Ford 272 C.I. runs low 11's. Why do Mopar guys need 408's?

[66fs]

I never tried to rain on anyones parade. I've "built" 170 cu in Fords and Chryslers. In reality they both exceeded our expectations in both power and mpg. No, they would never run with a big block, but both were very sweet running motors. I ran a 273 because that was what I had so I tried all kinds of combinations. The power is in the heads, cu in dials in the rpm where that power is made.

 

[RustyRatRod]

The jump from small block to big block is a big jump. At least in a street suspension A body. So the rationale usually ends at 408 cubes.

It doesn't have to be with aluminum parts on a low deck.

 

[Hyper_pak]

The Comet in question runs 10 lbs. per cubic inches. 2720 with driver.
Pretty silenced out engine and chassis.
Race transmission.
Most of the 318-273 crowd here don't have a serious race car.

 

[pittsburghracer]

318’s are for getting to church. 99.99% of it getting you there and back.

 

[RustyRatRod]

The Comet in question runs 10 lbs. per cubic inches. 2720 with driver.
Pretty silenced out engine and chassis.
Race transmission.
Most of the 318-273 crowd here don't have a serious race car.

I would go so far as to say most of the MEMBERS here don't have a serious race car.

 

[273]

The power is in the heads, cu in dials in the rpm where that power is made.

That's how see it.

 

[318willrun]

It doesn't have to be with aluminum parts on a low deck.

Correct. An aluminum headed Low Deck weighs about identical to a cast headed small block

 

[RustyRatRod]

Correct. An aluminum headed Low Deck weighs about identical to a cast headed small block

I think it's lighter. The difference between a fully dressed 360 and 440 with stock parts is only about 150 pounds. People think "big block" and automatically think big weight when it's simply not true.

 

[Rat Bastid]

I was just wondering why somebody disagreed with post #8 ??...
I pressed on the disagree to find out who that could be and lo and behold. It's mad scientist yellow rose rat bas-turd ...
AKA madyellowrat... LOL...
I know he longed for my attention but can't he just not push the disagree button and pretend? I'm not there as well...

I gave you a red X because your “stroker” would struggle with a decent 360.

Don’t post crapola and you won’t get a red X.

And forget trying to have a conversation with you. You are so dumb you actually think you are smart.

Later dude.

 

[Rat Bastid]

The hobby has changed so much in recent years. Used to be only Classics were restored
or modified but anything and everything seems to be included anymore. For racing the
easiest way to hp was usually chosen.But some guys like to be different or do something
that is more difficult or interesting.
It's pointless to argue which is best...my engine builder says anything can be made fast
nowadays...isn't there a 4 cylinder Maserati that is around 700 HP?
Back to the original question..why do mopar guys need a 408?

They need the “408” because if they built a 360 it would be an even bigger turd.

 

[Rat Bastid]

I would go so far as to say most of the MEMBERS here don't have a serious race car.

Hell, I can go as far as saying most guys here don’t have what I consider a true street/strip car.

 

[318willrun]

They need the “408” because if they built a 360 it would be an even bigger turd.

On Paper vs Output. If you will.... "pound for pound on paper", the strongest running small block mopar I've ever owned is the 360 in my current Duster. I've built better, but "on paper" vs delivery, this 360 hands down for the win. I've owned an estimate of about 50 mopar small blocks, give or take. 273/318/340/360 - all of them. 3.23's, factory stock converter, and basically a factory stock 360 (with dished pistons) and added OOTB SM heads - 12.8's @ almost 106 mph.

But it is no match for the Ferd 6 cyl

 

[Dan the man]

the OPs title of this post seems flawed. There are LOTS of mopars way faster than 11s that are smaller than 408. I recall a dart 30 years ago in my area with a 273, it ran 10s in the 1/4.

Without a power adder, I find that hard to believe.

 

[replicaracer43]

Without a power adder, I find that hard to believe.

Single 4 barrel 273, no power adders.

 

[Dan the man]

On Paper vs Output. If you will.... "pound for pound on paper", the strongest running small block mopar I've ever owned is the 360 in my current Duster. I've built better, but "on paper" vs delivery, this 360 hands down for the win. I've owned an estimate of about 50 mopar small blocks, give or take. 273/318/340/360 - all of them. 3.23's, factory stock converter, and basically a factory stock 360 (with dished pistons) and added OOTB SM heads - 12.8's @ almost 106 mph.

But it is no match for the Ferd 6 cyl

You

On Paper vs Output. If you will.... "pound for pound on paper", the strongest running small block mopar I've ever owned is the 360 in my current Duster. I've built better, but "on paper" vs delivery, this 360 hands down for the win. I've owned an estimate of about 50 mopar small blocks, give or take. 273/318/340/360 - all of them. 3.23's, factory stock converter, and basically a factory stock 360 (with dished pistons) and added OOTB SM heads - 12.8's @ almost 106 mph.

But it is no match for the Ferd 6 cyl

You have a lot of knowledge and experience with the sbm's, but 12.8 with nothing other than heads and 3.23 gear's. What cam did you run? What are ootb heads?

 

[fishmens67]

318’s are for getting to church. 99.99% of it getting you there and back.

Be nice John. lol
There are a few 318's running 10's N/A somewhere.
A dang 283 can be made to run 10's for some money............yy

 

[fishmens67]

Hell, I can go as far as saying most guys here don’t have what I consider a true street/strip car.

Please define.

 

[Dan the man]

Single 4 barrel 273, no power adders.

I don't know how it could spin the rpm's needed to run those times with its small bore.

 

[Rat Bastid]

Please define.

Way tooooooooo much to type out and explain. I may do a video one of these days on it and put it on my YT channel.

 

[273]

I don't know how it could spin the rpm's needed to run those times with its small bore.

 

[273]

Way tooooooooo much to type out and explain. I may do a video one of these days on it and put it on my YT channel.

What is your youtube channel?

My take on your point was an 8000+ rpm 12.5:1 beast.

 

[RustyRatRod]

What is your youtube channel?

My take on your point was an 8000+ rpm 12.5:1 beast.

He's not just talking about the engine. He's talking about the car as a whole.

 

[fishmens67]

A 500hp 408 is a pussycat of an engine. Can be driven all day. A 500hp 318 is an entirely different animal. It’s just so much better to start with more cubic inches for a street car. And the aftermarket makes it so easy to buy a kit and drop it in.

I agree, but why only a 408, it's a pussy cat compared to 440 -512 big block potential.
drivable high horsepower potential.
I prefer the 451 myself.

 

[GTX JOHN]

Ford Y Blocks V8s were 272 292 312 Displacements
in the mid 50's before most of you were born.
Available with Superchargers or 2 Fours on the Hp
versions direct from the showrooms.
Some were called "Thunderbird Interceptors"
My cousins worked at the Louisville Ford Plant
and I spent some time with them back when I was
a Ford Guy!

However, the above car is a Straight 6 = I think.
Also I think my 80 Aspen 318 Superstock (10 Seconds)
with stock compression and Thermoquad would destroy
it in A DRAG RACE and it weighs 3400 Lbs and is not
a Gasser!

 

[273]

To me most on here don’t generally want to run higher than 3.55 gears, why not build the displacement that makes the hp at the rpm where your gearing choice is optimal instead of some compromise.