Over inflated HP and TQ ratings?

[myk]

The internal combustion engine was 60-70 years old back then, now its 112 or so and technology makes it better, same with everything else, weapons, jets and so on. There's going to be a point in time when these cars wont even be allowed on the road, there might not even be a road! who knows  

Good point there.  A friend of my mom has a son that flies F-18's for the Navy, pretty much on the advanced level of aviation, however he says that one of the greatest experiences he ever had was flying in an old P51 Mustang.  Clearly the F18 could swat the Mustang out of the sky but there's just something about old tech-he says he really felt like he was flying in the Mustang, what with just one propeller and no flying aids to guide you.  And I think that's why we all here and other groups of people like us will always appreciate old cars and their tech.  Sure, there's newer, faster, better, but when we're blasting down the freeways in a car that promises little more than going fast and looking good you really feel the speed.  

I certainly hope that a day when classic road-going cars are no longer welcome out in public never comes.  If it does, I certainly hope I'm long gone myself...

[1974dodgecharger]

Well put which means brings me to my next argument.

I guess its in my head then when I had and drove my 74 with a 440 it always 'FELT' more powerful than the newere cars even the new so called 'charger' SRT8 model of 09 I believe. Something about it like the power was there vs other modern cars I have driven, but then again like I said it could of been in my head 

The internal combustion engine was 60-70 years old back then, now its 112 or so and technology makes it better, same with everything else, weapons, jets and so on. There's going to be a point in time when these cars wont even be allowed on the road, there might not even be a road! who knows  

Good point there.  A friend of my mom has a son that flies F-18's for the Navy, pretty much on the advanced level of aviation, however he says that one of the greatest experiences he ever had was flying in an old P51 Mustang.  Clearly the F18 could swat the Mustang out of the sky but there's just something about old tech-he says he really felt like he was flying in the Mustang, what with just one propeller and no flying aids to guide you.  And I think that's why we all here and other groups of people like us will always appreciate old cars and their tech.  Sure, there's newer, faster, better, but when we're blasting down the freeways in a car that promises little more than going fast and looking good you really feel the speed.  

I certainly hope that a day when classic road-going cars are no longer welcome out in public never comes.  If it does, I certainly hope I'm long gone myself...

[Mike DC]

 
Modern engines feel weaker because we aren't cruising them in their powerband anymore.  That's also why the mileage is so much better even with the same 400hp.

They used to build 400hp engines.  Now they build engines that make 200hp at regular driving RPMs, and 400hp if you rev them up twice as fast. 

[1974dodgecharger]

 
Modern engines feel weaker because we aren't cruising them in their powerband anymore.  That's also why the mileage is so much better even with the same 400hp.

They used to build 400hp engines.  Now they build engines that make 200hp at regular driving RPMs, and 400hp if you rev them up twice as fast. 

thanks mike explains it all then.....

[Kern Dog]

Mopar Muscle magazine did dyno tests on a 340, 383 and 440 that were all rebuilt to stoc specs. The advertised power numbers were higher than what they got.
340: 275 Advertised, 269 actual
383; 335 Advertised, 325 actual
440: 375 Advertised, 350 actual
The story on the Hemi, the LS6 454 and the Ram Air 4 Pontiac 400 was that these engines were factory rated correctly, but the HP ratings were at a LOWER rpm than those engines make PEAK power. Sure, the HEMI made 425 HP.... at 5300 rpm. Spin that mill another 1000 rpms and WOW!
Todays cars have the benefit of fuel injection and computers FAR more complicated that the one that was abord the first space shuttle. If you take a 440 and adapt a fuel injection system with a similar type of computer, your mileage and power will likely increase as well.