The 308 GTS uses a transverse 2.9 litre V8 and a five speed manual in its factory configuration.

Early European carbureted cars are commonly listed at about 255 PS, while later Quattrovalvole models show higher rated output again.

Verify power claims with VIN and factory build sheets, and use dyno results to document current output.

What is the Ferrari 308 GTS?

The Ferrari 308 GTS is a transverse mid engine sports car powered in factory form by a 2.9 litre V8 and normally fitted with a 5 speed manual gearbox; for many readers the shorthand 308 refers to that 2.9 litre V8 layout and the removable targa roof of the GTS body style, and it helps to treat power claims with that technical baseline in mind Ferrari official page.

The 308 GTS was produced in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a compact V8 two seater, and while body and trim details changed by year, the transverse 90 degree V8 and five speed manual remained the consistent factory configuration across the series UltimateCarPage model summary.

quick conversion between PS, mechanical hp and kilowatts

mechanical hp

kilowatts

mechanical hp and kilowatts: -

use for quick unit checks

Origins and model role

The 308 GTS debuted as Ferrari's mid engine V8 sports car aimed at buyers seeking a smaller, road focused Ferrari with a removable roof panel; model names and small technical updates changed across the production run, but the car's role in the Ferrari range remained stable UltimateCarPage model summary.

Engine layout and transmission

All factory 308 GTS examples share a transverse V8 mounted behind the driver and a conventional five speed manual transmission in factory specification, which frames how power and driveability were delivered from the factory Ferrari official page.

308 GTS core specs and layout

Three Ferrari 308 gts models parked side by side in a sunlit courtyard showing an early carbureted 308 gts a GTSi injection era model and a Quattrovalvole late model in side profiles

Displacement for the 308 family is commonly given as about 2,927 cc, produced by a 90 degree V8 architecture that sits transversely in the mid chassis; this displacement number is a constant that helps readers compare model groups regardless of the induction system UltimateCarPage technical page.

The transverse layout and the five speed manual gearbox were the standard factory drivetrain across GTS examples, and those core mechanicals are the baseline when a listing or build sheet quotes horsepower for a specific car Ferrari official page.

Basic engine and displacement

Key specification lines you will see in listings usually list 2,927 cc and the 90 degree V8 arrangement; because displacement and crank layout are fixed, differences in published horsepower come from induction, tuning and market specification rather than changes to bore or stroke UltimateCarPage technical page.

Typical factory drivetrain

The factory five speed manual and transverse mid engine packaging were standard for the GTS, and these drivetrain details are helpful when reading build sheets or verifying VIN stamped equipment codes Ferrari official page.

How much horsepower does a 308 GTS have?

Short answer: depending on the model group and market, a 308 GTS is commonly quoted in factory specifications from the low 200s bhp up to roughly the mid 250s when expressed in PS and converted to mechanical horsepower; use the sections below to match a specific year and market to its likely figure UltimateCarPage model summary.

Below is a concise, scannable set of representative ranges that readers commonly encounter in listings and reference pages.

Early carbureted European specification, commonly listed at about 255 PS, which converts to roughly 252 bhp in conventional mechanical horsepower terms UltimateCarPage technical page.
US market carbureted cars were detuned for emissions controls in period and are commonly reported with lower published bhp, often in the low to mid 240s depending on the source and measurement method Hagerty model overview.
GTBi and GTSi injection era models using Bosch K Jetronic mechanical fuel injection typically show reduced published output compared with the earliest carbureted cars and are commonly reported in the low to mid 200s bhp range Car and Driver technical history. See an example MPH listing for market comparisons MPH listing.
Quattrovalvole models with four valve heads increased rated output again, commonly quoted near 240 PS which is around 237 bhp in most factory specifications RM Sotheby s listing.

Car Inventory

Note on units: sources use PS, SAE bhp, and kW interchangeably, so conversion matters when comparing numbers; convert consistently to avoid apparent discrepancies NIST conversion notes.

Short summary of ranges

Early European carbureted models are often cited at roughly 255 PS which equates to approximately 252 mechanical hp, US carbureted cars usually list lower bhp due to emissions detuning, injection era cars are lower in rated output, and QV cars climb back toward the mid 230s to high 230s in bhp terms UltimateCarPage technical page.

Why reported numbers differ

Reported numbers vary because of market detuning, differences between gross and net measurement standards, and the choice of unit reported by the source, so always check whether a quoted number is PS, bhp or kW and whether it is a factory published number or a measured dyno result NIST conversion notes.

Why power numbers vary: markets, emissions, testing methods

US market detuning for emissions was common in the 1970s and early 1980s, and many manufacturers including Ferrari listed lower bhp for US specification cars compared with their European counterparts because of emission equipment and different calibration Hagerty model overview.

Another reason figures differ is the distinction between gross and net ratings and the testing procedure used; some older sources quoted less conservative gross figures while later standards and common practice moved toward net ratings and more conservative, measured outputs UltimateCarPage technical page.

When comparing two quoted numbers, make sure you are comparing like for like, and where necessary perform unit conversion before concluding one variant is definitively more or less powerful than another NIST conversion notes.

Power by model group: carbureted, GTBi/GTSi, and Quattrovalvole

Carbureted era: mid 1970s carbureted 308 GTS cars sold in Europe are commonly listed at about 255 PS which is roughly 252 bhp in mechanical horsepower; this is the figure most reference tables show for early European specification cars UltimateCarPage technical page.

US carbureted examples were often detuned for emissions and are commonly reported with lower bhp, typically in the low to mid 240s according to buyer guides and historical listings Hagerty model overview.

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If you want to browse documented listings to compare model years and market specifications, consider checking verified listings and recorded build documents on the marketplace for real examples of these specification differences.

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GTBi and GTSi injection era: from about 1979 to 1982 Ferrari moved to Bosch K Jetronic mechanical fuel injection for the 308, and most reference sources list these injected cars with reduced factory rated output compared with the earliest carbureted models, commonly in the low to mid 200s bhp depending on market Car and Driver technical history.

Quattrovalvole era: when Ferrari introduced four valve heads the rated output rose again so that QV models commonly appear in factory specifications near 240 PS, which converts to roughly 237 bhp in mechanical horsepower units RM Sotheby s listing.

Carbureted era (mid 1970s)

European carbureted cars are the archetype many buyers imagine when they see a 308 GTS in a listing, and the commonly cited 255 PS figure in period factory specs is useful as a reference point when comparing similar cars in sale listings UltimateCarPage technical page.

Injection era GTBi and GTSi (circa 1979 to 1982)

The injection era used Bosch K Jetronic mechanical fuel injection and reference sources typically report a drop in published output relative to the earliest carbureted cars, so buyers should expect quoted figures in the low to mid 200s bhp for these years unless a listing explicitly notes modifications or tuning Car and Driver technical history.

Quattrovalvole four valve heads (1982 to 1985)

The Quattrovalvole cylinder head update increased valve area and lifted factory rated output so that QV models in many spec lists show roughly 240 PS, a figure that sits above the injection era baseline but below the highest carbureted PS figure when expressed in PS terms RM Sotheby s listing.

Converting and comparing units: PS, bhp, and kW

Key conversion factors to remember are 1 PS is approximately 0.98632 mechanical hp and 1 kW equals about 1.34102 hp; using these conversion factors will keep comparisons consistent across sources that report different units NIST conversion notes.

Practical checklist: always note the unit reported, check for gross versus net rating, convert to a single unit for direct comparison, and annotate listings with the converted value so you can compare multiple cars easily UltimateCarPage technical page.

Worked example: converting a quoted 255 PS to mechanical horsepower uses the factor 0.98632, which yields roughly 252 mechanical hp; that simple check explains why PS and bhp numbers look different even when they describe the same factory rating NIST conversion notes.

How to verify the horsepower of a specific 308 GTS

Start by checking the VIN against any available factory build sheet or Ferrari documentation, or use a VIN decoder such as stat.vin, because the build sheet will often show the original market specification and factory options that affect published power numbers Ferrari official page.

Look for market stamps and emissions labels on the car and in its documentation, since a US market stamp or emissions label explains period detuning and clarifies why a specific car might show a lower factory rated bhp in period paperwork; see serial number decoding references such as 308gtb and check buyer guides Hagerty model overview.

Use dyno numbers carefully: a modern dyno will show current output but that figure reflects the car s present condition, tuning, and any modifications, so treat dyno results as a measurement of current state rather than a factory published number UltimateCarPage technical page.

When tracking provenance, request workshop invoices and any dyno sheets and match them with the VIN and build sheet so you can distinguish factory rating from later changes or measured output Ferrari official page.

Typical mistakes when comparing 308 GTS power figures

Mixing units without conversion is common; comparing 255 PS directly with a quoted bhp number without converting will overstate differences and lead to incorrect conclusions about relative output NIST conversion notes.

Confusing factory ratings with dyno results is another frequent error; dyno figures can be higher or lower than factory ratings depending on condition, tuning, and the dyno procedure used, so treat them as a separate data point rather than a direct substitute for factory figures UltimateCarPage technical page.

Ignoring market specific detuning leads to bad comparisons; a US market 308 s lower published bhp for emissions compliance is a good example of how a single model can legitimately carry different published outputs in different markets Hagerty model overview.

Practical scenarios: buying, restoring, or tuning a 308 GTS

When buying, ask the seller for the VIN and any available factory build sheet, plus service history and any dyno reports; these documents let you match a specific car to the model group ranges described earlier and check for modifications that affect power (see an example listing on MPH example listing) Ferrari official page.

Restoration choices that affect output include carburetor rebuilds, careful valve timing and clearance work, and cylinder head service or porting; each of these interventions can change a car s measured output so careful documentation and pre and post restoration measurements are important UltimateCarPage technical page.

Use a dyno to confirm current output after restoration or tuning, and keep the dyno sheet as part of the service record; it helps future buyers and supports provenance when the car is shown in listings or auctions MPH listing and Ferrari official page.

Sample spec summaries for common model years

1976 European carbureted example: representative factory spec commonly lists about 255 PS which converts to roughly 252 mechanical hp; use the VIN and build sheet to confirm the market stamp for that car UltimateCarPage technical page.

1980 GTSi example: a typical injection era listing will cite mechanical fuel injection and commonly quoted published output in the low to mid 200s bhp range, reflecting the GTBi GTSi era calibration Car and Driver technical history.

1984 308 Quattrovalvole example: QV listings usually show the higher rated output near 240 PS which converts to roughly 237 mechanical hp, and this is visible in many auction and spec listings for late model cars RM Sotheby s listing.

Maintenance and modifications that change power

Common engine work that affects power includes carburetor tuning and rebuilds, ignition timing adjustments, exhaust and header changes, and head work such as valve seat and port work; each of these steps can alter measured output and should be recorded UltimateCarPage technical page.

Document modifications with workshop invoices, parts receipts, and dyno sheets so that claimed power increases can be verified and future buyers can distinguish factory numbers from modified figures Ferrari official page.

Approach claimed power increases skeptically unless they are supported by objective dyno data and correlated invoices, because anecdotal claims without documentation are common in private sale listings.

Quick checklist for buyers and owners

Documents to request: VIN and factory build sheet, service history, any dyno reports, and clear photographs of emissions and market labels so you can confirm market specification and period detuning (VIN decoders such as Red Headed can help as a quick check) Ferrari official page.

What to compare in listings: convert the quoted power unit to a consistent unit, compare the listed figure with the expected model group range, and check for documented modifications that might explain deviations from factory specifications UltimateCarPage technical page.

Conclusion: key takeaways about 308 GTS horsepower

Typical factory ranges are: early carbureted European cars near 255 PS, US carbureted cars commonly lower due to emissions detuning, injected GTBi GTSi models in the low to mid 200s bhp, and Quattrovalvole models closer to 240 PS in factory lists UltimateCarPage technical page.

To verify a specific car always check the VIN and factory documentation and, when needed, confirm current output with a dyno while keeping careful records of any modifications and conversions between PS bhp and kW to ensure apples to apples comparisons NIST conversion notes.

How much horsepower does a Ferrari 308 GTS typically produce across its production variants?

Factory published ranges depend on model group and market: early European carbureted cars are commonly listed around 255 PS, US carbureted cars typically show lower bhp due to detuning, injection era GTBi/GTSi models are commonly in the low to mid 200s bhp, and Quattrovalvole models increase rated output toward 240 PS; confirm any specific car using its VIN and factory build sheet.

What is the typical horsepower of an early carbureted 308 GTS?

Early European carbureted 308 GTS cars are commonly listed at about 255 PS, which converts to roughly 252 mechanical horsepower.

Why do US 308 GTS figures often show lower horsepower?

US market cars were often detuned for emissions in period, resulting in lower published bhp compared with European specification cars.

Can a dyno confirm a Ferrari 308 GTS factory rating?

A dyno measures current output and condition, which can differ from the factory published rating; use dyno results to document current performance rather than as a substitute for factory specs.

If you are evaluating a specific 308 GTS, collect the VIN, factory build sheet, and any dyno sheets before you finalize a purchase decision. Those documents, combined with careful unit conversion, are the best way to reconcile listing claims with the likely factory rating. For sellers and restorers, clearly documenting any work and preserving dyno sheets and invoices helps future buyers understand whether a car s current output matches its factory specification or reflects modifications.

How much horsepower does a 308 GTS have? A clear breakdown

June 24, 2026 9:40 PM