Power Wagon,
Sounds like you got a 5.7L Hemi to run pretty well to me. 11.30s in a 4300# car is very fast.
Let me try to clarify what your saying. You're basically arguing that in a naturally aspirated 6.1L Hemi with it's 4.055" inch bore has an advantage over the 3.92" found in the 5.7L Hemi, since the bigger bore allows the intake and exhaust valve to pull away from the cylinder wall that much faster.
I would agree with that. I'd also agree that a 5.7 stroked to 392 with its smaller bore probably is down on power compared to a 6.1 stroked to a 392. All that being said, I'd still argue that it is possible to get serious power out of a stroked 5.7L hemi. I'd also argue that your ability to beat 392 based 5.7L Hemis probably had more to do with the totality of your setup than the limitation of the 3.92" bore of the 5.7L motor. In other words, it was your hard work that allowed you to beat those other cars.
For example, I use to run a VW base sandrail and with an 82mm X 90.5mm motor for a total displacement of 2110. I would routinely spank guys running 82mm X 94mm motors with a total displacement of 2275. Why, attention to detail and getting my combination to work better. My 90.5 piston should have shrouded the valve a bit more than the 94 piston and the extra 165 cc should have also made a small but real difference. But many times guys don't get their combo to work perfectly, thus they lose.
Regards,
Joe Dokes
