why is the 416 kit better than the 426?

[waytooslow]

I have been reading a ton of threads on this site for the last couple of months and it seems to me most people are saying that the 416 is better and more powerful than the 426. This doesn't fully make sense to me. Can someone explain why the 416 is better than the 426?

[BIGRED400]

I have a 416, I don't know if it's better than a 426, but most people do it because that it the one of the first steps to bore, do a 416 wear it out and then do a 426 then maybe a 440:)

[TC426EX]

They are close, but a 426 is the ideal size... It is the best compromise between a 416 and a 440. It revs faster than a 440 and has a little more displacement than a 416. Dont get me wrong, there are alot of angry 416's out there but the quality and power of the engine comes from alot more than the piston. In order to have a good 416 you need to have port + polish, high comp. piston, oversize valves if possible, cam, and alot of other mods to really make it fly. Thats why the sparks 416 is so famous because he does all these extra things to it in his kit... Personally I love my 426 and when it wears out Ill get a new stock sleeve and do a 426 all over again. I know people with almost the same engine mods as me but I have a 426 and they have 416's and they were running around 43 hp while I am running around 48. So it is not too big of a difference, just a few HP but there are some real rocket 416's out there so do whatever you want...

[nakomis0]

I think you hear a 416 is better simply because more people have a 416.

Thats probably why you hear a 416/426 is better than a 440. Just because there are more voices that have 416/426's.

Its pretty rediculas to say smaller displacement is faster... Thats like saying my built 440 will smoke a built 660 because my pistons lighter ..wwooooo I rev faster. Please..

Not like that extra gram in weight makes much of a difference... the extra torque will make up for it, and then some....

They also have lighter pistons, wrist pins, flywheels etc.