Power or Speed

Yeah, fairly mild 408. It was built as a street friendly engine. I grew up, and don’t cruise it around town anymore. It’s getting some new parts this winter to get into the mid 10s. That picture is from Seattle this year.

This was in the final round that day. Quickest the car has run to date. The guy who won (Chris Johnston) wound up winning the national championship in Pomona a few months later.

 

I'm an A-body guy. What a close race! Both broke out by the same amount (as far as we can see, anyway)… Good race.

 

It goes by worst breakout, the timing system actually measures several more decimal places, just doesn't print it.

 

Worst breakout. Went five numbers out I think. Sucked, won 6 rounds to get there.

 

It wasn’t a great weekend. Got this as a prize after they had us run down the track while it was raining in the middle. Guess that’s what you expect in Seattle. It’s currently getting fixed in Idaho with a new paint scheme. Going to wind up costing me about $5000 by the time everything is done.

 

No matter the engine, 13 spd over 10 spd. All day, every day.
Makes too much sense climbing hills.

 

It isn't 'power vs speed'.
It is how the power is applied for any given situation.

In many ways torque is much more important than raw horsepower.
I hear a lot about horsepower and little about torque, but it is torque that actually provides the pulling power.

In a vehicle with only a single gear, it is the peak torque range that will determine how it will accelerate at any given speed. Or pull on a hill.
That is usually determined by the valve timing (lift, duration, overlap etc.), which is usually controlled by the camshaft.

Isn't that the reason for multi-speed transmissions?
To keep the engine in the proper torque range at any given RPM?

The rear end gearing has more to do with top speed at the final transmission gear, but the transmission gearing and valve timing has more to do with getting the power where and when you need it most.