For decades it has been pretty well universally acclaimed that to make lots of horsepower cheaply the best choice was a small block Chevrolet V8. Sure, other brands of V8s could be made to perform admirably, but getting there was going to be more costly and more difficult than using the SBC.
In the inline six cylinder world things are a little bit different. Other brands of inlines will get you to the 400 hp level easier and more reliably, but if you really want to go with a 292 and really want to achieve 400 hp then set your sails and don't let money or technical issues slow you.
P.S., I love the early gassers. I grew up in Ohio where in the '60s you could drive by open garage doors and every other one had a gasser inside. At a nostalgia drag race I attended last weekend there were about 40! of them in competition and several more on display.
I have a '33 Willys coupe and a '49 Anglia and my son has a '48 Anglia, all of them inline 6 powered. None of them are pushing out 400 hp but loads of fun nevertheless.
I wouldn't say I am stuck on a 292. When my uncle raced the Henry J in the 60 and 70's he ran a GMC 302 and a 4-speed and car would go 11.80's. Car is heavier now because of safety requirements they have now that was not required back then. It now weighs 2950 lbs but that was with the 500 ci Mopar engine. I would think a inline 6 will weigh
less?? I would like to get the car to run 11.0's so was told I will need approx 400 hp.
I would love to hear more about your combo's Frenchtown!!
