New Life with the 2.7 RS spec motor

After the break-in run to Monterey, the oil was changed, and valves, air/fuel adjusted. A couple of other minor annoyances were also addressed: squeeking clutch pedal, and noisey shift bushings. Since the motor now had 1500 miles on it, now was the time to finally get it beyond 4 grand and really wring out its potential. It was like looking forward to graduation day.

I have a favorite back road about 1.5 miles from the house which rolls through the country with lots of twisties (posted from 20 to 35 MPH) and some good connecting straights. There is very little traffic since its in the sticks and away from civilization. This was the perfect place (other than the track - ahem) to see what it would do in comparison to the tired 2.4 S motor it replaced.

First, the motor included SSIs and a Leistritz sport. Second, it has a rebuilt/recalibrated MFI pump courtesy of Gus and the motor was ported and balanced. An E-cam and 930 oil pump in a modified case were also added. The required upgrades were also included just to make it more bullet proof.

Impressions: Throttle response is immediate and strong. At about 2.5 grand up to about 5.5 it pulls like a chief. I can put much more power down sooner when coming out of the corners which is fantastic. The sound of the Leistritz at 4 grand and above is simply intoxicating. What a beautiful sound - going right up to the howl at 6000. I love the sound of it. Speaking of which, just putting along a 2 grand it has a nice throaty sound.

Where before, I would have to downshift to pass, now I just step on it and the power is right there. The motor also seems more fluid and runs like a sewing machine. It just seems like a better setup than the original 2.4 all the way around - except for sacrificing top end power with the absence of the S cam - but the car spends the majority of its time on the street.

I am very happy with it, and has enough power for the time being - because as we all know.... It's also fun to have part of a legend under the bonnet.

Would I recommend the upgrade to others? Emphatically, unless you need 3.6 power. But since I am keeping the original fender widths, I couldn't put it down anyway.

All for now. Your humble 'unbiased' reporter - Rick

Rick,

I have the same impression with mine... except with a stock muffler and WebCam regrinds...

I have over 3000 miles on it ... and I'm already starting to forget about the last 15 years of the 2.4 S's performance...

The car is fast where it was slow... and faster where it was fast.

I owe the club an article that will be in 3 parts starting with the ESSES's after the one that's now on the way.

Congrats and good luck... your car will get even better...

The adventures have just begun ;)

Quote:

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Originally posted by RickS
Would I recommend the upgrade to others? Emphatically, unless you need 3.6 power.

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I don't know that the gap to the 3.6 is so great. I've tried keeping up with Chuck's 2.7...

...and it was not easy.

:cool:

Rick,

Congrats on the new motor! Sounds like much more usable power for street driving, niicce!

How would one do something similar if they started with a 2.2? The crank and rods are different than the 2.4L, no? Maybe I just answered my own question.

Happy motoring, :)

I now have 2,500 miles on my 2.7RS spec motor in my 67S. The event in Monterey helped to put miles on it quickly. If some of you remember, when I had the 2.0S motor with the short gears, and 115,000 original miles on it, many of you would ask how I keep up with you during runs. I would always answer, gears! The ratio was A,E, I, O, U. VERY SHORT GEARS. I have a 904 mainshaft in my orignal 901, as that is the only way you can get an E for second. I would top out at about 115mph, at 7,200 rpm. All of you would just be going into 5th! My 2.7 has a 67 aluminum block, S cams, Walt at competition did all of the block and head work, I have 40 IDA webers, and oh my golly, does it pull like a scalded ass dog!!!! The gears now are A,F,M,S,X, which is much longer than before. On a run up the I-15, I was doing 120mph at 6,000 rpm, and we have the limiter set at 7,500 rpm. My guess is it will do 135 mph, which is WAY to fast for a short wheel base. From about 5,000, the S cams pull like crazy. If any of you are thinking about going to the 2.7 motor, go for it. You will not be disappointed. When you start it up, it sounds wonderful. As Jack mentioned about the 3.6, I am putting one of them in my 73RSR clone, 46PMO's, and crank fired, and I hope I get as much fun out of it as I have this 2.7!!!:p The only thing to remember is: Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go? The answer, REALLY FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not long ago, I had the pleasure of driving Tom Wilkinson's ROTHSPORT 2.7, which is "sorta" RS spec....meaning, if anything, slightly more power than original 2.7 RS. YUP! :D (edit) Not to slam the guys who go for cubic inches...but after driving Tom's Orange Q ship? My fantasy "if I won a lottery" Q ship R Gruppe hot rod 911 would be under 3.0 in displacement... Am I willing to machine my original 2.4 case to go bigger? Gulp! That's another question. One that would take a
lot of thought...

Tom,

Wish I could answer your question, but there are many on the board who can. My first impression is that boring a 2.2 to a 2.7 is too big a leap. A 2.5 would be within reach.

As I wanted to preserve the original 2.4 as 'original stock', it is unceremoniously sitting in the corner of the garage with rags stuffed in its openings - I posted a question earlier about how to properly store it, but since its tired it will no doubt require a complete rebuild - some other year.

I have an aluminum short block out of a '78 (?) donor. There are some relatively inexpensive short blocks out there, but building them up from scratch takes $$$, so be prepared for sticker shock unless you are skilled with a wrench.

When I related the cost to have it built + parts (I have 9 thumbs except for the basics) many asked why I didn't just find a 3.0 or 3.2 and modify it for far less? The answer was, I wanted the 2.7 based on the views expressed on this board as well in Esses. For a '73 - it just seems period correct, no matter how incorrect the rest of the car might be. Also, unless you know the owner of the 3.0 or 3.2 really well and the engine has been tested in the car, you just don't know what you are getting into. I decided to not risk it.

I appreciate the support, feedback and encouragement of the board members - no matter how unbiased. :p I will post the dyno numbers after I have about 5K on the clock after everything is seated and broken in. One question - is anyone using synthetic? Right now I'm running Kendall 20-50.

Good luck. Rick

Congratulations Rick, IMO you made the right choice. I have the same set-up - '72S with 2.7RS MFI - and I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm having a fast reving 2.8L built for my race car (instead of replacing the 3.2L) for similar reasons. I would use Mobil 1 in an aluminum case motor and Kendall or Shell 20-50 in a magnesium case motor. All the best!

P.S. Are you coming to Gary's Camp-Out?

Hiya Randy,

Would love to go to Gary's - sounds like a hoot, but family obligations will not allow. :mad: Intend to attend the historics, PIR, and some of the others. With my luck when those events come around, the car will go to paint for 2 months and will have to drive the Mega-pig.

Regards,
Rick