[LiL Jack]

Originally Posted by Chris Uratchko

For a Small Block type engine, 2.3 is not very difficult.

However a Big Block Sportsman type build, in the 550-650 inch range, 2.3 is a tall order and the larger the engine gets, the taller the order.

It can be done I have a couple that are right 'at' 2.30, not cheap builds. Billet intakes, big carbs, expensive cylinder heads, aggressive valvetrains. My 638 at 2.3 makes peak hp at 83-8400 and shifts at 9000 rpm. That's a little extreme for a sportsman engine and given the CID.

Can a Pontiac do it? Not easily. Cubic inch for Cubic inch, the big bore/big valve Chevrolet or Ford has the advantage.

As always, the best scenario for the HP/CID game is the smallest CID possible so you have the greatest valve and bore per CID ratio, and the most efficiency with the shorter stroke.

560-580 CID Pontiac, 2.3 per is going to be $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

So, I send the new check book and a new pen to who?