7500 RPM 302 Stroker Suggestions

[Tommy]

bapapp15,
If you know the pluses and minuses of living with such an engine and you're willing to tolerate its shortcomings on the street, then Brent Lykins can build it. But I urge you to pay attention to those who have learned what its like to live with a race engine the hard way. Generally speaking, engines optimized to operate up to 7500 RPM are not much fun below 3500 RPM, which is where you'll be 95% of the time on public roads. More than a few hotrodders have paid a lot of money for engines that are more fun to brag about than to drive.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Tommy

bapapp15,
...
Generally speaking, engines optimized to operate up to 7500 RPM are not much fun below 3500 RPM, which is where you'll be 95% of the time on public roads. ...

Agreed. I found that the engine wasn't happy running at lower RPMS and spent much of the time in lower gears at higher RPMs - 3rd most of the time on the street. It just felt like the engine was asking me to blow the cobwebs out.

[Grubby]

I suggest discussing your wants and needs with a good engine builder and getting suggestions. I used Brent Lykins who frequents this board.

He asked lots of questions about how I planned to use my Cobra and built to match.

He could sell you parts to build the way you want or build for you.

John

[CHANMADD]

Originally Posted by Tommy

bapapp15,
If you know the pluses and minuses of living with such an engine and you're willing to tolerate its shortcomings on the street, then Brent Lykins can build it. But I urge you to pay attention to those who have learned what its like to live with a race engine the hard way. Generally speaking, engines optimized to operate up to 7500 RPM are not much fun below 3500 RPM, which is where you'll be 95% of the time on public roads. More than a few hotrodders have paid a lot of money for engines that are more fun to brag about than to drive.

Trailer cars.........Been there ...my current motor has reduced compression and cam.

[Dumpling]

Most racing series attempt to LIMIT power and performance, attempt to keep everyone on an equal basis power-wise, making (theoretically) the driver's skill the determining factor in the outcome of the race.

I can't imagine any driver, Trans Am or otherwise, saying "I've got enough power in this car, it's enough".

Why don't you want as much performance as you can wring from whatever engine family you choose? Bore it, stroke it, cam it as big as you're willing to put up with. JMO.

[Mark O'Neal]

Originally Posted by Dumpling

Most racing series attempt to LIMIT power and performance, attempt to keep everyone on an equal basis power-wise, making (theoretically) the driver's skill the determining factor in the outcome of the race.

I can't imagine any driver, Trans Am or otherwise, saying "I've got enough power in this car, it's enough".

Why don't you want as much performance as you can wring from whatever engine family you choose? Bore it, stroke it, cam it as big as you're willing to put up with. JMO.

All you need is enough power, after that it's chassis and tires.

I can easily build a 3,000 horsepower motor for your Cobra, but you wouldn't be able you use it.

[MKS427]

Originally Posted by Mark O'Neal

All you need is enough power, after that it's chassis and tires.

I can easily build a 3,000 horsepower motor for your Cobra, but you wouldn't be able you use it.

A LOT of owners go cheap on the tires. That negates all the effort and money put into the powertrain and chassis. Spend for the Avons or R888Rs.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Dumpling

....I can't imagine any driver, Trans Am or otherwise, saying "I've got enough power in this car, it's enough"....

Haha.... that reminds me of that quote of Mark Donohue's ....

"If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower."

Cheers!
Glen

[Mark O'Neal]

Originally Posted by Dumpling

Most racing series attempt to LIMIT power and performance, attempt to keep everyone on an equal basis power-wise, making (theoretically) the driver's skill the determining factor in the outcome of the race.

I can't imagine any driver, Trans Am or otherwise, saying "I've got enough power in this car, it's enough".

Why don't you want as much performance as you can wring from whatever engine family you choose? Bore it, stroke it, cam it as big as you're willing to put up with. JMO.

We built a pair of motors for Shelby when he was looking at running a sort of IROC series with Cobras. They went to Las Vegas for Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt to do testing. They told them that we'd have to pull some power out if they wanted them to drive them.

My street Backdraft car made more power than those did.

Incidentally your third sentence conflicts with your second.