[Bob Riebe]

You are correct rod-angle is incredibly important as to reduced loads on the piston, which reduces friction etc., but then long stroke also means the piston reaches a higher speed, and forces on the piston when it reaches TDC & BDC are greater (theoretically more destructive [the old BOTT Harley builders were thankful that engine vibration {causing discomfort and reduced vehicle control} limited throttle use more than anything, as forces exerted on those pistons made it amazing at rpm's that they were actually capable of achieving]) than those of a short-stroke engine, and no matter how one looks at it, if a piston moves three inches, it has less drag than one moving four inches, even with oil making a fluid barrier between metal componnents.

I also fully realize that many drag racing engines of over eight hundred inches now hit rpms in the eight thousand range, or more, but that is not quite the same as forcing a long stroke engine to do it for twentyfour hours.

The intake design can affect HP, but it is more important in the power curve.
As straight runners, in theory, work better for high rpms, the lack of air caused by the restrictors will negate a great deal of any advantage the straigt runners possible on a P car could have.