I had a 69 Z-28 in the late 70's / early 80's. DZ 302 motor "rated" at 290HP. Had a couple friends with Boss 302 'Stangs, another guy had a Mach1 w/ a 351 Cleveland, and 2 other buddy's with Chevy's: 68 Camaro RS w/ 396 and a 70 LS-6 Chevelle. The only guy that could take me from "light to light" was the guy with the 454 Chevelle (I eventually ended up buying it from him!). The 2 guys with the 302 Mustangs weren't even close (from light to light). When we would get on the highway and start playing around "at speed" (jumping on it from around 70mph or so....) then both 302's (Ford & Chevy) were almost identical (side by side) until we would have to back off. In fact, if anything, at higher rpm's they would squeez ahead of me. BOTH engines would run well into the RPM band without breaking a sweat. In fact, I used to play around (usually showing off if I had someone in the car) and drive all the way into town in only 2nd gear.......revving the $hit out it, almost daring it to blow up. It never did.
To this day, I look back and consider my Z as probably the best car I've ever owned. It did EVERYTHING well, and I never had a mechanical problem with it EVER (and I beat the snot of it). I ended up selling it to buy my friends LS-6 Chevelle. The Chevelle was faster (MUCH faster after I tossed a fiberglass hood and a 6-71 blower on it, it ran into the 9's w/ slicks), but it never seemed to be as "fun" as the Camaro. Plus, I was always under the hood fixing something......and it was big $$$ to keep it running well.
.......ahhhh.........THOSE were the days.......
