A story to share
I've got a little story to share that happened back in 1984, it may shed a little light on this whole thing. Back then I worked for Bob Salter Chevrolet in Pensacola Fl. I was 18 years old my job was new car prep. I pulled out the plastic, checked all the fluids, etc... And I TEST DROVE every single new car. How insane is it to have an 18 year old test driving new Vettes, Camaros, and Monte Carlos? It was, by far, the funest job I could have possibly had. Anyway, I was out on a test drive in a brand new 1984 Camaro Z-28 with the 5.0 HO motor and a 5 speed (you couldn't get the Croos-Fire injection with the 5 speed that year, had to be a carburator). By today's standards the car was nothing to write home about, but I ended up next to a 1974 Trans Am with a lopey idle and a nice deep exhaust tone. As fate would have it we ended up racing from a 10 mile per hour punch, we ran all the way until I missed the 5th gear shift. I stayed on his back bumper during the whole race, and actually got up next to him in 4th gear, started at him eyeball to eyeball. Well anyway, we stopped down at the end of the road and talked for minute. The guy say's "What's that thing got in it?" I told him it was bone stock, he was flabbergasted! He ran down a grocery list of things the car had on it, I don't remember everything he said, but I do remember a few things: 400 cu. in. motor, cam, headers, 3500 stall, holley carb., and Torker intake. Now, how in the world did this happen? I have no idea! But, perhaps it was one of the following: 1. Tuning - if your combo isn't tuned right, you might as well stay home. 2. Gear - We started from a 10 MPH punch, maybe his gearing was too steep for that situation. 3. Mismatched combo - Had a buddy with a 427 powered chevelle the car ran like a dog under 3500 rpms, reason, single plane intake. Went to a dual plane intake, the car picked up 2/10's. 4. Driver ability - Some can drive, some can't. So, my big point being that there are plenty of weird things that just don't add up, but they happen. Just thought I'd chime in. - BB
(P.S. I'm pretty familiar with old Ponchos, my high school ride was a 1970 GTO with the Ram Air III motor, fun, fun, fun!!)