Merlin Heads

minorv8 · Post by **minorv8** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 4:59 am

Mark, how distinctive lopey idle does it have with that cam ?

Pickup is mostly done, only some panel fitting left. Welding mostly done but it is back on its wheels. It would be so fun to fit a RV8 on the bed

mgbloke · Post by **mgbloke** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 6:13 pm

The Idle with the mechanical 238 is surprisingly good.

DaviesDJ · Post by **DaviesDJ** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 6:00 am

I am checking twice daily for those Dyno results!!:-) any news??

mgbloke · Post by **mgbloke** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 4:25 pm

Its going to the rolling road, Circuit Motors on Tuesday 3rd Sept for mapping. Should have dyno sheet then barring problems.
I think some mapping has been done on the road.
I am really pleased with my port matching but we will see.
last time on these rollers it made 326bhp, in theory it should make slightly more but the pickup and throttle response should be much better.
The most important thing is how it drives on track.
Mark

mgbloke · Post by **mgbloke** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 4:59 pm

This is what it looks like except the bonnet bulge has now been extended forwards by about 80mm to clear the filters.

Anyone know if the Merlin heads are still available?

DaviesDJ · Post by **DaviesDJ** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 7:27 am

best of luck today:-)

mgbloke · Post by **mgbloke** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 8:39 am

I will try and get some vid of it on the rollers.
For some reason I always get very nervous when its on the rolling road, the noise and heat generated is quite alarming.
Not expecting big gains in BHP.
RR at 10.30

DaviesDJ · Post by **DaviesDJ** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:41 am

I think I would be the same - we all nurse our cars a bit, and all know when it is safe to give it the beans

minorv8 · Post by **minorv8** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 12:14 pm

Yes, it is a bit nerve racking to watch a RR session but to be honest, I don´t feel any pity when driving the car. And besides, like one operator once said: you take your chances

Mostl likely it would have broken down already, the odds of the car breaking down on a dyno is quite small... I think

mgbloke · Post by **mgbloke** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 2:52 pm

Well it is making a lot more power because now the clutch cant cope.
It slips for a moment at about 3500rpm then catches up again.
The rolling road operator said that the figures will be un reliable.
RR saying 372bhp so it must be reading high because that is not possible.
322 at the wheels. Only did one run so no time to optimise ignition.
Now I have to find a heavy duty clutch. Current one is 9.5 inch uprated.

Mark

DaviesDJ · Post by **DaviesDJ** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 4:34 pm

Those sorts of figures may be possible I would have thought, the paddle clutch I have is quite good - a stage "3"

mgbloke · Post by **mgbloke** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 7:28 pm

which clutch have you got and where from? Need to get something sorted ASAP

Blown v8 · Post by **Blown v8** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 8:21 pm

I have a McCleod "paddle" clutch,Real Steel used to sell them
I'm putting over 400lb of torque through mine,with no slippage at all

DaviesDJ · Post by **DaviesDJ** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:12 pm

Panther paddle item, LK performance sell them, but sen them your old friction plate to make sure they match it, 360 quid Ish for 3 part kit, I am running a 5 litre (not as high end as yours) with 100 shot of nos in a 4wd Landy with no slippage

mgbloke · Post by **mgbloke** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 6:18 am

Thanks guys I have ordered an AP racing clutch from V8 tuner.
I have now driven the car on the road a couple of times and wow what a difference. Much smoother stronger power delivery from low down. The camshaft has also been tamed with a very stable idle.
And the noise coming from those throttle bodies! 3rd gear acceleration is just vicious. Clutch is OK on the road. Should be fitting new clutch next week then back to the rolling road.
Definitely the right decision to port the heads and remove that filled in corner and fin.
Cheers
Mark