explain this-Old cars, big HP, slow times
09-11-2010, 08:36 AM
#1
Not sure if any of you guys watch Mecum or any of the auto auctions-my fav is the one in AZ jackson-that dude is crazy. But for those of us 30 y/o or younger than me and never lived in the day of muscle car fever in hte 60s'70s-I always see these HP monsters-camaros, mustangs, chevelles take your pic, listed at 350-400 hp with some big blocks or small blocks and their 0-60 times are almost never under 6.5 seconds. I consistently see 400 pound cars with slow 0-60 and 1/4 mile's in the 15s which seem slow for 400 hp, compared to these days when 250hp cars acheive 6 s 0-60s'
I always thought weight was a factor but no way they were heavier than todays lugs
I always thought weight was a factor but no way they were heavier than todays lugs
09-11-2010, 09:55 AM
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I enjoy watching Mecum too. I also enjoy watching Chasing Classic Cars. My thoughts are aerodynamics, weight, gearing, poor spring/suspension setup...
09-11-2010, 12:14 PM
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+1 on all of that. There is no comparison between a 3 or 4 speed tranny and a 6-8 gear one. And the narrow tires of the 60s and early 70s cannot hold a candle to today's tires. I love me some Mecum Auctions. Such good entertainment.
09-11-2010, 01:41 PM
#5
That is a goood call on the tranny-come to think of it those 2 or 3 speed autobox cars with 350 hp would be working with 2 gears---I can see the downside.
The flipside is the 8 speed auto now-I cant decide if that is good or bad-is there "too many shifts"?
The flipside is the 8 speed auto now-I cant decide if that is good or bad-is there "too many shifts"?
09-11-2010, 05:17 PM
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You would expect that a large V8 with minor restrictions would do better.
Here's what I remember:
Yes the tires were not very good. They had "belted" tires. They were an improvement over the crap bias ply. Radials in muscle cars didnt show up until ~ 1969? They were in Europe since 1947.
The HP ratings were pumped up for marketing purposes, and were rated on engines with no mufflers,and other restrictions. After 1970 they had to comply with insurance limits and EPA rules. Then at that time the HP numbers plummeted. The 1980 Corvette:Base L48 350/ 190 horsepower and the L82 was rated at 230. Californians were stuck with only a 305-cubic-inch V8 making 180 horsepower.
The muscle cars did have automatics. Normally they were truck duty 3 speeds. They worked very well!
But what I really remember is that my 1968 Cougar GT with 3sp auto/c6,325hp, 390cid, dual exhaust, 4bbl carb, would pin you back in your seat. It was fast!! The torque was amazing! I remember going up a certain hill at 70 and just touching the gas made it jump.
Today's cars that you are probably referring to are more likely 500-600 hp. They will do what you want.
Here's what I remember:
Yes the tires were not very good. They had "belted" tires. They were an improvement over the crap bias ply. Radials in muscle cars didnt show up until ~ 1969? They were in Europe since 1947.
The HP ratings were pumped up for marketing purposes, and were rated on engines with no mufflers,and other restrictions. After 1970 they had to comply with insurance limits and EPA rules. Then at that time the HP numbers plummeted. The 1980 Corvette:Base L48 350/ 190 horsepower and the L82 was rated at 230. Californians were stuck with only a 305-cubic-inch V8 making 180 horsepower.
The muscle cars did have automatics. Normally they were truck duty 3 speeds. They worked very well!
But what I really remember is that my 1968 Cougar GT with 3sp auto/c6,325hp, 390cid, dual exhaust, 4bbl carb, would pin you back in your seat. It was fast!! The torque was amazing! I remember going up a certain hill at 70 and just touching the gas made it jump.
Today's cars that you are probably referring to are more likely 500-600 hp. They will do what you want.
09-11-2010, 08:37 PM
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True, old muscle cars have big HP on the engine but not on the wheels. This is brought about by many things. Total weight, transmission ratio, gear ratio, and load balance. The cars nowadays produce better torque ratio because of better technology. Such as fuel injection, computerized system to deliver more power wiht better fuel efficiency.