"That thing gotta 273?"

I think AJ's point is that the larger motor will have a much stronger low and mid range than the 273. Also more power, too, all other things being equal. I know that theoretically peak power is set by induction/exhaust flow, so that a smaller engine can make just as much peak power as the larger motor, only at a higher rpm. In reality, as I understand it, even at peak the smaller engine will fall short for various reasons that I think include higher internal friction from higher rpms. At any rate, even with the same peak power, the larger engine will feel - and be - much stronger with street gearing as it will have much more power under the curve.

It is also noteworthy that a 273 is not an especially short stroke engine - it has the exact same stroke as a 318 or 340. So it has no advantage in piston speed or revvability over its larger cousins.

I had a 273 and it ran well, but it was a hell of a lot stronger when I put a 340 in it. And that's with both motors running the same cam.