Thread: High Power Flathead

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Well now..........hasn't this thread gotten "interesting"?? Here is my take on this whole high hp flathead thing. If a person builds one it would be so that they have something different and possibly traditional . Or maybe they want to run a particular class at the races. Any other reason escapes me because with the amount of money they will spend trying to make it live and put out some good hp numbers they would be way ahead building almost any other V8 OHV engine on the market.

I think it is indisputable that if you gave me $ 7000 to build lets say a Chevy BB and gave someone else $ 7000 to build a flathead, the BBC would leave the flathead in the dust and probably live a lot longer. Like the others I am curious why Nitro won't post any dyno sheets to back up his claims. It isn't like he would be disclosing some National Secret or violating his customers trust in him. I don't say that to infer he is fibbing, just can't understand the reluctance to post them.

Who would have thought an engine that died over 50 years ago would spark such a lively discussion in 2009?

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Well now..........hasn't this thread gotten "interesting"?? Here is my take on this whole high hp flathead thing. If a person builds one it would be so that they have something different and possibly traditional . Or maybe they want to run a particular class at the races. Any other reason escapes me because with the amount of money they will spend trying to make it live and put out some good hp numbers they would be way ahead building almost any other V8 OHV engine on the market.

I think it is indisputable that if you gave me $ 7000 to build lets say a Chevy BB and gave someone else $ 7000 to build a flathead, the BBC would leave the flathead in the dust and probably live a lot longer. Like the others I am curious why Nitro won't post any dyno sheets to back up his claims. It isn't like he would be disclosing some National Secret or violating his customers trust in him. I don't say that to infer he is fibbing, just can't understand the reluctance to post them.

Who would have thought an engine that died over 50 years ago would spark such a lively discussion in 2009?

Don

I may be wrong, but I actually recall reading about a flathead builder who reversed the intake and exhaust ports on the engine and used racing gasoline to obtain 700 horsepower from the flathead.

I stand by my ideal of an early OHV Cadillac just because the idea of a "Fordalac" still seems neat to me, BUT (!) judging by the questions so far I think a crate engine should be considered. Simply put, for the money the most power would be from a crate BBC engine but he doesn't want a Chevy. I can only say that there is an offer for a brand new 5.7 L Mopar Hemi engine in my Speedway catalog for a mere $2999.95 which would be a novel and modern form of a hemi although it is injected and will need a modern interface or a simple carb. setup. Check out the inside of the back cover of Speedway catalog #280. For that kind of money I personally would take a long look at the Edelbrock Performer RPM 9.5:1 410 HP SBC for a mere $6689.95 from Yogi's.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

For what it is worth I note on page 30 of the Dec. 2009 Street Rodder Magazine there is an advertisement for a 6.1 L hemi built by Indy Cylinder Head listed as available for $6995 (317) 862-3724. It is rated at 400 HP and 375 ft. lb. torque.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder