My first (running) Pantera experience I was in a convience store parking lot at night in an parked car when the car started shaking, a deafening noise was thumping, I was looking up because I thought a UH-1 was actually landing on me,... then I saw a black GT-5 IDLE by my window...egad.
I admire you guy's pluck to keep those Clevelands running strong and I'm sure the nostalgia and purist in you all wants to keep them running like an NAA Mustang owner wants to keep his plane flying..
However, I see owners inquiring here considering opening their engine up and BEGINNING their quest for a 450-550hp engine, my question is..
Unless one already had a garage of Cleveland parts and good support, wouldn't it be better to put the Cleveland in a box for prosperity and car value; then bolt together a SVO Windsor 392 short and some Kaas/Jegs canted valve aluminum heads? its still a 550+ hp engine, without the inventment and hunt for expertise to make the Cleveland run durably at those levels, plus its lighter.
I humbly inquire...does being exotic trump the practicality of this option?
go easy on me, please!
