My 85 is rated at 155hp and my 98 is rated at 200+. Why don't I have any problems spinning the tires on the 85 and it's almost impossible for the 98. This, of course, is in dry weather conditions. Thanks for the input.

 

The 98's suspension may be in way better shape than the 85's. Tires could be the cause...the 98 could have posi?? The 85 probably doesn't.

I drove a automatic v6 97 firebird and it would spin a lot.

 

i thought that more depended on torque than it did on horsepower.... either way, it's your suspension, not motor... my mom's 86 buick skylark (4 banger version) can chirp it at half throttle launches at a stop, it's just the suspension sucking, and the tires being overinflated

 

Those numbers you gave are peak power numbers. How often are you driving around at peak power? You 85 has more power at lower rpms around the rpms at launch. Now if you had the rpms higher at launch you would have more power.

 

You have 250-280 ft/lbs of torque down low on the 85. I believe the 4th gen has 225 or so and it is up higher in the RPMs.

 

Thanks for the info.