Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > Technical > General Q & A
lowering compression on 502? >

lowering compression on 502?

Notices

lowering compression on 502?

Thread Tools
 
Old 02-01-2011, 12:03 PM
  #11  
Registered
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: MT. JULIET, TN.
Posts: 3,710
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by larby
Thanks for the help guys, that's all very interesting! My engine builder was insistant that it was too high for the blower, though I did think it didn't seem all that high.

Internals are standard Volvo Penta forged 502 pistons with an Eagle crank, standard iron heads, roller rockers etc.

I'm only looking to run 3-5psi boost to just give it a little tickle anyway, would this be ok?

Cheers, James
You need a new builder.......
kennyo is offline  
Old 02-01-2011, 01:44 PM
  #12  
Registered
Gold Member
Thread Starter
 
larby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Guernsey, Channel Isles
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Quick update...

My motor is actually 8.81:1, so pretty close to 9:1.
According to the PDF linked earlier, this only equates to below 12:1 effective CR at below 5 psi boost, so not much.

I'm only looking to make 600hp max, as my bravo definately won't cope past that. Is it really worth me bothering with the blower and any potential issues, or am I better off buying a set of stelling headers I can get, a decent cam and building a mild N/A motor, which would also be kinder on my drive?

Cheers, James
larby is offline  
Old 02-01-2011, 07:39 PM
  #13  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: pa
Posts: 609
Received 85 Likes on 43 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by larby
Quick update...

My motor is actually 8.81:1, so pretty close to 9:1.
According to the PDF linked earlier, this only equates to below 12:1 effective CR at below 5 psi boost, so not much.

I'm only looking to make 600hp max, as my bravo definately won't cope past that. Is it really worth me bothering with the blower and any potential issues, or am I better off buying a set of stelling headers I can get, a decent cam and building a mild N/A motor, which would also be kinder on my drive?

Cheers, James
you are gonna have to baby that bravo if its a stock setup, i think there only good to around 400hp, with 600 its a ticking bomb, if you have the coin to at least upgrade the internals on the drive and do the blower, go for it, don't forget external steering comes into play aswell, if not i would go with the mild n/a build until you can do it right
blownhammer2000 is offline  
Old 02-01-2011, 07:53 PM
  #14  
Charter Member # 55
Charter Member
 
Griff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Omaha/LOTO
Posts: 19,558
Received 1,821 Likes on 907 Posts
Default

Bravo's can handle 600hp if driven right. The Merc 600SC used to be paired with a regular Bravo, as was the 500HP and 525SC.
Griff is offline  
Old 02-01-2011, 07:56 PM
  #15  
Charter Member # 55
Charter Member
 
Griff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Omaha/LOTO
Posts: 19,558
Received 1,821 Likes on 907 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by larby
Quick update...

My motor is actually 8.81:1, so pretty close to 9:1.
According to the PDF linked earlier, this only equates to below 12:1 effective CR at below 5 psi boost, so not much.

I'm only looking to make 600hp max, as my bravo definately won't cope past that. Is it really worth me bothering with the blower and any potential issues, or am I better off buying a set of stelling headers I can get, a decent cam and building a mild N/A motor, which would also be kinder on my drive?

Cheers, James
Get some mild port work done. It will add about 2cc of volume to the chambers and lower the static Comp ratio to about 8.7 and will also flow better. Then use a .040 Cometic head gasket. Run 4-4.5# of boost and call it good.
Griff is offline  
Old 02-01-2011, 08:04 PM
  #16  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: pa
Posts: 609
Received 85 Likes on 43 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Griff
Bravo's can handle 600hp if driven right. The Merc 600SC used to be paired with a regular Bravo, as was the 500HP and 525SC.
i stand corrected, i'm learning alot from you lately griff!
blownhammer2000 is offline  
Old 02-02-2011, 12:02 PM
  #17  
Registered
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

One clarification may be needed. Most vovlo penta engines use the GM Vortec style cylinder head. If this is the case the combustion chamber is very prone to detonation. If it has standard GM style heads, I agree with everything said previously. Thanks.
Boat1 is offline  
Old 02-02-2011, 12:38 PM
  #18  
Registered
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 2,777
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Wink

Volvo DP high performance engines in the big block family do not use the GM Vortec (454) style head and combustion chamber but use the GM performance BBC rectangle port standard BBC combustion chamber and are not more prone to detonation.
Iron heads under big boost with low octane fuel, lean burn or to much timing will tend to detonate no mater what the combustion chamber size and type and tend to do so quicker than an aluminum head of the same type does.

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar
Raylar is offline  
Old 02-04-2011, 04:47 PM
  #19  
Registered
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks Ray, I just bought a take-off intake and injection set-up and was expecting it to fit the GM heads but it is for the GM Vortec style. Do your aluminum heads have this bolt pattern to accept this manifold. I cant even find donor steel heads to put an engine together. Thanks.
Boat1 is offline  
Old 02-04-2011, 05:06 PM
  #20  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Between A Womans Leggs in IL
Posts: 6,306
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Fixx

Originally Posted by Boat1
Thanks Ray, I just bought a take-off intake and injection set-up and was expecting it to fit the GM heads but it is for the GM Vortec style. Do your aluminum heads have this bolt pattern to accept this manifold. I cant even find donor steel heads to put an engine together. Thanks.
what does the intake look like?? Sounds like you have a 8.1l(496) intake then and not the 8.2 l (502) how mant ports in the lower manifold including the water ports,if theirs only 8 ports then it may be a 8.1 liter intake set up.
FIXX is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.