My car doesnt feel like 350HP...

[Paiste402]

My VC was dyno'd at 350hp at the rear wheels back in 1999 but hasnt been driven much since then. This motor is FAR from tired, ive revved it cleanly to 6000RPM and it still wanted to keep going, its got a crow cam, T400 trans with B&M shift kit, Bored to 5.1 with Flat top pistons, rebuilt, balanced with a 3:08LSD. Its got new oil, new sparks, new leads, new filter, done a carb clean, good oil pressure and comp and ive topped up the trans fluid. She idles good but lumbers down at low revs.

I was told by a friend of my dad (my dad built the car) and he said its the racing cam grind that it doesnt kick in until high revs. Also apparently its got a 3000rpm torque converter, what does this mean?

I dunno it just doesnt feel like 350 ponies, my bro's VN V6 is quicker on its feet.

[vee ka]

350hp @ the rears is ALOT of power out of a 308 with the mods you've listed.. even if "bored to 5.1L", i'd say it's more like 350hp at the engine....

also alot of higher spec cams have certain rev ranges that they make power between eg: mine makes power between 2200 - 6200 and when below 2200 feels like a bit of a pig.

[Tree cutter]

The 3000RPM torque converter is a high stall converter. It will slip until you rev your engine to 3000RPM

[Paiste402]

Originally Posted by Tree cutter

The 3000RPM torque converter is a high stall converter. It will slip until you rev your engine to 3000RPM

a good thing? y are the used?

[axd52x]

your brothers VN has computer controlled timing like most VN/P's meaning the computer changes the timing depending on how hard you put your foot down maybe thats why it feels quicker than yours but as mentioned before maybe the cars putting 240 - 290 at the wheels instead of 350HP, i dont know too much but maybe a set of extractors and a slightly larger exhaust system might give it a little more go on acceleration

[axd52x]

stall converters are a good thing heres an explanation of how they work, HowStuffWorks "How Torque Converters Work"
the reason why depends on the person, if you drive a turbo charged car for example, a 3000rpm stall convertor basically would allow you to build up some boost before taking off thus reducung turbo lag hope this helps... sorry for double posting(if thats a big deal here) didnt think to add this to the end of my other post before i posted

[greenfoam]

Alot of things can happen in 10 years, might just need a good tune up but I agree it would have been be 350 at the engine, no chance at the wheels, unless it was done at a certain shop in Adelaide

[Paiste402]

I think i may have found another reason y its a bit slow. she was running like a pig today after i done some work so i took it to a mate of mine. Found out it was only running on 5 cylinders due to the spark plug gap. Couldnt test drive her cause it ran outta juice but man 3 dead cylinders is alot of drag. Its like a kia rio had left my motor

[Paiste402]

hey, i dont mean to resurrect a dead/dying thread but i though i should display my finding on this issue. I have worked on most of it but of course there are more things to do.

First off it had blown the head gasket.
Most of the lifters were completely shagged out. The few that werent were not in good shape.
The cylinders had sooo much grime on them
Found a bent push rod
Water lines were quite dirty, radiator flushed fixed that.
My exhaust extractors are rooted, they leak quite a bit (BTW if anyone has any to sell in SA please let me know.)
The power coil was on its way out, got a cheapie on it right now.
The LPG system control valve was squashed. It was basically running STRAIGHT gas with no tune.
Timing was out too.

I done all these things (except the extractors... PM me please if u have some good un's spare) and man does it go hard. Oh and the sound has improved heaps. I can keep it in top gear and shred up hills. Next is to fix the exhaust, a hi-spark power coil, new dizzy and get the timing done professionally.

thanks for ur help guys and thanks for listening.

[ve ss man]

yeah sounds like it

[Paiste402]

Originally Posted by ve ss man

yeah sounds like it

oh man you would be right on that one