I need some opinions on how much of a gain will be had on jumping from my current 496 to a 540. The 496 I am currently running has the following specs.
Dart 325 Pro 1 heads fully ported with 2.3I/1.88E
Solid roller cam 272/280 @.050" with .714" gross lift
13.2:1 compression SRP forged pistons
Nickerson 1050 dominator (flows 1175)
Merlin single plane intake
CMI e-top exhaust
MSD ignition
With this the little Baja does 95 to 98 MPH on GPS.
Horsepower is unknown, but estimated at 700 plus??

I am considering a 540 with the following
Same heads as above
Solid roller cam 278/286 @.050" with .731" gross lift
Compression in the high 12's to low 13's
All other parts the same as above.

How much more power with 46 more cubes and a little more cam?
Enough to see 100 MPH? Lets hear some opinions.
Thanks
Craig

I could be wrong Craig, but I doubt you were making 700hp with your 496. With the 540 and the components and comp ratio you listed ---I would guess right around 725-750hp or so, but like I said I could be wrong. Sounds like a pretty interesting project though!

Thanks KAAMA, I knew I could count on you for a response. I am just trying to get a handle on what 46 cubes is worth. It would be real easy to go from 496 to 540 cubes. I would need a block, pistons and a cam. Any other route would require basically a complete engine package. I figure on 20 HP per MPH which means to get to three digits I will need 40 to 100 HP based on my current top end. I know nitrous would be the easy way, but I would like to see a legitimate 100 naturally aspirated. I still feel my current 496 is in the 700 HP range. Keep in mind I twist it 6000 to 6300 RPM and it is a 13.2:1 compression motor. I never dynoed it so I cannot really argue, but based on other comparable 10:1 motors making 550 to 650 HP I feel 700 is realistic. Anyway, what are the 46 cubes worth in HP? 50HP or more like 100?

didnt you forget the best part: HOW MUCH BOOST!!!!!!!!

Hey Merlin, You're right a blower would be sweet, but the Baja 210 Sport barely has enough room for a BBC in the engine bay let alone a big old huffer. That will be for my next ride. Someday!

Formulafastec, so based on your estimation I will gain somewhere between 50 and 70 by going to the 540. I think that sounds reasonable. Keep em coming. I am still waiting for someone who has dynoed numerous motors to give me there real world experiences.

Sorry KAMMA--- I think that with 13 to 1 comp. ratio he may be over 700HP with that combo. And with the 540 You may be close to 800 HP if not over that. What you need with that engine is full length headers not the E-TOPS. I read somewhere that you gain 40 HP for each full number increase in compression ratio over 8 to 1 on a 454 - 502. (I might be wrong- don't shoot me )

Tinkerboater,
I agree about the full length headers. My exhaust exits very low and for economical purposes the e-tops gave the best bang for the buck. From what I have been told on compression, each point of compression is only worth 10 HP if no other changes are made. We all know cam selection is made based on many factors and compression is one of the main ones. If compression is increased and the cam is matched to the new combo, I think the 40 HP per point of compression is pretty close. So from what Tinker thinks the 46 cubes gained by the 540 could be worth 50 to 70 (plus) HP. It sounds like this may be my ticket to 100 MPH naturally aspirated????

Tink, I thought about the comp ratio that he was running before I posted what I thought he made. I guess it would also depend on how many RPM's he is turning @WOT as well. You very well could be right, but like I have stated; I could be wrong, but I'm just trying to stay on the conservative side of the equation. I think 46 cubes gained from a 496 to a 540 is roughly worth 50-75hp as well. It's just my opinion and I know I could be wrong, but it sure is fun talkin' & chewin' on it! I LOVE talkin' about this stuff! Now then, us fellers just gotta have a little bench racin' talk to make it through the winter until boatin' season comes around again!

Kaama ,
with that kind of CR and those RPM's I kind of believe it makes 700hp. My old 502 with 8.5:1 CR made 625hp at 5800rpms. And my 540 makes an estimated 675hp with 9:1CR.