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The emissions technology of the time choked horsepower. I cannot speak for that Monte SS, but I remember a '79 Trans Am, with something like 185 rated HP out of an Olds 403 engine at the time would fall over about 3000-3500 RPM. The engine was just choked for air at that point due to the emissions equipment.
Those V8's still could make a ton of power, but you had to modify them (basically start freeing up the breathing... a LOT).
Another Motorweek muscle car comparison from the 1980s. Mustang GT, IROC Z, & Firebird
The 1985 Mustang did quite well. My higher rated 1991 5.0 Coupe did 14.40 in the 1/4mile. Tony Defeo's article where he field modded (stock long block) his 1987 5.0 stripper hatchback to first high 13s(13.90), then mid 13s(13.40 stock exhaust), then high 12s(12.90) over several installments was famous. Compared to today, the old 5.0 would et well due to light weight and traction but trap speed was low as the engine ran out of power.
Let's put it this way. Family 4 door sedans are running in the territory of yesterday's stock muscle cars and cars period. And they kick the snot out of them in performance and light years ahead in comfort and safety.. A V6 today has the HP numbers of yesterday's V8s if not way higher. I remember when having 300-350 hp was a step back Jack that thing is a killer. Now? You can get a stock V6 that has those. numbers. Hyundai Genesis V8 has 430 hp out of their v8. Hyundai was a joke of a car in the 80s. We used to call them throw away cars cause thats what you did when it got 100k and needed a motor. Now? I'd buy one in a heartbeat. My 89 camaro 305 was a slow turd. Sure I thought it was fast. A whole 190 hp. A new v6 camaro would run rings around it laughing. My mustang GT was quick but today? It would get its azz handed to it by a freaking Camry stock for stock. I had a blazer with a 2.8 v6. That thing literally couldn't get out of its own way. I was going to Vegas once with a gf and I had to floor it downhill to get speed to get up the next hill. All uphill at 55 mph because it literally screamed floored to do that. Slowest truck I ever owned. Just absolutely had no power.
Most 80s cars were just slapped together. The plastics, fabrics design and ergonomics were freaking horrible . The imports were light years ahead of our big three. Dodge was absolute junk. And chevy and ford were racing to see who can put out a crappier car. 99% of 80s domestic brands I could care less about. Nothing back then was worth a damn.
Sure there were a few tuner cars but those were stupid price.
That was a fun "ride" down memory lane. It's head to believe how long Motorweek has actually been on.
I had an '87 Mustang GT and it felt so fast at the time to my 20 year old self.
Exactly why I posted the videos. I remember loving the Mustang GT and Monte Carlo SS thinking how bad they were. My current car has about the same horsepower and acceleration as some of those cars, but with better handling. 2003 Malibu 3.1L V6 170 HP 190 torque. Today's midsize family sedans have more HP with their base 4 cylinder. They need that power since the cars weigh close to 4,000 lbs. Wish I could take the current GM 2.5L 4 cylinder and 6 speed auto, more power & more MPG. There's even a Motorweek video of the "turbo" Sprint.
It's funny how anemic those cars were back then and yet how fast they felt at the time. One of my best bud's dad was an engineer for Detroit Diesel Allison (now called DDC but formerly a subsidiary of GM) so he had new Monte Carlo SS every year. Man those cars felt so fast at the time.
Also I always thought the Monte Carlo SS, Gran Prix GT, and 442 were all the same car. I ha no idea that the GT was only 150hp compared to the 180hp of the SS. (and 170 for 442)
On a related note, I LOVE watching the old Motorweek clips from the 80's. Takes me back to my weekends as a teen dreaming about whichever car of the week they spotlighted. Also loved that they tested everything and not just the Porsche/Ferrari of the week that no one can afford.
It's funny how anemic those cars were back then and yet how fast they felt at the time. One of my best bud's dad was an engineer for Detroit Diesel Allison (now called DDC but formerly a subsidiary of GM) so he had new Monte Carlo SS every year. Man those cars felt so fast at the time.
Also I always thought the Monte Carlo SS, Gran Prix GT, and 442 were all the same car. I ha no idea that the GT was only 150hp compared to the 180hp of the SS. (and 170 for 442)
On a related note, I LOVE watching the old Motorweek clips from the 80's. Takes me back to my weekends as a teen dreaming about whichever car of the week they spotlighted. Also loved that they tested everything and not just the Porsche/Ferrari of the week that no one can afford.
Yes, agreed. Mrs. Rogarven doesn't like to watch it with me but I have learned a lot about cars from it. They seem to have more 2 wheel reviews than I remember. The expensive cars are, in a way, a waste but on the other hand, it shows you what may be filtering down to the average buyer. It also gives you a taste for what the "one percenters " drive. Some of them probably don't waste their money though. LOL
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