THE SHOCKING TRUTH BEHIND NOVI V8 DEADLY INDY ENGINE

Beginning as a Winfield engine, it w as 3.0 liter, either dual or quad cam, it was 450hp, which for 1941 was a hellava lot... ended it's try at winning a race with 837hp in 1964. 3 liters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novi_engine

Design & Output:
The Novi was a supercharged, dual overhead cam (DOHC) V8 with a displacement of 181 cubic inches (2.966 L) Its centrifugal supercharger spun at up to 43,000 rpm, producing boost pressures as high as 30 psi
Early versions made 450 hp at 8,000 rpm—50% more than rivals—while later versions under Andy Granatelli’s STP team reached 734–837 hp

The famed Novi indy V8 engine is one of the most storied engine in American motorsports history and also one of the most star-crossed. Massively power, innovative in its design and capable of making noise like no other engine in the history of the Speedway, it never won a race. But why? How does the most powerful engine for a two decade span not win...anything? This video is a complete history of the Novi both in its developent and in competition. The people that made it, the technology that advanced it, and the issues that sunk it. If you have wondered where this engine came from, how much power it made and what its guts looked like, you'll know now. Built in incredibly limited number, they were gloriously and awesomely lauded by Indy 500 fans, no matter their record on the track


Brothers Ed and Bud Winfield, makers of racing carburetors, wanted to build an Indy car for the new formula. They landed sponsorship from Lewis Welch of Novi, Mich., who made Ford parts and rebuilt Ford engines.

Welch wanted a V8, and asked that it be named after his home town of Novi. The Novi engine would be installed in a Harry Miller-designed Ford front-drive chassis that raced at Indy in 1935.

A large front-mounted, intercooled centrifugal supercharger was spun by a horizontal shaft from the rear of the engine.

It breathed through three Winfield carburetors, and, at 8,000 rpm, the blower was turning at 42,000, producing up to 30 psi of boost. It was rated at 450 horsepower when a typical Offenhauser had 300.

In the 1946 Indy, the Novi Governor Special did the four-lap qualifying at 216 km/h. No car had ever done more than 211
http://studebaker-info.org/Indy/NOvi/...

Technical Marvel and Powerhouse


Why Was the Novi “Deadly”?

Overwhelming Power vs. Chassis:
The Novi’s immense power consistently overwhelmed the chassis, tires, and drivetrains of its era. Drivers reported the car spinning its tires at high speed on the straightaways, making it extremely difficult to control

Handling Challenges:
The engine’s weight and power delivery, especially in front-wheel-drive chassis, led to unpredictable handling and frequent crashes. The combination of explosive acceleration and challenging dynamics made the Novi a handful even for the best drivers

Accidents:
The Novi was involved in several crashes at Indy, including those of Ralph Hepburn and Chet Miller. These tragedies, along with its fearsome reputation, led some to believe the engine was cursed

Reliability Issues:
The relentless pursuit of more power often came at the expense of reliability. The engine suffered from frequent mechanical failures, with many races ending in retirement rather than victory



Legacy: A Legend That Never Won

Despite its speed and spectacle, the Novi never won the Indianapolis 500. It set records, thrilled fans, and terrified drivers, but its combination of overwhelming power, challenging handling, and bad luck ensured it remained “the greatest engine that never won the Indianapolis 500





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In summary:
The Novi engine’s “deadly” reputation was earned through its unmatched power, the difficulty it posed to drivers and engineers, and a tragic racing history marked by accidents and unfulfilled promise. It stands as a symbol of both the brilliance and dangers of pushing engineering to its limits at the Indy 500






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