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
I remember watching an episode of Wheeler Dealers where they took in a 1973 Camaro and Edd “I forgot more about cars than Enzo Ferrari ever knew” China swapped the engine, perhaps the only pure full engine swap on that show, and turned it into an absolutely awesome car.
Edd mentioned multiple times that the entire car was actually incredibly well designed by GM, superior to nearly all the much more famous previous Camaros…except the engine was complete trash.
Edd isn’t one to lavish praise easily. He said it handled well stock. Except the engine stunk.
He swapped in a 414 horse 383 Stroker. Lol.