There ya go! It sounds like you've solved the actual problem.

If your engine isn't pinging, I suggest you don't bother with the "octane boost". If it does ping, try using a higher grade of fuel if you can find it. If you can't, the octane boost is an expensive way to get more. So is race gas. I'd suggest retarding the timing instead--but that's only if you are pinging.

If your Scat cam is aggressive enough, the 9.3:1 is not too high a compression ratio. What happens is that the valves are open for long enough that some of the mixture gets out rather than being compressed. This lowers your effective compression ratio (hence Jake's comment about "dynamic CR", though most references I've seen talk about the dynamic stuff talk about cylinder pressures and not ratios).

If you hear pinging, that's a Bad Sign. Running over 250 is also a Bad Thing. Keep an eye/ear out for both, but in the meantime enjoy the car!

--DD

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Pelican Parts 914 Tech Support

A few pics of my car: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Dave_Darling

I had a feeling that it wasn't a motor build issue. There were other things that I wanted to do (bigger P&Cs and a stroker crank) and my builder said no, he didn't want to remove case material and comprimise engine life. I am pretty sure that he wouldn't build me a grenade. I went through and checked the valve adjustment, it was good so,I figured it had to be something relatively simple. We had a cold snap here, so I am not 1000% positive that the timing was it the only reason it was running hot. I will feel better after I drive hard on an 80 degree day and it has a cooler on it.

But anyway. Thank you all for your input. I drove home from the local PCA meeting last night with a smile on my face and no room under my right foot.

I love my car.