318 stroker -> Mopar Performance A8 build guidance needed.

SOMMS said
I am looking to race low-key competitively - I want to throw down at our local track (Pacific Raceways)...but I am not quitting my day job or traveling more than a couple hundred miles. This is not an autocross rig - will be mixing it up on actual road course tracks with other cars. Haven't totally figured the class out yet - can't be 'vintage' because that requires all the stock running gear.

And again - I don't actually care that much about hp, as long as it reliably makes something north of 500 and is as light as possible. Hence the a8 questions.

make no mistake that a dual purpose street/track car is going to get absolutely curb stomped by any dedicated track car, no matter how much power you're making. it won't be competitive, not by a long shot.

pretty much any kind of organized on track racing will require some type of roll over protection-- track days usually do not, but you can be asked by the track or organizer to leave if you're running real fast with no safety equipment. that's at their discretion.

500hp is doable, and i think you can make it reliable but it's going to be expensive. not A8 kinda coin, but more than an average hot **** street motor.

my concern is that you're so fixated on weight and 50/50 that you're missing the broader picture.

one last thing: you're building an E body, why are you asking us? them dudes should be knowing all about it over on FEBO