[MidOHasp]

Many Scalps,

500+ horsepower in a 2500 pound car is ridiculous. Unless you have slicks, having more horsepower makes little difference in gears 1 and 2. I have traction in 3rd if I roll on, so I'd say 600HP or even 700 would be a LOT of fun in 3rd. I haven't had anyone actually crap their pants yet in my car, just a lot of "Oh my god, I knew it was fast, but I had NO IDEA!!" comments.

But no matter how light the car, with big fat sticky tires on the back, these guys with 800 horsepower are INDEED a lot faster than I am. It's a matter of what you want, my man!

I have this sneaking suspicion that based on your comments, you don't need to go out and drop a pretty penny on all these wonderful aftermarket pieces like AFR heads and such.

Get a 351 crate or have a pro builder build you a 351. Don't even stroke it! You don't need to and I'd have to imagine that if ALL OTHER THINGS ARE EQUAL, a non-stroked motor will last longer than a stroked one. We built ours with bulletproof parts and moderate clearances, so it should last if we take care of it.

If you got the 351 Crate (or have a builder make you the same motor basically) you will have just a shade under 400HP and it will be all you can handle or imagine driving. Seriously.

My first Cobra ride ever was in one with the 385HP crate engine and it went like this: It was so quick and sounded so sweet, I was hooked. It just seemed to have power that didn't end.

Mine is different. It's power is relentless (relative to the one with the crate). It sounds sweet but in an obnoxious NASCAR kind of way. It's like a Winston Cup motor with big fat mufflers and a much lower rev limiter. WOT under in a tunnel will make you deaf. The car slams pretty hard against 135MPH in 4th gear and I haven't had the guts to see how far 5th will go with a tall OD. Probably not much more than 150, but I just don't know.

Some people who have been around a LONG time (and claimed to have driven some hairy cars) have tried to drive the car and they did not respect its power and they basically screwed up. Sideways, scared, shut it down immediately out of fear for doing something very very bad.

To me, if your mentality is "I need some serious f'ing horsepower" maybe start at 500. If it's not enough, odds are you built it up enough to handle much more (if not, then don't do it). If that's the case, then start screwing around with it.

But, if you are of the mindset that 100 more HP in your Intrepid would be really cool, then having 385HP in your Cobra with big ol' sidepipes will make you very happy!

I have an Accord V6 coupe with the 6-speed, 240HP. It does the 1/4 mile in about 14.5 at just under 100. It's a "spirited" car and quick. Fun to drive, fun to pass people. I can't hear it over Rush Limbaugh usually, but whatever. It's enjoyable. But to me, it and the word fast should nto be in the same sentence. I needed 500 horsepower, so I built it.

I HIGHLY recommend the crate 351 or having a builder make you a similar motor. You will be MUCH happier with fuel economy and it will light up your tires nicely...

Sorry this is so long winded, but so are most of my posts. I like to explain why my opinions are what they are....

JP