Inquiring Mind?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 866
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Inquiring Mind?
Being a fairly new C4 owner (June of 05, bought a low mileage 1989 - 32,500 miles) and it was affordable, anyway it appears as if through the 80's the Corvette was downgraded (horsepower), not knowing a better term. The horsepower was greater prior to the 80's and greater after the 80's - what took place??
I know as each year goes by - the technology becomes greater.
I have no complaint with the 1989 nor the L98 - it is still a workhorse and with a few extra buck, it will a run a little quicker.
But what's with the 80's?
I know as each year goes by - the technology becomes greater.
I have no complaint with the 1989 nor the L98 - it is still a workhorse and with a few extra buck, it will a run a little quicker.
But what's with the 80's?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,297
Likes: 0
From: east greenville PA
In the eighties the Corvette was still recovering from the smog era of the mid to late seventies. The 1975 Corvette had an engine making only 165 horsepower, but as the years went on and technology increased (especially with the introduction of the TPI in '85) horsepower increased also. The mid to late '80 vettes may not have incredibly high horsepower number but the torque numbers were very impressive.
Here's some good reading material:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=100444
Here's some good reading material:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=100444
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,272
Likes: 201
From: Sussex,Wi
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Originally Posted by coops86vettes
In the eighties the Corvette was still recovering from the smog era of the mid to late seventies. The 1975 Corvette had an engine making only 165 horsepower, but as the years went on and technology increased (especially with the introduction of the TPI in '85) horsepower increased also. The mid to late '80 vettes may not have incredibly high horsepower number but the torque numbers were very impressive.
Here's some good reading material:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=100444
Here's some good reading material:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=100444
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
During the seventies, the automakers had to deal with the new emissions requirements and, as a consequence, the power output took a dip.
The biggest cause of the smaller numbers, however, was the way they determined those hp numbers. During that same time, the SAE standards changed and even though a particular engine did not change, the way the power was measured did... and it resulted in lower numbers for the exact same engine.
Larry
code5coupe
The biggest cause of the smaller numbers, however, was the way they determined those hp numbers. During that same time, the SAE standards changed and even though a particular engine did not change, the way the power was measured did... and it resulted in lower numbers for the exact same engine.
Larry
code5coupe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 2
From: Wake Forest, NC
St. Jude Donor '05
During the seventies, the automakers had to deal with the new emissions requirements and, as a consequence, the power output took a dip.
And from that point forward, HP numbers were on a steady increase until they reach where they are today.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
From: What do I know anyway? I'm just a 50 year old No0b
With the above. Remember that in the '70s they were trying to pass emissions with carburators and in the early 80's electronic fuel injection was still a new thing. Just like tires, brakes, and electronics in general are so much better now than in that era.
