Roger Huntington, author and automotive historian, researched these classic muscle engines to determine, scientifically rather than hearsay and rumor, if these monster motors were underrated, and by how much.
By taking samples from many different areas – dyno tests of exact rebuilds of classic motors, drag race results, and 0-60 times, he developed an algorithm by which he could compare claims to reality.
the Chevrolet L-78 big block was being under-reported by 25 hp, 375 hp at 5600 rpm in the sale literature versus 400 hp at 5600 rpm in his evaluations.
Chevrolet L88 power was rated at just 430 hp @ 5200 rpm. Huntington calculated 480 hp at 6400 rpm
Ford claims 335 hp at 5200 rpm for the 428 Cobra Jet versus Huntington’s analysis which determined output closer to 410 hp at 5600 rpm. Note the difference in engine speed between the two specs. Another clue this engine was underrated, was the smaller 390 V8 with a four-barrel carb was also rated at 335 HP.
the Mopar 440 Magnum was tested only to 4600 rpm, which produced 375 HP. When Huntington’s research found the engine to produce power reliability to 5400 rpm, he revised maximum power to 410 horsepower.
Chrysler told the public the Mopar 440 Six Pack was making 390 hp at 4700 rpm while in reality its actual capability was 430 hp at 5600 rpm.
Pontiac Ram Air 400 was also a victim of underrating, advertised at 366 HP at 5100 when in fact maximum power is 410hp @5600.
The Buick GSX 455 Stage 1 was overlooked because of its lowish published horsepower of 360 hp at 5000 rpm. In reality the big Buick produced 420 hp at 5400 rpm,
Olds told the public the 455 W-30 produced just 370 hp @ 5300 rpm, in reality the output at 5600 rpm was closer to 440 horsepower.
The Ford Mustang Boss 429 was sold to the public as producing 375 hp at 5200 rpm while in fact the 429 produced closer to 420 hp at 5600 rpm.
The spec sheet from Chrysler said the 426 hemi had 425 hp @ 5000 rpm but in reality the power keeps producing reliable power to 6000 rpm where the output is a whopping 470 horsepower.
http://gearheads.org/the-true-hp-of-the-10-most-powerful-classic-era-muscle-cars/
By taking samples from many different areas – dyno tests of exact rebuilds of classic motors, drag race results, and 0-60 times, he developed an algorithm by which he could compare claims to reality.
the Chevrolet L-78 big block was being under-reported by 25 hp, 375 hp at 5600 rpm in the sale literature versus 400 hp at 5600 rpm in his evaluations.
Chevrolet L88 power was rated at just 430 hp @ 5200 rpm. Huntington calculated 480 hp at 6400 rpm
Ford claims 335 hp at 5200 rpm for the 428 Cobra Jet versus Huntington’s analysis which determined output closer to 410 hp at 5600 rpm. Note the difference in engine speed between the two specs. Another clue this engine was underrated, was the smaller 390 V8 with a four-barrel carb was also rated at 335 HP.
the Mopar 440 Magnum was tested only to 4600 rpm, which produced 375 HP. When Huntington’s research found the engine to produce power reliability to 5400 rpm, he revised maximum power to 410 horsepower.
Chrysler told the public the Mopar 440 Six Pack was making 390 hp at 4700 rpm while in reality its actual capability was 430 hp at 5600 rpm.
The Buick GSX 455 Stage 1 was overlooked because of its lowish published horsepower of 360 hp at 5000 rpm. In reality the big Buick produced 420 hp at 5400 rpm,
Olds told the public the 455 W-30 produced just 370 hp @ 5300 rpm, in reality the output at 5600 rpm was closer to 440 horsepower.
The Ford Mustang Boss 429 was sold to the public as producing 375 hp at 5200 rpm while in fact the 429 produced closer to 420 hp at 5600 rpm.
The spec sheet from Chrysler said the 426 hemi had 425 hp @ 5000 rpm but in reality the power keeps producing reliable power to 6000 rpm where the output is a whopping 470 horsepower.
http://gearheads.org/the-true-hp-of-the-10-most-powerful-classic-era-muscle-cars/
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