I never dynoed it since my last rebuild. It was running 667 horse and George at Gessford Machine did some calculations and estimated I had given up 150 horse to make it more "streetable". I have a hunch I gave up less than that though. The full race engine I had before was just terrible to drive on the street, all go, no slow, no cruise. Now it's more managable but still, a bit problematic, it's still a mean street machine. The car is heavy, about 2,700 pounds, iron block and heads. Let's say I'm running an honest 500 horse, or less if you like, pick a number!
The point is, I'm really begining to wonder WHY there is such a "race" to get more power? I really don't understand WHAT 650 or 700 horse will do for you? WHAT is the point if you can't hook it up? Or maybe, my real problem is torque? It do have some serious torque.
Consider these numbers:
With 667 horse, solid roller cam, 12.5 to 1 compression, dual 660 cfm center squirter carbs, "worked" High Riser heads, 7,000 rpm, "bad to the bone" and 6 mpg. I ran the 1/4 at 11.90, couldn't put the power down. OK, rebuild the motor. Drop the compression to 9.6 to 1, flat tappet cam, smaller street friendly vacuum secondary carbs, same heads (and they are still bad to the bone
), 13 mpg (MORE than doubled the mpg), 6,200 rpm limit. New 1/4 mile time? 11.99. I mean, whats up with that? You drop a 150 horse and loose only a 100th of a second, double your mpg and can actually drive it on the street? In fact the car FEELS as fast as it EVER was!
...I'm a bit baffled by it all frankly, still figuring it out. One thing is for sure, I need some serious slicks if I'm gonna run the 1/4 mile. Another problem for the 1/4 is the suspension is pretty stiff, for road racing which I do mostly. So, I'm not getting good weight transfer to the rear at the drag strip. Soften the rear shocks maybe, raise the front, ruin the suspension for the road race. You can't win at every thing, you gotta choose your battles.
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