High vs low RPM

[79-TA]

The OP said 600-650 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque. The horsepower figure immediately makes the car magazine-reading portion of my mind think, "oh LS7 with some cam," but that wouldn't supply the desired torque figure. Nevermind that it's a GM engine and the car is a Charger.

By laying out these figures, you've already dictated what you want your torque curve to look like. More torque than horsepower means that the torque curve will be higher in the low rpm range with max torque occuring quite a bit before the 5252 rpm cross over point (the point where power measured in horsepower happens to equal the amount of torque in lb-ft.)

To get that kind of torque, I'd think some sort of derivative of a 440 (bored and/or stroked to a greater displacement) would work well. The more aluminum to save weight, the better.


If you plan to do any amount of drag racing, just go for the torque. A bigger, flatter torque curve makes the car more flexible as a driver and track toy. I'm not sure, however, that 700 lb-ft is really necessary. Which I guess touches on the OP's original question. Maybe 500-600 would be an epic enough amount?


I'm sorry, I haven't added much new to the conversation with this post, but does the 700 lb-ft figure grab anyone else as a bit excessive?