Thread: Whats better horses or torque?

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Originally Posted by KILLER COBRA

Thank you. What kind of horse do you think i am making i have another post with engine details

I'd say 350 tops given the cylinder heads but there's plenty you can do to make more power. However, 350 horsepower in such a lightweight car is fast enough for most purposes. Unless you're into competitive bracket racing, not going with a more aggressive build is likely to increase the lifespan of your engine. If you want to make a lot more power, forced induction is the way to go.

super charger?

Just another thought for you... All the horsepower and torque in the world won't do you a bit of good without the correct gearing, chassis, and supension... When the car doesn't work right, about all that happens is big long burnouts.....

i would say that they go hand in hand, But a hi torque motor usually does not need to be revved as high and does not need as much gear to get things done. it also turnes on just after idle and stays on for a while. If you have a torquee 460 with 350 to 400 hp it will be a ripper in a 2400 lb car without abusing the motor much at all.
my bucket is a fat 2800 lbs with a just better than stock caddy 500 i run 12.6s in the 1/4 and with a 2000 rpm convertor 3.55 rear gears and 30 inch slicks. this is a 5000 rpm shift motor and i go though the lights at around 4500 rpm if i lost another 400 lbs off the car it would go even better.
At our track we run a open format and line up againt all kinds of cars, my 1st about 200 ft is amazing and i actually can get up on a lot faster race cars for the first part of the race this i would think is tourque getting the car up and moving
You will have traction troubles on street tires no matter what but thats the fun of it

The #s you seek were answered by Paul Kane a few posts back, and in the other thread. He is bar none without a doubt the resident expert on ford big blocks on this forum.

High horse power makes a good drag car and takes street driveability away, high Torque pulls stumps out of the ground. You have a good mix with what you have now. If you are wanting more ponies ditch the edelbrock street carb for a Holley HP, Upgrade to an open plenum high rise intake, some pocket porting, flat top pistons, and a bigger cam. Super Charger not needed for your small size car.

I have to thank everyone again for all the info.