Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): tecumseh 5 hp, fuel air mixture, flow bench

Question
I have a tecumseh 5 hp that i race on the ice. It has a free flowing exhaust, i am using a tilliston pulse carb and a modified air cleaner. Can i remove the intake manifold and mount the carb. directly to the head, to get the fuel/air mixture into the cumbustion chamber quicker

Answer
It would require some work and maybe an insulator block between the block and carb.  Fuel/air may get to the intake quicker but you may sacrifice some velocity and may increase fuel/air temperature with it mounted that close to the block.

It would be interesting to conduct a flow bench test and a dyno to see if there is any power increase.  There are lots of tricks to increasing power and it is usually these tricks that make the difference between first and second.  I've met a few folks over the years who had such tools to measure air flow, hp, torque and the necessary machines to machine the parts.  It's a fun but hobby to have this type of equipment but a little too expensive for most hobbiest.  For most folks, it is just trial and error "guestamating" what works best.  Another common trick is to install custom valves and angled guides to increase flow and power but again you almost need a milling machine and TIG welder along with all sorts of valve machining tools to mod the engine.  

Have you considered nitrous or a supercharger?

Eric