[SteveW]

Hello all,
I have a tech question regarding horsepower ratings.
In 68 the 350 motor was rated by GM at 295 horsepower. At some point in the 70's they redid the way they measure horsepower. I guess what I'm trying to figure out is:
a. What would that 295 h.p. be in todays numbers?
b. Why and when did they change the formula/ reading/ rating?
c. Why don't I know this already?

I'm sure a lot of you know this , so please bear with my seemingly stupid question.

Thanks

[STBR]

I've been told that a good estimate of the HP in today's measurement is to deduct 1/3. Using this system your engine would have about 200 hp.

Don't really know why it was changed, but one theory would be that it was caused by the insurance companies, due to how the manufactures misrepresented their muscle car hp. Just a theory.

[Forsaken502]

a: I've heard of using the 1/3 rule, but you used it the wrong way, so multiply 295 by 1.333 and it should be somewhere around 390

b: After the insurance rates started to climb, car manufactures changed the way they rate engines from peak horsepower to net horsepower. Using this method they made it look like the engines were making less power (and thus safer), when they really were just about equal (due to some restraints, they did make less peak horsepower as well)

c: because, until now, you never took the time to ask

[mstngjoe]

This thread may answer a question or two:

http://hotrodders.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22047

[SteveW]

Wow...thanks guys for the quick reponses. I did a search in the archives. More info than I can even digest at this point.