PORT VOLUME-IS BIGGER BETTER OR IS LARGER LESS? Richard Holdener
It's a bit of a stretch to call a 426 Hemi a dog on the street.
The best comparative example I can think of...the 383 versus the 440. Two engines fitted with the same heads and intake and cam, exhaust, etc. In theory, the 383 is a 'race' engine compared to the 440 - big ports, big cam, short stroke. In reality, the results are pretty much what you'd expect...the 440 makes more power everywhere and especially down low. On vehicles that are not traction limited, the 440's down-low power makes a big, useable difference.