Quote:
Originally Posted by ram2
Remember, any horsepower rating is the maximum rating at a certain engine rpm. An engine is not making peak horsepower at 2000 rpm.
|
Very true, and that's how Detroit used to play games with both the public, as well as the insurance companies, during the "horsepower wars" of the late 60s-early 70s. For instance Chevy had several 427 engines available in the '69 Corvettes. The "regular, top option" 427 was the L-72, 435 HP engine, topped with the triple carb set-up. The "race" option, the fabled L-88 427, was rated at only 5 hp more, at 430....but was about $1200 more than the L72.
People often questioned why they'd have to spend $1200, just to get another 5 HP. The answer was a simple situation of Chevy "playing games". The L-72's output was somewhat realistic, being derived around 5800-6000 RPM. The L-88's "advertised" rating, however, was derived at a paltry 5200 RPM, purposely, to disguise it's actual output. It was a pure race engine, no bones about it, designed to fit into a specific SCCA race class, a "production" class, but at the same time, rated low enough so it wouldn't throw insurance companies into convulsions, should someone have actually wanted to drive it on the street. The lower rating, along with the higher cost to purchase, was also a ploy to discourage anyone from wanting to order one for street use. (the supposed TRUE output of the L-88, was more like 500 HP)
From what I understand, the fabled Chrysler 426 Hemi engine was rated at 425 HP, but also derived that number at an RPM level that was below the engine's true HP peak.
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.
