Six-Cylinder Engine Performance - Inline Power Potential

If stepping up intake capacity even further is in your plan, then check out this Holley 600-cfm four-barrel carb on a modified two-barrel intake. Again, the manifold comes from the Ford Australian 250ci engine. A Holley four-barrel like this one costs $236 new and is PN 4160-1850C.

Many successful multiple carb installations have been made on the Ford six. This three one-barrel arrangement uses an Offenhauser intake manifold and YF carburetors. It provides the wow factor yet still has good driveability and throttle response. The triple one-barrel intake is still available as PN OFY-5205. We found one new for $246.

If you were thinking we had run out of induction possibilities for your Ford six engine, then keep your seat. This six-cylinder aluminum intake has been modified to accept an EFI throttle body. Bungs for fuel injectors have been welded into place directly above the intake ports. The fuel rail has been welded to the intake above the injector ports and is ready to go. An Edelbrock 70mm throttle body similar to this one is PN EDL-3825 and cost $209.88.

Here's a custom intake manifold made to accept this Garret turbocharger. With a straight-six engine there's extra room under hood for these turbo installations, and they are becoming more popular. Prices for complete turbo-charger kits range from $3,399 to $5,400, and must be custom adapted to specific classic applications.

When one atmosphere just isn't enough, there's always the trusty centrifugal supercharger. This big Paxton unit looks like the correct vintage for this engine, and it seems right at home hooked up to the 350-cfm Holley two-barrel. An equivalent Novi 1200 supercharger kit costs $2,739.

On the exhaust, the first improvement is the installation of a center port divider. In the stock configuration, the two middle cylinders empty into a common exhaust port, causing turbulence and robbing power.

This center port divider is available at Clifford Performance. It is PN 73-1136 and costs $13. The insert divides the center exhaust port into two separate chambers, eliminating turbulence and smoothing out exhaust flow. Trim and shape the part to fit your center exhaust port.

Here is the center port divider welded into place. Now each of the center cylinders has its own exhaust port out to the manifold. Clean up the passages around the divider to smooth out exhaust flow.

When you step up to headers, there are two different configurations from which to choose. The first is six-into-one, while the second has two separate three-into-one pipes for a true dual-exhaust system. The header on this engine is the three-into-one type. Ford Six Performance Parts has them painted or coated. PN FSD 200DOH, the header costs $275 unpainted and $375 with high-temperature coating.