Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I cast my vote in favor of the Cadillac 472 / 500. I had a '72 Sedan DeVille and although I had to replace the carburetor and manifold, that was likely due to poor work on the engine prior to my owning it. Where else can you get a motor that big, moving a 5,000-pound car, and still get 13-15 miles per gallon on the highway with a TH400 slopbox?
Of course, at the risk of being egged, I think the Chrysler 318 was even better. Not as powerful, but is it even possible to destroy one of those? I love my GM cars... my family is a two-car family right now and they're both Chevrolets... but has any GM gas engine ever reached the quality level of the Chrysler 318?
Again, it is the engine proper we are discussing not 1/4 mile times. But in any case, I noticed in your provided Excel sheet that the LS1 is indeed the top GM non-Corvette aside from the anomaly of the 1968 Firebird with the 400/TH400. Which originally ran 13.80 or so with stock tires at 106mph. I posted the reprints from the period and the LS6 Chevelle was the quickest of the GMs.
You never stated the rules for that Pure Stock meet. I found a link to a set of rules and the cars are not factory stock: Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race - Rules
And again the question was engine not as fitted with drivetrain. Efficiency of the high compression rectangular port 454 cannot be matched by other engines. It was/is the better engine in terms of output.
The FIREBIRD ISN'T AN ANOMALY for a Firebird 400/400th. There are many of them running all stock equipment running quick E.T.'s. that embarrass the 454 all the time. Sadly the RAM AIR V engine wasn't allowed to be installed in production cars by gm. Had they, the BBC would have been eliminated completely on the Street.
David has about twice the $ in his combo than "The Lynch Mob". Tim has been very low 6's with his new 'Vette Combo. The old Mustang's chassis was it's limiting factor, because despite more power, the chassis just wouldn't go any quicker. There is alot more to quick E.T.'s than an engines horsepower on a dyno. NHRA Pro Stock is a perfect example. They are the quickest E.T ' ing cars for their power level to weight ratio. But that gets into a different subject altogether. Hook up ratios, centerlines, instant centers, forward bite ratios, etc.
BTW, I like the results and efforts of both of these teams!!! Great guys with the resources for awesome rides!
The FIREBIRD ISN'T AN ANOMALY for a Firebird 400/400th. There are many of them running all stock equipment running quick E.T.'s. that embarrass the 454 all the time. Sadly the RAM AIR V engine wasn't allowed to be installed in production cars by gm. Had they, the BBC would have been eliminated completely on the Street.
400/400 as in 400cid/TH400. The Firebird 400 actually had a restrictor on the carb. secondaries so that they would not make more power the the GTO.
I have heard much and only seen the intake ports/heads on a RAV. It would be nice to see a proper engine dyno for one of those.
The FIREBIRD ISN'T AN ANOMALY for a Firebird 400/400th. There are many of them running all stock equipment running quick E.T.'s. that embarrass the 454 all the time. Sadly the RAM AIR V engine wasn't allowed to be installed in production cars by gm. Had they, the BBC would have been eliminated completely on the Street.
Very true. The RA V was an crazy motor. tunnel port heads were insane
The Turbo Buick motors have a lot of low end grunt and make tons of torque at a low rpm (sorta like a diesel) by design. The boost is the reason for the power.. They can run a whole faster then 12's too and never make it over 5000 prm. They can run deep into the 10's with that combo..
Yep, and that was my point....that you don't need a high revving engine to win races.
400/400 as in 400cid/TH400. The Firebird 400 actually had a restrictor on the carb. secondaries so that they would not make more power the the GTO.
I have heard much and only seen the intake ports/heads on a RAV. It would be nice to see a proper engine dyno for one of those.
It was just an extra screw in the linkage on the carb. Take it out, and it made the power it should.
I have a friend that runs a RA V 400 in his 71 Formula. rwhp on a 20% chassis dyno was 447 hp and 500+ tq. Most chassis dyno's are run on only an 8% ratio. His RA V is a complete "stock" crate engine he bought in 1970 over the counter from Pontiac. His car runs a 400th with the GM 6 tq convertor. It's bit tight, but he has manual brakes so it's not an issue on brake fade. I wish he'd put decent tires on tho so it might consider hooking up under 60 mph!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Do you really need a BB to run quick?
