Zac Quinn 
The modern muscle car era has reached its twilight. After this year, there will be no more Chevrolet Camaro, while the Hemi V8 is likely to be absent from the next-generation Dodge Charger and Challenger. All that will be left of the glory days will be the new S650 Ford Mustang, if you can afford one. However, fans can still get a good look for how the outgoing Camaro and Challenger compare to the new and improved Mustang. And not just any new Mustang, but the current top-tier Dark Horse, thanks to a recent video by Throttle House.
Mustang Dark Horse VS. Competition: One Last Race
The S650 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, Dodge Challenger 392 Scat Pack, and Chevrolet Camaro LT1 are all equipped with a manual transmission, which means the races are based significantly on driver skill. However, other important factors are at play: the vehicle mechanics. Starting with the Dodge Challenger 392 Scat Pack Widebody, its 392ci Hemi V8 engine can produce 485 horsepower. On top of that, it features Firestone P304/35YR20 BSW performance AS tires and four-piston Brembo brake calipers measuring 14.2-inch (front) and 13.8-inch (rear) vented/slotted rotors. This provides exceptional stopping power for the 4,373-pound muscle car.
The S650 Ford Mustang Dark Horse uses a DOHC dual throttle body system, enabling the fourth-generation 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine to produce around 500 horsepower at 7,250 RPM sending power to the rear wheels through a 3.73 rear axle ratio. On top of that, the car includes brake cooling NACA ducts, an auxiliary engine oil cooler, a rear axle cooler, and a unique and lighter-weight radiator with improved cooling capability and more powerful cooling fans. 19-inch Brembo front 6-piston brakes with 13.9-inch rotors provide stopping power for the 3,949-pound car. Additionally, the car features MagnaRide dampers, a Ford Performance-designed strut tower brace, and a K-brace for even better handling and feedback. A Torsen rear differential and standard Pirelli P Zero PZ4 tires are in the back.
As for the Chevrolet Camaro LT1 that weighs in at 3,619 pounds and uses a 6.2L V8 engine that produces 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque coupled with variable valve timing and direct injection. Indeed, while it’s underpowered compared to the 485 hp Scat Pack and the 500 hp Dark Horse, the Camaro LT1 is the lightest of the three. However, it’s held back by its Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, which are not as performance oriented as the P Zeros, nor as wide as the Firestones. Suppose if you wanted more grip, though, you could easily upgrade to a Camaro SS, or a Camaro SS 1LE – which is perhaps the better direct comparison to the Mustang in the video. Considering that the Camaro SS is significantly more affordable than a Mustang Dark Horse, that could easily be the move.
Though the video doesn’t give a quarter mile time for the three muscle cars, there is a lap time for each one after a stretch of the video features driving impressions from Thomas and James. They even throw in a lap time for the S550 Ford Mustang Mach 1, the predecessor to the Dark Horse.
If you have time for a 20-minute break, we highly recommend checking out the video, especially if you’re on the fence regarding which car you’d like to spend your hard-earned money on while they’re still in production. Both the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro will leave the stage in their current glorious V8 forms this December when production ends.
