The engine's crowd-pleasing sound was caused by its gear-driven centrifugal supercharger, which turned at more than five (5.35) times the crankshaft speed, giving it a scream at full power. The engine's four camshafts and oversized-valve design also contributed to an exhaust noise much louder than other engines of its period, resulting in a deep-bass roar. The whole Novi package became legendary; it was known for being dangerously powerful, especially after racing veterans Hepburn and Chet Miller both died, in 1948 and 1953, respectively, driving the vehicles powered by Novi engines in practice.