Is anyone finding it hard to keep it with todays rides? I have a friend who just purchased a 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi, rated at 395 horsepower.. And then I got to thinking, yeah it's 4,800+ pounds but that's almost 400 HP from the assembly line! We have to work hard to reach that, and that's a goal for us.


I just get discouraged sometimes, I'm planning a decent 305 build for my 89' RS which includes a 62-1 single turbo, planning on running up to 15 PSI.. fully built I'll likely net no more than 450 RWHP, and I still don't know how I'll hold up to todays stock rides.

I know our cars are lighter than a lot of other cars, but does weight really make that big of a difference? I have a friend who has a firdbird w/ the 3.8, full bolt ons.. and has trouble staying with bone stock V6 mustangs 2011+.. Let alone a third gen trying it.

Thoughts?

 

Technology and the horsepower wars between manufacturers has been changing the game over the last few years. If we are going to stay competitive we have to step up or game and our builds also. Now days, for a V8, 500rwhp is merely a benchmark to start with. I realize these new cars cost a lot more but its time to become innovative. I have been looking into a LS turbo setup in the near future on mine or just leaving this one to look pretty and build a ridiculous GTM or SL-C. JMO.

 

300 horsepower to the wheels is easily achievable with an L98 in our cars, naturally aspirated. 300 to the wheels is almost guaranteed 12's with decent tires. I have seen brand new 2012 Camaro SS's running mid thirteens for the most part, auto and standard. I wouldn't get discouraged. I know you have a 305 but with that turbo you'll be taking pretty much every modern car that is in the same class that the Camaro was in back in the 80's. Hyundai Genesis, Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, some of the luxury sedans. And, if you had a 350 a cam and some head work or new heads would let you eat those same cars without any boost.

 

Well, if your thirdgen makes 350+/- at the crank it's going to be a pretty quick ride, and I'd def. take him with the 5.7 hemi because of weight difference, but the freaking boss 302 and stuff like that is insane. The new R/T challengers/chargers are aswell. Chevy's ZL1 was released with 580..

 

I don't worry too much about V6 sports cars especially chargers, I walked on a 3.5 the other day like he was silly and his car was modded.. That's like a self-o-steem boost of some sort haha.