Curious, what is the most powerfull block that is also small? ***Over all size, physical dimension. Hp output. Blowers, stroker... Pre 60s*** Vintage motors only... Nailheads, cads, inliners...
If you mean strongest block, Wall size comes to mind, 283's had thick walls. Plymouth made a Flathead 6 230. The Flathead was in production from the 40's till mid 70's and used in industrial tow motors, welders and many other industrial applications along with Dodge Power Wagons.....
OP is saying HP per CI....He has to add some parameters, cubic inch range and/or years of manufacture range is one thing but blowers too?...So you want the smallest package with the most power
My engine of choice is a Pontiac V-8 it's about 50 pounds more that a SBC. <LI class="toclevel-2 tocsection-4">3.1 287 55<LI class="toclevel-2 tocsection-5">3.2 316 56<LI class="toclevel-2 tocsection-6">3.3 347 57<LI class="toclevel-2 tocsection-7">3.4 370 58<LI class="toclevel-2 tocsection-8">3.5 389 59
That is about as loaded a question as anyone has posted lately as it has way too many variables. probably all out hp in a small physical package the Offy that Metalshapes posted above. Pure power per CI in a vintage engine I'd say a fully modified Crosley 4 banger that was in a midget or small hydro in the 50's . Those things are tiny but won an unreal number of races in both the small open wheel cars and small hydros.
Novi V8, final version, 1965. The final Andy Granatelli/STP-version of the Novi V8 had a 2-stage centrifugal supercharger and was 2.7 liters (167.28 ci). At about 65-70 psI boost, power output of 837 bhp at 8,200 rpm was claimed. This was equal to 305 bhp/litre (5.0 bhp/cu.in). Not too shabby for a motor designed in 1938....
Im not sure the physical dimension (its mass or space it takes up) of the novi is but it is quite impressive for the ci. I think metalshapes is on to what im asking. Any more?
Wow. That is a tough question. There are so many engines out there and many of them have lots of potential. You mentioned one of my favorites, the nailhead. Great engine. Another engine from Buick is the 300. The '65 had aluminum heads and the '64 had aluminum block also. Just think of a light weight engine with build potential and you could polish the entire aluminum engine if you wanted! The 215 would be a good buick aluminum choice also. The 289 and the 283 were both great engines with a ton of potential. 302 a small enough engine for you? It's got potential to do a lot. They used to make a lot of power building inline six engines to race. Cool and comparatively small displacement. Many small engines can make a lot of power. Some cost a lot to buy, some are hard to find the performance parts for and some cost a ton to build. More peramiters would help. Era, brand, want weight consideration? Cost of build? Do you want to stick to carbs, or maybe a blower to build power?
Close, but no cigar! ALL 300 inch Buicks were iron block, but the '64 models did have aluminum heads and intake. '65 models were all iron. Only the 215 was all aluminum. Ray
The SBC was dubbed the "mouse motor" for a reason. They're smaller in size and if built right they pack one hell of a punch. There are tons of vintage speed parts availabe for them as well. Some people don't like them, but you can't deny they're a great little engine.
It's amazing that Mr. Granatelli is 90 years old. I remember those old T.V. commercial's of Andy pitching Tune Up Masters.
I don't don't know about the 4-71 suggestion. Very good at converting fuel to noise, but that might be about it. The Offy 270 would have to be right at the top of the list. They were pushing close to 1000 hp at 35 psi of boost before Indy started limiting boost. Of course the Ford / Cosworth DFV replaced the venerable Offy starting in 1966. At that time, a naturally aspirated DFV was putting out 500+ hp from 183 ci (3.0 L). I realize both of those examples were true race engines, but they are a fine example of vintage motors that were about as small, compact, yet packed quite a wallop. I can't believe no one mentioned the Ford Hi-Po 289. True, the 427FE gets all the credit for winning LeMans, and dominating NASCAR, but physically, that is a very large motor. The 289 and 302 Hi-Po motors are small, relatively lightweight, and very powerful in race trim. They have an excellent record in Trans-Am and Road Racing.
I have to wonder why the question? 289 and 302 where great for this. SBC is cheapest to build. My mind goes to the Cobra..... But the tq of a Flathead 6 is incredible, Much like a 4-71... and didn't need wound up
Depends on what you really want. Small? Light? Affordable? Expensive? You want high hp...a small, short-stroke engine can give you high hp numbers at high rpms...but not a lot of torque at lower speeds. If you want good torque too, you need cubic inches. I'd say an aluminum stroker 383ci SBC with aluminum aftermarket heads. And maybe a supercharger. If height is limited, a centrifigul supercharger rather than a roots style can save room. Maybe a turbocharger.
I remember seeing a Cosworth/Ford four cylinder in a midget in the late eighties that would run circles around the four cylinder chevys. I don't know what rpm he was turning but it was really high.
Not a car engine, but maybe still worth mentioning. Moto Guzzi V8. 1955 - 1957 500cc, 72HP at 12.000RPM. Sounds nice too...
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