[blykins]

Yes, it was a little tongue in cheek. However, I see a lot of guys on here who have built an engine or bought a car, and in about a year's time, they're already asking what they can do for more power. The truth is that you get used to the car and you end up wanting a little more....

I'll stand by my recommendation of an engine (preferrably a stroked 302 if you want to stay with the traditional 8.200" deck height) that's cammed to make peak at around 5500-6000. Not going to a lower rearend gear will limit you on how much high rpm horsepower you can effectively use.

If you build a car that's predominantly street driven, then you need to build an engine that will suit that lifestyle. Having an engine with a 7000 rpm peak only means that it will take it an extremely long time (relatively speaking and even more exaggerated with the 3.07 gear) to get into the powerband (what we call "getting up on the cam"). Up until that point, the engine will feel basically downright lethargic.

Also keep in mind that an engine with more torque (comparatively speaking) will feel stronger to you (translate, seat of the pants, shove you in the seat) than a high-strung engine with a lot of horsepower in a high, narrow powerband and no power (and torque) down low.