1972 Corvette gained HP

[Jim T.]

Watched a TV production that had a 1972 Corvette that was bought. The new owner wanted more performance from the engine and had a dyno run showing about 145HP before the installation of a electronic ignition to replace the point system. This was all that was done to the 1972 Corvette. Another dyno run was done and the 72 Corvette showed just over 190HP. Has anyone experienced this much of a horsepower gain with changing to an electronic ignition? I do not believe this is possible.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

Jim, The 72 corvette is suppose to have 200hp at rear wheels from the factory. logic may be a poorly timed and set up of the dist. assy.(vacuum adv. dwell, mech. advance)

[Mike F.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

Jim, The 72 corvette is suppose to have 200hp at rear wheels from the factory. logic may be a poorly timed and set up of the dist. assy.(vacuum adv. dwell, mech. advance)

The 1972 Corvette has 200hp "NET" (measured at the flywheel), not RWHP.
“Net” horsepower ratings are still made with the engine on a test stand, but with stock ignition timing, carburetion, exhaust, and accessories: in short, a closer approximation of how much power an engine produces as actually installed in the car.

I would expect a 200hp net rated car to make approximatley 170rwhp +/-.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

I know Cory Henderson personally, I suspect a combination of poor state of tune plus improved ignition curve and output combined to make such a large improvement, Cory is a stand up guy, also very goodwith LT5's, he has a degree in engineering too.

[Jim T.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

The show I saw was Wheeler Dealer and Trading UP. Do not know who removed the 82's point system. Mike Brewer bought the 1972 and wanted more performance. Is Cory Henderson the person who did the ignition change on the 1972?

[Michael W.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

Has anyone experienced this much of a horsepower gain with changing to an electronic ignition? I do not believe this is possible.

The increase was due to replacement of worn out/defective/badly adjusted components, nothing to do with the spark being triggered by an electronic widget. They would have achieved the same HP level by fixing what was wrong with standard components.

The Wheeler Dealer show makes a bad name for itself yet again.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

Mike, 72 was the first year that GM took the horsepower at rear wheels.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

Jim;

It is quite common for older Vettes with ignition points to "go out of tune" frequently. As they used to say; the points begin to degrade from the first moment you set them and start your engine as the distributor rubbing block is constantly wearing on the distributor cam lobes, causing the ignition timing to become retarded. This then leads to loss of performance (horsepower).

Stu Fox

[Michael W.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

Mike, 72 was the first year that GM took the horsepower at rear wheels.

GM or any other main stream OEM has never rated engine HP 'at the wheels'.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

GM or any other main stream OEM has never rated engine HP 'at the wheels'.

Mike, you are correct, It changed to gross horsepower for 72.( with air cleaner, exhaust, assy.s mounted to engine) I was thinking rear wheels, my bad.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

Mike, you are correct, It changed to gross horsepower for 72.( with air cleaner, exhaust, assy.s mounted to engine) I was thinking rear wheels, my bad.

You mean changed to net horsepower. The change over started in 1971 with both gross and net being advertised.

[Gary R.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

I picked up 492 hp by switching over to water wetter, Tornado air fan, Air plane gas, and an inverted air cleaner lid.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,PS I also picked up 82 mpg city/ 127 highway.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

Thank god some one knows what there talking about and it's not me. Mike F. you were correct also.

[Gene M.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

Funny how people loose fact that it is just a TV show for entertainment. The only thing that is just as exaggerated is the commander and chief.

[Tom L.]

Re: 1972 Corvette gained HP

I'm sure you forgot to mention that your diff will last longer as well : )