So I had a p***ing thought while reading the old turbo flathead thread, it seems that the packard v12 from 1933 to 1939 would be an excellend turbocharging candidate. It has exhaust and intake in the same side, canted valves, and the exhaust manifold is perfect for mounting a single custom made turbocharger on angled 90 degrees perpendicular from the crankshaft like german aircraft blowers. You would likely need to reinforce the carburetor or if you are adventurous enough, remanufacture the intake with a 4 barrel intake instead of a two barrel. I would think the 445 cubic inch v12 would be better due to the shorter stroke allowing for more rpms which you should get easily with the turbo. Not sure about an intercooler being necessary unless you use really high boost pressures. But the packard v12 made peak power at 3200 rpm a turbo could easily increase that to 4500 rpm.
That may be, but these are super expensive and rare engines. About $50k cost to do a rebuild. How about a BMW V-12? Still expensive, but at least a bit more affordable with lots more performance potential for the money.
Maybe he has the Packard gathering dust under his work bench for the last thirty years and finally figured out what to do with it…
Go for it Lucifer, show these old farts how it is done. Although, if you happen to have one of the 549 445 ci "Twin Sixes" that Packard ever built, my guess is you could sell it for a metric **** ton more as a stocker than with a cobbled turbo setup on it. Rebuildable cores go for $25K - 30K, A running motor, barn find sold for nearly $80K back in 2015. Big coin for a very rare and special engine.
Maybe it’s been under his dad’s workbench for thirty years and he just figured out what to do with it….