Final report on 526 Stroker + stats & video

[IBSorgn]

As promised in my Thread "500+ci Builder" I would get back to you-all once I got the engine built and dyno'd. Just arrived back in Kentucky from my visit to CME (Carolina Machine Engines), builder of my 526ci stroker RB. I'm happy to report that CME was able to meet or exceed all of my performance specifications and miscellaneous criteria including my $8,500 budget.
I did however make a poor decision, at least in my mind, concerning some CNC work on the aftermarket heads. CME offers a variety of horsepower on their 522ci motors. Each HP increment reflects either a higher level of performance parts or greater degree of modifications to a part(s). Because I thought that it would be a good selling point to list that my motor had the heads CNC gasket matched and bowls blended, which is one thing that differentiates the 550 hp motor from the 525hp motor I decided to have that milling work done on my 526 (I requested that they build me a 526 verses their normal 522ci). But something unexpected happened and that is the torque fell by about 30fp. Normally their 525 and 550 hp motors put out 650+ foot pounds of torque, however my horse power did increase by 24 for a total of 549hp. Now some guys like to measure engines by hp but because I was wanting a street engine I tend to favor torque output. On the plus side I got the hp of their 550 horse motor but still maintained the vacuum and converter stall that made me choose their 525hp version. Not only did they deliver the 600tq I specified they hit 600tq at 3000rpm and carried it to 4500rpm, a 1500 rpm spread!
Richie, the sales manager gave me a shop tour then introduce me to Bill, the man who assembled my engine and his brother John, who operates the dyno and does the tuning. After spending 1 1/2 hours at CME there is no question in my mind that I chose the right builder. I have no doubt that there are other good builders out there but CME met all my performance specifications and built the motor including, carb, dist, wp for just a tick over 8.3K.

One thing I should point out is that CME assigns just one person to assemble the engine from beginning to end and Bill told me that he has built dozens and dozens of these 522s over the years and knows them very well. Also this engine is backed by a 1 year 12,000 mile warrantee.

[URL="http://www.sorgn.net/Photos/100_3439.JPG"][/URL]


[ame]http://vid1319.photobucket.com/albums/t666/ibsorgn/CME/Dynooutcell_zps71030efd.mp4[/ame]

 

[OldmanRick]

I have no comment on the cost. Serious power cost serious $$$ no matter how you slice it.

I'm glad you chose to do the CNC since it raised the HP. Without it, that combo almost resembles a big truck/towing combo. That engine has plenty of torque as built, and a great curve for a average weight car with a moderate rear gear.

Should be a absolute blast to drive.....as long as you can keep rear tires on it.

Oh, and that warranty ain't have bad either. Just know what CME expects from you in that regard. Good Luck with it!

 

[IBSorgn]

I have no comment on the cost. Serious power cost serious $$$ no matter how you slice it.

I'm glad you chose to do the CNC since it raised the HP. Without it, that combo almost resembles a big truck/towing combo. That engine has plenty of torque as built, and a great curve for a average weight car with a moderate rear gear.

Should be a absolute blast to drive.....as long as you can keep rear tires on it.

Oh, and that warranty ain't have bad either. Just know what CME expects from you in that regard. Good Luck with it!

I know that I don't have as much experience an many on this forum but I do understand basic principals and common denominators. I know that big serious power comes with higher rpms and higher rpms require more quality parts and machining and quality parts come at higher costs, not to mention additional labor and machining. Street engines live in the lower rpm range say 2500 - 4000rpm and low rpm engines can be built with lower quality parts which translates to less expensive build costs. Low rpm engines can be built to put out impressive torque numbers and horsepower, which I think CME products are a fine example of that. Warrantee and what CME expects, good question and one that I ask them. Their answer, for my engine, was nothing special other than to use oil with high levels of zinc.

 

[Abodybomber]

Good return on investment,for the money. You got,what you asked for.Any explanation,on the torque loss?

 

[IBSorgn]

Good return on investment,for the money. You got,what you asked for.Any explanation,on the torque loss?

I'm a big fan of Andy Finkbeiner (Mopar BB Guru) and have read much of the material he publishes. From what I'm able to gather the mill work reduced the air velocity by enlarging the ports some what. The increased port flow was not taken advantage of by the use the more aggressive cam used by the 550hp motor. To me it would not be unreasonable to imagine that the CNC work could of had effected the ports by 3-5%. My calculator shows about a 4.4% increase in HP and a 4.6% decrease in torque. Numbers seem to bear out my supposition. I'll see if I can talk to a knowledgeable engine builder here in town and get his opinion. CME expected a 10 - 15 hp increase using the CNC heads but no one thought that it would have any noticeable effect on torque. Best laid plans of mice and men! ops:

 

[moparlover]

what cam are you using? i'm assuming a hydraulic since they stopped the dyno at 5900.

this engine would become a monster with a larger solid lifter cam. it looks like you have a small street cam by the dyno figures.

my guess is you went with a hydraulic street cam to avoid having to adjust the rockers. maybe stock rockers also (non adjust)

so, if you were building for a no-maintenance street build what you have is extremely good. you probably got 500 ft/lbs of torque starting at 2500 rpm lol. you are at 600 ft/lbs for a wide range should be pretty powerful.

dont feel sad about not having higher peaks, since you didnt design peak power into the build. peak is for racing and high rpm's and lots of maintenance.

 

[IBSorgn]

what cam are you using? i'm assuming a hydraulic since they stopped the dyno at 5900.

this engine would become a monster with a larger solid lifter cam. it looks like you have a small street cam by the dyno figures.

my guess is you went with a hydraulic street cam to avoid having to adjust the rockers. maybe stock rockers also (non adjust)

so, if you were building for a no-maintenance street build what you have is extremely good. you probably got 500 ft/lbs of torque starting at 2500 rpm lol. you are at 600 ft/lbs for a wide range should be pretty powerful.

dont feel sad about not having higher peaks, since you didnt design peak power into the build. peak is for racing and high rpm's and lots of maintenance.

Your right the build left a lot on the table that can be used with a more aggressive cam but, Sad! quite the contrary, I'm pleased as punch as CME delivered on every specification I ask. I was wanting a stump puller and they built me one. I specifically specified a low rpm street motor with good vacuum, requiring only a low stall converter, and yes I specified a hydraulic cam and dual plane manifold. Don't forget high rpm motors need quality parts and quality parts come at extra expense. BTW, motor is equipped with adjustable roller rockers. I mainly wanted lots of torque down low as that is where my street engine will live. I have a dyno report starting as low as 2850 where it produced 598.5 ft/lbs ot torque. John, the CME tuner/dyno operator, said that it didn't like to load engines down below 3000 but did that one because I ask. Dyno tests at CME are the deacceleration variety, which John said are easier on the motor. They build these strokers up to 650 hp if I'm not mistaken but at that level you no longer have a street motor nor a warrantee. I very happy with the purchase and definitely happy with the cost.

 

[IBSorgn]

Where are all the comments from those motorheads that said I could not get the motor built for the money I wanted to pay?

 

[ledman]

I have to say, that is impressive and pretty damn awesome!! Nice vid too, sounds great!

 

[IQ52]

Where are all the comments from those motorheads that said I could not get the motor built for the money I wanted to pay?

I'm pleased that you received more than you asked for.

Here is one of the motorheads that said in effect, "I can, but I won't!"

I asked you a few questions and then said I won't by not putting in a bid. In fact I think I said, "Buy from one of the crate companies."

I said before, "You can put a turd in a box and stamp "guaranteed" on the box. But all you will have is guaranteed POS. I don't want that to happen to you and I really hope it doesn't happen. It has happened to others.

I've been told I'm too expensive and I tell them, "Buy from one of the crate companies, they are cheaper.

It will be great when your less expensive engine serves you well over the long run.

 

[nothingbutdarts]

I'm pleased that you received more than you asked for.

Here is one of the motorheads that said in effect, "I can, but I won't!"

I asked you a few questions and then said I won't by not putting in a bid. In fact I think I said, "Buy from one of the crate companies."

I said before, "You can put a turd in a box and stamp "guaranteed" on the box. But all you will have is guaranteed POS. I don't want that to happen to you and I really hope it doesn't happen. It has happened to others.

I've been told I'm too expensive and I tell them, "Buy from one of the crate companies, they are cheaper.

It will be great when your less expensive engine serves you well over the long run.

Well said!!!!

 

[IBSorgn]

I'm pleased that you received more than you asked for.

Here is one of the motorheads that said in effect, "I can, but I won't!"

I asked you a few questions and then said I won't by not putting in a bid. In fact I think I said, "Buy from one of the crate companies."

I said before, "You can put a turd in a box and stamp "guaranteed" on the box. But all you will have is guaranteed POS. I don't want that to happen to you and I really hope it doesn't happen. It has happened to others.

I've been told I'm too expensive and I tell them, "Buy from one of the crate companies, they are cheaper.

It will be great when your less expensive engine serves you well over the long run.

I'm sure there are a number of factors as to why CME can build motors cheaper than many without having to sacrifice quality and normally that boils down to volume buying, lots of special machinery, many specialists, have been around 30+ years so their overhead is no doubt giving them a lower per unit cost. I believe their bread and butter is stock rebuilds which may afford them lower margins on the performance stuff. From what I read and was told, they use mostly quality name brand parts. Visit their site and read for yourself, no need for me to echo their materials lists.
BTW, no builder except CME was willing to give me a written warrantee. For me that said a lot plus they have a A+ rating from the BBB. I don't think a person can go wrong doing business with them.

 

[IBSorgn]

I'm pleased that you received more than you asked for.

Here is one of the motorheads that said in effect, "I can, but I won't!"

I asked you a few questions and then said I won't by not putting in a bid. In fact I think I said, "Buy from one of the crate companies."

I said before, "You can put a turd in a box and stamp "guaranteed" on the box. But all you will have is guaranteed POS. I don't want that to happen to you and I really hope it doesn't happen. It has happened to others.

I've been told I'm too expensive and I tell them, "Buy from one of the crate companies, they are cheaper.

It will be great when your less expensive engine serves you well over the long run.

I think that equating price with quality is shallow thinking and to automatically assume that a crate motor is some how inferior to a private build is anserine. In searching for a builder I talked to nearly 15 shops, some a one man operation and others had dozens of employees, some very professional and others were jackasses but I certainly would not make judgment on anyone's product unless I had first hand knowledge.

 

[IBSorgn]

Good return on investment,for the money. You got,what you asked for.Any explanation,on the torque loss?

Sorry for not getting back earlier, but I talked to one of our local race engine builders here in town and he agreed with the decrease in velocity.