Wagon Train

[Michael Beard]

the 4.6 l Mustang GT was rated at 300 hp SAE net. The Cobra Jet version was rated at 235 with more of everything than the street car.

When the manufacturers went from gross hp ratings in 1971 to net hp ratings in1972 NHRA factored all those motors 1972 and up before they hit the race track. Al Provoast told me his wagon went from 185 to 285 before he ever went down the track. The motor I run in my car is a 71 350 Z28 motor that was rated at 330 from the factory and is now rated at 315. The same exact motor in 1972 was factory rated at 255. In those days NHRA did their job. The first time they didn't was the 94 Chevy LT1 which was rated at 275 net and allowed to run at that hp rating, and is now at 346.

Several other examples I've looked up, seems like a difference of about 70HP is ballpark for a lot of these combinations. They could've started out most combos about 50HP higher than what they did, at least get them close to the right zip code, save several years of AHFS and gamesmanship, while still being favorable combinations to buy/build.