Often times guys get caught up in the hype of having a big HP motor in their lolo. I frequently get asked whats the best way to get big numbers out of their small block. The answer is not HP, but torque. "You sell HP, you feel torque" as the old saying goes. Most of us are running 155/80/13 tires on our lolo's. Even if you had big HP numbers, you will *never* get that power to the ground, at least off the line. I have a 64 Impala SS 409, that i built the motor in. While it is a completely restored original (I drive it rolling on 14" 72 spoke cross laced Zeniths), the motor internals are not. It now displaces 420 CI, with forged pistons and blalanced rotating assembly. The intake, carb and exhaust had to remain OEM for originality's sake, and that greatly reduces the motors potential. Anyway, even with the original 2 speed powerglide, it spins those tires with alarming ease, up to 50 miles per hour!
In my 62, I built a nice 383 out of an 86 Corvette. I built it for good bottom end pull, since it is a lowrider with 8 batteries. And since it rides on the obligitory 13's, torque is what that car needs. It pulls like an ox right from idle, all the way up to its modest 5500 redline. But I never take it that high, as all the best power is from 1100 to 2700 RPM.
So when considering an engine upgrade, look for modifications that improve torque. That is what your lolo needs!
