Dyno testing a stock(?) 1972 440
LOL I really dont see how its a definitive answer that flow Trumps compression on this thread. The compression part wasnt even tested, just the flow.
Cylinder pressure is power, no matter how you get it. Low compression with high flow or low flow with high compression, the results will be about the same. But combined the 2, high flow and high compression and you will see the power go way up.
Take for instance 2 kinds of Circle Track engines. One with max ported heads and big carb, intake, cam will make great power and they normally run around 9 to 1. On the other hand you can have a 2bbl class where head porting is not allowed, smaller intake, small carb limited on cam, but run 12 to 1 compression. The cylinder pressure is whats important. If you have low flow, the compression will help make the cylinder pressure higher for better performance. If you have high flow, the cylinder pressure will be higher and compression can be lower and still have great performance.
Cam design play a big role in this as well. Jim built a awesome 440 making good HP/TQ with less than 8 to 1 compression. Put flat tops on this engine, bump it up to 10 to 1 and it will make well over 500HP/TQ. Just having the piston close to the intake valve ont he intake stroke(*read* zero deck) will make the engine flow even more air, thus increasing the cylinder pressure and making more power.
What is shown here is, you dont need a lot of compression to make REAL power. Its great info. Definitely one for the memory banks for the low budget guys that think they can not make power without compression.