Well I'm partial to the 302 but there's really no fair comparison to the newer motors...Yes it has only 4 mains, but the motors survive in 7-second drag cars and 250 MPH lakes racers with a big nitro load. It's a heavy, strong engine and though it won't make the top end power and RPM of a well-built 292 (not to mention the F**D 300 L6) it will hold it's own if not exceed the torque of any similar size engine, 6 cyl or otherwise. It's a vintage motor, no question, and that's part of the appeal for many of us. I personally think the 230 and 250 are some of the smoothest and sweetest domestic inlines made, but the new 4.2 L6 Vortec is one sweet motor - as it should be with DOHC and variable cam timing. I still dig the old school bus GMCs though.
