Brian Thomas - Blown Straight 8 Packard - Hot Rod Hill Climb 2016

Brian's words - "Engine is a 1948 Packard 327 cubic inch inline 8. All hop up parts are home built & the blower was added. Has forged Ross pistons & an Isky custom ground cam. 8" connecting rods hold the Pistons in the bore. The crank stroke is 4-1/4" & the bore is 3-1/2". The engine is fed with 4 modified Stromberg 97 carburetors. They are not progressive but open all four at the same time. Blower makes 5 psi of boost. The transmission is 1948-49 Packard & has a overdrive. The shift tower is 35-37 Packard Jr.
Revs to a bit over 5000 rpm and pulls like a train.
The body was a 1930 ford model A 2 door sedan long before I got it. I received the doors and front cowl and built the body from that point. The roadster back of the body is a 56 ford truck hood. All the stainless interior is home made as is the frame. The rear spring cross member is from a model A frame. Rear wheels are 18x5-1/2" with 40 spokes and where custom made for the car. The front wheels are 33-34 Chevrolet standard coupe 18x3-1/2" with 44 spokes. Rear tires are 750x18 Firestones & the fronts are 600x18 excelsiors. Rear axle is a Halibrand V8 quick change axle. Rear axle ratio for the event was 6.29 using a #17 gear set. Ring and pinion ratio is 3.54
I have built everything on the car and had it now for 10 years. Fastest I have driven the car was 130 mph. It had enough to do 150 if you have the balls to try it!"

[@sidefx996]

No matter how fast they go this is everything an electric car can never and will never be.

[@GAsh0012]

Horse riders probably said the same thing though really

[@Bata.andrei]

Amen

[@SpikeRazzor]

​@@GAsh0012They where right though.

[@MichaelJohnson-dt8tv]

@sidefx996- True. There’s nothing like that sound that can be generated by ICP. And yet electrical power has its own unique character too. Some years ago, I had a rotary powered Mazda, and that little joker was a Hoot! With a redline in the 7K range, it didn’t need OD, the 4spd manual was sufficient, and whatever the Hell the final drive ratio was, it was a fine highway cruiser, while maintaining the ability to embarrass people with much bigger engines at the stoplight gran prix. All of this with its own unique, almost alien sound and feel that I loved but honestly never quite got used to. A whining, whirring, almost singing rush into the high rpm range, Especially when you put your foot in it! Damn thing seemed more suited to some kind of aviation application! I really enjoyed that ride! But I agree with you; they can all have their own special personalities but there’s nothing quite like internal combustion, and Especially a straight eight!😊

[@DeuceBoyBilly]

Never thought the straight 8 could sound soo awesome!

[@josefrobbins8781]

They always did, better than V8's IMO

[@DeuceBoyBilly]

@@josefrobbins8781 well got both , but nothing sounds better than a big American V8 with high compression and a wild cam...if you ask me haha

[@phillysoldier]

​@@DeuceBoyBilly i think 8 10 and 12 cylinders have equally great sounds

[@anthonyrowland9072]

The Packard straight 8 and the Lincoln 337s were really the pinnacle of flathead power.

[@dermottmcsorley8641]

Hudson

[@jokervienna6433]

I can´t say what I love the most - the power when you give gas, the gurgling when you use the clutch or the nice spinning when it just works. I guess I´ll have it all! Beautiful sounds! 👍✌🤟

[@ShinyMajor]

I think this is getting recommended cause everyone is getting excited for the Hagerty straight 8 to be finished

[@ExiledPiasa]

Man I love that sound!!!!!

[@dalebuckland5290]

This is Awesome. The straight 8 has an awesome sound and even more so with a supercharger screaming away. I want one!

[@ethansmith9065]

Dale Buckland pretty sure that's the gearbox or the diff squawlin. either way it sounds like heaven.

[@Girth_Quake69]

Yea, that's not a supercharger. A supercharger will never keep getting a higher pitch when you shift the next gear and go faster A supercharger whine is dependent on the engine speed or rpm The whine is from the transmission i don't know what it has, but from my experience, it might be with the gears. like straight cut gears

[@Girth_Quake69]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp6teWtqe9OEl5o

[@frequencyfluxfandango8504]

I could not have said it better. I love those Packard engines.

[@procerus3654]

Sounds like a sequential gearbox

[@ThomasStaab1247]

For everyone asking about a view of the engine or the car I just posted a new video I found of this exact run. I shot it with my phone from the starting line but it's pretty nice.

[@alan6832]

I wouldn't know if turbo flatheads are great for racing. it probably all depends on the handicap rules, but I think the concept makes a great deal of sense for moderate street performance, except for the fact that all automotive flatheads are antiques, so there is a argument for gentle treatment.

[@spamcan9208]

@@alan6832 cars are meant to be driven! Unless it's an ultra rare car of historical significance it should be driven foot to the floor every once in awhile. Nothing I hate worse than trailer queens that have never seen the top end of the tach. Ok, I'm finished ranting lol

[@alan6832]

@@spamcan9208 with stock carburation to burn off carbon perhaps, but no more than that and I would lower the red line perhaps 10% from the factory red line. They should be driven, yes, but not pushed, so the attraction of boosted flatheads depends on modern replica castings, at least beyond proof of concept, which has already been done.

[@spamcan9208]

@@alan6832 10% lower is just fine, I'd say that qualifies for the top end of the tach. I'm not saying you need to beat the crap out of them lol, just a quick run through the gears on the highway onramp every so often.

[@misterdeedeedee]

I think the best part is that unlike with a 6+ speed transmission that keeps the RPM high, the ratio jump of 2nd to od lets you hear a lot of the engine's rev range with every shift vs just the top ~1500 rpm since you're kinda stuck with 2nd or 3rd when slowing down around the corner, which really adds to the enjoyment of listening to this engine.

[@mikemullay5622]

That whine is from the straight cut gears in the Packard transmission.

[@THESLlCK]

it's blown, right in the title

[@anthonyholmes195]

@@THESLlCK Transmission or rear end,listen to it when he shifts

[@anthonyholmes195]

@@THESLlCK Listen to it when he goes from N to a gear

[@bluegoosecommuterline]

@@THESLlCK heres a comment someone else made like 2 comments down, to correct your statement A supercharger will never keep getting a higher pitch when you shift the next gear and go faster A supercharger whine is dependent on the engine speed or rpm

[@emmanuelkamden4046]

i realize it's kinda randomly asking but does anyone know a good site to watch newly released movies online ?

[@luiscandurin4478]

that gear wine LOVE IT

[@christopherd2100]

There could be gear noise, but the description mentions a blower at work too. I suspect that's most of the whine.

[@11mpballin]

@@christopherd2100 no thats definitely the trans

[@spamcan9208]

@@christopherd2100 confirming what mitchel said. That's not from the supercharger, it's from the strait cut teeth in the transmission. You can tell because the whine increases in pitch on the upshift. If it was the supercharger the whine would drop back down with the engine speed on upshift.

[@THESLlCK]

@@11mpballin wrong. It's the supercharger.

[@jonlennon3348]

That not only makes power but it sounds like a V-8. Excellent build. Coolest ever.

[@zakifarah603]

@trollpatrol7215not unless it has a flatplane crank

[@arturomattal.7407]

Its a MONSTER with 8 cyls the sound is honey for my ears

[@bugpipable]

Happyyyyy days, I love how he turned and smiles at the camera xD sound gave me shivers.

[@OdySlim]

My compliments!, That straight 8 sounds so good. Thanks for putting it on line

[@deborahchesser7375]

Sounds mean as hell what kinda power does she make, badass old motor man, well done and thanks for sharing

[@bodarville2510]

@ 1:57, power shift to third and a rear end jerk, that’s a fun car!

[@walterluus6174]

Wow sounds so good. And it's manual. Love it!

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Now THIS is the kind of Hot Rod I would love to have!

[@OleonG]

This should be shared a million times all little boys and girls should have movie time and watch this video

[@possiblycrazy442]

She sure sounds lovely.

[@skylined5534]

This sounds so much like a v8... but better! Utterly glorious noises! Great driving out there too, she must be a handful!

[@michaelbenardo5695]

It has a 90 degree crankshaft, just like a V8 does.

[@josefrobbins8781]

A V8 has 8 cylinders, a Straight 8 has 8 cylinders...wouldn't expect them to sound too different apart from each other. This biggest distinction between a V8 vs Straight 8 is that Straight 8's Wind up and unwind with their revs unlike a V8. Listen for it, and you'll hear.

[@sidefx996]

Sounds incredible! Awesome!!!!!!

[@damiandelapp5490]

Gotta figure prior to the blower probably one smooth torkey engine.

[@biff196972]

I'm absolutely in love with that car, it's perfect! I can't get enough of that sound either, well done!

[@jz5937]

Incredible. What a sound! Keep it happy.

[@pacificoceantsunami8497]

I love the sound of that engine!!!!

[@KB10GL]

Hmmmm, flathead Packard eight, stroke about half the length of my arm, blown & with other custom parts, but just a three speed. Hell, why not. With about 17,493 ft/lbs of torque at a fast idle, why would it need more. I love it.

[@bodarville2510]

That sound gave me goosebumps!

[@garethessex]

Sounds great!

[@marsha821230]

I can listen to that all day

[@jinsane731]

That's just beautiful I think I am going to cry 😢

[@79tazman]

I love the Packard Thunderbolt 327 straight 8 I know a guy has a 53 Packard with a Thunderbolt 327 straight 8 when everyone was overhead valve 8's Packard was still kicking the old flatty 327 and it had more power then many of the overhead valve 8's of it's day

[@karlsracing8422]

Thing sounds awesome!

[@gabrielvieira6529]

Straight 8 with a v8 sound? Amazing! A softer v8 sound I would say

[@RidinDirtyRollinBurnouts]

Its a smoother sound, but it sounds just like a v8

[@spamcan9208]

Check out the channel where this guy simulates different engine Iayouts, firing orders and timing with a tachometer next to numbered lights and a tone. Other than a flat plane crank V8 all the eights sounded similar. And the V4 did as well.

[@skylined5534]

For some reason I assumed an I8 would sound more akin to an I4... nope! Lovely sounds from this beast!

[@TheSilverShadow17]

​@@spamcan9208William Moser is the dude's name you mentioned, I watched several of his videos haha

[@cwjarvis3]

Car sound awesome! Thanks for the vid.

[@mctim64]

Love it!

[@derekmcdonald2856]

I just put a straight 8 back into a roadmaster. I want to build something with that engine Supercharged is what I was thinking 👍

[@lsohweldfab6575]

It sounds really good!

[@gabberpietor]

one day ill own one of these. this is one of the coolest cars on earth. it deserves to be in a museum one day

[@joekrim6557]

The torque sounds impressive

[@user-hb8be5wb4q]

WHERE? Love seeing old friends(cars) after all these years. Thanks for the vlogs. It takes a lot of time and effort to put this together, my 67 Mustang and I really appreciate it very much.

[@ricklang5434]

Great sound

[@chrisgamester9845]

What joy !!!

[@jocelyngodoy9753]

Epic stuff mate! Thanks for sharing

[@ik2476]

Totally awesome

[@stumac869]

Do love the sound of the blower.

[@andrewalexander9492]

That's the transmission. It has a centrifugal supercharger, which doesn't whine like a Roots supercharger.

[@toesuf94]

How can there be 11 people who disliked this?!?

[@MavAuto-Pete]

Sounds sweet and smooth brian

[@williamescolantejr6411]

And to cry my first car I wanted was a 1950 Pontiac with a flat eight. 1979 for a whopping price of 50.00. Dad said no.Great vid an just love (and miss) floating gears up an down

[@JimmyTheProstitute]

William escolante jr 5 grand or 50 dollars?

[@williamescolantejr6411]

actually 50.00 guy just wanted to get it out of behind his house in texas where I lived then because the city mowers were ticked off at him.it was on city land.

[@cjcauselove1141]

Bodro Bro ! I caught the buzz !

[@cody481]

Awesome 👏

[@LeonRFpoa]

that thing is all kinds of delightful and motley

[@spookydog6959]

love it

[@lasalleman6792]

Nice sound.

[@anthonyholmes195]

Love that whine

[@georgeramirez2732]

Wooohhj wind it up.. love that trans sound and that old school fire box sounds awesome..

[@jlmoo1]

nice car hoss, great vid. love that sound the of the old 3 speed

[@anthonyholmes195]

jlmoo1 #456 only 3 speed?

[@KyleSVT]

EPIC

[@fobbitoperator3620]

SSssoooooooo smoooooth!

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

Fun ride

[@sterlingspor7851]

Awesome car, love the sounds it makes. Love how he gets rubber and even a little sideways then looks back like’ huh that was cool’ 😂

[@seoulkidd1]

I luv it

[@martinshow5146]

really enjoyed the video. i will make one like it soon :)

[@jayswarrow1196]

That drivetrain (Line8 + 3spd + singing axle) is pure sex fuel

[@anthonyholmes195]

That explains the whine

[@romeocano1919]

@@anthonyholmes195the whine is the blower

[@andrewalexander9492]

@@romeocano1919 Nope, it's rear whine. It has a centrifugal blower whcih doesn't whine like a Roots.

[@debonairecatalina6570]

HOLY SHIIIT

[@larrylooney4495]

Badass

[@alleyoop1234]

This settles it, I am now looking for a 327 straight 8 for my 39 Packard!!

[@michaelalexanderhillbaltar2930]

100% BRUTAL !!! :-)

[@TracerX]

That whine with this engine OMG

[@darylcjackson]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

[@LordMekanicus]

He just looks so comfortable in that car, see how he let go of the wheel and stayed on the throttle to let it recover when he broke it loose?

[@Paulftate]

bad to the bone 👍👌🤙✌😎

[@alifaiman9532]

Bye bye V8 ......😢😢😢Hello I8.........😍😍😍

[@noahproblemo1257]

Like Granddad Buck said, "lt may be old iron but it still gets the job done boy."

[@VinnyMartello]

Damn...

[@FaithinThoth]

Did that rear end get broke in on this video ?

[@mikechandler9322]

Is that the 17” steering wheel that Speedway sells? Or is it a 15”? I’m looking for one with the nubs or finger grips like that one.

[@CA.papaBear]

That's sooo fucking beautiful man... and the engine, holy fuck that's awesome. sounds like a v8, and has ... more torque? or just about the same? either way, it's badass. XP

[@logandorsey7452]

What is this style known as? I've seen a few and I really like them.

[@miken8720]

Is he out on a Sunday drive?

[@muffdiver777yummy8]

I wonder what the hp and tq is on this freight train of a i8

[@williamtye7927]

Gotta be 300+ and same for torque

[@glencrs]

7 Packards are in our barn, 4 inline 8s. Surely 1 or 2 should be turbocharged like this. The '38 Hearse would be an excellent candidate, or the '48 Hearse. I like a good Hearse! Would it be possible to get an instruction video on the proper way to turbocharge one of these 8s?

[@gregorytimmons4777]

It's supercharged and that is probably the best way to go. It is less complicated.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Supercharged, not turbocharged. Turbos are better for diesels and aircraft. Gasoline auto engines respond better with positively driven superchargers.

[@debonairecatalina6570]

That thunderbolt Engine be like: BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!!

[@nick500125]

Im building something similar to that with a Buick straight 8 320 and i have a few questions. is there any way to get into contact with this guy?

[@ThomasStaab1247]

Nick Woods, [e-mail]

[@nick500125]

thank you :)

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

Where was this hillclimb happening, it looks like the northern sierra nevada range.

[@fluffhead7105]

Oldbmwr100rs colorado

[@scienceaddict77]

What horsepower does it make? how does the overdrive hold up with "spirited" driving? I'm planning on building a 359 similar to this for my 1940 Packard 120.

[@crushingvanessa3277]

I'd love to build rod something like this, but I don't have the look of these guys and gals in the rat rod hobby. This car sure sounds good.

[@timfoley3189]

I saw that!

[@merlemorrison482]

sure would liked to see more pics of the engine.....

[@ThomasStaab1247]

I just posted a video of this exact run from the starting line. You can see the car and the engine as well as the launch.

[@bobotte3084]

Damn

[@IKhanNot]

How smooth do these straight 8 motors run?

[@gregdelagrange8573]

Smooth as glass.

[@ik2476]

Is that a H.A.M.B tag on your dash? Excellent!

[@michaeldesilvio221]

Where is this?

[@ThomasStaab1247]

Hot Rod Hill Climb in Central City, CO

[@jackmagnium6115]

what blower are you running?

[@andrewalexander9492]

A McCulloch. Yeah, same company that makes chainsaws.

[@fcguy7]

I was like "man, he sure is pussy footing it around some of those corners" but then I was like "yea if I didn't have a stitch of protective gear I would too" What kind of event doesn't even require a helmet? In an open cockpit car! Lololol

[@ThomasStaab1247]

An awesome event.

[@vancouverman4313]

The sewing machine sound doesn't do the Packard justice.

[@MrRobbish]

You can tell he’s not serious, no helmet, no crash cage.... just here to pose...

[@ThomasStaab1247]

It's an informal event, I'd have thought the barefoot flag girl would have been a dead giveaway.

[@quadsman11]

Enjoyed the engine sounds as you run it through the gears. But would like to be able to see the engine either in the beginning, or at the end of the run.

[@ThomasStaab1247]

I think I've got a couple pictures of the car in the pits. If I can find them I'll post them.

[@ThomasStaab1247]

I just posted a video of this exact run from the starting line. You can see the car and the engine as well as the launch.

[@Corkoth55]

so jealous.