Interesting early Camaro performance info
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Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,947
From: Springfield,OH. U.S.A.
The horsepower ratings back then and the horsepower ratings today are measured 2 different ways. In 1971-1972 automakers changed their rating from "gross" horsepower to "net" horsepower. This move created the illusion that horsepower figures dropped worse than they did in the 70s, and the false notion that cars from the musclecar era were high powered monsters. They had plenty of power, but it's greatly exagerated.
A 396 of 1969 had a C/R of about 10.5:1, and after the switch in '70 ish, it dropped to 8.5:1...that's a HUGE drop! and loss of torque not to mention neccessitating the need for a milder cam to remain streetable...
It's not a simple change in measurement that happened there, but a shift in the industry's focus...from see who can make the fastest car, to, see who can get emissions down and milage up...
I've drove many and riddin in more, I can't swallow the "today's 305 is faster bs...I've drove some that could break traction in 3rd gear! stock spec!...
Go through the spec's on a late '60's Big Block Chevy, the cubes were HUGE, the compression was HUGE(leaded gas), the cams were HUGE, the valves were huge, the ports were HUGE, etc..etc..
You do the math.(..anyone..).........
Last edited by 90rocz; May 17, 2004 at 06:07 PM.
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