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The 1970 GTO had an option for Vacuum Operated Exhaust (VOE). The mufflers were made with a switch that would bypass a portion of the muffler to improve performance.

A version of that still exist in today's Corvette. I have a 2012 Corvette that has "NPP" exhaust option from the factory. I have rigged up a manual override I can utilize but the factory set up is very good. Under normal condition the vacuum butterflies are closed and the exhaust goes through the mufflers. Under performance the butterflies open and you have a straight through exhaust (save for the 4 catalytic converters it has!!!). The ECM analyzes the data and anticipates performance opening. Engine RPM, vehicle speed and throttle position, plus others I'm sure, are utilized to open or close the valve. Adds an alledged 6hp. Trivia for ya!

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Originally posted by Tom396:

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Originally posted by BJs Wild Ride:
The idiot light first appeared in 1986



Sorry, they didn’t make anything cool while I was growing up

Do you mean that is the first time you ever saw one? To this day, my 1967 Camaro's dash lights up with "GEN" if it throws an alternator belt. And that is the reason I had to install a diode in the power line to my MSD box. Just the voltage flowing through that idiot light is enough to keep the car running with the key turned off! Take care. Tom Worthington

1955 Fords all came with oil pressure and amp (volt) idiot lights.

Dave

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1955 Fords all came with oil pressure and amp (volt) idiot lights.

I can't quote years, but Chrysler (and you're a Chrysler fan) was the last to drop the dash amp gauge that ran all the current through the dash.

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Originally posted by Canted Valve:

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1955 Fords all came with oil pressure and amp (volt) idiot lights.

I can't quote years, but Chrysler (and you're a Chrysler fan) was the last to drop the dash amp gauge that ran all the current through the dash.

I'm a fan of select mopars, LOL
My first car was a 55 Ford, what's funny is Ford trucks had gauges even earlier.
Ford seemed to mix it up with different models going either way.

Bean counters would be the reason for idiot lights. A bulb being cheaper than a gauge..

Dave

More Olds stuff. The 1971 442 with a 4 speed had a dual disc clutch option.

I think the last MOPAR amp meter was 1965 on some models and by 1967 with all.

As electrical load became more and more the in-line amp meter became a weak point.