Like yeah sure it’s impressive that the C8 Z06 makes 670 horsepower from a 5.5L V8, but how about the 1974-1976 Cadillac DeVille making 190 horsepower from an 8.2L V8?
https://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/Cadillac/29057/Cadillac-DeVille-IV-Coupe-82-V8.html
For comparison, in 1934 Chevy offered a 3.4L I6 with 80 horsepower, the same efficiency as that massive big block from 40 years later.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Stovebolt_engine
That specific motor in the caddy, I’ve always wondered what kind of gains would happen if you swapped out the heads for edelbrock cnc whatever run of the mill, intake manifold & carb.
The 472/500 was actually a fairly sophisticated design for the ‘60s. 400HP/550lbs-ft at its peak. The HP is kind of irrelevant with that engine because it was designed for low RPM torque.