"I keep hearing about how the OHC makes no more power than the OHV. On the surface, this would appear to be true, but many people seem to have forgotten that the way horsepower is measured has changed over the years. Up until the mid 70s, the HP usually quoted was SAE gross, which was measured with no accessory load on the engine (not even the water pump) no air filter, and open exhaust. Later figures are SAE net, in which the engine is tested in the same configuration it has when installed in the car. The difference is usually 10-15% Another reason the OHC makes less power is that it has a much lower compression ratio than the 10.5:1 of the B20B and E. While this does reduce the power output, the other side of the coin is that the later engines are perfectly content with 87 octane gas."
Actually, I beg to differ. I've seen(and produced) dyno sheets that say otherwise. A good condition b20E will outperform any stock, good condition b21F, b23F, or b230F sold in the united states. A b20B in good condition can match, or do better than a b21F sold in the US. Those aren't facts, but I definitely believe it.
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Kyle - 142, 145, and 244! - Oregon Volvo Tuners?