I was just wondering if anyone on the board could take a guess at about how much horsepower my 1987 Camaro IROC-Z puts out? It has a TPI 305 with a super coil, everything else with the motor is pretty much stock. The motor and car have about 130,000 miles on them. I have the 700R4 transmission and that's automatic and that was rebuilt 10,000 miles ago. Everything else in the car is pretty much stock with the exception of the catback exaust. I couldn't find anywhere else to post this question so I figured this would probably be the best place. Thanks.

 

You have between 190 and 200 hp.

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/techdb.shtml

 

Thank you for the estimate at my horsepower ShiftyCapone. That's kinda what I had thought, but I thought maybe I would get some other opinions if I could. Maybe someday I 'll hook it up to a dyno. Thanks.

 

Not likely even that much by now with all the mileage and wear...I'd say 160hp.

 

I wouldnt say theres a loss of 30-40 hp due to engine wear. Maybe if the thing is in bad shape and runs like crap. Otherwise its probably only 5-10hp less than stock. One thing to think about. Its not unheard of for an engine to make more power than stock over time. Carbon deposits can slightly increase compression ratio and the rings may actually seal better now than they did new. Its not very common but does actually happen.

 

Have you ever run the car on the track? If so you can figure horsepower if you have the speed 1/4 MPH speed and the weight of the car. The formula is as follows:

(MPH / 234)^3 * weight(lbs) = HP

For example my IROC runs the 1/4 at 104 and weighs 3680 with me in it.

(104 / 234) = .4444 .4444 cubed is .0877

.0877 * 3680 = 323 HP

This HP figure is what is getting to the ground, as it already calcs for friction, drivetrain loss, etc. To guess flywheel HP I have seen estimates from 10 - 20 % more than wheel HP.


I had an 84 Z28 with a carbed 305 and a 5 speed, with 165k on the odometer and the car ran a 18.02 at 77.40 in stock trim.

Using the formula above the HP calcs to 133 HP.

Hope this gives you some benchmarks.

Bagz

 

Thanks for all the replys to the topic. I forgot to mention the cowl induction hood I have on the car and the engine has been somewhat restored so that would probably add some power, but probably not too much. I would guess at about 180-185 hp but that's just a guess. Maybe someday I'll bring the car to a track and put that 1/4 mile formula to use. Thanks.

 

You have a stock engine, so it won't make more, probably less then stock.

 

that formula just gives the avg horsepower pushing your car, it is not peak power.if u want to know your power curve go to a chasis dyno,than add 10-20 percent..

 

I know I am in the same boat as 'camarokid' here (all same but TBI instead of TPI). The 305 TBI was sold stock as 170-175 HP from the factory - how depressing. Throw on some mileage and wear to loosen the engine and the reality now is much less. It's disappointing but there are some alternatives that can be done for under a grand or two to make it well iver 200 HP again. My mechanically inclined friend (who also accepts Visa/MC/Discover ) and I discussed this today. We start work when NVDA hits 15 dollars.

~C