Power to Weight

FWIW, there are classes where cars go by weight-to-cubic inch. i.e.: At 8 lbs ber cubic inch, one can build a 300 ci engine and weigh a minimum of 2,400 lbs. Or one can build a 350 ci engine and weigh a minimum of 2,800 lbs.

If both engines are built and optimized to the same level, the smaller engine will likely be faster because it's more efficient and make more HP per cubic inch. This can only go so far. But Modified Production-type cars, from what I recall, run between 270 and 305 ci. for best results.

Older Pro Stock rules once had weight to cubic inch rules and many went smaller when they figured out they could go faster with less inches but also less weight. There were even approx. 366-394 Hemis based on modified low deck big blocks before they all went to 500 cubic inches at the same weight.

Power-to-weight is important. But everything in the vehicle has to work together to get that power to the ground as efficiently as possible. (i.e.: gears, converter, suspension, traction, etc.)