[olddog]

I have never been convinced that large ports result in low rpm torque, as a universal constant. The old big block engines of the 60's had stump pulling low rpm torque, but quit breathing quickly due to tiny duration cams, giving poor Hp numbers. These were large port heads. Then there was the other side of the spectrum where rediculously radical high duration cams are put into these same engines, and then you get lousy low rpm torque and lots of high rpm Hp.

Secondly intakes can play a huge roll. Put a short single plane on any engine and watch the low rpm torque dissappear.

I suspect poor cam and intake choices gave the Cleveland a bad RAP on low rpm torque.

I guess I will never have the time or money to prove it, but I believe a Cleveland with moderate durration, high lift roller cam and the right intake manifold would pump out good torque from 2000 on up.