piston to valve clearance prob...HELP!

[Unit 5302]

Originally Posted by 1987StangL268X

well being that the rev limiter is set @ 5700 and i run 1/8th mile i do not think i have to worry alot.... Dont you hate the people that think shifting a 302 @ 6,000^ is going to make more power!? I shifted my almost stock 302 a little higher one time @ 5900 and could tell it nosed over after about 5700 5800. Maybe with a big stroked motor 6000^ may be ok but come on a 302!!! lol

The 302 (4.00"x3.00") is superior for higher revving applications than a stroked 302 because the longer the stroke, the faster the piston has to move in order to make a single rpm. There is a finite maximum piston velocity before a rod or other component fails so having a shorter stroke means you can rev the engine higher. Having a smaller displacement means the same amount of airflow will enable a theoretically higher engine power production number by using rpms to obtain that performance. Basically, in a naturally aspirated environment, rpms = potential horsepower. Whether or not the engine is capable of delivering maximum horsepower at a given rpm, regardless of its displacement, depends entirely on the engine's design.