[Jeff Lee]

What's missing is the fact most racers wouldn't even bring out a new combo if it received an immediate (and assumably high) HP hit from NHRA. Take the 1994 LT1 F body for example. Factory rated at 275 HP, we all knew it would be a killer. We also knew there would be a learning curve on these FI engines. At 275 HP, it was worth the risk and hopefully the rewards would be great to the racer. What are they now? 326 HP or so? Had NHRA assigned 320+ HP to them in the begining, you wouldn't see nearly as many of them as you see today.
So I could make the argument that UNDERFACTORING is good.

I just brought to the attention an engine that's been raced and on the books since the '70's to another racer. He has dismissed the engine for his SS/GT project as "over factored" I brought it to his attention there was a revision to the compression several years ago and I thought it was worth a second look. He did and now he is building that engine. So that's an example of an "over factored" engine that maybe isn't so "over factored". I predict he'll be at the top of his class. But it will take going down the track first. And if it get's AHFS'd, then so be it. But I know sure as shinola he and I wouldn't discuss this engine if it was 20 HP higher based on some "what if" HP assignment by NHRA.