Just found out my engine is a crate engine made for a truck, and I assume that it's got lots of low end because of that. It's a TPI, which again is good for low end, and I just put in a low end torquer cam (havn't driven it around yet though). 3.22 rear gears (I think) built 700R4 and full exhaust.

I have always been a big fan of low end torque... I think.... I have never really understood it. I have done some looking around on the internet, and all of the explenations I get are either way to technical for me to understand, or it's people arguing over which is better HP or Torque.

from what I gather, HP is a by-product (and direct relation) of torque.

I don't usualy drive past the 3000 RPM, don't race much on the street or strip. which is why I'm building for lowend torque. is this wrong?

My question, is my engine going to be to low end heavy? I got the feeling that a friend on another forum (not a car forum) kind of put me down for building an engine for low end torque when it's not gong to be hauling anything.

I have always been under the impression that "torque is fun, you can really FEEL it". I know that stroker kits (383) built tons of torque... so in my quest for torque, would a stroker be a bit to much for my already lowend heavy engine combo?

So... whats yalls thoughts on this?

 

Well, with you're relatively high gears (lower numerically) you have some more room to play, as opposed to 3.73's or 4.11's. You should still be able to burn the tires off the car anytime you want with the torque that bad boy's gonna produce.

My two cents (about what it's worth ) For the street I usually try and build for a wide flat torque curve, rather than a high peak at any particular rpm range. With that 383 i'd sacrifice some torque down low for a some higher in the rpm band since your gonna have boatloads already. It'll help make the car more manageable and give you more useable power everywhere.

 

i think you're overestimating how much torque you're going to have, but too much power at any rpm isn't bad.

 

Heh, always better to read the post after the morning coffee, not before.
Ok, you're asking whether or not to go to the stroker kit. the simple answer is HELL YES. It's really not much more money, and will make a substantial amount more power. If you aim for the 1 hp per cubic inch mark, or 1 lb/ft per cubic inch, whichever. going from 350-383 should get you 30 lb/ft.
Were 3.22's a factory gear ratio? Building for torque with a higher (lower numerically) gear ratio isn't a bad idea. You'll get a fun car that gets great gas mileage. I like 3.08's behind a torque monster engine, lotsa fun, still have decent traction, but can still roast the meats, and insane mileage.
If you've got too much low end you can always swap in a bigger cam later.
You didn't say what heads, you'll definitly need some improvement from stock here. Build for 10:1 and good flow velocity and you'll be rockin'. Do it right and a 383's easily capable of over 500 ft/lbs at 3 grand.