Cuda340

OntarioStreetCar.com posted an article on October 28, 2009, entiled, "Underrating Horsepower, back from the 1960s." The article claims that the new 5.7 Hemi tests out at 400 hp at the flywheel. Here is the article:

The last time auto makers commonly underrated actual horsepower levels was back in the muscle car days in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Initially everyone wanted more power than the other, but after a few years, all that meant was your cars were hit with larger insurance costs and the consumer notion that it would be considerably worse on fuel.

Chrysler Corp was the poster boy for it as most of their engines were all well known to be underrated (especially the 426 hemi) but Don Yenko Chevrolet dropped Corvette LT1 350’s into mundane Chevy Nova’s in 1970 so buyers could pay the standard insurance rate that you would be charged for a normal 350 powered Nova. Except the Yenko Nova’s had 360 horsepower and could destroy most of their big block powered brethren.

Today it seems quite rampant all over again, but the reasons why are different.

The late model BMW 335i coupe with its twin turbo 3.0L inline 6 cylinder is rated at 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, yet the car runs 0-60 times in 4.8 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 13.3 seconds. Its “big brother” M3 with a 414 horsepower V8 runs 0-60 in 4.2 seconds and the 1/4 in 12.7 seconds…hmmm. Sounds like the 335i has closer to 360 HP, but it’s rated lower so it doesn’t interfere with M3 sales.

Chrysler is still at it too, this time with the new variable cam timing 5.7L hemi. The engine is rated at 390 horsepower when it is put in the Dodge Ram, yet only rated at 372 hp when put in the Challenger R/T. Independent tests have resulted in the engines producing 400 horsepower at the flywheel, so why pay extra for a Challenger SRT 8 that only has 25 more ? Unlike the BMW’s where the M3 has still held an advantage over the 335i, in the Mopar camp its not common for Challenger R/T’s to run quicker acceleration times than the SRT 8 model. However, next year the SRT will make you forget with its much more powerful 6.4L hemi.

And now the newest player, Audi with their new 333 horsepower, 325 lb-ft of torque supercharged S4. VW / Audi tuner APR just strapped one onto their all wheel drive dyno and pulled 331 horsepower and 336 lb-ft of torque at the wheels. Drivetrain losses amount a lot more through all wheel drive than front or rear drive, to the tune of about 20%, making the new S4 a true 400 horsepower German super sedan. Just don’t tell the guy that paid thousands more for an RS4 with 20 additional ponies.

JJMPB

the ram puts out a bit more HP cause it has a taller intake than the the cars do been that way for a while now and

lear4406

I have heard this and it still does'nt change the fact that the 5.7 HEMI is putting down numbers that have it at 390-400 hp at the crank. So I would think that the intake on the Ram is putting it at more than 400 HP. Anyone want to put their Ram on a dyno. Not saying that the Ram's 5.7 is not putting more hp down than the sedan 5.7. Just saying that the R/T 5.7 is putting out around 400 hp. The 1/4 mile times some good drivers are running show this to be the fact. And base line dyno runs show this to be true. I can't blame Dodge for under rating the 5.7 because some folks would look at only the hp #s and forget that the SRT-8 package is more than an engine. Brembos, lighter and wider wheels, better handling suspension and optioned to the teeth. Lets see what the 6.4 does to shed light on the 5.7 in 2011 hp rateings.

RareTA

Auto manufactures have always played a numbers game. They do it for various reasons and yes one is for the insurance reason.

challengerlover

Of Course it is It been Detuned- for "safety" otherwise why would it be the engine the new 6.4/392 is base from? It has more compression than the 6.1 and the 5.7 HEMI is the newest version of the engine in the 2009-10 Dodge Challenger/Charger/300/Jeep. Not saying that it has more ponies than our SRT siblings but it has the potential(with modifications) to be a quite a serious contender.

HarleyFXDL

After nearly 30 yrs of street racing, I am very happy with my 2010 Challenger R/T 5.7 Hemi. It has plenty of power and I stay nice and happy with the A/C on those hot days. Funny when you get older what truly matters!

rickerda

As far as I know GM and Ford are using the new SAE Test Procedures to get their Horsepower ratings. I haven't seen anything were Dodge has certified the Hemis. I think the new Dodge V6 may have been certified(?)

1analguy

Is the Chalenger's 5.7L HEMI underrated? No.

lear4406

Yes it is under rated.

68Mopar