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OK Now, 2nd question. Why do we not use big blocks to start with? Is this possible? Say a 460 for instance.
Steve, I think that is a question many people have different views on. I will give you mine. First the bigest problem with going with a bigger engine is weight. This is one of the key reasons people like to rev up smaller engines.
The problem comes in with durability. The harder you run an engine, the shorter the life span. My brother has a 600+ hp Superformance Cobra. Has over 30k on the engine. He and his wife run it on tracks and drag strips everywhere. They run it hard; very hard. They swapped motors tore it down and it was still in very good shape. Right now he is playing with another 460 stroker.
Most of the guys at the tack run small blocks. Many of them don't make it to the end of the day when they run that hard. He says if a guy runs a small block hard it's never there with the same engine the next year. The same problem with the Lotus's.
The main draw back is weight but he has aluminum heads. He weighed his engine and the total extra weight was about 100lbs.
Big blocks and stroking allow you to make peak hp at lower rpms. This gives you power and tq at low rpms and logevity in the engine.
At least that's my take.
Gary