Thread: Chevy vs Ford
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Old 12-21-2009, 06:40 PM   #35
Super83Z
 
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Drives: 1999 Z28 1983 Z28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by syr74 View Post
I dunno 'bout that.

Mustang GT = ~3650lb/412hp for 8.86lb per hp

Camaro SS = ~3900lb/426hp for 9.16lb per hp

That difference isn't huge but it is meaningful. And while there are other factors to take into consideration many of those don't bode well for the Chevy. Example? Outside of limited run pieces like the GT500 Ford rates their cars on regular unleaded more or less across the board regardless of whether performance would improve with premium fuel. Put more simply, if 412hp represents the final, Ford hp rating than that will be with 87 octane in the tank, which of course begs the question what happens when premium gets put in the tank instead? Put more simply, 412hp ain't all there is.

Even more, I've spent more than my fair share of time at the dragstrip, and I can tell you that, even if power to weight ratios were identical, the Mustang would still have a bit of an edge since the lighter car always has fewer issues with traction, etc. The only real advantage here I can see for the Chevy is in torque production, and the buzz is that the 5.0L is really well executed in this regard and that torque is very good across the rpm band.

In the end the difference in acceleration between these two cars might not be huge, but the numbers definitely leave open the possibility that they could be bigger than a lot of folks want to think.
Yea but the Camaro has better torque to make up the difference. Camaro SS weight is 3860 btw. Which lowers that to 9.06 lbs per hp for the Camaro

Torque numbers:

Mustang = 9.35 lbs per ft-lb of torque
Camaro = 9.19 lbs per ft-lb of torque

So its going to be a good race. Its been a long time since its been a good race between the Stang and Camaro.
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