Posted by rickyracer (IP: 209.20.170.52) on August 16, 2000 at 21:34:56:
In Reply to: Compression Ratios posted by Earl Pillow on August 16, 2000 at 19:00:57:
higher comp. limits your options for timing, gas, cams, carb jetting, 10 vice 9 to 1 comp really isn't that much difference for the street/racing, all depends what you plan on using it for. The one point in comp will show mostly when you get a load of questionable gas. For a "daily" driver go with the 9-1 comp. More user friendly in the long run.
Personally I try for about 9.4 to 9.6 comp. it's border line but I do all the work on it.
: Can someone tell me the pluses and minuses of a 10:1 compression ratio as compared to a 9:1 ratio in a small block? I know you get more power with 10:1, but you have to use higher octane gas, right? Is the added performance worth the extra expense and less streetability? I'm looking at a 351W long-block kit from PAW, to be specific, and the difference is closed-chambered heads (10:1) vs. open-chambered (9:1).