318ci Budget Engine Build -Part 4 Dyno Thrashing

One modification we did have...        read full caption One modification we did have to make was to take 11/16 inch out of the center of the torque shaft. After we did this, we also had to bend the arms just a little for clearance.

The radiator is built with...        read full caption The radiator is built with extruded-fin tanks that provide a perfect mounting point for the radiator to attach to the car, and for accessories like a catch can or electric fan.

Before we strapped the car...        read full caption Before we strapped the car to the dyno, we did some "real world" driving with F.A.S.T.'s Air Fuel meter to get the fuel mix where we thought it should be. The F.A.S.T. meter is a simple unit to work with and makes carb or EFI tuning easy.

Once the engine was in the...        read full caption Once the engine was in the car, broken in, and properly "seat-of-the-pants tuned," it was time for an official dyno session. We know this was a budget-built 318, so how much power can it have? If we didn't dyno it, we couldn't answer that question. When we were done, 220 hp and 260 lb/ft of torque was the result.

Before the dyno session, it took a little time to get the tuning right. Thankfully, we had access to a F.A.S.T Air/Fuel meter that made it easy. The F.A.S.T. meter uses O2 sensors that are installed into the exhaust pipe(s), read the A/F, and tell you how to jet/tune. What a great tool.

When we were happy with the results of driving around with the F.A.S.T. meter, it was finally time to strap it to the dyno. We were afraid to do any track testing yet, because the car still has a puny 7¼ rear, and we knew a couple hard launches could be catastrophic. We'll address that later. Anyway, after the big wheel quit turning, the budget 318 gave us 220 rear wheel horsepower at 4,900 rpm. That's where the power stopped climbing, so that's where we stopped. Torque came in at 260 lb/ft at 3,650 rpm. So, we built a little 318 for under $1,700 that sounds great, runs like a champ, and will spin the tires from a stop at will. It's a 318-that sounds good to us.