New emission mandates strangled the Domestics until they figured out how to use computers to manage some of the engine systems. vs tons of mechanicals and vacuum lines. Japan already knew how to build efficent small cars so that's how they dominated the market starting in the late 60s

 

Chevy peaked in 1970 with the 450 hp LS6 Chevelle, every engine lost power from 71 on. Mid 70's vette's with the ZQ3 350's produced 165 horsepower because they had to due to the 73 oil crisis and pressure from Washington, do you think Chevrolet would detune to this point on there own? when introduced base 350's made 300hp, 370hp as LT1's. Muscle cars had dissappeared completely by 1975 because of unleaded fuel and catalytic converters. Don't blame American auto makers for the lack of power, it was mandated and deemed necessary by your goverment, Chevy continued to produce crate motors turning out over 500hp but they never made it into cars due to emissions regulations. I left the automotive aftermarket industry in 1993, at that time we sold 4 chevy crate engines, 300hp LT1 (2nd gen small block), 450hp LS6 & 500hp LS7 (both cast iron big blocks) and the unrated 502.

 

Why not blame the automakers? You know that the modern ecu is a result of these mandates correct? alot less polluted air etc...

Crate motors that don't have to meet federal emissions is a completely different matter.

Lack of power wasn't madated but emissions and MPG might have been.

 

Did you know that auto makers changed the way they rated horsepower in 1972 IIRC. Before '72 they used a gross measurement and after they used net. Because of this, comparing hp between cars of those different eras is not fair. Here's an article that explains it:
http://ateupwithmotor.com/automotive...orsepower.html

 

American cars > imports.

 

Oh **** wrong forum.

 

I'm only using the Dictionary approach because you do not seem to get the point that we are not comparing the freaking American Vs imports..... A v6 is not considered a freaking Muscle car..... Yes, imports make more than that.... but who gives a fudge.... There is always a more powerful and faster car....either domestic or import..... 92FWD maxima is garbage.....

 

Cheese cake, anyone?

 

Yes, please.

 

And what would a 160hp 350 cubic inch Vette be? Not garbage?

You domestic fanboys crack me up.

and hell I now OWN Pontiac G8 GT. 6.0 liter 365hp V8.

 

Muscle= revolver
Import= glock

 

You realize your G8 was made in Australia right? Not exacly domestic except the drivetrain of course, GT = 355hp, GXP = 415hp. I'm still looking for the right 05-06 GTO for my next toy.

 

I saw this and I thought YEAH! That really fits. But then I thought about mt S&W 686, it's like butter after thirty years and 10,000+ rounds. My Springfield XDm is crude by comparison.

But the analogy does fit.

 

I know exactly where is was made. But since this is a discussion about muscle cars and it's definition, the G8 GT falls squarely into that definition.

Besides, this was the 1st car on the new Zeta chassis. The Camaro is on this chassis as well as Caddy's ATS I "think"

 

I don't really think of the g8 as a muscle car....I don't think much of the g8 at all really.