HP of 1980 Z-28
 

I couldnt recall what the horsepower rating of my 1980 and 1984 Z-28's (automatic) were stock. I googled it and wiki says they were 175 and 185 respectifully. I assume this is NOT RWHP ?

that was crank hp. unleaded gasoline, emissions restrictions killed big hp numbers.

The 305 Z28 was rated at 165 HP and the 350 was rated at 190 HP. California only received the 305 and it was rated at 155 HP due to stricter emission control equipment. Like Spike said, this is crank HP, not rear wheel power.

I had an 81 Z-28 with a 350 it had 46,00 original and the only thing I did was put true 2 1/2 dual exhaust on it and that Camaro definitely felt like a lot more than 190 HP, had no problem eating up the GT's.

Did it have all the original smog equipment attached? A/C? A stock 350 wakes up pretty good when it loses all these parasitic losses. My 78 LT has a 2001 350 Goodwrench crate motor (similar to original LM1 350) with all the original emission crap and A/C, along with the TH 350 trans. The best it ran in the 1/4 mile was 16.3 @ 85 MPH, lol. So... it feels very weak.

The catalytic converter is the big power killer here. The technology has gotten much better since that time. A high flow cat or a non emissions legal exhaust will be a big help for these old wheezers. My wife's mini-van has more HP. - LOL!

-Mark.

I had the same '81 Z/28 350 w Auto, but it was all stock W~60K on it. I loved the car but it was horribly slow. I had posted before that a friend w/ a GTZ quad-4 would take it like I was standing still.

I had no cats on mine, full 2 1/2 Flowmaster exhaust.

I bet it made a big difference, I could feel my car choking. I had 2.25 flowmasters w custom exaust, full length headers and no cats on my ’76, but never drove the car before that was done.

Starting in 1972 through the mid 90's the US automakers produced some of the most pathetic muscle cars to date. It is almost embarrasing that they wore names like Camaro, Corvette, Mustang...etc.

As for hp ratings - those ratings unfortunately are crank hp and expect the loss of 15%-20% for rwhp.