<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Goathead:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>The GTO almost never had the strongest engine in Pontiac's stable. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>In 1964, the elimination of the previous year's Super Duty engines and modifications left performance enthusiasts with three 421 cid V8s available, rated at 320, 350, and 370 bhp.
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>389 V8 335 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 431 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. 389 V8 (3x2) 360 bhp @ 5200 <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
In 1964, you are telling me that the 421 with 10 more horses was the strongest engine in Pontiac's stable? Come on, even Champ will agree that that is splitting haires....
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It's not splitting hairs, it's cutting them off at the root! The so called 370 h.p. 421 in a '64 GTO was almost a second faster. There were dealers all over the country doing this for 'stock' class racing, to the point that at one time NHRA was having all GTO's checked! The two engines were fast, the '21 was just faster! You should know by now that a 10 h.p. difference in rating can mean a lot of things and does nothing to adress the big difference in torque curve.
My mom had a '65 2+2 with 421/376 (underated big time),that car ran a best of 13.65 with lots of tuning and small cheater slicks. That was very quick, but my brothers '65 GTO with Roughton Pontiac installed 421/376, with similar tuning, would run 12.90's all day. Both cars had 4.33 gears.