85 Shelby Charger

[5DIGITS]

...Ken, why the switch to SBEC?

Vigo,
The SBEC is preferred for many reasons (some below) but the main reason is that a significant effort went into my previous Shadow.
That system has years of testing and unique features that will make a great starting point, for this car.

System considerations:
- Sequential fuel control
- Fuel, spk, map, etc.. management above ~5300
- Improved boost control
- Improved adaptive memory etc...

[5DIGITS]

Looking good Ken Is that Ford Blue? And there is something peculiar about that intake manifold...

Thanks Alan.
That blue was left over from the 16V engine and matches the blue used on the Shelby valve covers.



The intake is 100% cotton and was pulled from the assembly line prior to the dryer - it's simply not pre-shrunk material.

[contraption22]

This has been an ongoing argument between myself and a close friend, for years.
His claim is that the highest possible volume and the lowest compression ratio with elevated boost is the best approach.
I argue that proper combustion chamber design with supporting squish, for high compression, is the way to go.
Boost is measured at the intake, so higher compression buys elevated performance for any given boost level as long as the system is designed to suppress the knock.
This is how today's turbocharged 9.5+:1 engines obtain the output levels that the 80's cars could only dream of.
It's a sound experiment to entertain.

I thought about this as well when choosing pistons for my engine.

[rx2mazda]

subscribed! Nice work

[5DIGITS]

Getting caught up in the pic department..

One portion of the project that delayed the engine installation was the decision to perform some interior decorating.
The interior was removed to visually inspect the floor structure and install the fuel pump wiring, at the same time.
This body replaced the original Michiganized Shelby body and was originally a red Turismo 2.2 from Arizona.
Even though I spent the time to fix the previous body, I scrapped it and moved over to this incredibly clean, rust free, and structurally sound Turismo.
Since this photo was taken, the cable shift system, carpet, and dash have all been installed.
The doors were rust free but badly dinged, from hing to latch, and have been replaced with a set of doors from one of the other team L-body cars.

[5DIGITS]

Alternator bracket:

As most know, the Lbody water pump has unique mounting locations that do not directly support later model alternator installation.
Additionally, I prefer to run the accessories tucked as close to the engine as possible.
This falsely generates the appearance of a larger engine compartment, provides more usable space, and improves repair access.
Lengthening the lower bracket while maintaining the same material shape and shortening the isolator/connector bracket yields a production look that tightly packages the upgraded alternator.

[Shadow]

Very nice and well thought out build. I think the 9.5 : 1 CR should work well for you. Looking forward to hearing more on the details of the turbo hot side.

[5DIGITS]

Thank you all for taking the time to post feedback and provide additional insight.
It will be nice to have this car back on the road, after such a long hiatus.

Thanks again.

[contraption22]

Wow you're really doing this right from the start. I applaud your decision to start with a rust free car. Rust repair is time consuming and not fun at all.