quickWS6

I don't understand how some people can talk about times for a H/C car, but then if it has an aftermarket shortblock, they say "oh, well that isn't the stock shortblock, so it isn't as impressive...". Why?? The only benefits that I know of for an aftermarket shortblock would be:

1. forged internals for boost or nitrous (doesn't matter for N/A)
2. lighter internals (rev easier, maybe a couple more hp)
3. tighter tolerances (again rev a little easier and smoother)

What else is there? Yeah, they could rev higher safely, but how does that take away from the fact that a 346 car runs 10s N/A? Enlighten me as to the other differences please...

GeorgeC

IMHO, you pretty much nailed the differences right there... The main advantage is not power, but strength.

My old 347 (.010 over '98 block) used a stock crank, stock rods/bolts, Wiseco forged N2O pistons (I was a nitrous junkie at the time), and stock bearings throughout. I don't think the Wiseco pistons netted me any hp in my case. If anything, they cost me a few since the compression height was less than stock (hurting compression ratio a little), and the rings were gapped pretty wide for a ~200hp shot of laughing gas.

All I see when I look at a fast H/C car with a stock bottom end is one that hasn't broken yet.