’61 Impala with Twin-turbo Big-block Hits Our Dyno

A twin-turbo street engine built by Mike Moran Racing Engines and capable of 2,000-plus horsepower is on the Dynojet chassis dyno at the Power Automedia shop today. Seems like the 540ci big-block needed a tuning adjustment, and thanks to the Internet, Moran touched up the settings on the Big Stuff 3 ECU from his Michigan shop before the ’61 Impala owned by Gil Losi could set off a few car alarms in the neighborhood.

Tuning was handled remotely by Mike Moran using a wireless connection and the Internet.

The engine is based on a Dart Big M block that includes a Bryant billet crankshaft, Oliver billet rods, JE pistons, Hellfire rings, ARP hardware, Fel-Pro gaskets and Speed-Pro bearings. MRE 18-degree heads carry Manley stainless-steel valves and Jesel rockers that are motived by a MRE billet camshaft and Manton pushrods. Lubrication is handled by a Moroso/MRE 6-stage pan and pump. The twin 80mm Garrett turbos are driven by exhaust from headers fabricated by Steve Cook, and the air flows through a Ron Davis intercooler before heading to the MRE manifold before MRE injectors mix the fuel. Spark is provided by MSD.

On the engine dyno, the big-block made 2015 horsepower at a conservative 5,500 rpm but with a healthy 25 pounds of boost and VP Fuels race gas. Peak torque was 2,010 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm. For street duty, the boost is limited to 10 pounds, and 91 octane fills the tank. Also, power is now going through a torque converter and heavy-duty 4L80E automatic transmission. On the PAM chassis dyno, the Impala cranked out 756 horsepower to the wheels at 6,400 rpm with 655 lb-ft peak torque.

The Impala was first shown this year at the Detroit Autorama, and Losi will continue displaying the car through the Grand National Roadster Show next year. Then it will see considerably more street duty as he takes it to cruises and drives to the car shows.

Two views of the engine bay and a look at where the power was transferred to the Power Automedia Dynojet chassis dyno. Shown below is an overall view of the stunning '61 Impala owned by Gil Losi.

About the author

Mike Magda

Mike Magda is a veteran automotive writer with credits in publications such as Racecar Engineering, Hot Rod, Engine Technology International, Motor Trend, Automobile, Automotive Testing Technology and Professional Motorsport World.
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