Poll for Minimum Torque for a performance street Machine?

Minimum acceptable Peak Torque for a performance street engine

  • 320

    Votes: 3 6.0%
  • 330

    Votes: 2 4.0%
  • 340

    Votes: 1 2.0%
  • 350

    Votes: 6 12.0%
  • 360

    Votes: 2 4.0%
  • 370

    Votes: 2 4.0%
  • 380

    Votes: 3 6.0%
  • 390

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 400

    Votes: 6 12.0%
  • 400+

    Votes: 25 50.0%

  • Total voters
    50
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With 4.57 torque shouldn't be a problem but running out of useable rpm (shift-points) might :)
 
right now it's a 318 with trick flows, roller cam and rpm intake (was worried bout hood clearance).. i think a lot of guys needing 700+ tq/hp haven't had that on the street or are doing mostly strip where it makes more sense. but that's just an opinion.
Have you dyno'd it? If you have I wasn't paying close enough attention.
 
right now it's a 318 with trick flows, roller cam and rpm intake (was worried bout hood clearance).. i think a lot of guys needing 700+ tq/hp haven't had that on the street or are doing mostly strip where it makes more sense. but that's just an opinion.
With Trick Flows I take back the useable rpm lol
 
With Trick Flows I take back the useable rpm lol
meh.. they look cool :) the 318 isn't my end goal, the TF's i bought to move to the final motor when i do it.. and spread the pain of the cost out a bit..
 
Have you dyno'd it? If you have I wasn't paying close enough attention.

No.. it's just a throw together til i do the real motor (which was supposed to be this spring but i'm slower than i expected) was just showing an example that not everyone wants insane power but just some fun power
 
I vote for enough torque to break things.

The power and torque curve is what's important, not peak numbers.
 
I vote for enough torque to break things.

The power and torque curve is what's important, not peak numbers.
Agreed but it usually breaks things when it hooks. Thats when all the weak links are found. :thumbsup:
 
I'd want max torque from 800 to 3000 rpm... above that the rpm should take off!
 
From what I recall whatever they were, they were the same except the 318 was at 2400. Is that right?
nope the 340 was 340@3200 rpm
stock dyno test have shown 355 lb feet@3600 actual numbers
318 is rated 340 lb feet 2400 rpm
 
nope the 340 was 340@3200 rpm
stock dyno test have shown 355 lb feet@3600 actual numbers
318 is rated 340 lb feet 2400 rpm
Is that not what I said in post #60 ?
I knew the were the same torque numbers just at different rpm.
Which is why, like I always say;
Back in the day, the 340 was never known for being torquey, whereas the hi-compression 318 was always known to be particularly torquey for it's size.
However;
I once installed a complete 318 top end onto a 340 with the 318 cam, and had a real stump puller. Probably close to par with my 367 today.
 
Is that not what I said in post #60 ?
I knew the were the same torque numbers just at different rpm.
Which is why, like I always say;
Back in the day, the 340 was never known for being torquey, whereas the hi-compression 318 was always known to be particularly torquey for it's size.
However;
I once installed a complete 318 top end onto a 340 with the 318 cam, and had a real stump puller. Probably close to par with my 367 today.
post 30 you said the 340 was 320 lb ft@3200rpm
 
I vote for enough torque to break things.

The power and torque curve is what's important, not peak numbers.

And is why I laughed when I twisted my driveshaft off, instead of being annoyed. :D
I was having fun.
 
Too many variables. I enjoyed my stockish Commando 273 (what's that? 280 ft lbs?) with the four speed and 3.23 gears. The stock 340 is near perfect, but the stock 440 IS perfect.
 
Too many variables. I enjoyed my stockish Commando 273 (what's that? 280 ft lbs?) with the four speed and 3.23 gears. The stock 340 is near perfect, but the stock 440 IS perfect.
Is your 273 an early A?

340 in later A's and 440 in B and E bodies, ultimately were really talking about power to weight.

People are always talking torque, was just curious what they thought was minimum for a performance street car.

Ultimately it's average hp at the wheel, torque rpm and gearing sorts itself out.
 
Last edited:
Is your 273 an early A?

340 in later A's and 440 in B and E bodies, ultimately were really talking about power to weight.

People are always talking torque, was just curious what they thought was minimum for a performance street car.

Ultimately it's average hp at the wheel, torque rpm and gearing sorts itself out.
Yes, the 273 was in a '66 Barracuda. It wasn't fast, but by comparison to other sub-300 cubic inch performance engines it more than held its own. The handling package and disc brakes also helped the fun factor. 340 is in a '68 GTS convertible, 440 is in my son's '67 Dart GT convertible. In some ways the 273 was more fun on the street than the 440 because it would take longer to get into trouble. That doesn't mean that we're going to "downgrade" anything. I also put a 440 in my '67 Barracuda convertible.
 
Looks like a 318 might be a better street driver in stock form, torque in the lower rpm range.
at least until 35 mph .
Here's a stock low cr 2bbl 318 in dyno trim with headers labeled Base pretty flat from 2000-3500 rpm but so does the Modified (Mod 1-2) xe262h with 4bbl and spacer mod 2.
No matter how much AJ say I won't like the modded :) I'll still take it over stock.

TORQUE SUPERFLOW 901 DYNO-TESTED AT WESTECH
RPMBASEMOD 1MOD 2
2,000292
2,500287
3,000287338336
3,500272335340
4,000248326330
4500218309319
5,000188285296
5,500250258
 
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