To
make horsepower, your engine needs air volume and velocity. At low rpm, a
small carb can help velocity but reduces volume. Race engines get their velocity
from higher rpm-if you give them more volume and they will make more horsepower.
I call it "The SkittlesTM Factor."
We have a shortage of air volume at high altitudes. Our air molecules are spread apart from each other, just like Skittles falling in slow motion. You're going to need a bigger basket if you want to catch enough of them, and your high performance engine is hungry for air, not Skittles.
At
low altitude, the air molecules are under more pressure and are more tightly
packed together. They are being pushed into the engine, so a bigger carb (basket)
isn't needed. "Driveability" is key. It's not just for streetcars-a
racecar needs it too. You don't want to hesitate in the burnout box, when
staging, getting up to the stall speed or when the throttle stop comes back
on. You don't want a bog at the shift recovery point or anywhere else for
that matter. Most racers spend their money wisely on the parts, but few realize
they should spend money on professional tuning to get the most out of their
combinations, as well.
Contrary to most magazine articles, big carbs can be made to have "driveability,"
even on small engines, but it takes experience and time. The best way to accomplish
this is with the whole car, however, in the end you'll get the best of both
worlds--horsepower and driveability.
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