Horsepower vs speed
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Horsepower vs speed
So Im kind of confused. To me, the 1969 corvette is the best c3 there is. Simply because it fixed 1968's problems yet isn't held back by the government. Anway, I look at some performance specs.
I look at a 300hp 1969 corvette, and a 1975 corvette. the 69 does 0-60 in 8.4 seconds and 0 to 100 in 21.7 secs.
Then I look at the 1975 corvette, which had the lowest power of any c3 corvette. I realize in 1969 horsepower was measured differently, but it woulds till be roughly 260 horsepower in todays numbers.
The 1975 matches and even beats those numbers.
I realize the technology was better in 1975 then it was in 69 but is it really that much better to give a corvette with 100hp less go faster?
I just don't really quite get it, and some details would be appreciated, thanks!!
I look at a 300hp 1969 corvette, and a 1975 corvette. the 69 does 0-60 in 8.4 seconds and 0 to 100 in 21.7 secs.
Then I look at the 1975 corvette, which had the lowest power of any c3 corvette. I realize in 1969 horsepower was measured differently, but it woulds till be roughly 260 horsepower in todays numbers.
The 1975 matches and even beats those numbers.
I realize the technology was better in 1975 then it was in 69 but is it really that much better to give a corvette with 100hp less go faster?
I just don't really quite get it, and some details would be appreciated, thanks!!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
http://www.howstuffworks.com/1969-corvette1.htm
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 600
Likes: 6
From: Key West Florida
i would also say tire tech, you couldent do much on a 6" wide poly-glass tire, so hp dosent really matter if you cant put it to the ground, look at any of the old "factory claims" i read i test someone did in the late 80's against a 69 L88 vette and an AC cobra, they were both mid 11's with slicks and a good driver. its all how you have useable power and a tire that can handle it.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
Id be willing to bet you could look on many different websites and find many different answers for the 0-60mph time for each vehicle.
1. I'll bet the source of information is from a car magazine from the time.
2. Different magazines have different drivers
3. What trans? Auto? Close ratio 4 speed? Wide ratio 4 speed?
4. Who knows what gear ratio was in the cars being tested.
FWIW I just pulled a book off the coffee table "Corvette 50th Anniversary by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide"... it cites the same numbers you posted for the 69 300hp, but get this, for 1968 it states 0-60 in 6.5 seconds for the 300hp 4speed
1. I'll bet the source of information is from a car magazine from the time.
2. Different magazines have different drivers
3. What trans? Auto? Close ratio 4 speed? Wide ratio 4 speed?
4. Who knows what gear ratio was in the cars being tested.
FWIW I just pulled a book off the coffee table "Corvette 50th Anniversary by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide"... it cites the same numbers you posted for the 69 300hp, but get this, for 1968 it states 0-60 in 6.5 seconds for the 300hp 4speed
Last edited by Big Block Dave; Dec 17, 2013 at 12:17 PM. Reason: Needed to change number 4 to number 4 instead of having two 3's
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
Convertible curb weight: 3425
Coupe curb weight: 3260
You'd think the coupe's roof structure plus removable tops would add weight; the ragtop would be lighter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
torque is what matters and gearing if it doesn't list that both cars are equally equipped they probly aren't a car with 3:73 is much more impressive 0-60 than a car with 3:08salso every thread needs pictures or videos this should be a rule lol
Last edited by jesse10886; Dec 17, 2013 at 01:13 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
frames are the same that has come up in many many post here. The same weight issue is common in most all cars coupe vs vert. The vert framing is very heavy and newer cars have sub framed body panels an extra impact protection to make up for it. Coupe v8 mustang or camaro weigh less than their convertible counter parts. On the c3 vette it is just that the all steel convertible raising and lowering frame work is very very heavy for what it is
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,233
Likes: 419
So Im kind of confused. To me, the 1969 corvette is the best c3 there is. Simply because it fixed 1968's problems yet isn't held back by the government. Anway, I look at some performance specs.
I look at a 300hp 1969 corvette, and a 1975 corvette. the 69 does 0-60 in 8.4 seconds and 0 to 100 in 21.7 secs.
Then I look at the 1975 corvette, which had the lowest power of any c3 corvette. I realize in 1969 horsepower was measured differently, but it woulds till be roughly 260 horsepower in todays numbers.The 1975 matches and even beats those numbers.
I realize the technology was better in 1975 then it was in 69 but is it really that much better to give a corvette with 100hp less go faster?
I just don't really quite get it, and some details would be appreciated, thanks!!
I look at a 300hp 1969 corvette, and a 1975 corvette. the 69 does 0-60 in 8.4 seconds and 0 to 100 in 21.7 secs.
Then I look at the 1975 corvette, which had the lowest power of any c3 corvette. I realize in 1969 horsepower was measured differently, but it woulds till be roughly 260 horsepower in todays numbers.The 1975 matches and even beats those numbers.
I realize the technology was better in 1975 then it was in 69 but is it really that much better to give a corvette with 100hp less go faster?
I just don't really quite get it, and some details would be appreciated, thanks!!
You should also know that the 69 used 2" exhausts rather the the 2 1/2" exhausts previously used. While this did not affect the base models, it had a big effect on the higher HP engines. This is one reason why 69 magazine test are generally slower than comparable 68 tests and invariably slower than 66/67 tests.