Another reason modern cars do well is aerodynamics. My OT daily driver has a 264" naturally aspirated engine, weighs 4600lbs., gets 27 MPG highway, and is governed to a 150MPH top speed. That's aerodynamics for ya.
I road raced an L88 '69 Corvette for many years. The L88 was a good example of "de-rating " an engine - it was the full race 427 big block designed for only road racing, and Chev did not want to see a lot of them on the street. Therefore it was rated at 430 hp - slightly under the hot road engine, the 435 hp 3x2 427. Did they lie ? No, just didn't tell the whole truth...... it was rated 430 hp at about 4500 rpm - which was correct - except it would rev to about 7000 rpm, at whichpoint it was making about 600 HP !! Yep, and those were BIG horses !!
Thats the truth my old 189k mile cherokee was tough light to light, those inline 6's pull forever. I got comanche with one 2wd 5speed its no slouch
Dont tell all the guys that have Flat Heads that, especially the V8 60 guys that puts them 20 in the hole already
The Jalopy Journal
