250 as rated? or did GM fudge the numbers?
<img>http://registry.gmenthusiast.com/images/spartacus/cavmachine.GIF</img>
Hmmm, not too familiar with the 73 454, but that seems low and if it is that much that engine is huge and I know its got alot of torque.
How many steps to heaven, Doc?
...Ah, metaphysics.
that may be right, buy that time the horsepwoer ratings had really dropped off
from chevelles.com
1972 was the last year for a lot of things. For example, it was the last year for the LS5 454, the 396/402, and the 307. In '73 the Chevelle line was completely redesigned with driving comfort being the major theme rather than performance. There was still an SS-454 package available. It used the low-compression LS4 454 rated at 245 horsepower. This motor was less powerful than the earlier LS5, although with the right tuning, head porting and pistons it could equal the LS5.
so yes
google owns
Neal is right.
Right after the '70 Chevelle a lot of the HP numbers dropped. The '71 and '72 454's still packed a punch but it wasn't as much as the '70's version. That and '73 was an ugly year for the Chevelle imo.
Have a good one,
Justin
By 1973 the push for tighter smog regs was in full swing and the car manfacturers didn't have a clue as to how they could get the numbers down. Don't forget that just a few years prior to this leaded gas and 12.5 to 1 compression engines were on the streets.
Now the EPA was pushing for lower emissions so car companies responded the only way they knew how....... to dial down the engines. If you think that sucks try the 1976 - 1979 Corvettes with the 165 HP 350 engines. Hell I could kick there asses in my Cavi. when it was still bone stock! All cars took huge hits back then.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
the ls4 was a slow turtle , but it was better than the 350 and 305's
but it drank fuel , like crazy
Regulatory changes had an impact, as did the early 70's gas crunch. I'm old enough to remember.
The SAE also changed HP ratings from HP gross to HP net, with accessories included, like AC, power steeering, etc.
In the end it makes all the current genra of small inch, muscle cars all that more impressive.
.
.
Project S-Bird
The gas crunch came a few years later.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
^ ^ ^ ^ Either way it efed up manufacturers.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
But, you CAN breathe somewhat properly and actually see LA in the summer most days.
There is an upside to the environmental protection agency and smog laws.
Either way, when was the last time you enjoyed taking apart an old cylinder head to de-coke the valves?
RIP Brian St.Germain (SAINT), Semper Fidelis
Oh I never said it was a bad thing just that it screwed up the car manufacturers.
And does anyone ever actualy WANT to see L.A. ?
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
73 and 74 pontiac 455 SD engines made the 73 and 74 firebirds the quickest firebirds up to that time, just about every other car was getting slower. The HP drop starting in 1971 was a combination of low compression,catalytic converters, and also the way engine horsepower was rated.
