Installing 427 Windsor in 71 Comet

i've seen it done in a 65 mustang it went 6.7 in the 1/8 not sure wat was done to the motor but he said it just had block headers

 

Best 1/8th ET so far with the 3.00 and 274 RWHP was 8.2XX at 85.XXX MPH. I guess with 3.55 my cruise RPM would be around 3500-3800. I'd like 3.55s with OD. It all depends on how tall the tires are, what RPM your engine likes, and how much Interstate driving you do.

 

This thread needs some pics!! Here's how I notched mine (w/ a strut conversion) I also built custom headers that were 2"-2 1/8" stepped. Car went 5.50 w/ that setup. I sold the headers and am now building a set of .035 wall 321 SS, fenderwell exit headers.

 

very nice work.. and I dig the design!

Thick flanges that give lattitude for better matching and even transitioning out of the heads ports where needed.. and it's damned close to equal length with a 3.5 inch(or maybe 4 inch?) collector to fatten up the midrange and top end. That's a big motor.. and that header fits it nicely if you have the big lift and duration cam to match up with their tune.

did you use pipe max or any other tuning software to develop it.. or just running off experience and other known good recipes while maximizing it for chassis clearance and exit strategy?

 

IMHO, that's a pretty wide variation in potential config's there based on displacement and head choice. Imagine all the parts/tuning changes between a 408 with 225 heads.. and a 427 with 205's. First one rev's higher with a softer bottom end and needs more gear to even keep up with the torquer 427. That is if you can get enough traction to allow the 427 to hook off the line. lol

Based on those examples I would guess that a litghter car with adequate tire and traction aids would be "more streetable" with 3.30-3.50 final drive(after tire size is considered). 427 get's the 3.30.. 408 gets the 3.50.

Also IMHO, 3.00 and taller gears are for cruising and light hearted playtime. Not for smallblocks that like to rev.. no matter how much torque you think you have down low with a bigger cam. Really just depends on how hard you want to focus on the traction department.. how rowdy you are on the streets.. and if you like being on the cam more often then not.. without having to work the shifter and go pedal to put it there. Most of the guys running those taller gears effectively are the big-block strokers or superchargers. I can say from experience that they do make great gears for burnouts with 3 speeds though! lol

PS. also consider that if you do ever want to race it down the strip.. 300 gears with a revvy motor/cam will barely even allow you to make 3rd gear by time you reach the line. So, much of the time.. you're effectively driving a powerglide with an overdrive.

 

351 into a Comet

Hello again Rod:
I removed the shock towers and after the engine was installed , changing the plugs was a breeze. All kinds of room. I did have to "relieve" a couple of spots on the INSIDE of my Trick Flow Valve Covers so it would clear the roller rockers and
just one small spot on the OUTSIDE to not rub against the master cylinder edge. They sell covers that fit nicely after the towers are removed and they can be welded in afterwards and painted . ROD & CUSTOM sell these along with their front end setups. Keep on charging man .. its worth the effort.
Cometized

 

Very, Very nicely done.
Would love to see some pictures of the fender well headers.

 

I like the idea of shorter slicks at the track if needed.

I had short slicks on my other car and went from a 3.55 to a 3.94 final drive and it was a mistake, just didn't have the revs to pull it off and it didn't go any faster. Highway driving just got worse. lol

 

I spoke w/ the guys at burns stainless and stahl headers and also drew on a few books and just overall experience. Basically, in a door car w/ such limited space you just do the best you can with the space available. Mavericks are so limited on space, it's hard to get real crazy w/ header design. Also, mine is an all out nitrous car so header design is not quite as crucial as an all out N/A design.

 

yep.. pays to hang on the coattails of the big dogs when trying to accellerate the learning curve.. that's for sure.

Nice setup.. and you surely maximized what you had to work with there from an architecture standpoint.

Now just set them up so I can run a sidepipe from the collector and let me know how much they'll cost me.

 

I sold those headers to a guy that said if they wouldn't work on his car he would just hang them up as art in his garage. Wait until you see the fenderwell exit headers, they will be impressive!

 

Shock towers

WoW! I love what you did here. Makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the idea and info.

 

Awesome

Those are awesome. I want a set!!!

 

You're a good drive away but if you can get your car here, you can have a set!!