Low speed torque and driveability ?

OldmanRick said

Imo, big cube long stroke engines with mild cams deliver the best compromise. Anyone that's driven the older stock GM 455's knows what i'm talking about. Since we're talkin A bodies, i'd build a 9 to 1 low deck BB with a 4'' plus crank, iron heads, 220ish cam and the regulation bolt ons with a 2300 stall speed, 3.23 gear and have a absolute blast.......Now if mileage comes into play, that's a whole nother issue.

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some of the most comfortable and capable cars that i've driven are no great shakes on paper, the 73 buick century regal with a 455 was no exception.

but one of the absolute best was a trashed out 73 doo doo brown 4dr dart that i'd bought for the **** hot 340/4spd that turned out to be mostly **** and not so hot. in an act of anger i purchased a very rusty 67 new yorker with a 383 2bbl that found a home in that turd mobile.

it was amazing to drive. aside from the oil pan swap, i didn't nothing to the motor except electronic ignition and whatever the cheapest headers were from PAW to make it fit. big dumb torque right off idle, and a 2.92 suregrip made for parking lot smokeshows, passing at speed even loaded down with three dudes and enough beer and gear for a long weekend camping trip was effortless.

while driveability is subjective, i think anybody can agree that two footing something at a stoplight that sounds like it's about to stall out until it hits 2K sucks all the way around. maybe i'm just old and washed, but i don't need the drama that the thrill of massive horsepower also brings. give me all the midrange torque and something that handles good and stops great and i'm happy.