Reply to "engine setup"

OK Panhe, thanks for the info.

Here's my thoughts:

Your motor needs aren't much different than mine, but I have the liberty of picking a better set of heads for your motor because you aren't locked into a particular intake manifold like I am, nor have you written anything about keeping the motor looking stock.

The 3.85" stroker kit shall definately be on the menu for your motor. Since your original question was regarding alloy heads, and getting the biggest bang for the buck, I recommend the CHI 3V heads with 218 cc intake ports for your stroker motor. These heads have a 2V size port that is raised 3/8", 2V intake maifolds can be fitted with the use of lifter valley spacers available from CHI.

The only 2V intake that provides the oem height carb mounting pad is the Edelbrock Performer 2V, which is available on e-bay for under $100 USD. There is a new 2 plane manifold for 2V heads, the Edelbrock Performer RPM Air Gap, I'm sure this is a good manifold, it looks really trick on a motor, but I'm not sure exactly how much higher the carb mounting pad sits, at least an inch I'll bet. Finally there is the Weiand X-celerator for 2V heads, which also raises the carb about an inch higher. In general, the 2 plane intakes will make more average horsepower from 2000 to 6000 rpm than the single plane intake, although the "peak" horsepower number will be less "impressive". Since the intake manifold is raised about a 1/4 inch by the CHI spacers, it would be difficult to fit a carb & air filter assembly beneath the engine screen using anything other than a "stock" carb mounting pad height intake manifold, which leads us to the Edelbrock Performer 2V. I have seen dyno data provided by deeb that indicates this manifold can support up to 500 bhp, so I have no worries recommending this manifold for your motor. As I wrote earlier, the 2 plane design will make more average horsepower over the operating range of your motor.

An alternative to the Edelbrock intake will be a 2 plane intake cast specifically for the CHI 3V heads, available from a private individual named Scott Cook. I believe CHI may be able to obtain the manifold for you, or I could help locate Scott, as he lurks on the Cleveland Forum, another web site I hang out on. I have seen a pic of the manifold, it is a good piece, not cheaply made at all. The carb mounting pad is about a half inch higher than the oem intake, and CHI once told me they could machine the carb mounting pad flat for Pantera customers.

You will need a custom ground hydraulic roller cam that matches the characteristics of these heads to the characteristics of your stroker's short block. And finally you'll need all the proper support equipment; i.e. a good ignition, a free flowing exhaust, your 750 Holley, a beefed up fuel supply system, and dyno tuning for the carb & ignition.

With proper assembly and tuning, you'll have yourself a 475 to 500 ft/lb torque monster, making perhaps 475 to 500 bhp, peaking just below 6000 rpm. This is the motor I would recommend to most Pantera owners, and the one I'm tempted to build for myself.

Your friend on the DTBB, George