Re: 500 Caddy into El Camino
Hmnn your findings are slightly different than mine. The Edelbrock generally came in with the same peak torque but at two to three hundred rpms higher. It was generally worth like 20 HP & extends the HP range quite a bit up to 5,000 depending on cam. Your cam probably hits peak HP around 4,200 & will provide best times shifting by 4,400? So Edelbrock IMO would generall free up 20 HP and add another three to four hundred rpms to the optimum range. Block off the heat crossover & it not only saves 22 pounds but disapates heat much better to help keep your carberator and fuel cool. I ran an electric choke so it never had a problem in the winter although it might have taken few extra minutes to fully warm up I dunno.
With a 4.3" stroke 500 cubes and high velocity small chamber heads its very tough to kill bottom end torque.
Mine had enough torque at 1,700 to 1,800 to the pull the 2.29 final drive ratio (OD) with 28" tall tires in rolling hills on the Interstate without lugging the motor. (If I traveled at that speed I probably could have pulled off much better mileage.) I know this because despite a 2,800 stall I had a lock-up converter so I could lock it up and tried to lug it. Timing I am sure played a part here and and having good plugs, wires, cap, rotor, & coil. Maybe if I actually ran it there a lot over an extended period of time I would of had problems.
How tall of a tire do you have on it now? I ran 28" with a 3.42. (2.29 FDR) and 29" with a 3.73. (2.49 FDR) My goal was to cross the stripe at 115 mph at 5,000 in 3rd gear. An honest 500 HP at 3,800 with driver could do that.
Yea I was being kind with the right converter the Elky will have traction issues even on a track with drag radials, posi, & some less than perfect or dialed in suspension work. 8) Taller tires generally have a bigger footprint plus better sidewall flex than a shorter wider tire. A taller tire will hook up better and or recover quicker from traction loss.
Due to traction the better 60 foot provided by the taller tire will probably more than make up for the taller gearing provided by the taller tire. IMO