[DeTomaso] Cleveland HP limits

[Charles Engles]

Dear Boyd,


          Oh, boy.   An opinion question.................


          See below.

"Greetings Pantera brethren ! Is there an accepted HP limit for a Cleveland four bolt main iron block at it's normal displacement? No  over bore, stock stroke, natural aspirated. Using heads , headers, cam, ignition, all the trick valve work , porting polishing, strongest possible rotating assembly.
Is there a limit that one should not exceed? 550hp, 575 hp, 600 hp higher?
If it is possible to reach  these HP numbers while not exceeding 7000 rpm what is the DO NOT EXCEED LIMIT?"


1)  Answer: it all depends on dozens and dozens of details.   Block quality, budget, application for street, track days or ORR or drag racing, carb v. efi., dollars, etc, etc.


2)  New question: Given a reasonable Cleveland block, reasonable 4V quench heads, stock rotating assembly, new pistons, new intake manifold and a reasonable budget (what does that mean?) what can you do?   Well, it depends.   It depends on the application.  It depends on the machinist and the engine builder.  I am not an engine expert, but I have built four engines and I am about to finish another one and I am making plans for the next one.   Facts: a rookie can build a 400 hp engine with stock block, crank, rods and heads plus after market bits.  Rpm max about 6000 before valve float.   More attention to detail can result in a 485 hp engine and a 6,500 rpm limit before valve float.  The current engine with the same formula but pushed a little harder with a lighter and more expensive valve train is expected to see 500 or so HP with a 7000 rpm limit.   The cost goes up with HP and rpm limit.   The higher goal you set will require higher dollars.  

3)  I expect that given solid lifters, an aggressive cam, high compression ratio, race gas, EFI and a relatively short functional life span numbers north of 550 hp and 7000 rpm can be obtained.  


                     Warmest regards,  Chuck Engles