PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: VDOG® by Flaming River
May 22, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
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Gil Losi, the owner of this super-slick ’54 Mercury Monterey—which was a year in the making—has quite a liking for the ’54 Mercury body style. He’s owned several of the stylish Monterey hardtops, but this one tops them all with its slammed stance, laser-straight paint and bodywork and 32-valve DOHC engine. One of the many great aspects of this particular Mercury Monterey is that Steve Cook’s team started with a good body. It was solid and already featured a low-down stance, but the crew reworked every part of the car into what you see here.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: DieselSite’s 2008-2010 Ford 6.4L Billet Impeller Water Pump
The original equipment (OE) Ford water pump utilized a plastic impeller that was prone to cracking and breaking off the hub, leading to costly repairs. In response to this common problem, DieselSite has developed a lightweight yet sturdy alternative. Crafted from a billet aluminum alloy, the new water pump ensures exceptional durability, providing peace of mind and protection against impeller failure.
From Four to More: A Modern Manual for Your Vintage Mustang
Decades ago, Ford made the jump from four-speed manual transmissions to five-speeds. Newer Cobras even feature six-speeds, so it’s natural that those who own earlier Mustangs with four-speed manuals now feel a little gear envy. Many people love the feel of having a manual transmission, but if you’re still using a four-speed, you’re missing out on a lot of performance and economy potential. Adding a transmission with additional gears places your gears closer together for better acceleration and gives you more gears to choose from for easier cruising. But which transmission is right for your Mustang? You need one that’s strong, smooth and capable of bolting to your engine, and it’s not easy to find all three attributes in the same gearbox.
Spotlighter
Product Spotlight: BTR Godzilla Truck Norris Camshaft
Give Ford’s Big V8 a Meaner Right Hook
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos Courtesy of Brian Tooley Racing
Godzilla already has the displacement. Truck Norris brings the attitude. If your idea of a good truck involves a rumbling idle and a healthy appetite for throttle, Brian Tooley Racing’s Godzilla Truck Norris Camshaft deserves a spot on your build sheet.
Because an engine named after a city-stomping monster ought to sound like it has somewhere better to be.
BTR GODZILLA TRUCK NORRIS CAMSHAFT
222/234 .641″/.644″ 110 LSA INTAKE LOBE LIFT @ TDC: 0.08135
- Engine Family: FORD GODZILLA 7.3L APPLICATIONS
- Recommended Engine Size: 7.3L
- Recommended Valve Spring: OEM
- VVT Limiter: BTR-VVT-GZ-8CAM (INCLUDED)
- INTAKE DURATION @.050″: 222
- EXHAUST DURATION @.050″: 234
- LOBE LIFT INTAKE: 0.356
- LOBE LIFT EXHAUST: 0.358
- INTAKE LOBE LIFT @ T.D.C.: 0.081
- ROCKER ARM RATIO: 1.8
- NET LIFT INTAKE: 0.641
- NET LIFT EXHAUST: 0.644
- LOBE SEPARATION ANGLE: 110
- RPM Operating Range: 1500-6400
- Expected Cam Swap Gains (P2P): 102HP 60FT-LBS
- Idle Quality: Great rumble sound without sacrificing factory comforts.
- Torque Converter Characteristics: Works with factory converters
- Drivability: Mild-mannered daily feel, with a nice aggressive sound
More Muscle Behind the Rumble
Designed for Ford’s 7.3L Godzilla, this hydraulic roller camshaft gives the big pushrod V8 a more aggressive personality. BTR lists expected cam-swap gains of 102 horsepower and 60 lb-ft of torque, peak to peak, with an operating range of 1,500–6,400 rpm. Those are BTR’s published figures; your combination and calibration will determine the result.
That’s the appeal: a camshaft with enough ambition to make the accelerator considerably more interesting. Whether Godzilla lives under a truck hood or between the fenders of your latest project, there’s something deeply satisfying about giving a big V8 more reason to clear its throat.
Plenty of Attitude, With Daily Driving in Mind
BTR describes the Truck Norris as delivering an aggressive exhaust note while retaining mild daily driving manners and factory comforts. It works with factory torque converters, and BTR recommends OEM valve springs.
The grind carries 222/234 degrees of duration at .050-inch lift, .641/.644-inch valve lift, and a 110-degree lobe separation angle. The required BTR-VVT-GZ-8CAM VVT limiter is included and must be installed in the cam phaser. Proper VVT control and engine tuning are essential to getting the most from the package. Part number: BTR-GZTN.
Give the calibration the attention it deserves, then let the big Ford do the talking. Truck Norris sounds like the kind of trouble your project has been asking for.
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