273/4 -318 debate

Indeed, a fun thread... The rating on the four barrel of the 273 was 460 CFM but the stock carter bbd on a 318 is only rated at 285 cfm. This alone will give the 273 a considerable edge over the 318 two barrel. Another factor would be distributor curves and timing, I'm pretty sure the timing curve and the static timing on the 273 commando engine would be much more oriented toward acceleration than the economy oriented 318 2 barrel. Then there is the whole deal with 318 compression, or more adequately, lack thereof... It would be interesting to take a stock low compression 318 two barrel, re-curve distributor and optimize the timing, circular file the stock air filter assembly for a low rest air cleaner, and add dual exhaust. To truly make all else equal, start with a stock 273 commando car with decent gearing, get a baseline and optimize everything, then swap in the 318 and see what happens... everything considered that stock 318 cam is still going to be a major disadvantage!