PDA

View Full Version : Compression Ratio and PSI



blkZooM
10-04-2013, 04:31 PM
Well lets some good tech conversation going, I've had a question I have been asking myself the last couple of days and I wanted to know if someone with the knowledge could help me out here.

Trying to pick a compression ratio to go with when building a shortblock, the goal is to between 9.4.1 and 9.8.1. and I am going with the 3.750 crankshaft which, bored over .30. I'll be going ported heads route, I have the very annoying head tick and want the 05 revised heads and most likely custom grind cams from NA SVT.. Now with all the mods above plus long tube would drop boost from the research I've done about 4-5 psi because of how efficient the motor now is.

The question I need help with is this, lets say I have a Whipple with a Upper and lower combo of stock lower and 3.2 upper which gives us 17 psi but with the new motor i am only seeing 12-13 psi. in reality (I think I could be wrong here) the blower is still flowing in 17 psi worth of air.

The 03-04 cobras guys state 18 psi is the max you should be running on 93 pump gas and they have 8.5.1 c/r. So i ask, say my max psi with my combo should be 17 ( I know it would be a lot lower) psi on 93 pump gas but I am only seeing the 12-13 I stated earlier would I still have to treat it as if I am at the max psi that my combo allows or am I able to just pulley down to get back up to the 17 psi. To get back to the 17 psi I think you have to run a 2.8 upper which is flowing in 21 psi of air which we know is too much for pump 93.

Just something to get us talking on here thanks for the help in advance for the help

LANDY
10-04-2013, 04:57 PM
The convo about certain psi on pump gas is bogus. Tune by the spark plug and if you know how to read them you will be fine.
IF it helps I run 21 psi at 16* of timing, 9.1.1 CR with a BR7EF plugs on 93 octane.I keep the AFR around 11.3 and the plugs look very safe still.

blkZooM
10-04-2013, 06:45 PM
The convo about certain psi on pump gas is bogus. Tune by the spark plug and if you know how to read them you will be fine.
IF it helps I run 21 psi at 16* of timing, 9.1.1 CR with a BR7EF plugs on 93 octane.I keep the AFR around 11.3 and the plugs look very safe still.

thanks for the help Landy

Vortech347
10-05-2013, 07:33 PM
Your main concern is not shooting for a certain psi number. Its the chamber pressures for what kind of fuel you are using. Battling detonation/pre-ignition.

PSI is simply a measurement of back pressure. The reason boost drops with long tubes is because it makes the engine work WAY better as an air pump and allows the air out faster making the intake back pressure (boost) less.

Another factor about the PSI measurement of boost is the air density and altitude. I'm at 4200ft. The pulley combination on my Fox should yield about 16psi on most cars. However being a stroker with bigger heads and my elevation I only see 11-12. The pulley combo on my 03' Cobra should yield about 15psi but only 12 actual.

Its not that you are moving xxx psi worth of air. Its that you are moving air less dense or your engine flows more than what a general benchmark.

So the real question is. What is your HP goal? Then go backwards as to what you will need fuel vs compression wise to keep the chamber pressures in check and require or not require higher octane fuel. Some guys like higher comps like 10:1 with lower boost and soft timing. Others like low comp, tons of boost and higher timing. Take the new 5.0's for example. They make serious power with just 6-8psi because they are 11.0 comp!

I know this doesn't really answer your question. But maybe will help define in what you need to achieve your goals.

Generally with pump gas the 650rwhp range is where to shoot for with a decent A/F Anything after that you want race fuel. One "slightly" bad tank of fuel can lead too BOOM after that.

03sport007
10-05-2013, 09:21 PM
Nice explanation. Thanks for posting.

na svt
10-06-2013, 06:28 AM
The intake valve closing point also has an effect on cylinders pressures. Higher static CRs can be run if the IV closes late.

What's the desired power output?