Re: Supercharged Packard Straight Eight

Posted by Fish'n Jim On 2023/8/26 20:08:35

We've kicked the tires on this before. I've never been convinced this is worth the effort. The max. boost is determined by the flat head pressure rating, which isn't stellar as a flat piece of iron, so even if it can hold 15-20 psig without gasket blowing, that's not much HP. Plus one needs to enhance the spark system for igniting pressure charges.
Yes, ~twice HP what was stock(circa 130), but still way low to current stds. <<300. HP/wt ratio still sucks as very heavy engine blocks. Of course, hot rodding is/was more about cool factor in some respects.
I'd choose a turbo as it's not parasitic and can vent boost. There's several of those around or pictures of same.
The supercharger typically has fuel mixed in and spins relative to the rpm, so care has to be taken to not scatter things at WOT. Much like a run-away condition can occur. Typical at the drag strip to see a blower explosion back in the day and why they came up with the fragment jackets/blankets. Now with computers and new materials, it's a better HP world. One can take a LS block and make 1000 HP for less than $10K these days. I wouldn't even ride in some of these rat rods. They're not safe. Cool maybe, safe not most.