My 330 GT Engine To Be Rebuilt

[DBR330GT]

From Richard,

Hello Dan, She is running! Motor has been set up and fired up on Thursday,
had a bit of a delay due to our dyno software. The engine runs very strong,
sounds very crisp and no leaks of any sort at this time. Fernando will be
running her for the next few days to seat in rings, valves, etc. all temps,
pressures are normal, No issues! I will email over a video on Monday of the
dyno runs/pulls for you, you will enjoy it. The next run and video will be
with the stock resonators/mufflers mid week. Also, the engine torque is
increased 10-12 ft-lb's across the rpm range already compared to stock specs
form factory!

Have a Great weekend!

Richard


Also the ANSA exhaust finally arrived.

[DBR330GT]

From Richard:

"Hello Dan, The brake lines, fuel tank, fuel hoses, etc. have been installed.
The engine went in this morning and we are getting ready to prep/paint the
gear box for you on Monday. I will have a lot of the coolant systems,
exhaust, etc in place on Monday/Tuesday."

We are getting close! Once the motor is plumbed, we still have to put the interior back together and install the radio and fix the driver window (which is why I sent the car in in the first place-a most expensive window repair!) I hope to have it home soon,

Dan

[DBR330GT]

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[DBR330GT]

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[Michael Bayer]

Dan Thanks for posting, she looks terrific! What HP did she Dyno out to and what specs if any did you do alter beyond pure stock in the motor?

[DBR330GT]

Hi Michael,

Great questions. Beyond using modern components (better and lighter pistons, better valves etc), we didnt do anything to hod rod it. It will use an MSD ignition. I will ask Richard about the HP.

TO ALL: the 330 engine was rated by Ferrari in the day at 300 BHP. How does that translate into todays HP measurements. Also I understand Ferraris rating of engine HP was optimistic. So, the important question is what is a good HP value for a rebuilt engine using modern equipment to measure HP?

Thanks,

Dan

[carello]

Great photos Dan, It looks very close to being on the road again.
Craig

[Tom Wilson]

What is different between old horse power ratings and new?

[DBR330GT]

Hi Tom,

I dont know the answer to that question but I guess what I am asking is did Ferrari back in the "old" days optimistically rate their engine's HP (ie was the new 330 GT engine really 300 HP if measured today)? Also if anyone has had their engine rebuilt, how close did their HP rating compare to the stated factory ouput? Can anyone share their rebult engines HP value so I have some comparison?

I dont yet know my HP value but I remember the torque was up by 12 lb-ft.

Dan

[330GT]

Did you ever get the horsepower numbers?

From various build sheets, Ferrari measured the type 209 engine 250-260 horsepower, corrected for weather, so no, a stock engine never (much less now) turned out 300 horsepower.

A friend of mine with a 330 GTC measured 218 horsepower on a rolling dynometer. Assuming 15% drive line loss, that would be about 250 horsepower.

[DBR330GT]

Richard is sending the dyno sheets and I will report when I get them,

Dan

[330GT]

Richard is sending the dyno sheets and I will report when I get them,

Dan

It will be interesting to compare a set of modern figures with ones from factory build sheets when the engines were first tested. I've put a web page discussing factory figures on http://www.parrotbyte.com/kbc/ferrari/Horsepower.htm.

[Yale]

I use the Oompfff Scale on measuring how much horsepower my car -feels- like it has. As I am sure I mentioned before, I spent a day at Jim Wickstead's house once when he took my carbs off the engine and using a vacum box he had built and waving a shrunken head with incantations and incense was able to get my Oooomppff Meter to pin. It felt like substatially more Oooompfff then any other 300 I had ever driven. I wondered if this ability to spin the rear wheels in third gear was a bit too much. If no other respected mechanic makes any other 330 I've driven feel like this, was it safe? Who knows. I do know my car scores along a wide range on the Ooompff Scale, depending on a range of variables.

[DBR330GT]

Thanks Kerry. I liked your writeup on horsepower and I will be glad to add to your data as soon as I get the dyno numbers,

Dan

[DBR330GT]

I have the dyno sheets but I cant figure out how to post the PDF document. I sent them to Kerry- perhaps he can post them? These were initial readings. Please read Richard and Fernando's Comments:

"Dan, Initial HP/Torque figures first few runs----263 hp @6500rpm-----244 lb-ft@4200rpm----! HP/TQ readings went up during break in/run in and engine tuning, carbs set up, timing settings, etc. Once the engine starts to seat in (rings), numbers start to rise. We had one run at 272 HP with different timing/mixture settings.
Fernando firmly believes number will be over 270’s once engine is firmly broken in, we have seen it on other motors."

The engine was rebuilt and the dyno runs were done at Competizione and Sports Cars. I have taken the car to the redline and the motor runs PERFECT. I am so pleased with all the work Richard and Stephen have done. Its incredible how much all this work transformed my car- I feel like I have a "new" old Ferrari!

Dan