Vinny P

I have decided to build a 540 for next season. I am currently gathering information and parts for this build-up. This is what I have worked out so far.


Dart Big "M" Block 4.500" bore
JE 9 1/2 compression Pistons
Callies Dragon Slayer 4.25" crank
Lunati Pro Mod 6.385" rods
Dart Iron Eagle 308cc heads
2.25" Intake
1.88" Exhaust
119cc chambers
Isky Hydraulic roller cam and lifters
.578 lift 238* @ .050 intake
.608 lift 248* @ .050 exhaust
114* lobe seperation
15* Valve overlap
Gil Wet-Offshore Exhaust
1050 Holley Dominator
Intake manifold is still undecided on. I am not sure whether to go with an oval or rectangular port single plain. I am also not sure whos intake to use.

So, the questions are:

Do you think this is a good combination?
Which intake do I run?

krypto 1 in CT

if your in salt water merlin has the brass coating on the inside of the intake and they have it for a 4500 carb also.for fresh water dart might make a little more hp up top.the combo sounds good i made 704hp with almost the same set up but 555ci merlin 3 block. why not go a little bigger with the bore and make it a 555 you will make more power and it really doesnt cost any more.

Cord

iTrader: (2)

Um, are you planning on putting this into a Checkmate? I hope that it's over 26', because you'll be overpower with less length.

Vinny P

Cord,
It will be going into a '99 259 Convincor.

Krypto,
Yes, it wil be in salt water. However, I have closed cooling that I plan on using. I already ordered the parts for the short block, it's too late to go for more cubes now.

articfriends

iTrader: (1)

I am running a real similar short block (a little less compresion and a hardin 14 qt pan),nearing a 100 hours running 9 psi boost,turns as high as six thousand ,no problems yet,you might want to consider zero gap rings too and ring seating compound,Smitty

Vinny P

I thought there was a problem with the zero gap rings not lasting very long??

PatriYacht

The Merlin rect. port makes good torque on a 540. Use a Holley 8082-1 on top of it with a 1 inch spacer. It's a 2 circuit 1050 Dominator. Jetting will be very close out of the box. I'd just use good old standard tension Moly coated rings. They are durable and less expensive. If you don't get the cyl. finish perfect, zero gap will never seat. They seem to wear quicker also.

articfriends

iTrader: (1)

I have just shy of 100 hours on my 540,i used the zero gap rings (don't remember if the z/g was top or middle but they were for blown/turbo apps),boat uses virtually no oil,leakdowqn is les than 3 percent on worst cylinder, i run 9psi boost wot,i'm thinking of skipping freshening motor this winter (this is second season on this 540 since it was built) so as far as "not lasting very long" i wouldn't agree with that at all. I assembled motor myself but i did have it plateau honed,used std tension oil rings and used ring seating powder to asemble it. I have also run z/g rings in circle track motors,street motors etc,they work good for me,it was just a suggestion to you to run them,personal preference i suppose,Smitty

ursus

The oval port will make mega low end torque and less top end, you don't need the low end torque on a light boat , its just gonna hammer the drive, I would go with the rec port for a better top end, its a better match to a smaller lighter boat. Dart / Merlin make the intake with brass insert its a good choice as someone already mentioned for salt water

26scarab

I've already got a 540 that I've been running for a few years and If I was to do it again (It would have a supercharger) but if I stayed N/A I would run the AFR heads , which out of the box would be better than Iron Eagles I think and I would also suggest the Brodix intake over the Dart. I would also have a cam custom ground for whichever head,intake combo you end up with.

My current set up is"
Ported Oval port Merlins (Sterling)
Brodix intake (had to have it welded and ported to fit the heads)
This set up has 8.9:1 cr and has pushed my boat this year so far to 79.8 on GPS.