so not too bad. Also throwing in a new set of head gaskets, and piston rings.

Don't think I'm missing anything at this point? (Said very confidently)

 

[stanglife]

I'd be curious what parameter they are using to determine that the chains are done?

 

[honeybadger]

I'd be curious what parameter they are using to determine that the chains are done?

I'd like to know as well. There's even an engine code for when the chains reach 90% wear.

 

[JAJ]

Then there's this, from the 2018 Owner's Supplement:
"Timing Chain
If you use your vehicle extensively at a race track or at high rpm, it is possible to exceed the service life of the engine timing chain. A wrench indicator light will illuminate when it is time for you to replace your chain. See an authorized dealer."

 

[Offboost]

The PCM learns the adapted values of the timing chain from the camshaft sensors and crankshaft position sensors and when the chain stretches it will retard the cam timing and the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors will be implausible and will set the fault. It will have a preprogramed amount of tolerance built in if it exceeds the tolerance the wrench will illuminate. I am sure this will take a lot before this happens but if the engine is apart you are smart to change them now and will probably never need to worry about them again.

 

[EF300]

Since you are beefing everything up how about running some nitrous?

 

[Epiphany]

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