1Bad,
I hear what you are saying, but I'm still not convinced the two tuners are truly comparable. I have no experience with the other guy you mentioned, only with LPE and a bunch of others. I read John L's book and I talked to him quite a lot in the past about getting work done. There are a lot of variables - things like what rings to use, etc. You can also change things like compression by altering the piston wrist pin height, or you can hog out the cylinder chambers (or deck the heads) - which way is best, or does a combination of both work the best? Idle quality and smoothness is alot about the cam, and computer tuning, but it also has a little to do with other decisions that are made too - like the aforementioned options on how to lower (or raise) compression. There is an art to working on heads and intakes too - it isn't always about the maximum flow #'s - often times the highest flow #'s aren't the best for a street driven car that spends much of it's time below 3,000RPM.
Having said that, I think LPE's experience is what sets them apart from the rest. John has a stellar past as a winning drag racer, and I am always amazed at the breadth and depth of his knowledge. I think there are only a very few folks who have "been there, done that" like LPE has. I only have experienced stroker Vipers from 3 tuners (one being LPE), but they were all very different in how they behaved. The LPE cars are like stockers - quiet, smooth, but their 540cid package has 640HP to the wheels! And if someone is running 10.3's on it, it might even have more than that.
I am not doubting that there are other guys who can make similar numbers, I'm just saying that anyone buying any of these packages should shop on alot more than the #'s.... and I don't think anyone can replicate LPE's work by using the same parts (you might not even be able to know what exact parts he's using, or how he is customizing them, etc.).
Cherm,
Look at this like buying a car. Would you compare based on HP numbers alone? If so, then TT Mustang that makes >1,000hp would be 'better' than a Viper. Each car has it's own personality and unique traits that set it apart. Just like each tuner's strokers have different characteristics that set them apart. I've experienced strokers that idled like funny cars (lumpety, lump) at 1,200RPM, that roared at WOT and ran mighty rich and stank without their cats. I've seen others that are totally the opposite. You really need to experience these packages before you commit the $$'s. LPE is in Indiana, and the cost of a plane ticket is really small compared to the cost of the package. Go and check out the cars, get a ride, maybe even drive if you can - and you'll have a better feel for what you're buying. There is a local Vette guy who used to give me a hard time for spending "too much" on my LPE car when his made as much power as mine did. His car was just as fast, but he could barely drive it on the street, as the cam was so lumpy and the motor so moody that it was very unpleasant to be in the car. My Vette was smooth as silk... quiet, and refined, and it ran better than a stocker. I also never broke anything - whereas he was always breaking this or that.
I'm sure 1 Bad has some good points, and I would say definitely go check out his guy and the cars he has done too, but don't count out LPE or think that the extra $$'s you spend is just for the name.
