Oh, you guys are BUSTIN me up!!!!
Jamo, I got your message...don't bother with the rubber suit. I'll behave. Even people like cranky have their place...unfortunately they're in constant need of being put there.
Bandit, there's something you're missing about the big block's weight that changes a lot about the car's handling, and that's the CG. It raises it considerably, and it moves the polar moment further outward. The other thing is, without the monstrous torque, you couldn't get a big block through the turns...power over steer, my friend!
I don't think there's a real arguement that if you want a better handling car, go with a good (blown) small block. If you save all the weight in the same manner (aluminum blk and hds, intake, etc.) on a small block, then you're not only getting a lighter pkg, you're reducing the polar moment, and the CG. Remember, I owned, and studied pretty thoroughly, the Arntz/Butler, which we all know has a 10" set back engine which gave it a slightly ( preferred) rear bias. I can't say I'm an expert as I really never got to drive many of the other cars, but of the ones I drove and got rides in, there was NO comparison. The weight distribution is not the best quality of a Coba, and putting a big block in it only makes matters worse. The BB Cobras never won a race because they were better handling cars. (The 289's did, though.) The BB Cobra was rediculously fast on the straights, and had good brakes. Thank god, because from the stories I've heard, it was hang on for dear life in the corners. I remember how guys would brag that their car could "smoke the tires at 60!!" as if this was commendable. I always had to chuckle a little, knowing that it only showed how poorly the Cobra chassis worked, and couldn't put the power to the ground. Again, I'm not trying to put the car down, I'm speaking strictly from an objective point of view, but it did leave a lot to be desired. Please no one take offense. I'm also sure that some of the newer cars have solved some of these problems, with newer susp. technology and frame design. I saw the torsional test specs on the Arntz chassis. That thing is STOUT!
Bottom line is, however, you're not going to get a BB car to handle as well as a SB car.
BTW...have you priced, or even tried to order an aluminum 385 block? (sincere question...I'm out of the know on that one)
Boy this is great. You's guys is 'da best!
Hybrid Mode
