WHICH is FASTER ??? 69 SS396 Camaro OR 71 429 Cobra Jet Mustang - 1/4 Mile Drag Race - Road Test TV

WHICH WINS? - 71 429 Cobra Jet Mustang or 69 Camaro SS 396 L78 ??

@Road Test TV

A 1971 Mustang Cobra Jet Coupe takes on a 1969 Camaro SS396 in a quarter mile drag race. Ford vs Chevrolet, so who wins?

Both cars are competing in the Pure Stock Drags, so modifications are very limited. The only modifications permitted are minor porting, blue printing and minor weight reduction without altering the stock appearance. Camshafts and compression ratio have to be within a small percentage of stock specs. That means stock intake manifold, stock exhaust manifolds and street tires (See more below).

The 1971 Mustang Coupe in the video is powered by Ford's potent 429 Cobra Jet (7.0L) which was rated at 370 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. This particular Mustang is super rare as only 86 were built in 1971. The 429 Cobra Jet was a successor to the 428 Cobra Jet, although it is a complete different big block configuration.

The 1969 Camaro SS 396 in the other lane is rare as only 4,889 L78 Camaro's were built in 1969. The SS396 Camaro in the video is powered by Chevy's potent, solid lifter, high winding big block 396 cubic inch (6.5 L) RPO L78 which was rated at 375 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The L78 is a legend with Chevy Big Block fans.

The SS396 Camaro is equipped with a Muncie 4 speed transmission whereas the 429 Cobra Jet Mustang is backed by a C6 Automatic transmission. So WHO WINs?

Watch the video and see what happens.

Comment below - Tell us what you think and which car you'd rather own after watching the video...

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According to their Facebook Page, the Rules for the Pure Stock Drags are:

The class is limited to cars produced between 1955 to 1979 built in both United States and Canadian assembly plants The cars had to come with a minimum of 12 months and 12,000 mile warranty from the manufacturer.

Any car running faster than 11.50 will be disqualified and will not have a qualifying time recorded. Any convertible running faster than 13.50 will be disqualified and will not have a qualifying time recorded.

All casting numbers must be correct for the year and horsepower claimed including intake manifold, heads, and exhaust manifolds. Blocks do not have to be "numbers matching," but they must be the correct displacement. Overbores up to .070" are allowed. Stock cranks only.
All Engines – 1.5 extra points allowed over advertised.
The camshaft must be correct for the year, model, and horsepower claimed for the type of lifter (hydraulic or solid). Roller cams NOT allowed.
The valve train must be factory stock for the year, make, and horsepower claimed.
The ignition system must be stock, including the distributor, cap, coil, and wires. Points may be replaced with any electronic conversion that fits under the stock distributor cap.
The carburetor must be correct for the year, make, and horsepower claimed. Jetting and metering changes are permitted. THE CHOKE ASSEMBLY MUST BE IN PLACE AND FUNCTIONAL!
Cast-iron exhaust manifolds are mandatory and must be correct for the year, model, and horsepower claimed. Internal modifications to the exhaust manifolds are NOT allowed. Under no circumstances will headers be allowed, including those cars that came with headers delivered in the trunk. Pipes must be routed as they were originally for the year, make, model, and engine combination. Mufflers must be stock looking in design, that is, oval in shape. No glasspacks or straight pipes allowed unless installed as original equipment. Maximum muffler inlet and outlet size is 2.5 inches. X & H pipes allowed.
The radiator must be correct for the year, make, model, and horsepower claimed. No lightweight, aluminum radiators allowed.
The camshaft must be correct for the year, model, and horsepower claimed for the type of lifter (hydraulic or solid). Roller cams NOT allowed. Duration at .050" lobe lift must be within 1% of factory specs. Lift at the valve must be within 2% of factory specs. Maximum stall limited to 2200 rpm.
The transmission must be correct for year, make, model and engine of the car. 3-speed manuals may be upgraded to the correct 4-speed if originally available.
The rear axle must be of the same manufacturer as came with the car. Any gear ratio is allowed.
Reproduction tires or radial tires only, and you are allowed to run tires one size over stock.
Factory wheels only.

[briancenti]

i would take either of these beauties. no one lost this race, they both are winners.

[elviskozljan]

And the best part is you can fix them yourself.

[tcoupe]

Yet another great video! A Cobra Jet coupe! Talk about rare. I don't care if it was a little slower than the Camaro, I'd take the Mustang all day.

[IRONHEAD]

Today’s V6 or turbocharged 4 could beat them both, but none of them look as cool as these two classic beauties. I’ll take these two any day.

[easygoing]

Old Hemi guy from the ‘70s here. The second I saw this video's thumbnail, it was the 396 Camaro all the way. That would be a great car to own. The ‘71 Mustang?... it'll do. That was getting into the terribly mediocre years.

[lmarcos]

Interesting thing about those early mustangs is that the fastest one Ford made is the '71 Boss 351. But, that 429 coupe is cool, and must be rare if somebody ordered it that way.

[terrymcknight]

My 09 Shelby could walk circles around them both, but I would trade it for that 396 Camaro in a New York minute!!

[melodigrand]

Interesting. The first solid lifter big block pony car (L78 Camaro introduced in 1967) vs the last solid lifter big block pony car (429 CJ introduced in 1971). Things didn't change much. From the ETs, these cars are on drag tires, in the magazines of the 70s, 429 CJ times were a bit better because they had wider, lower profile tires in 71 compared to the F70s on the 67 Camaro. I remember those L78s, they were everywhere in 68 when I graduated high school. Never saw a 429 CJ Mustang or Cougar, saw a few Torinos.

[brettsimpson]

That is NOT a Cobra jet motor. Just a 429 ram air. Big difference

[brianspangler]

That 71 mustang coupe is one awkward looking car. No wonder Ford didnt make but 86 of them. This coming from a mustang guy by the way.

[robertrobinson]

That's my favorite body style of mustang they are big but bad ass. I would love to have a 1970 mach1

[jockomcneal]

I'm a fan of both, had and worked on so many 69 Camaros I wouldn't cross the street to see a COPO. That said, it doesn't take away from the Camaro's drag supremacy, or indeed the supremacy of the MK IV BB. On the other hand, check the right boxes when you ordered a Cobra Jet 71 Mach and not much on the street would dominate it. Best boxes to check would have been ram air, drag pack, 3.90 or 4.30 rear gear, which was essentially a Super Cobra Jet. Well tuned in the hands of enthusiasts or professionals on both cars, the slight edge will still always go to the inimitable Big Block Chevy. In my opinion, in fastback form, the 71 Mach is impossible to change outward appearance for the better. Not wheels, custom paint, stance, NOTHING can improve the look. Ford nailed it right out of the box. Cool vid...

[phoenixblack]

Two very awesome cars! Very impressive!

[johnwilkerson]

I'm a Ford guy but their both beautiful cars

[frontxxrunner]

I figured the 200 pound weight difference would've helped the Camaro more

[micasuch]

Being as there was only 86 of those mach 1s made they should go against a copo 427 plus it would be more even on displacement

[jaydindinger]

If technology keeps improving the cars will start picking the drivers.

[dommirra]

Chevy rules!! Gorgeous 396 Id take this all day over that Ford...

[michaelsimko]

My first thought was the Mustang would get a good jump before the Camaro catches up and makes a pass.

[badass.powerstroke]

I Love the 429-460 Engines, make a great foundation to build up Race Stroked Combinations. They weren't all that in Stock Form, put that 375 HP Big Block Camaro against a 71 Boss 351 and there will be a different outcome. That 71 Cleveland was a Little Monster, will perform better than the 429 CJ that's in this Mustang. I ran a Cleveland for years in my 86 Mustang, Love the high winding Cleveland Engines. But made the switch to a 521 Stroked BBF about 10 Years Ago. And i don't regret it one bit. The Low End Torque of the BBF is hard to beat, but i still Love the Cleveland's.