pump gas engine vs. high compression

This reply is only to the Original Poster, Wirenut.:

The answer to your question, truely boils down to the answer to a question only YOU can answer.....What are your goals? Is the future capability to run 9's IN the Goals? 12s,11s,10s are relatively easy.
The laws of physics apply heavily here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics

Weight, and power at the tire....the rest is a driving game.

10:1 will only yield so much before 11:1 is the next bump,...then 12.5,......if big power is honestly the only goal you have Go Straight for 14:1 and 114 octane Race Gas.....and never a single drop of piss they call gasoline that comes out of pumps.

I know this 14:1 451 stroker....no power adder,....1000cfm carb....makes 650hp/550tq.....and its a relatively sane build.

To get power to the groundd is to maximize every square inch of a given Chassis for strength and rigidity, and builld a engine, trans and driveline and brake system that has 30% more in it than you need at any time.

From the start....you want to look for a body that is light...A-body good choice,....but 67-69 Darts and plymouth valiants are the lightest starting point.

Your doing well to look at Built or mostly built cars....your money will go ALOT futher.

Personally.....I recommend a 451 stroker in any Abody for a ton of fun.
Here is my fathers 2012 Racing Entry:
[ame="http://youtu.be/oAPM82lll9A"]302 Found[/ame]

I vote to go High Compression right off the bat if you dont intend to add any power adders on down the road.
There is nothing to the maintanence, but charging the battery(s)....removing the valve covers, rotating the engine and checking the cold valve lash.....and changing the oil and spark plugs every so often.


Good Luck!! :cheers: