[CCG Garnet Red]

Chevy stopped using gross HP rankings in 1972. 1971 SS 454 LS 5 Chevelle was 365 gross. Same motor in 1972 SS 454 LS 5 Chevelle was 270 HP net, I think. Compression in engines was dropped for the 1971 Chevy models to accept unleaded fuel/emissions. Ford and Mopar waited until the 1972 models.

[torqueaddict]

Originally Posted by fastball

HP ratings aren’t what the seem. Until 1973, MFGRs ratedHP using SAE gross - meaning they rated the horsepower at the crank with no accessory load and not connected to a transmission and certainly not wheels on the ground. So horsepower ratings at the peak of the first muscle car era were quite skewed. Take 20-30% off to compare to modern ratings.

From 1973 - 2004 they used SAE net version 1.0. That was much more accurate taking HP at the crank, under load, with all emission controls. But still not completely accurate. Take 5-10% off comparing to today’s numbers.

Then in 2004 the SAE finally started rating HP for what realistically hits the ground. Our 6th gen SS with 455 hp has 455 real hp hitting the ground.

That’s why our modern base Camaro SS will leave even the most powerful vintage Camaros in the dust. A sought after ‘69 aluminum 427 ZL1 “rated” at 420 Hp with a 4 speed Muncie might sell for $250,000 at Barrett-Jackson but a 2018 $40,000 Camaro SS with a stock 8 speed auto will leave it in the dust.

And the V6 Camaro will not be embarrassed

Good info! Thanks.

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by fastball

Our 6th gen SS with 455 hp has 455 real hp hitting the ground.

Are you sure that's not crank HP?

[torqueaddict]

Originally Posted by Gunkk

Are you sure that's not crank HP?

I'm pretty sure that's crank. Actual Dynos show a little over 400 to the wheels.

[nbryant]

Thanks for that, enjoyed it.