396SS vs. 400HO

[89Firebird2.8]

A kid at my school has recently started driving a 1968 Camaro 396SS. It is stock, and he claims it will smoke a 67 Firebird HO. He also claims that the 400 made by Pontiac is worse than a Chevy 327 for power. What i'm wondering is if there is any truth to this, or if he's writing checks his ass can't cash(i challenged him to do a burnout, and he couldn't even do one). Would a stock 400HO beat the 396SS? If not, would a 400HO with the mods listed in my sig, beat the 396SS? They both have TH400's in them. The bird currently has the shift kit removed.

[philly rs]

now here is the type thread i miss around here!!! i would like to know the answer to this one as well!! and a video of the race would be even freaken better

[Earlsfat]

Bone stock 400 in a bone stock 67 firebird vs Bone stock 396 in a bone stock 68 maro?

I'd say that's a driver's race. And agree with DJ... video needed. (Keep it safe and try to go to a friggin track will ya?)

[89Firebird2.8]

I wish i could provide that, but A: way too many police officers around here with and no legal race track within 5 hours, B: the 67 Firebird is my dad's and is currently in lawn ornament status untill it gets a radiator, top, and paint job, and C: he would probably back down before racing.

Also, i don't have a stock 400 to try out. Ours has a cam, aftermarket valves, headers, dual exhaust, and glass-packs, as well as being bored .30 over. It is heavier though because it is a convertible, whereas the SS is a hardtop.

[Earlsfat]

Is this the same jackass that was spouting off to you before?

If so, next time he starts up.... kick his ass.

[89Firebird2.8]

Yeah, I should be able to beat him, especially if it's a driver's race. Hell, if you can't even CHIRP the tires on a 396SS no matter how hard you try, you're an inexperienced noob. I know that engine will do it, since i showed him how my little ol v6 will spin the tires. And everybody spouts off to me about my car, so it could be the same person, but not likely.

[92zcamaroperson]

...i would be suspicious of whether or not its a real 396ss. That should have plenty of torque to get squirrely in. Or the kid just sucks at life. and from the factory the 327 was pretty crazy for its day. Would it beat a stock 400 pontiac...id say so. But thats just speculation

[92zcamaroperson]

oh and i second the kick the crap out of him. Not that im an advocate of violence but it sounds like he needs it.






















































yeah....dont actually do it......

[stieh2000]

I am the only one who thinks that "stock" is a very relative term when talking about 40 year old cars. Even i f there were no major modifications, wouldn't there be a lot of factors that came into play becuase of age?

Oh, and what kinda tranny are the cars running with? Powerglides, or "Rock Crushers"?

[balls_to_the_wall]

Originally Posted by stieh2000

I am the only one who thinks that "stock" is a very relative term when talking about 40 year old cars. Even i f there were no major modifications, wouldn't there be a lot of factors that came into play becuase of age?

Oh, and what kinda tranny are the cars running with? Powerglides, or "Rock Crushers"?

If the Camaro has the automatic it will be the Turbo 400.


Ok, take it from someone who drives a 396/325hp on weekends occasionally. If you mash your foot in the fuel from a stop, you will either
A) Spin the tires for a long ways, 'original' tires don't hook for crap
B) Set it sideways, and if your not careful, really embarass yourself.

[hotrod_chevyz]

Originally Posted by 89Firebird2.8

A kid at my school has recently started driving a 1968 Camaro 396SS. It is stock, and he claims it will smoke a 67 Firebird HO. He also claims that the 400 made by Pontiac is worse than a Chevy 327 for power. What i'm wondering is if there is any truth to this, or if he's writing checks his ass can't cash(i challenged him to do a burnout, and he couldn't even do one). Would a stock 400HO beat the 396SS? If not, would a 400HO with the mods listed in my sig, beat the 396SS? They both have TH400's in them. The bird currently has the shift kit removed.

If it will ""smoke"" a 400 stock for stock so EASY, your mods should make for a good race then, right? Tell him to prove it or shut up. When he couldnt do a burn out, i would have pointed at him and laughed right in his face. A 396 that will not shred tires? Yeah right. Any moron can get a 396 car to leave tracks even with a few plugs unhooked and no brakes applied. Call him a big fat liar and laugh right in his face, and point. In front of a bunch of people if possible.

[89Firebird2.8]

You know, come to think of it, i don't remember seeing any SS badges....

[MrPbody]

From a "non-smack" point of view...

A Camaro of that era, with 396, would be a 325 horse version. A true '67 Firebird "HO" would have the 335 horse 400, which in GTO, was rated at 360 HP. A small limiter on the carb linkage prevents the 'bird from reaching full power. Remove the limter and the Firebird will run away and hide form the Camaro.

A "rectangular port" version of the 396 (375 HP), would probably outrun the Firebird IF it hooked. Traction for the high-powered F-bodies is a premium in stock form, BBC OR Pontiac powered.

327 has a reputation as a "giant killer". In olden times, it was a VERY good street performance engine. Today, it's woefully inadequate unless you "spin" it to 8,500... (not much fun to drive an engine at that level) Things have changed a LOT since the '60s... When 350/370 was introduced in '69, 327 (and all the attaching hardware) was rendered obsolete. It amazes me, how many folks still believe "double hump" (327) heads are "better" than any of the 350 versions. 'taint so...(:-

And to those that don't belive the Pontiac can make the power of rhe BBC, just remember: GTO did NOT earn a reputation for losing! My GTOs stomped a LOT more SS396s than ever came close to beating them.

Jim

[89Firebird2.8]

Yeah, we removed that restrictor off the carb a long time ago when we rebuilt it. Er, rather, that carb was rebuilt 3 times in a week. We took it in to the local shop, and they screwed it up, then we took it back and they screwed it up again, so we did it ourselves and it worked fine.

[Firebirdlad03]

I hate those kinda kids...the ones that are the worst are the ones with the midshubishi eclipses and the hondas, all the other sporty 4bangers that really arent sporty. they think their car can beat anyone...haha i love my bird.