supercharged '01 Bullitt valve float?

CougarBullitt6801 · January 21st, 2011, 06:58 PM

I haven't posted on here in quite a while. There's something about my car that's been bugging me for some time now. Lemme start with my setup.

tuned by JBA in San Diego (91 octane tune)
410rwhp@6477, 399rwtq@4827
Vortech S-trim, 3.33" pulley, aftercooler
90mm MAF
stock 4.6 2v
stock heads
upgraded fuel system that came with Vortech kit
stock oil pump
stock 3650
(I'm not entirely sure what clutch/flywheel the original owner installed)
FRPP aluminum d/s
FRPP 3.73s
stock Bullitt suspension/rear-end
stock exhaust manifolds/h-pipe
Magnaflow catback
wheels: 17x8 (245/45) front, 17x10.5 (315/35) rear
a little over 35k miles on her now

Now, the issue. Whenever I go WOT and the rpm's go past 5k, I hear a "metallic shard-like grinding" sound coming from the engine bay. My buddy says he thinks it's probably the valves or springs floating. According to the dyno sheet, PSI climbs from 7.5 to 11.5 from 5k to 6400 rpm. It's kind of odd how the PSI drops to 6.0 at max recorded hp @ 6477 rpm.

Is this valve float or something else? My Bullitt is a daily driver, and performs fine under normal conditions.

ytngt · January 21st, 2011, 07:33 PM

I am no expert on valve float. Please do not go wot until you can get it to a shop to be checked out. Any metallic sounds that you can hear at wot is not good.

tbirdscwd · January 21st, 2011, 08:06 PM

It's highly unlikely that you are getting valve float. These cars really don't have that problem like a lot of old pushrod engines. Given your list of mods, detonation sounds a lot more like what you are looking at. You are probably going lean up top or just running too much boost and or timing for your setup.

You are making 410rwhp on stock heads, cams, exhaust (except for catback), and running on 91 octane? Have your tuner back the timing off or get a bigger pulley and run less boost. You are gonna pop that motor.

JakeM · January 21st, 2011, 08:09 PM

What BOV are you running? The stock plastic Vortech POS?

J smitty · January 21st, 2011, 08:49 PM

+1 to what tbird said. I heard that noise when I broke a piston ringland which is a cause of detonation! Take a look at the tune or just buy an IC or meth. injection to lower them IAT's!

CougarBullitt6801 · January 21st, 2011, 09:11 PM

Yeah, I'm gonna stop with the WOT stuff until I get all this looked at, especially since this is my dd. Thanks for the info, guys.

Also, I've heard some mixed reviews about methanol kits

Originally Posted by JakeM

What BOV are you running? The stock plastic Vortech POS?

JBA welded in a more high-quality BOV near the T/B since they were still getting high pressure readings with that crappy Vortech one (which is still installed).

sharkbait · January 21st, 2011, 09:32 PM

you might be getting detonation

check your plugs

SWEET2KSTANG · January 21st, 2011, 09:53 PM

valve float is something i would look into if you are dropping boost in the higher rpm's. its not the likely thing, but is more possible than what i bout to mention. lifting a head would cause the same issue as well.

stal94gt · January 21st, 2011, 11:27 PM

stock springs are good to about 15# of boost. i have seen people get closer to 18# before they float. it sounds more like det to me.

cbjohnson9 · January 22nd, 2011, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by sharkbait

you might be getting detonation

check your plugs

What signs would a plug have if detonation were occurring?

CougarBullitt6801 · January 22nd, 2011, 01:12 AM

Besides backing off the timing, should I also look at getting one step colder spark plugs, like the NGK TR-6's?

limited · January 22nd, 2011, 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by CougarBullitt6801

Besides backing off the timing, should I also look at getting one step colder spark plugs, like the NGK TR-6's?

your not running colder plugs already?

CougarBullitt6801 · January 22nd, 2011, 01:31 AM

Originally Posted by limited

your not running colder plugs already?

No. I'm fairly new to this forced induction stuff. I bought the car at a dealership with the supercharger already installed thinking the original owner made sure everything was taken care of.

jivepepper · January 22nd, 2011, 02:13 AM

I made 515rwhp with stock heads and valve train including valve springs. I had HP s292 cams and ran it to 6400 rpm. Never had any trouble with valve float.

Black Bullitt · January 22nd, 2011, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by CougarBullitt6801

Besides backing off the timing, should I also look at getting one step colder spark plugs, like the NGK TR-6's?

YES, IMMEDIATELY!!!!

Originally Posted by jivepepper

I made 515rwhp with stock heads and valve train including valve springs. I had HP s292 cams and ran it to 6400 rpm. Never had any trouble with valve float.

How many #s of boost were you running at that time, Jive?

jivepepper · January 22nd, 2011, 07:46 AM

Between 12-13 psi

Eagle2000GT · January 22nd, 2011, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by CougarBullitt6801

JBA welded in a more high-quality BOV near the T/B since they were still getting high pressure readings with that crappy Vortech one (which is still installed).

You have your blow off valve near the throttle body? Where is you MAF?

Intercooler? You didn't mention an intercooler. If I reading this right you have a stock motor, non-intercooled 11.5 psi supercharger, 410 rwhp, 91 octane gas, and you run it to 6400 rpms. Tbird's right. That motor is going to pop.

tbirdscwd · January 22nd, 2011, 02:31 PM

One step colder plugs.......for sure. Do it yesterday. The aftercooler should keep the ACT down plenty. But you definitely need to get a step colder plugs in there. When you take the stockers out, look at the ceramic portion under the strap for tiny pieces or "balls" of aluminum. You may not be able to see anything without holding a bright flashlight right up to them. They will almost sparkle with a bright light shined directly at them.

If that is your problem, you should notice an immediate disappearance of the symptoms. I would still verify exactly how much timing you are running on that engine under WOT and above 3k. You should not see more than 14-15 degrees of advance anywhere above 3,000rpm under WOT. AFR should be mid to high 11s

CougarBullitt6801 · January 22nd, 2011, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by Eagle2000GT

You have your blow off valve near the throttle body? Where is you MAF?

Intercooler? You didn't mention an intercooler. If I reading this right you have a stock motor, non-intercooled 11.5 psi supercharger, 410 rwhp, 91 octane gas, and you run it to 6400 rpms. Tbird's right. That motor is going to pop.

The MAF is before the blower. And I have Vortech's "aftercooler" setup. But I never run it up that high on the rpms, especially since I notice the metallic "pinging" right after 5k. That's just where JBA recorded my peak power. Either way, I'm laying off WOT and just gonna drive how I normally do, shifting between 2000-2500rpm until I get new plugs and the timing looked at.

Originally Posted by tbirdscwd

One step colder plugs.......for sure. Do it yesterday. The aftercooler should keep the ACT down plenty. But you definitely need to get a step colder plugs in there. When you take the stockers out, look at the ceramic portion under the strap for tiny pieces or "balls" of aluminum. You may not be able to see anything without holding a bright flashlight right up to them. They will almost sparkle with a bright light shined directly at them.

If that is your problem, you should notice an immediate disappearance of the symptoms. I would still verify exactly how much timing you are running on that engine under WOT and above 3k. You should not see more than 14-15 degrees of advance anywhere above 3,000rpm under WOT. AFR should be mid to high 11s

Thanks, tbird. I really appreciate it

tbirdscwd · January 22nd, 2011, 03:17 PM

No problem. Let us know how it goes

January 21st, 2011, 06:58 PM	#1
CougarBullitt6801 Regular 2001 Bullitt Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Spring Valley, CA Posts: 61 iTrader: 0 reviews	supercharged '01 Bullitt valve float? I haven't posted on here in quite a while. There's something about my car that's been bugging me for some time now. Lemme start with my setup. tuned by JBA in San Diego (91 octane tune) 410rwhp@6477, 399rwtq@4827 Vortech S-trim, 3.33" pulley, aftercooler 90mm MAF stock 4.6 2v stock heads upgraded fuel system that came with Vortech kit stock oil pump stock 3650 (I'm not entirely sure what clutch/flywheel the original owner installed) FRPP aluminum d/s FRPP 3.73s stock Bullitt suspension/rear-end stock exhaust manifolds/h-pipe Magnaflow catback wheels: 17x8 (245/45) front, 17x10.5 (315/35) rear a little over 35k miles on her now Now, the issue. Whenever I go WOT and the rpm's go past 5k, I hear a "metallic shard-like grinding" sound coming from the engine bay. My buddy says he thinks it's probably the valves or springs floating. According to the dyno sheet, PSI climbs from 7.5 to 11.5 from 5k to 6400 rpm. It's kind of odd how the PSI drops to 6.0 at max recorded hp @ 6477 rpm. Is this valve float or something else? My Bullitt is a daily driver, and performs fine under normal conditions. __________________ '68 Cougar, non-XR7, 289/3spd 2001 Bullitt #185 (410rwhp/399rwtq)

January 21st, 2011, 07:33 PM	#2
ytngt Enthusiast 2002 Mustang GT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: LA Posts: 953 iTrader: 0 reviews	I am no expert on valve float. Please do not go wot until you can get it to a shop to be checked out. Any metallic sounds that you can hear at wot is not good. __________________

January 21st, 2011, 08:06 PM	#3
tbirdscwd MM Fanatic 2004 Mustang GT 12.88 @ 109.45 N/A Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 3,417 iTrader: -1 reviews	It's highly unlikely that you are getting valve float. These cars really don't have that problem like a lot of old pushrod engines. Given your list of mods, detonation sounds a lot more like what you are looking at. You are probably going lean up top or just running too much boost and or timing for your setup. You are making 410rwhp on stock heads, cams, exhaust (except for catback), and running on 91 octane? Have your tuner back the timing off or get a bigger pulley and run less boost. You are gonna pop that motor. __________________ Fun: 2004 Mustang GT DD: 1994 Ram 2500 Cummins 4x4 Borla "Stinger" Exhaust Vids

January 21st, 2011, 09:32 PM	#7
sharkbait Hooo Ha Ha 1997 Mustang GT 11.65 @ 115 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pasadena MD Posts: 9,743 iTrader: 10 reviews	you might be getting detonation check your plugs __________________ 410rwhp 520rwtq @ 12.9 psi

January 21st, 2011, 09:53 PM	#8
SWEET2KSTANG mm's nitrous mod 2000 mustang gt 11.79@115.83 (old set up) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: N.W. AR Posts: 12,540 iTrader: 8 reviews	valve float is something i would look into if you are dropping boost in the higher rpm's. its not the likely thing, but is more possible than what i bout to mention. lifting a head would cause the same issue as well. __________________ project warhorse under construction wagon burner under construction as well (04 lightning) being built by MP2 Performance

January 21st, 2011, 08:49 PM	#5
J smitty Regular Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 56 iTrader: 0 reviews	+1 to what tbird said. I heard that noise when I broke a piston ringland which is a cause of detonation! Take a look at the tune or just buy an IC or meth. injection to lower them IAT's!

January 21st, 2011, 11:27 PM	#9
stal94gt I Post Entirely Way Too Much 2003 mustang v6 ;) slow Join Date: May 2010 Location: eglin afb florida Posts: 10,197 iTrader: 2 reviews	stock springs are good to about 15# of boost. i have seen people get closer to 18# before they float. it sounds more like det to me.

January 22nd, 2011, 01:12 AM	#11
CougarBullitt6801 Regular 2001 Bullitt Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Spring Valley, CA Posts: 61 iTrader: 0 reviews	Besides backing off the timing, should I also look at getting one step colder spark plugs, like the NGK TR-6's? __________________ '68 Cougar, non-XR7, 289/3spd 2001 Bullitt #185 (410rwhp/399rwtq)

January 22nd, 2011, 02:13 AM	#14
jivepepper I Post Entirely Way Too Much Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Under a sombrero Posts: 5,025 iTrader: 1 reviews	I made 515rwhp with stock heads and valve train including valve springs. I had HP s292 cams and ran it to 6400 rpm. Never had any trouble with valve float. __________________ 665/541 WHP/WTQ 4.6L SOHC 2V ON 93 OCTANE PUMP GAS. NO METH INJ., NO E85, NO RACE GAS, N2O BABY BOTTLES! TRAP=POWER: 11.01 @135, IN SUMMER HEAT, 1350' TRACK, 315/35/17 DR'S

January 22nd, 2011, 07:46 AM	#16
jivepepper I Post Entirely Way Too Much Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Under a sombrero Posts: 5,025 iTrader: 1 reviews	Between 12-13 psi __________________ 665/541 WHP/WTQ 4.6L SOHC 2V ON 93 OCTANE PUMP GAS. NO METH INJ., NO E85, NO RACE GAS, N2O BABY BOTTLES! TRAP=POWER: 11.01 @135, IN SUMMER HEAT, 1350' TRACK, 315/35/17 DR'S

January 22nd, 2011, 02:31 PM	#18
tbirdscwd MM Fanatic 2004 Mustang GT 12.88 @ 109.45 N/A Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 3,417 iTrader: -1 reviews	One step colder plugs.......for sure. Do it yesterday. The aftercooler should keep the ACT down plenty. But you definitely need to get a step colder plugs in there. When you take the stockers out, look at the ceramic portion under the strap for tiny pieces or "balls" of aluminum. You may not be able to see anything without holding a bright flashlight right up to them. They will almost sparkle with a bright light shined directly at them. If that is your problem, you should notice an immediate disappearance of the symptoms. I would still verify exactly how much timing you are running on that engine under WOT and above 3k. You should not see more than 14-15 degrees of advance anywhere above 3,000rpm under WOT. AFR should be mid to high 11s __________________ Fun: 2004 Mustang GT DD: 1994 Ram 2500 Cummins 4x4 Borla "Stinger" Exhaust Vids

January 22nd, 2011, 03:17 PM	#20
tbirdscwd MM Fanatic 2004 Mustang GT 12.88 @ 109.45 N/A Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 3,417 iTrader: -1 reviews	No problem. Let us know how it goes __________________ Fun: 2004 Mustang GT DD: 1994 Ram 2500 Cummins 4x4 Borla "Stinger" Exhaust Vids

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Ford Mustang Forum Advertisement

Threads Similar to: supercharged '01 Bullitt valve float?
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Supercharged Bullitt - Stumbling/Mis-firing	M3Killer	2005 - 2010	16	January 9th, 2011 02:10 PM
Bullitt Valve Cover Help	S281	99-04	3	June 22nd, 2009 06:37 PM
My Bullitt #1696 Supercharged	nd4spd	2005 - 2010	42	December 14th, 2008 04:29 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:58 PM.
Contact Us - Modded Mustangs : Ford Mustang Forums - Privacy Statement - Top
Modded Mustangs is ©2005-2008, All Rights Reserved, And is Not Affiliated with Ford Motor Company. Forum is powered by vBulletin ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Ent. Ltd. & SEO by vBSEO 3.3.2 ©2009, Crawlability, Inc.