On 3/25/2017 1:36 PM, J. Clarke wrote:
In article XnsA7436EBB240CEpogosupernews@
46.165.242.91, says...

"J. Clarke" wrote in
:

'60s American cars had no shortage of horsepower
and nothing changed in the laws of physics to
change that. What changed was the law. The
electronics let a car that is in compliance with
the new laws produce as much power as one that
was produced before the laws went into effect.

Sorry ol' buddy, but krw and clare are right, the law
has nothing to do with it. It is all about the laws
of physics, specifically those relating to thermodynamics.
60's era engines were lousy at thermodynamics (and tried
to make up for it with vast displacements).

OK, so tell us what changed in the laws of
physics that resulted in the 1970 350 Corvette
having 370 horsepower the same engine in 1981
producting 190 horsepower.



First off old hp ratings methods change IIRC in 1972. From that point
the ratings were SAE, which significantly lowered the published ratings.

Later models had the inefficient catalytic converters, smog pumps,
smaller carburetors, etc. All of those items robbed the engines of
power all in the interest of controlling emissions.

Once the multi port fuel injection, mass air flow sensors, better intake
design, better cataleptic converters, no more smog pumps, computer
controlled monitored sensors, and ignition timing entered into the
picture emissions were not as big of an obstacle to over come and we
ended up with cleaner burning higher HP rated engines.