Poll: Which would be a more fun C4 daily driver 350HP/450TRQ or 400HP/400TRQ?
10-26-2006, 09:20 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Poll: Which would be a more fun C4 daily driver 350HP/450TRQ or 400HP/400TRQ?
I'm building a 383...It looks like the numbers change quite a bit based on the intake.
It would seem that with the stock ported TPI intake and ported 113 heads and a more or less run of the mill 383 you can make
350HP at the crank complimented by 425 to 450 ft/lbs of trq.
But with an LT1 conversion intake on the same 383 you should make 400 to 425 HP and 400 ft/lbs of trq.
These numbers might be slightly higher or lower....but with a C4 vette which is more fun to drive everyday --- with the occasisional (1 to 2 times a year) trip to the track.
It would seem that with the stock ported TPI intake and ported 113 heads and a more or less run of the mill 383 you can make
350HP at the crank complimented by 425 to 450 ft/lbs of trq.
But with an LT1 conversion intake on the same 383 you should make 400 to 425 HP and 400 ft/lbs of trq.
These numbers might be slightly higher or lower....but with a C4 vette which is more fun to drive everyday --- with the occasisional (1 to 2 times a year) trip to the track.
10-26-2006, 09:28 PM
#2
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More torque, period. 
Sure-you don't need that HP until you're over 90MPH and that gets you to work too quick! 
10-26-2006, 10:35 PM
#8
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Originally Posted by AKS Racing
What is a Z01? I have seen mention several times, but not sure what this option may be.
Aaron
Aaron
RPOZ01 is the 1988 35th anniv. option
10-26-2006, 10:43 PM
#9
Safety Car
Originally Posted by *89x2*
RPOZ01 is the 1988 35th anniv. option
My brother had bought one of those new, and the interior parts "yellowed" bad. I think he sold w/in a couple of years.
Aaron
10-26-2006, 10:48 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
Increased horsepower gives you the option to take advantage of gearing to increase the torque at the axle/wheels as desired to suit available traction. It doesn't work the other way around.
The goal is to maximize HP at any given speed. Excess torque is of no real benefit once the tires are spinning.
The goal is to maximize HP at any given speed. Excess torque is of no real benefit once the tires are spinning.
10-26-2006, 11:11 PM
#11
Safety Car
Horsepower is ultimately the best measure of fun.....
Thing that is missing is how the dyno curves for the two options compare.....
Sounds like the 350hp/450tq falls on its face real fast..
Whereas perhaps the 400hp/400tq has a much flatter torque curve....
So with proper gearing and assuming a reasonably flat torque curve the 400hp is definitely the winner......
Sounds a lot like the old LT1/4 vs L98 debate....I have owned both....LT4 wins hands down....85 more horsepower than my L98
Thing that is missing is how the dyno curves for the two options compare.....
Sounds like the 350hp/450tq falls on its face real fast..
Whereas perhaps the 400hp/400tq has a much flatter torque curve....
So with proper gearing and assuming a reasonably flat torque curve the 400hp is definitely the winner......
Sounds a lot like the old LT1/4 vs L98 debate....I have owned both....LT4 wins hands down....85 more horsepower than my L98
10-26-2006, 11:19 PM
#12
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Originally Posted by tequilaboy
Increased horsepower gives you the option to take advantage of gearing to increase the torque at the axle/wheels as desired to suit available traction. It doesn't work the other way around.
Another thing to consider like LT4BUD pointed out is how is the torque made? A lot of setups are real torquey in the 2500-3500 range, but fell off pretty steeply. My car pulls hard from about 2500 all the way to 6800 never letting up, just building.
My opinion is that your car with that proposed motor with the LT1 intake and a compatible cam to utilize the extra RPM range on it will walk away from the same motor with a ported TPI intake, especially since you mentioned the stock one. Either way though, I'm sure you will enjoy it.
10-26-2006, 11:57 PM
#13
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Originally Posted by *89x2*
More torque, period.
10-27-2006, 01:57 PM
#15
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Originally Posted by AKS Racing
What is a Z01? I have seen mention several times, but not sure what this option may be.
Aaron
Aaron
Originally Posted by *89x2*
RPOZ01 is the 1988 35th anniv. option
10-27-2006, 04:21 PM
#16
Safety Car
Originally Posted by kwik_ta
on the street... torque is your best friend. Actually just to put it into prospective <flame suit on> my Dak R/T with 250hp and 375ftlbs of torque is more fun to drive than my vette. However the vette is just a blast at the track, on the twisties, abandonded highways and air strips... ect.
10-27-2006, 04:30 PM
#18
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If the car is an auto, more torque, if the car is manual, the balance of 400/400 will be overall more fun, plus if you do any open road driving it will come in handy but if you are just going to cruise around town, you will never need the extra HP since most encounters will be light to light in which case the guy with the most torque and launch skills usually wins even from a 5-8 mph rolling start.
10-27-2006, 04:31 PM
#19
Race Director
I'd go with more HP every time. Stock the car has 350 torque and that is good, so I wouldn't want to be dropping under that. The 400/400 is sweet! The 450/350 even better.
Last edited by Aardwolf; 10-27-2006 at 04:33 PM.
10-27-2006, 05:16 PM
#20
Team Owner
I like torque, its more fun to play around doing burnouts and such. I can tell you from experience that without horsepower, you will fall flat on your face at higher speeds... like the end of the 1/4 mile.