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My TSP 396 Stroker missing HP

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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 03:48 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by Taphee6
I bought the short block from TSP and we have talked. They are the greatest to deal with. Jason agrees it is missing HP but does not know why. That is why I am opening it up to you guys. I have been trying to figure this out for months. I am giving this till the end of the race season to figure it out or I am pulling the motor and selling it. Jasons 396 motor put down 485 HP with stage 3 heads through a M6.

The 4400 LBS include a roll cage, iron block and me in the car.
Yea, but There is a very big difference in Jasons Stage 3 heads and your Stage 2 heads 2.02/1.60 valves that only flow 286/216 @ 550

JMHO
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 04:04 PM
  #22  
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Default I agree

I agree that Jasons stage threes are far better. However, Jason stated that my motor should be putting down 440 hp.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 04:08 PM
  #23  
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4400 lbs is gonna take a HELL of a lot more power vs less heavy cars to get down the track. Good God that's heavy, no wonder your trap speeds are low. The car is a tank.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 04:30 PM
  #24  
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I understand the car is a tank and the trap speeds are low. But I am still missing 40 to 50 HP. That is the issue I am trying to figure out based on the set up and what TSP stated. The motor with my set up was figured at 440 to 450 HP.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 05:01 PM
  #25  
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With that big of a stall you are not going to get accurate dyno numbers. You are probably getting a torque spike then it falls off when you hit it. That car is too heavy. I though my car was a tank with iron block, cage, stereo system, and trailer hitch I did 11.4 @ 118mph with a 3900lb race weight. Drop some weight out of it and you will run better.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 05:10 PM
  #26  
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Are the heads milled? I would get rid of the Comp Pro Mag rockers and put the stockers back on and see what happens. Ive heard alot of horror stories about those rockers with stud flex and just not working right and people switching rockers and getting HP back.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 05:14 PM
  #27  
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Also, I would run .010 on the lifters. I had the .004 preload and This is what happened. Talk about valve float. I changed out the rockers and gained 20 HP.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 05:33 PM
  #28  
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While all this talk about preload has gone over my head, and the pushrod lengths and such....I am definitely still gettin smacked in the face when I saw you had mac mid-lengths on there, also the stg2 heads. Open that bitch up!! 1 7/8 lt's and stg3 heads = happy motor!!!!
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 06:21 PM
  #29  
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I would definately shoot for some better flowing heads! Hell those don't have much of an improvement over stock! IMO go with a set of AS 2.5's or some FMS stage III's and you'll open her up, an LSX intake would be a big helper too, and well the header thing has already been beaten to death!

Josh S.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 08:02 PM
  #30  
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Default Pro Mags

I have never heard of people having issues with the pro mags. I tried over and over to get the preload right with stock rockers, a dial indicator and shims and it just was not going to happen. That is why I went to the pro mags.

The heads are milled .20.

All this aside, the builder still said the motor should be at 440HP. Something in this set up has to be conflicting other then the headers.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 10:33 PM
  #31  
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I dont see how the heads could be an issue. I have stage 2 TEA 5.3s and I pulled 504rwhp through an M6 THROUGH a 12bolt. I would expect allot more than 390rwhp out of that motor.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 10:41 PM
  #32  
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Just to make sure we are comparing apples to apples. My 396 is an iron block. I think yours is a resleeved alum???
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 10:43 PM
  #33  
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where the #'s locked or unlocked?
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 10:47 PM
  #34  
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I am thinking you are talking about the Torque converter numbers locked vs unlocked? If so 390 unlocked/398 locked.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 10:49 PM
  #35  
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definitly think your down on some major power then...if the heads are in good shape & flow as you claim you are down 40hp easy...not sure where to start looking, where did the motor peak at?
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 10:57 PM
  #36  
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Motor peaked at 6200 Rpms. Also, the heads were flowed and retested on another flow bench. The numbers were almost identical.

Just so everyone knows, I am in no way bashing the builder of this motor. They have been great working with and I would give them two thumbs up. Something is just not right and I have no idea what. I have been through everything several times.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 11:20 PM
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Ok, I think NOT enough preload! For sure! Get rid of the comp "R" and put the stock rockers back on. Cam is kind of small for that size motor. Get rid of the rockers and lifters. Good luck.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 11:27 PM
  #38  
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Last LS1

You saw the car at the last RSD. It was the black WS6 Convert.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 11:50 PM
  #39  
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There is no way in hell you are only getting 390 RWHP if that motor pulls that 4400 lb tank to 115 MPH! The only question is why the dyno is lying to you. Go check other posts or the ET list. 390 will carry a 3700 lb car to 115 and you weigh nearly 20% more.
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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted by critter
There is no way in hell you are only getting 390 RWHP if that motor pulls that 4400 lb tank to 115 MPH! The only question is why the dyno is lying to you. Go check other posts or the ET list. 390 will carry a 3700 lb car to 115 and you weigh nearly 20% more.
No way he car weighs 4400 LBS! Recheck scale. Not trying to get off of subject. Missing HP!
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