First of all, why would you build a 360 and a 408 with the same components? I wouldn’t. That’s the wrong way to do it.
The only real advantages are lower RPM and needing less gear.
In a drag race (or any race for that matter) if you have a 500 HP 360 and a 500 HP 408 and the 360 does makes the power at say, 6500 and the 408 makes it say 5800, the 360 will produce quicker ET’s or lap times by virtue of RPM and gearing.
Engine builders love to do strokers because it’s the “popular” thing to do. It’s all over the magazines, Internet, TV and everywhere else.
As someone who grew up following Modified Eliminator (rot in hell NHRA for killing the best Sportsman class ever) it’s always RPM over stoke length for me. RPM is HORSEPOWER, and HORESPOWER wins races, not torque.
Torque makes the tire smoking street guys giggle until you take their money.
