Crower mileage kit from 70's or 80's, info wanted

[MWPC]

In the late 70's or early 80's Bruce Crower developed a kit for the 350 SBC that reportedly improved mileage significantly. It used a very high compression ratio combined with late intake valve closing. The theory being less throttling losses, less compression stroke, higher expansion ratio. Does anyone have any information on this kit? Crower was no help. Thanks.

 

[SMOKEY44211]

The crower kit in question attempted to "miller cycle" the engine by delaying the intake closing event to somewhere around 90 deg. BTDC on the compression stroke. They included high dome pistons in the kit to raise the cr. to around 15:1 which essentially raised the expansion ratio. By pumping about 1/2 of the intake air fuel back into the intake manifold the pre combustion pressure was close to the same as a 8:1 cr. engine without the modifications. This was back in the carburetor days. Below 2,500 rpm. it was pretty sluggish but showed good power numbers above that. I never saw any BSFC #'s but they claim a small block 350 in a full size chev. got 30mpg. at 55mph. It was not considered a maketing success. Perhaps with EFI now being utilized it might be worth investigating.---------Phil