Re: Hot Rod Options

Posted by Peter Packard On 2010/2/26 4:35:15

G'day all, In response to the original question, I would suggest that it would be imprudent to modify a V12, due to the sheer scarcity of them. Modification of any of the poured engine bearing eights would be courting disaster if the bearing loads were increased in any way, shape or form, IMHO anything over 2,500 rpm sustained is foolhardy with 70-80 year old poured bearings. Supergharging of the monocast slipper bearing engines has been widely discussed and Packard supercharged the 1954 - 359 engine quite successfully. There is plenty of scope for performance enhancement but i doubt that you would be able to achieve more than 35-40% reliable gain in horsepower. You will not achieve the figures becessary to out accelerate a VW Golf or any other modern bread and butter compact, even less so to a performance vehicle. Unless you are prepared to accept that you will still have a slug by modern standards then there is really no point in spending the money. Having said that I have dabbled seriously in improving the efficiency of my packards, to take advantage of modern fuels, etc and I am pleased with the increases in performance available. Best Regards Peter Toet.