Bonneville Update #2

[DBesic@domain.elided]

Alfisti -

Last week the supercharged 1470 (1600 block with 1300 101 crank) had its day 
with the dyno.  The first day of testing was a bit disappointing.  We were 
using an Eaton (Roots-type) blower designed for 2.0 to 3.0 litre engines, 
running the blower at twice engine rpm. (This blower "maxes out" at 14,000 
rpm.)  We anticipated 8 - 10 lbs of boost and expected to obtain 180 - 200 HP 
with this configuration.  No such luck..... we could only get 3 lbs of boost 
and generate 130 HP.  Back to the drawing board.....  

After discussing our problem with supercharger specialists, the decision was 
made to swap the cams.  We needed smiliar lift but minimum duration.  We also 
retarded the intake and advanced the exhaust in an effort to maximize the 
cylinder charge.  As added insurance, we went to the next size larger Eaton 
blower (recommended for 3.0 to 5.0 litre engines).  The blower plumbing was 
modified to accept the bigger blower and different headers were installed 
with bigger primaries.  Back to the dyno....

The blown 1470 was warmed up and progressive "pulls" were made at 1,000, 
2,000, 3,000 and so on up to 6,000 rpms to get the fuel injection system 
dialed in.  We noticed some belt slippage resulting in boost readings of only 
5 - 7 lbs.  The blower belt was tightened like a piano string and we lit the 
little screamer up again.  SUCCESS!!!  At 6900 rpms with 10 lbs of boost, we 
achieved 180 HP!!  And the motor didn't even break a sweat, even when we were 
dancing with the 7500 rev limiter...  We think with a little more tweaking, 
we might be able to squeeze another 10 - 15 HP out of her but we're running 
outta time.  Now to focus on the blown 2.0 litre which is still spread all 
over the shop....  11 days to go.

In an effort to avoid burnout from too many consecutive 16-hour days,  I 
dragged Mike away from the shop this past weekend (much to the chagrin of 
Bonnie's owner, Dick Kreines) for fun and games at the Ferrari Club event at 
Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, Michigan.  What an experience.  How often 
do you get to share the same track with a Diablo and an F40??  My Giulietta 
(with Mike Besic-prepared 2.0 litre torque monster) performed flawlessly and 
ate up the 308s and shit out Z-3s.  It was fabulous....  The F40? Well that 
was kind of a red blur as it went by.  Oh well...

We'll keep you all posted on further progress on "Bonnie"...... SEE YOU ON 
THE SALT!!!

Darren Besic and
Mike Besic of Besic Motorsports

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