1972 Chevelle 454 SS VS. New 2017 2.0 4 Cylinder Camaro

[WS6ADDICT]

When we got in a 2.0 Camaro, I was reading up on the specs. A 13.9 SECOND QUARTER OUT OF A 4 CYLINDER??? I get 13.5's out of my stock 2002 WS6. Broke out the stock 72 Chevelle. A 7.4 liter vs a 2.0 liter. Ah, Technology. Sad day for me the muscle car fan. (still would never sell her) SORRY FOR THE BUDGET VIDEO, ESPECIALLY THE WIND NOISE AT THE END !!!! Enjoy.....

[0rion]

I will still take the chevelle over the camaro

[5.0THIS]

Knew the result before even opening the thread. Old cars pretty much suck except for style. A new 2016 camaro SS would dominate pretty much anything from the 60s short of a 427 cobra, and even then the SS might win. And I'm talking strictly quarter mile. No car from the 60s would compete in any other performance metric. Not even close.

[SMWS6TA]

Lb for Lb they are almost even.

Camaro Turbo 4cyl 275 HP/295TQ

How much is that 7.4L putting out?
What transmission and rear gear ratio?


Just curious not trying to rag on you.

[WS6ADDICT]

365 Horse rated in the 1971 model. The 72 was underrated at 270 horse to fool the insurance companies and the feds. I think its a 3.42. Tranny is a Muncie close ratio 4 speed. Wish I could give you a ride in both of em. The sound of the 454 is incredible, and the torque hazes the bias plies in 2nd! I was blown away at the pull the Camaro has too, but it's so quiet. Stiii can't believe it could take the Chevelle. Thanks for checkin it out.

[5.0THIS]

Old car power ratings are horseshit. Everybody likes to brag about how underrated they really were, without taking into account the whole SAE gross power rating standard. It was about a wash, although hp for hp, modern cars will wipe their ass with anything old school.

[GTP231]

365 Horse rated in the 1971 model. The 72 was underrated at 270 horse to fool the insurance companies and the feds. I think its a 3.42. Tranny is a Muncie close ratio 4 speed. Wish I could give you a ride in both of em. The sound of the 454 is incredible, and the torque hazes the bias plies in 2nd! I was blown away at the pull the Camaro has too, but it's so quiet. Stiii can't believe it could take the Chevelle. Thanks for checkin it out.

In 72 compression started coming down. That number is less underrated than you think

[bigrondownhiller]

The new 4cyl cars are fairly stout. Car Craft has a write up on an eco boost mustang that is running 10's. Stock block, heads and cams. I am sure someone will get a new Camaro there.

[Whamhammer]

Not to knock you but the plugs were in there since the 90's, and its only been driven a little over 1k since the 2000's? Was the car even in a good state of maintenance and tune? Running 45 year old bias plies?

No doubt the Camaro is a match for a lot of muscle car era hot rods but it seems that there was a lot of self imposed handicaps against the Chevelle.

[GTP231]

72 they started cutting compression back. Had it been a 70 LS5 it would've been different

[WS6ADDICT]

Ah, still runs like a top so I havn't messed with it. I am running a huge risk on the 45 yr Bias Polyglasses though, but can't bring myself to put on the BFGs. Not real smart though. A friend with an original 396 gold Nova lost an NOS bias ply and it murdered the fender. (Was an original paint car) Thinkin I better not risk it any longer. Ditchin the smog pump would help too!! LOL

[WS6ADDICT]

I do keep the oil and coolant flushed.

[Whamhammer]

Ah, still runs like a top so I havn't messed with it. I am running a huge risk on the 45 yr Bias Polyglasses though, but can't bring myself to put on the BFGs. Not real smart though. A friend with an original 396 gold Nova lost an NOS bias ply and it murdered the fender. (Was an original paint car) Thinkin I better not risk it any longer. Ditchin the smog pump would help too!! LOL

I would be curious as to what the cylinder bores look like, with that low of mileage for the last two decades, and a lot of temperatures dropping and raising, there had to be some serious condensation going on, and not a lot of oil to protect the surfaces.

[Whamhammer]

Old car power ratings are horseshit. Everybody likes to brag about how underrated they really were, without taking into account the whole SAE gross power rating standard. It was about a wash, although hp for hp, modern cars will wipe their ass with anything old school.

Very true. The first weekend I had my WS6, some guy with 70-72 Chevelle that had "SS 396" badging tried to run me. Stoplight after stoplight, a couple of long stretches, it wasnt even close, I pulled away every time. To the very least, thhe thing had lt headers and exhaust, because it had a serious rumble to it.

325 horse gross (+ mods) vs 325 horse net (stock), definately apples vs (hugger) oranges.

[Whamhammer]

In 72 compression started coming down. That number is less underrated than you think

Dont forget that 72 was also the first year that cat's were mandatory on all cars.

[GTP231]

Cats came out in 75. Don't think they were even in California in 72