I dunno how to answer here !
I did a lot of street racing back in the 70's & 80"s, as well as lots of track runs, at sanctioned events. Won a lot !, lost a lot too !
But if I were to go back to the original question, If I can call it that, a "true" 375 hp/396 was a very stout performer. I say "true", because all too often, 325 and 365 hp cars were called 375 hp cars for "embellishment of the kill" . Likewise, the same goes for "actual" LS6 chevelles. Every "Kill" was an LS6, when in fact the majority were more probably "terd" truck motors or "clones" with anemic powerplants.
Back to my answer.
Having been an engine builder in those days, who hung out with the same, we raced each other "all the time", and were full well "cognizant" of what each other had.
We "OWNED" machine shops, hung out, and raced together, albeit, we "Flagged" ourselves true to different manufacturers, mine being MOPAR.
My philosophy was always to build upon an engines strengths, but only, if it didn't compound a designs weakness.
Far more to a Drag Race, or Street race, than a Dyno sheet !
Nothing better than beers, after handing Mr. bowtie a loss, by a full tenth and 2 mph, same weight cars, when he's got 40 hp and 25 ft/lb on 'ya, yes, SAME DYNO !
He re-gears for the next week, same story but same mph, close, but still no cigar.
New driver, better light at tree, drove around him at the end, same good tasting BEER !
I had in the mid 80's, and still got today, a "standing bet" with this guy, and he is a MAJOR Chev Engine Shop !, that "anytime" he wishs, he take a '78 454, me a '78 440, we're both on a budget of $1500, (that would have to be adlusted for todays economics), and we'll go at it, with the final product in cars of equal weight. Only rule was "stock" valve sizes.
Yes, I still own "enough" machine equipment, CK10, CH100, Blockmaster, etc., etc. just don't use it much anymore as semi-retired, he's still MAJORLY in business.
That used to shut him up in the 80's, I suspect it still would today, although we both have far less testosterone these days, and neither of us really give a "Rat's ass' anymore !
This is a fact !
We Had a '70 Duster, we did it for a "FUN street" beater, lots of donated parts, 4.10, 27" tire, 904 3500 stall, "STOCK 1974 318 bottom end" !!!!!!!, better rod bolts, "STOCK" pistons swapped Bank to Bank, Hyd. Cam, "LOW COMP"., that ran consistent 13.5's @ 105 ! (bad holeshot too !)
In the early 80's this thing "stomped" stock/actual 375/396 chevelles, or just about anything else for that matter, on the street.
It took a very stout Chevelle to run actual mid 13's in those days.
Nothing better than relating that, "that 340", was actually a 318 !. Had that car up on the jack more than once for guys to "take a 'boo" at the block casting !
Lots and Lots of "poopy pants" and crushed Chev Ego's from that car in those days !
Last word, it didn't matter what class, street or strip, "frigged up pushrod geometry", or what ever, with some work, the HEMI was KING !
'Nuff said, check the record books !
No internet Wars wanted, Bob out.
