Did Pontiac Make The Right Decision To Drop The 455 V8?
Engines with high levels of torque are typically installed inside vehicles doing heavy workloads. They are also installed inside muscle cars, especially those designed for optimal acceleration from a standstill. Interestingly, some classic muscle cars had engines that prioritize torque levels, such as those built by the now defunct brand Pontiac. Among these muscle cars, the Pontiac GTO “The Judge” stood out. This is because the GTO comes loaded with an engine with the highest torque rating among Pontiac muscle cars. The engine is called the Pontiac 455 V8 HO. This 455-ci V8 engine that could provide 370 hp of max output and 500 lb-ft of peak torque. Pontiac designed the 455 V8 as the successor to the venerable Ram Air series of engines. The Ram Air IV could deliver 445 lb-ft of torque, which means the 455 V8’s 500 lb-ft was the most torque that an existing Pontiac engine could make. However, 455 V8 hasn't even reached it full potential when it was dropped for the 1970 model year. Did
https://www.hotcars.com/highest-torque-pontiac-muscle-car/
HotCars Team
Chime In: What's your favorite '60s muscle car?
Often regarded as the "golden age" of muscle cars, the engineering innovations and horsepower wars between American manufacturers in the 1960s birthed some of the coolest muscle cars ever. But which one stands out for you?
https://www.hotcars.com/fastest-quarter-mile-time-60s-muscle-car/
Magdan Daniel Cvitesic
Toyota or Honda? Which Car Brand Is More Reliable?
According to the latest J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Toyota is generally considered more reliable than Honda. In the 2024 study, Toyota ranks higher among mass-market brands, showcasing fewer reported problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) compared to Honda. Several factors contribute to Toyota's reliability advantage, for example, Toyota focuses on dependability over performance.
HotCars Team
When Size Matters: The Biggest Parallel-Twin Engine For A Production Motorcycle
When it comes to mounting huge displacement engines in between two wheels, there are few that manage it with finesse. So which motorcycle manufacturer manages to squeeze in the biggest parallel-twin engine onto a production bike? The answer isn't exactly surprising, since they've been doing it for a while now, and with quite a bit of success. We're talking about Triumph, of course, and the 2011-2018 Thunderbird. The 1,699cc parallel-twin it packed was nothing short of monstrous, and made a cool 94 hp and 104.7 lb-ft. The figures may seem middling compared to some of the newer, more recent motorcycles we have, but keep in mind that this was a long time ago, and it's all the more impressive. The 270-degree parallel twin was efficient, refined, had great performance and a rather distinctive exhaust note. If you've had any experiences on that particular gen of the Thunderbird, we'd love to hear about it!
https://www.hotcars.com/biggest-displacement-parallel-twin-motorcycle-engine/
HotCars Team
No Factory Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Offers More Torque Than This
V8s are typically big engines. This size allows them to produce a lot of horsepower. At the same time, their sheer size allows them to deliver a lot of torque. Interestingly, most naturally aspirated factory V8 engines couldn’t provide as much torque as their turbocharged and supercharged counterparts. A certain lurking inside some of Chevrolet’s more powerful model boasts having the most torque among factory naturally aspirated engines – the LS7 small block V8. The now popular LS engine family made its debut in 1997 and became a popular engine choice due to its high performance standard. Setting the standards higher was the LS7 V8, which made it debut in 2006 inside the engine bay of the Chevrolet C6 Corvette Z06, offering around 470 lb-ft of torque. It then became the engine of choice for the 5th-gen Chevrolet Camaro, where it was delivering 481 lb-ft of naturally aspirated torque. To date, there is no factory naturally aspirated V8 engine that offers more torque than the LS7. Is the
https://www.hotcars.com/highest-torque-naturally-aspirated-v8-engine/
HotCars Team
What Is The Best Honda Sports Car Ever?
The Honda NSX (or Acura NSX in North America) often takes the crown as the best Honda sports car ever created. Introduced in 1990, the NSX was a groundbreaking vehicle that combined Japanese engineering with supercar performance. Its mid-engine layout, lightweight aluminum body, and precision handling set new standards in the automotive industry. However, in addition to the iconic Honda NSX, several other Honda sports cars have garnered praise and admiration over the years. The Honda S2000 is often lauded for its exhilarating driving experience. Another noteworthy Honda sports car is the Honda Integra Type R. Introduced in the mid-1990s, the Type R version of the Integra was stripped down and performance-focused. While there may be many more special models, please tell us what you think is the best Honda sports car for you.
Jared Solomon
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