[Streetwize]

But another part of drivability, it's not only how the motor applies power to the ground, but in a light car like a Cobra with a manual transmission, it's also how the engine decelerates (compression braking) in gear and how much that effects driving on either a road course or something like nice twisty turns up in the mountains. That's a driving parameter that really comes into play in a Cobra really moreso than most other cars, because the power to weight ratio (hp per pound) is more like a sport bike.
Compression braking isn't as abrupt with an engine that spreads it's power over a wider RPM range, and I think part of why the FIA racers preferred the 289's is they could let off the gas and roll back into the power more gradually with less chassis "upset" , keeping the car more neutral. I know that bigger inch motors with narrower RPM powerband ranges can almost feel like pulling a parachute when you close the throttle.

It's a parameter of the engine that is seldom considered but in a good handling lightweight car like a Cobra it's 'a thing', particuarly with a manual trans.