596 casting or 308 casting for mild 360 4bbl
Ultimately what I am looking for is power under the curve and a nice fat powerband. Now I learned years ago that horsepower is for race cars; torque is what is what rules the street. Horsepower, after all, is just a mathematical derivative of torque.
I don't wish to start anything here.So, um Firstly, I agree.
However, when looking at dyno charts, it is useful to look at the torque curve from the torque peak down, and it is useful to look at the power peak, from there on up to about 800/1000 rpm after the power peak. This is because the torque curve amplifies the step by step low rpm numbers, so you can get a good idea of what to expect in that rpm range. And the power curve amplifies the step by step numbers up top, so you get a better idea of what to expect up there.You can better match the rest of your powertrain to take advantage of whichever characteristics your chasing.Sure you can work off either curve, cuz they both represent the same engine.It's just easier when looking at the magnified numbers.
As a ferinstance, consider the lowly stock slanty. Looking at the powercurve is almost a waste of time. But looking at the torque curve, gives you a lot of useful information, as to transmission and rear gear-ratio selection.
Then consider a 340 with a big cam. Looking at that torque curve you can clearly see what you will need to do for a starter gear; and looking at the power curve, you can also see what tranny you will want to run.
Now we come to the 360. This engine is kindof fun, cuz you can build it either way. It has enough cubes that it can be tuned for high rpm power, and still have a generous bottom-end torque curve. It can be tuned for almost any tranny,and almost any rear gear.