Making it seriously hot...
Ok, if we're going to talk serious performance, we have to address two factors: one, the weight problem, and, two, the cooling problem.
On the weight issue, aren't we really adding significantly MORE weight to our 4700 pound beauty, and thus to our performance problem, by putting in a 502, or a 568? I mean, the gain in horsepower is going to be offset by the increase in iron...
And on the cooling front, these things ALREADY have a problem. It gets over a hundred here in Fresno quite often, and if you have to sit, engine idling, on the black asphalt parking lot, waiting in line at the In 'n Out Burger drive up window (best double cheeseburgers on the frickin' planet!), you can actually SEE the needle creeping up... So, adding a huge iron-block will present some probs.
I have a solution! How about a factory installed supercharger - stacked onto the 6.0 liter, small block, 6-speed, stickshift aluminum V-8 chevy is already offering for 2005? If Chevy eliminates the "detuning" nonsense, this engine starts out at 400 hp. The supercharger should boost things up to around 515 to 520 horses! AND, without a significant increase... AND, if it's done right, without cooling problems!!!
Now that's what I'm talking about! 520 hp, realistically, in this vehicle? There would be several hundred thousand of us prospective buyers (with the money to do something about it) drooling and wetting the seat covers, simultaneously!
Think about it, Chevy Masters!
Cheers,
Randy :flag