Ted; I read your interesting article in issue #84. One area you didn't discuss was what you proposed to do re carburation? Also, I'm confused about your mention of an early & later Blue Thunder Intake? (other than the one intended for the early Holleys?) In reading the PHR results article previously, I noted that nearly all entrants used electric water pumps. How much power do they free up?

Paul

For carburetion, I was going to use the tried and true 750 HP series Holley that I have here in conjuction with a 1" tapered carburetor spacer under it.  This carb is vacuum secondaries so it’s not a problem with the size being too big as vacuum secondaries will only supply what the engine is demanding when set up correctly.  My backup carb for this combo is the 650 Speed Demon (also vacuum secondaries) that I ran on my roadster.  This was all assuming gasoline being used for the fuel.  E85 fuel was going to have me just getting a E85 specific carb but in the 650 to 750 cfm range. 

 

On the Blue Thunder intakes, there’s an early and late model design.  The early model intake I have that’s been extrude honed basically flows about the same as the late model design not modified.  All my flow info comes from Gary B. but much of it was validated with manifold testing on Ernie Phillips “Bounty Hunter” Thunderbird.  The generation of manifold design can be identified by the amount that the carburetor pad sits up from the manifold.  This would probably need a picture but the later design has the carb pad sitting about a ¼” above the manifold at the rear while the earlier design sits almost flush.

 

Electric water pumps are typically worth about 4-5 horsepower.  This is an arbitrary value as it varies depending upon the engine family you’re dealing with and the pulleys being used.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)