Sam,
Sounds like you've been peeking inside the new engine.....
We know we'll be in the 9.s but not sure how deep. The car did a .23 with a 417 cu in motor. It's a tad larger now....
Once the motor is built, it's "built" and there isn't much you can change for improvement after that. We'll be playing around with the top of the intake and headers on the dyno to find the best combination. After that, it's all chassis and clutch.........and maybe a few other things that aren't being discussed.........(no, we're not hiding a bottle).
Pete knows his stuff for sure. He built the old 417 and it was no slouch!!!!
Verne
