DRIVING: that's what it's ALL ABOUT! A blog and website for automotive driving enthusiasts, featuring my interests as I see them: news and opinion about manufacturers of interest, significant enthusiast cars, and driving them hard and well.
WARRENDALE, Pa., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The LS9 engine in General Motor's (GM) 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 holds the distinction of being the 100th engine certified through SAE International's Engine Power Test Code - Engine Power and Torque Certification (J1349).
The 2009 Corvette ZR1 engine is certified at 638 hp at 6,500 rpm, with 604 lb-ft torque at 3,800 rpm.
Engine certification is based on a series of self-certification tests conducted by the manufacturer that are witnessed and verified by an SAE-qualified observer. The procedure for certification is outlined in SAE's standard J2723; the actual horsepower testing procedure is described in J1349.
Although engine manufacturers are free to cite power and torque figures derived from testing conducted outside the scope of the SAE standards, only those that strictly follow all of the SAE procedures can claim to be "SAE J1349 Certified Power."
In addition to GM's Corvette ZR1, other GM engines as well as those from Ford and Chrysler make up the first 100 to have been certified.
Another GM engine - the LS7 used in the 2006 Corvette Z06 - was the first engine to be certified under this SAE program.
Surfing some old car commercials, I came up with the classic Cordoba commercial from the past, starring - of course - Ricardo Montalban:
And what of the present? Where have all the Cordobas gone? Being a car nut, I routinely scan the road in my travels... and I spotted one just last month. It appeared to be in perfect shape, as though it had been restored. Apparently there are still a few around, including this one owned by the neighbor from Hell - a redneck who takes the value of the entire neighborhood down the drain (fortunately, it's not my neighbor):
But what of the future? What will become of the famous Cordoba name? Will genetically-enhanced beings across the galaxy enjoy the pleasures of fine Corinthian Leather?
The 1975-1979 Cordobas were the most well-known years of the brand. They were built in the hundreds of thousands and were a great success for Chrysler. The quality at the time was probably a bit above average, although of course by modern standards it would be terrible. The shear size of the Cordoba would be unbelievable under the standards of today - especially since it's only a 2-door car! I've never driven a Cordoba, although I have driven similar large Chryslers from those years. They all had a certain character and presence... until you got into the K-car years. But that's another story.
*Combined production numbers. The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1986 reports that the 1978 "S" model accounted for 7.7 percent of total Cordoba production, or about 8,700 units.
1979 Chrysler Cordoba Models, Prices, Production
Model
Weight
Price
Production
SS22 Coupe
3,680
$6,337
84,204
SP22 "300" Coupe
3,880
$8,034
3,811**
**The "300" was officially a package option.
1978 Chrysler Cordoba Specifications
General
Base price
$5,611-$5,811
Wheelbase, inches
114.9
Overall length, inches
215.8
Overall width, inches
77.1
Overall height, inches
53.1
Track, front/rear, inches
61.9/62.0
Curb weight, pounds
4,020
Fuel tank, gallons
25.5
Trunk, cubic feet
16.3 with standard Space Saver spare tire; 14.7 with full-size spare
Interior
Head room, front, inches
37.7
Leg room, front, inches
42.6
Hip room, front, inches
55.8
Shoulder room, front, inches
58.0
Head room, rear, inches
36.6
Leg room, rear, inches
32.1
Hip room, rear, inches
57.0
Shoulder room, rear, inches
61.0
Body
unit-body "Unibody" construction with more than 4,000 welds plus 7-step rust and corrosion protection
Engine (standard Cordoba)
Type
ohv 90-degree V-8
Bore × stroke, inches
4.34 × 3.38
Displacement, cid
400.0
Horsepower @ rpm
190 @ 3,600
Torque (pounds/feet) @ rpm
305 @ 3,200
Compression ratio
8.2:1
Carburetor
4-bbl Carter
Engine (optional, standard Cordoba S)
Type
ohv 90-degree V-8
Bore × stroke, inches
4.00 × 3.58
Displacement, cid
360.0
Horsepower @ rpm
155 @ 3,600
Torque (pounds/feet) @ rpm
270 @ 2,400
Compression ratio
8.4:1
Carburetor
2-bbl Holley
California/high-altitude
4-bbl, 170 bhp
Engine (optional)
Type
ohv 90-degree V-8
Bore × stroke, inches
3.91 × 3.31
Displacement, cid
318.0
Horsepower @ rpm
140 @ 4,000
Torque (pounds/feet) @ rpm
245 @ 1,600
Compression ratio
8.5:1
Carburetor
2-bbl Carter or Holley
Optional
4-bbl, 155 bhp
Transmission
TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic with lock-up torque converter
Suspension
front
torsion bars, calibrated shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
rear
asymmetrical leaf springs, oval spring-eye bushings, rubber-isolated clamps, calibrated shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Steering
power; 3.5 turns lock-to-lock
Brakes
power, front disc, 10 × 21/2-inch self-adjusting rear drums, split hydraulic system
Rear axle ratios
400 V-8
2.4:1 or 2.7:1
360 V-8
2.7:1 or 3.2:1
318 V-8
2.7:1; optional Sure-Grip differential ratios the same
Electrical system
12-volt; 60-amp alternator; 325-amp (318 V-8) or 440-amp (360 and 400 V-8) battery; Electronic Lean Burn Ignition System; transistorized voltage regulator
Tires
standard
FR78-15 (318 and 360 V-8) or GR78-15 (400 V-8) glass-belted radial-ply
The website HowStuff Works has specs and production numbers for the original Cordoba: 
