Rick, thanks for the info. Wow, 78 hp and 152 ft/lbs. I thought maybe the motor wasn't running right but I guess it's just slow.
Saul, those numbers are open to debate also. At sometime (??) the automotive industry changed the way they measured h.p. and torque. I'd get a head-ache doing a search and reading it, but you might try the search option for keywords. Good luck, Rick p.s. throw out some weight - who needs a spare tire anyway!
I think it was in the '70's that the method for calculating horsepower changed. From what I understand it changed from just the engine running without any extras (like power steering pump etc.) to running the engines with all these extras added on. Also, I believe tests were standardized for barometric pressure and other factors to ensure that engine power numbers weren't inflated due to favourable conditions. As for the power in my car, I'm not too worried. Maybe one day I'll build a screaming 302 for my Mav. In the meantime, I'm happy to restore it and have one cool car to drive around.
they went to BHP or (i think) brake horse power in 1972. i couldn't believe when my dad bought a (sorry) nova in 72 and it was sold as 165 bhp. c'mon... from a 350? it sure hauled ass for only 165 hp.
Another interesting thing about engine HP numbers is that back when Ralph Nadar was getting going, sometimes the manufacturers would claim lower HP and torque numbers than what the engine really put out. This would help the eventual owners of these cars to save money on insurance.
Doesn't matter what number you put on it, a 200-6 is going to be slow in anything heavier than a go-kart.
I have to disagree with that, but then, slow is a relative term. My 200 when new, with a set of headers, ran a best of 15 flat in the quarter. While thats not blinding by any stretch of the imagination, it is pretty decent considering it could beat alot of stock small block V8's back then.
15 flat? That's not too shabby. Last time I was at the drag strip, I saw a Nova with big fat tires making a ton of noise. I don't know if he was having problems or what, but he could only run 15.5 in the quarter. For that car 15's seemed really slow, but for a 200 Mav, that's not bad. It's all relative I guess.
A good 200 with the right stuff will keep pace with a V8. HP ratings changed in the 70 FROM Brake Horse Power (BHP) to what is currently used Net Horse Power). Net is with accessories on. There is about a 20-30% difference. In the late 60's the 200 was rated at 120 BHP. by the 70's it was below a hundred due to the NET HORSE power rating. The lower HP figures reported for the Nader fans were done by rating them at a lower RPM. example: Z28 302 was rated at 290 BHP @ 5000 RPM and the 350 was 295 BHP at 5500 RPM. The 302 was closer to 400 BHP but at 6500-7000 RPM. 350 maxed out at 5500 RPM. I have just built a 200 for our '63 Ranchero and am looking for about 150-160 Net HP. .030 over bore, Isky 262 cam, header, .040 off the head and block. opened up the ports from the inside into the log, unshroud the valves, 250 big valve head and a Holley weber 2 bbl. Remember the 260 V8 that year only had 160 BHP. and was 150lbs heavier. Ak Miller built a 200 in a Maverick in 1970 that ran 15 sec. E.T.s with a 3 spd. That is quicker then a 225 BHP 66 Mustang would run. There was a story on it in the Petersen Complete Book Of Fords put out in 1972. I have it stored in the attic.
I went for a 1/4 mile ride in my friends baracuda. There was a problem and we pulled a 14.89. Its a slant six 225. His best time with out nitrous is 14.02 with nitrous 12.54 He races with a bunch of other inliners well there a a few 11 sec fords with 250 sixes! Most have the Aussie head or drilled the log and have N2O. They used forged pistons form another application. I was amazed what fogger nitrous dose to a inline 6. There was a torino with a 100hp of nitrous, he was pulling mid/low 13's stock except for a header and nitrous! None of the inliners used a plate system they all drilled the manifold.
