Smokey Yunick would argue that point with you.

Hmmmmmm....when we were racing circle track, our engine produced very high levels of horsepower, but much less torque and at a higher rpm, still well below the peak rpm level.

In our class, before CID limitations, we were running a 325 CID Chevrolet (4.155" x 3.00") and running an 6.48:1 FDR. Our speed on the straits was approaching 120mph turning roughly 8600 rpm. One of our running mates was using a 355 Chevrolet, but wasn't running anywhere near as fast as we were, in the same class. He installed a 400 Chevrolet that made less HP but developed more TQ and changed his FDR to keep the engine in its lower rpm operating range.

The results for him were disasterous. He couldn't keep up with us coming out of the corners and his top speed was limited by his lower HP production. He was forced to change classes to be competitive.

His 400 (4.125" x 3.75") made more TQ than our 325 (4.155" x 3.00") but we made more horsepower. Our lower axle ratio (FDR) gave us more effective 'torque' than he could develop and we were not only faster out of the corners but developed a much higher top speed too.

Now I am not sure how this will equate to our MBZ's, but the principles should be the same, regardless of the car.

I have had people tell me there is no way a 617.950 in a 116.120 can do 120mph, but it has been verified on radar (117mph actual with 120mph indicated) by Coalinga Area CHP.

I guess nobody told my W116 Bumblebee it couldn't fly....Robert

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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership