"Old School" is right for old cars! ...And your wallet!!

I see a disturbing trend in the buff magazines and it's not limited to swapping modern fuelie engines into classic iron. I see people spending tons of money on high-tech stuff that doesn't offer the performance increase to justify it's expense. # 1. Aftermarket fuel-injection systems. Edelbrock, Holley and Accel all offer aftermarket fuel-injection systems for most popular engines. The problem is most of them cost between $2,000 and $3,500 depending on application. And the sad thing is, they don't make any more power than a simple $600 carb and intake combo!! High Performance Pontiac tested a system on a stoutly built 455. With an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake and an 850 Holley carb it made something like 588 hp. The 859 Holley retails for $449 through Summit Racing and the Performer RPM manifold retails for $219. Total cost $668. The injection system made 574 hp and cost $3495!! Hello?? An extra cash outlay of almost $2,900 to make 14 LESS Horsepower??!!  # 2. Overdrive Transmissions. Same deal- Mopar Muscle put a new TCI six-speed automatic in a 440 GTX project car. Yes, it was slightly quicker in the 1/4 and got better gas mileage than it did with the three-speed Torqueflite, but the conversion cost $5,500!!  To spin 500 less rpm on the freeway?!  Think what you could do with $5,500. A crate engine, a complete interior or an ultra-trick paint job. # 3. Aftermarket Brake systems. Do you really need a $4,000 Wildwood, Baer, or Brembo 4-wheel disc setup worthy of a NASCAR stocker? The factory braking system-( If it's in good condition ) on your musclecar isn't adequate to stop the car safely in daily driving or on a weekend trip to the drags? Come on guys!!  #4 Ultra-Performance tires and wheels. I understand wanting the good handling and braking of modern Radials. American Racing,Cragar,Year One and Wheel Vintiques all offer factory and classic mag style wheels in 15", 16" and 17" sizes. That will give you the classic '60's or '70's look with modern tire performance. 275/40ZR20 tires on 20X10 wheels not only looks stupid on an old musclecar, you can't use the performance anyway. Is your B-body Mopar or A-Body GM muscle car going to put fear into the hearts of any Dodge Viper, Porsche 911 or Corvette drivers on a curvy road? Puhleeze.  So save your money and do what's right for the car and your bank account. Mastermind