A&Q about 350Z
Q:
In the late 70's or early 80's Bruce Crower developed a kit for the 350 SBC that reportedly improved mileage significantly. It used a very high compression ratio combined with late intake valve closing. The theory being less throttling losses, less compression stroke, higher expansion ratio. Does anyone have any information on this kit? Crower was no help. Thanks.
A:
Interesting. But if you have shorter compression stroke(intake valve remaining open longer) what will that do for compression? Sounds kinda like a miller-cycle engine but they have less compression and use a turbo.
Maybe you could make a kit. Put some domed pistons in with some higher ratio rocker arms on the intake valves. May need to retard your valve timing too. I don't know if this would work though.
A:
I think the trial version used an off the shelf domed piston that actually projected up into a recess machined into the head in order to get the static compression ratio high enough. I assume the production kit just had a very high compression ratio custom piston. I was hoping someone had some info on how high the production compression ratio was and when they closed the intake valve. I checked with Crane and it is not too expensive to have a custom flat tappet cam ground.