Gear Head Folk Lore, what have you heard Options

[SCCA Stang]

I thought it would be interesting to know what gearhead folk lore is floating around out there that has been proven NOT always true, yet people still try to pass the info as fact!!!

lets start with this.....

Bigger cubic inch equals faster E.T's

[JMoushon]

I'm going with awd4me on this one. All things being equal, i.e. traction, compression, boost, fuel, cams, etc; With an equal 60', physics dictates that you will accelerate at a higher rate. Note that this has nothing to do with potential hp. Design and layout of the engine have a lot to do with the theoretical hp ceiling of a given engine. I am referring to internal strength, valvetrain layout, etc. If you look at the specific output of modern modified 4 cylinder, DOHC engines, you would see that if the import companies decided to make v8 engines, they would make far more power than even the venerable LS1. For example: An LS1 makes 350 hp (giving a bonus). That is 61.xx hp/lt. Build a 5.7l DOHC engine. Maybe even give it VTEC. At Hondas top specific output of 120hp/lt, you are looking at a stock engine with approx. 684 hp. Take that even further with mods or forced induction, up the specific output to around 220hp/lt, and you have a daily driver grocery-getter with approx 1254 hp. I would love to see a relatively tame small-block chevy put down 1200hp. Possible, but not likely. I understand that the engine I am talking about does not exist, but it is for illustrative purposes, to show that there is more to power potential than displacement.