Were 1980s cars really that bad?

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by Chazman

Off the top of my head, Pure Stock allows an added point and a half of compression, gear ratio changes, bigger exhaust, carb tuning, bigger tires, etc.

It does, but mine is pure stock - other than running a 3:73 rear gear (available) and playing with the weights & springs in the transmission governor to shift at 5200rpm, there are no tricks or changes from stock in my car.

My comparison above was intended to be stock vs stock & I maintain that although they may run with the older cars, the older cars will beat them on a strip (no way in the curves).

[Chazman]

Originally Posted by The Boss

It does, but mine is pure stock - other than running a 3:73 rear gear (available) and playing with the weights & springs in the transmission governor to shift at 5200rpm, there are no tricks or changes from stock in my car.

My comparison above was intended to be stock vs stock & I maintain that although they may run with the older cars, the older cars will beat them on a strip (no way in the curves).

I don't know, that depends. So many people are under the impression that cars of the era were all super fast like an LS6, 4 speed, Chevelle or Hemi 'Cuda or other "hero" cars. The fact of the matter was that the majority of "muscle cars" of the day were more or less of the milk toast variety and could barely run in the 15's.

But I get you point, Chris.