Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator

Posted By: camastomcat

Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/22/12 04:39 PM

Guys,
After putting 10 dyno runs and 20 passes on my Predator combo, at Steve's direction The motor was pulled and sent back to Ceralli's to find out why the oil pressure wasn't holding the pressure any of us were comfortable with. I have to say,I am very impressed the way these guys treat the customer after the sale. It's as if the motor was theirs. That being said, I have heard of a few other people with Predators that were having the same issue. As I'm not qualified to explain the solution, I would encourage anyone having this problem to contact Predator Performance and they will correct it. It's too good of a combo to give up on it, and I'll prove it in a couple of months when the motor is re-installed. Steve is available at Predatorperformance.com. I also want to thank Boatracer for all of the input and ideas as well as Al Alguire. C

Posted By: MRMOPAR622

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/22/12 05:22 PM

That's great news Tom to hear of a company now days that stands behind their work!

Now as for Al's company......

Posted By: sunroofgtx

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/23/12 01:05 PM

Thanks for taking the time to post some great news about a vendor. Good luck. You'll be the one laughing when your combo is set on kill. Congrats and good luck.

Posted By: HPMike

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/23/12 02:31 PM

I know those guys well for many years and use Bill's dyno for my builds. They are top notch people. You are lucky to have met them.

MB

Posted By: PETE@BESTMACHINE

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/23/12 03:05 PM

How could a cylinder head cause a oil pressure problem? We have done many engines with Predator heads and none with a oil pressure problem. Hard to blame a cylinder head for that. Must be something else that is causing this, good luck with it, they are a great cylinder head. How has the new engine compared to your B-1 stuff so far?

Posted By: 11secdart

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/23/12 04:24 PM

Thats why Bill`s been doing my engines ( as well as my new pump gas 408) for over 25 years. Don`t forget Frank ( the resident Mopar guru/ engine assembler/ dyno operator there ) who I`ve known for over 30 years. Top notch! If it were`t for them I would be totally lost and nowhere.

Posted By: gillman34

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/23/12 04:41 PM

Quote:

How could a cylinder head cause a oil pressure problem? We have done many engines with Predator heads and none with a oil pressure problem. Hard to blame a cylinder head for that. Must be something else that is causing this, good luck with it, they are a great cylinder head. How has the new engine compared to your B-1 stuff so far?

No it's not in the heads. Oil is leaking past the lifter at full lift. They are chevy style lifter bodies,Isky is making new lifters(chrysler style bodies) and we are revising the lifter bushings. Yes, this was all checked on mock up,and looked/measured fine.
We are not talking about a major loss of pressure here,about 10 psi, but it is more than I will accept. The engine shows NO signs of distress anywhere else,(rods,mains,cam brgs) and could have been run all season as it was,but Tom and I decided that finding the root cause now would be better than waiting. I stand behind my engines and will do everything in my power to make the customer happy.
Steve
Predator Performance Products LLC
973-907-4474

Posted By: tboomer

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/23/12 04:44 PM

Way to go,Steve!! Customer service is a number one issue with so many companies anymore..My hat is off to ya!!

Posted By: camastomcat

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/23/12 07:18 PM

Quote:

How could a cylinder head cause a oil pressure problem? We have done many engines with Predator heads and none with a oil pressure problem. Hard to blame a cylinder head for that. Must be something else that is causing this, good luck with it, they are a great cylinder head. How has the new engine compared to your B-1 stuff so far?

Pete, Well Steve offered the oil bleed issue, and I'll answer the B1-Predator comparison one. I'm of the opinion that the Predator deal has alot more power than I've been able to utilize. I say that because I can feel it even though the ET and MPH numbers don't show it. As with any new combo and like the first runs with the B1 set up, it took me a while to pick the best gear, converter, launch PRM and carb set up. I'm also considering 16" beedlocks and a few different shock settings. I also have not run the full timing curve needed, but I like them and they make over 100HP more than my B1 originals. It just takes time. Thanks for asking. PS The reason for posting is that I heard some other people had some more prolimatic oiling issues that hurt some parts.

Posted By: go green

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/23/12 07:55 PM

I didn't want to go any bigger than a .460 lobe on the camshaft for just that reason . I originally had 1.75 rocker arms but then switched to 1.90 rocker arm ratio and went with a smaller lobe .

Posted By: hemi-itis

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/24/12 12:08 AM

I was lucky enough to use their engine dyno when ARC freshened my hemi and it was time to light the engine.Steve Gill saved my butt and allowed us to use his headers and carbs when we had issues with mine.I look foward to using thier machine shop & dyno service on the next go-round.Thanks again Frank,Bill & Steve

Attached picture 7262477-2011-09-21_00014.JPG

Posted By: camastomcat

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/24/12 05:06 PM

Quote:

I know those guys well for many years and use Bill's dyno for my builds. They are top notch people. You are lucky to have met them.

MB

Bill, Frank, Steve, Johnny, they are all the real deal. I have never heard the other race people comment on problems or be as interested in the final outcome of the projects of customers like these guys. It's very rare indeed, especially in the racing world where most say "It's a race engine, no warrantees written, expressed, or implied". That includes Sonny. It's the type of thing that has me wanting another one of these Predator engines.

Posted By: poppaj

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/24/12 07:14 PM

Very cool that they are so willing to check it over for you Tommy. Are you running the B-1? poppaj

Posted By: B1Johnny

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/24/12 08:59 PM

hey Tom it is rare in this day and age to find people who stand behind their work .i have been burnt a few times. it is a good feeling when you have a shop that will stand behind their work. thats why i went with Best Machine. Steve is a good man i met him the day i crashed my car at a rental at atco.i know he will fix the problem.i worked on my junk for 4 days straight,its all about fixing problemsi should be at Monster Mopar at indy,if i have enough money to get the little stuff.the motor went in today ,i painted the cage the last two days i am so anal .i am rewiring the car and putting racepak dash and sensors in it take care johnny!!

Posted By: camastomcat

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/25/12 01:06 AM

Quote:

Very cool that they are so willing to check it over for you Tommy. Are you running the B-1? poppaj

Yes, it's my back up for now. I'm also kinda working on a B1 M/C deal, but I think the Predator will be worth the wait.

Posted By: camastomcat

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/25/12 01:08 AM

Quote:

hey Tom it is rare in this day and age to find people who stand behind their work .i have been burnt a few times. it is a good feeling when you have a shop that will stand behind their work. thats why i went with Best Machine. Steve is a good man i met him the day i crashed my car at a rental at atco.i know he will fix the problem.i worked on my junk for 4 days straight,its all about fixing problemsi should be at Monster Mopar at indy,if i have enough money to get the little stuff.the motor went in today ,i painted the cage the last two days i am so anal .i am rewiring the car and putting racepak dash and sensors in it take care johnny!!

It's a sweet looking car Johnny, can't wait to hear how it runs. Good luck!

Posted By: poppaj

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/25/12 02:07 AM

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Very cool that they are so willing to check it over for you Tommy. Are you running the B-1? poppaj

Yes, it's my back up for now. I'm also kinda working on a B1 M/C deal, but I think the Predator will be worth the wait.

Sounds good Tommy. I am also looking into the M/C heads for our new motor, Preditors are not legal in NSS. Good Luck! poppaj

Posted By: camastomcat

Re: Steve Gill/ Ceralli's Racing Engines/ predator - 06/25/12 02:33 AM

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Very cool that they are so willing to check it over for you Tommy. Are you running the B-1? poppaj

Yes, it's my back up for now. I'm also kinda working on a B1 M/C deal, but I think the Predator will be worth the wait.

Sounds good Tommy. I am also looking into the M/C heads for our new motor, Preditors are not legal in NSS. Good Luck! poppaj

We are fortunate to have the guys that developed the Chapman stage 6 heads, here in Utah. That's who's doing my M/C's. Although flow numbers are different from bench to bench, he's getting almost 460cfm on the intake side. He's also going to compare them to my originals when I'm done with that engine. I'll let you guys know how it works out, but I'm sure the B1 M/C deal will be down HP from the Predator.