I don't think a 5.0 mustang would stand up against a 1968 327 Camaro or a 1969 350 Nova or a '70 340 Cuda (I think they made one of those). And how many '87 Turbo Buicks did they make compared to the typical Mopar 383 or Chevy 396/325hp. And an '87 IROC Camaro would not stand up against a '98 Z28.
We do agree though that there was definately a "dark ages" of factory performance and that we have evolved better from it. I did date myself though when I said I bought a new '71 351 Boss Mustang and I can remember going to the Drive In Movie and setting in a row with myself, a '69 Z28, a '70 Cuda, a '67 GTO, a '69 Chevelle SS 396, and a '69 Mach 1 428 CJ. Ahh, those were the days.

 

Well, it's hard to compare ETs from then to now, because of tire improvements, but trap speed is still a good measure of how performance compared. A late '80s 5.0 Mustang 5-speed, 5.7L F-body/C4, or '86+ turbo Buick were all able to pull stock trap speeds in the mid to high 90s, especially in their lightest weight versions. At that rate, they would be more than a match for a common stock SBC in any F or X body from the '68-'72 era, and even a strong match for the base 325hp BBC.

As for production numbers, you're right that turbo Buicks weren't nearly as common as a Mopar 383 or Chevy 396, but they weren't exactly rare either. There were over 35,000 intercooled 3.8L turbo Buicks built in '86 & '87, so they were certainly out there for the buying.

I do agree that an '87 Camaro with a TPI 350 would be no match for a '98 Z28, however, that same '87 TPI 350 car would be a solid match for a stock '69 Camaro with a 350.

We have definitely acheived better performance than the vast majority of cars from the original muscle car era. Just last weekend, I drove my friend's nearly complete project - '74 Cuda with a '69 440ci block built mostly to 1970 6-pack specs. Upgrades from stock '70 specs include a mild cam and LT headers, the engine made 369hp before it went in the car. The car is an impressive performer with gobs of torque, but I think a stock '98 LS1 car would still give it a decent run.

Nothing wrong with dating yourself to such a cool era! Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the old muscle, I've owned/still own some of that too, and my modern cars are NO replacement for the cool factor of driving down the road in my old, carbed, iron block, loud & simple muscle car. My 4th gen Camaros are faster than my Nova, but the Nova is sooooo much more fun to drive.

 

EFI played a big role in bringing performance back.

 

ok what? someone try to lay out exactly who is tryin to kill hotroding and how they are going to?

 

i am going to continue to mod what the hell ever i own at the time.. hell w/ the rules and regulations.. they have just underestimated our sneakiness...

 

There must be some gearheads in my local law enforcement. My neighbors have tried to get our HOA to do something about the exhaust on my Camaro. The HOA referred it to our local law enforcement and our HOA was told that our PD would do nothing about it. Our HOA told the complaintants that if I was observed speeding that they could call the Police. I laughed when I read the news letter. 20 mph is pushing it the way I drive. I have 3 kids and would be pissed if someone was hauling ***, so I drive very cautiously.

 

Yup, and Pontiac kept the big block in the Trans Ams unil 1979. I think that makes it "last man standing"!