Among the factors attributable to Ford's success at Le Mans, France in 1966 is the high efficiency air induction system of the 427 GT engine. Contrary to the basic design parameters of passenger car engine induction systems, which consider part-throttle transitions and fuel economy, induction systems for high speed, high-output competitive engines are quite the opposite. These engines demand maximum airflow capacity, and equal balance of air/fuel mixture to each cylinder to insure high efficiency throughout the engine speed range under full-throttle conditions.
Recognition of this need, its resolution, and the application of resultant techniques to the Ford 427 engine since its inception in 1963, are the basis for this paper. The GT induction system is the product of a new development technique that involved the extended use of an induction flow-stand, as well as extensive studies of various types of manifolds and cylinder heads. During the course of this work, successive improvements in modeling and pattern making have combined to refine the art to a high degree of sophistication.
