Author Topic: Flow  (Read 6925 times)

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Offline trbinrat

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Flow
« on: November 20, 2012, 09:49:50 pm »
As I put my plan together for my Kawasaki flathead. I keep coming up with more questions and most of them revolve around flow. The Kawi already has a decent size intake valve (1.5") but would it benefit from a larger one. What dictates the size of the valve besides the space available.

 I know velocity is very important in filling the cylinder but can't that be dictated by the size and shape of the intake tract and cam overlap and lift. Volumetric efficiency and HP are the ultimate goal but can you go to big with the valve?


Thanks
    Mark
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Offline royalblu68f100

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Re: Flow
« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2012, 09:53:05 pm »
I have always been told to use the biggest valve possible until you start to lose velocity.
You never win a race by focusing on one aspect of the race!  Motor isn't everything, but you better have a good one!  Chassis too!  But remember, a driver can take a slow machine and make it faster!  I may not have/be the best of any of these but I'm trying!
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Offline BIG AL 202

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Re: Flow
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2012, 02:32:45 pm »
How far are you going with mods? It all works as a package, cam, carb, bore & stroke, compression, and timing. If you are running a limited class you may want to leave stock valves in it and work on the ports [not to big]. Flatheads are all about flow and bigger does't mean better. You can really kill performance with to big. To big and it won't run good until you get up there in rpm's and with a limited build you won't get enough to benifit bigger valves.
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Offline trbinrat

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Re: Flow
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2012, 03:45:54 pm »
No limited build here going all out. I've been reading lots and lots of ford flathead stuff and have learned a lot and have two good machine shops that can do anything I need. (With in my budget LOL)

I all so found this site http://www.hipermath.com/math_center/index  Looks like I'm going to have to sharpen my math skills some.

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Offline BIG AL 202

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Re: Flow
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2012, 04:54:41 pm »
YUP! You are goimg to sharpen your math skills!!  LOL
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Offline rebelce

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Re: Flow
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2012, 06:11:01 pm »
A lot of people get caught up in the "big-small" thing. What it boils down to, is quality of flow. A smooth, clean flowing port is what you are after. Turbulence causes a port to act smaller. Think in terms of gentile changes in directions. A toboggan run is what you're after in a flathead. Think in terms of inertia, what would happen if you dropped a marble down the intake ( OK, a marble small enough to fit through the valve lift). The valve lift is a part of your intake track as well!  The least amount of turbulence. How does the mixture pass through the valve and transition into the cylinder? Barney Navarro had it together back in the 40's.  Check out Ron Main's Flatfire. If a bigger valve can do this, cool, don't toss anything out without looking at the entire picture, twice!
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Offline trbinrat

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Re: Flow
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2012, 07:35:41 pm »
Yes I do agree it's the whole package.  I've been reading lots and lots on the subject of port flow the last few weeks and have learned a lot. Now its time to put a flow bench together and do some more learning.
Mark
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If you run with the heard you will never see the edge of the cliff
Racing lawn mowers is not cheap just cheaper.

 

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