The math hasn't changed.......

Had several posts a while back about running in the unlimited class in the Silver State Classic. We talked about various car / engine combinations and agreed that the combo that gave the most bang for the buck-i.e-horsepower+aerodynamics+low curb weight would be a Rat-motored '82-90 Trans-Am. I'm still getting emails from people coming up with different car / engine combos. The latest was a guy that agreed the T/A with only .028 drag coefficient was the best body choice but suggested using a 400 small-block instead of the Rat. Huh? We all agreed that a 720 hp 572 inch GMPP crate motor or a Blueprint Engines 540 incher with 650 hp MIGHT be enough for a two-way 200 mph run. Now, if that's iffy-what makes you think a 400 small-block would have the same amount or more power for LESS money??  The new Dart 400 small-block "Short Block" package costs $3,200 and that's with cast pistons and a cast crank. If you upgrade to a forged crank and forged pistons-which you'll definitely need to stay together for high-speed running, the price goes up to $4100. Just for the block and rotating assembly. You still need hi-perf heads, ( either Dart or Edelbrock or Trick Flow, all around $1,500 a pair ) cam and valvetrain, carb and intake, ignition, exhaust and a flywheel and balancer and all the tin. The price will go over 10 grand pretty quick, and a 400 small-block will make 500 hp pretty easy, but not 600-700hp, like a Rat would for the same amount of money. If you were running a 2.56:1 axle ratio-and the 400 inch motor could pull 7,000 rpm reliably-that would still only get you to about 185 mph, not 200+!  Yes, NASCAR SBC's have about 800 hp, but they cost about $25,000 to build. So, No, I don't think that's a better idea!! The math hasn't changed-unless you want to build a $100,000+ car-your not going to beat the the Rat-Motored '80's F-body that can be built for about $25,000-If you figure five grand for the car, 15 grand for the motor and another 5K for a transmission, and wheels, tires and a rollcage!! My orignal statement still stands-Yes you may go just as fast or faster-with a 528 inch Stroker Hemi or a  514 inch Boss-Nine Ford, but not for anywhere near the same amount of money!! And definitely not for less!!  Mastermind