(1) All other things being equal, less displacement doesn't mean any less horsepower, it just means the power band is moved to a bit higher rpm (in this case about 300 rpm higher). That would normally mean a bit more gear is needed.
(2) However, the second consideration, especially in street cars, is "crank arm leverage". I've always felt the 351C had a bit too much crank arm leverage for the Pantera. With a 3.30" stroke crankshaft you will be able to come out of a slow/tight corner and punch the accelerator to the floor "harder" without the rear tires breaking loose and the car spinning off the road. The bottom line is the ability to negotiate curvy roads faster and/or easier.
If you use a 5.7" chevy rod (r/s ratio = 1.727:1) that would indicate the need for a piston with a compression height of about 1.855" (or less depending upon deck height). With a shorter stroke you'll need less deck clearance and/or less combustion chamber volume to attain a compression ratio of 10:1.
Bechtloff (Hank the Crank) is from my neck of the woods, he made good parts.
Questions: Is this an off-set ground factory crank, or a steel forging/billet? Is it fully counter weighted?
Rock and Roll
