HP vs. laptimes vs. driveability/fun

[MKS427]

Originally Posted by ERA 626

perhaps my analogy was not correct with regards to a 289 vs a 427. the point I was (am) trying to make is I feel a properly set up car with 500+ hp will do well against a car with 750+ HP, on a technical track that requires some driving skills. The car with 750+ HP will simply spin the tires and you will wind up taking a trip into the weeds or even worse, the wall. Yea I agree a track like willow springs with Long down hill straight the high HP car will most likely prevail. There is not a ton of talent required to run with leader group on that track. Typically guys drive over their head when suddenly in the leader group when never really been there before... LOL

I don't know of any 750+HP Cobras with naturally aspirated engines. If you want a reliable street engine the limits are considerably lower. 302/347 ~ 500 HP, 482 FE ~ 600 HP, and my choice 351W/427 ~ 585 HP. With the 351W/427 and a Performer RPM Air-Gap manifold I have the big flat torque curve of a big block and about 570 HP. I am curious of the benefits of destroking to 3.75" ~ 401" with higher rpm, but it's a street car and it runs well to 6000 RPM. With 300 traction compound tires, I could blow them loose all the way through third gear if I gave it full throttle. I switched to 100 series traction compound now I only have to worry about first gear.
Someone mentioned CSX 3170. I actually spoke to Bruce at a Good Guys event in Scottsdale. He talked about numerous things he did to make the car handle better, some of them things I've never heard anyone else even discuss. Stiffening the frame, roll over ratio, sticky tires (CSX 3170 has been used to test tires for manufacturers), and high reving FE engine to accelerate faster. These are all things that require extreme engineering knowledge and dollars that most of us don't have access to.
500 vs 750, it depends on the chassis. You can build a 460" small block and still capture the weight benefit. Comparing our replicas with the originals, is apples and oranges. As previously mentioned, the technology has improved everywhere.
A final thought, Carroll Shelby had AC build the Mk III chassis for a reason, Carroll Shelby quote: Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races.