Too much power?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
Re: Too much power? (Koz)
Just for the sake of discussion, let's imagine that there were two ***** on your dash. One for horsepower and one for torque. Each has a range of "0" to "infinite".
I realize that most of us would want to initially set them "To infinity and beyond". :reddevil :yesnod: :reddevil
I wonder what power levels most of us agressive drivers would finally settle for while using our currently installed tires? (tire upgrades are not allowed in this fantasy! Also assume transmission, rear end, etc. is all failproof :))
I'm currently running 255/60R-15's. I "Think" that I would settle at ~600 hp/~600 tq with my current tires. Not saying the tires could handle that much power, just saying I THINK that would be be an appropriate amount of "excess power" for me.
I realize that most of us would want to initially set them "To infinity and beyond". :reddevil :yesnod: :reddevil
I wonder what power levels most of us agressive drivers would finally settle for while using our currently installed tires? (tire upgrades are not allowed in this fantasy! Also assume transmission, rear end, etc. is all failproof :))
I'm currently running 255/60R-15's. I "Think" that I would settle at ~600 hp/~600 tq with my current tires. Not saying the tires could handle that much power, just saying I THINK that would be be an appropriate amount of "excess power" for me.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Too much power? (Koz)
Never too much power! W/ power & traction you have to get it straight aim like a gun & fire. W/ a lot of power, easy to get sideways. It's possible to make a speedo move like a tach.
:cool:
:cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,206
Likes: 0
From: WANTED: '68 rear valance with b/u light assemblies IM, e-mail, or PM me here. Thanks!
Re: Too much power? (Koz)
I can tell you from personal experience that 650 normally aspirated HP is pushing the limit for the street. Various issues arise, like heat control, torque converter wear due to low RPM, gas mileage, noise control, COPS!, etc.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Too much power? (MIKER)
I wonder what power levels most of us agressive drivers would finally settle for while using our currently installed tires? (tire upgrades are not allowed in this fantasy!
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
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Re: Too much power? (Noel Carboni)
NOPE.... NO SUCH THING!
Jim
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Too much power? (63Banshee)
63Banshee I have to agree with him on several points. I feel sorry for my tranny at a stop light or going slow in town. I avoid street driving. My car is not to go work or go to the store. I don't give rides or tool aound. Any of the guy's that have blowers or big inch motors like the hot forum bbc 427-540 inch don't really drive anywhere. Yes, a manual might work. But it's the same thing they get burnt up. It's tough driving a car when you think the next time you floor it, that you might need a trailer to haul it home. Going to high stall and or low gearing isn't for everyone.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,854
Likes: 3
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Re: Too much power? (gkull)
gkull,
Is there a mechanical set up to prevent the car from going squirely and keep it in a straight line during hard launch? Is there a special way to launch without the car's rear end going sideways?....I just ordered the 3:73 rear pumpkin for my 8T1. With 435 HP and 475 ft lbs of torque with 2:88 gears my car starts to go crazy now....I hope I can control her with the 3:73 gears....Do you launch throttle only without reving?......From a dead stop....If I hit the throttle....the tires light up....From what I'm reading here on this post, looks as though I have to learn a new way to launch this thing all over again.... :seeya Cappy
Is there a mechanical set up to prevent the car from going squirely and keep it in a straight line during hard launch? Is there a special way to launch without the car's rear end going sideways?....I just ordered the 3:73 rear pumpkin for my 8T1. With 435 HP and 475 ft lbs of torque with 2:88 gears my car starts to go crazy now....I hope I can control her with the 3:73 gears....Do you launch throttle only without reving?......From a dead stop....If I hit the throttle....the tires light up....From what I'm reading here on this post, looks as though I have to learn a new way to launch this thing all over again.... :seeya Cappy
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Too much power? (8T1-7T9 BIONIC VETTE)
My 79 takes off straight and only pitches the rear to the passenger side a little on the 1-2 shift. Wide AA traction tires and stiff suspension is what you need. Even during pouring down rain like yesterday it stayed straight when I was out goofing off. I drove a 100 hp NO2 92 Zr1 and nearly bit the side wall at the drags on 10.5 goodyear slicks on the 1-2 shift. So traction is not the key to holding a straight. It has to be alignment and correct shocks etc.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Too much power? (Koz)
A vette having too much power not in your life, 99% of vettes cant even get out of there own way. 99% of vettes performance wise were and are Dogs. Vettes were bought because they looked cool. THAT IS WHY WE TOIL AND FIX THESE OLD RUSTY SMELLY THINGS.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 1
From: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada.
Re: Too much power? (gkull)
So traction is not the key to holding a straight. It has to be alignment and correct shocks etc.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Too much power? (Stingy74)
Spool is total locked rearend. Not a good deal for turning or the street. Super posi unit's work the best. I have the tom's best $685 unit. Next to the 12 inch or ford nine inch. HD trailing arms, stiff springs, and Smart Stuts are the way to go
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Re: Too much power? (73-454)
A vette having too much power not in your life, 99% of vettes cant even get out of there own way. 99% of vettes performance wise were and are Dogs. Vettes were bought because they looked cool. THAT IS WHY WE TOIL AND FIX THESE OLD RUSTY SMELLY THINGS.
Rob
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 1
From: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada.
Re: Too much power? (gkull)
Spool is total locked rearend. Not a good deal for turning or the street. Super posi unit's work the best. I have the tom's best $685 unit. Next to the 12 inch or ford nine inch. HD trailing arms, stiff springs, and Smart Stuts are the way to go
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,847
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Re: Too much power? (Stingy74)
Boy, how the heck did I miss this thread?? Must have been snoozing. For anyone that thinks that there isn't such a thing as too much power, give me your address & I'll come over when the Vette is done, take you for a ride & then see how you feel. The Viper scares me pretty good on a regular basis & it's only around 500HP. I can't even imagine what the Vette is going to be like. The problem with these over powered cars on the street is that you just get in trouble so fast. In the Viper, all I have to do is touch the throttle a little too hard & it spins those 335's like a 10 speed trying to get traction in a sand pit. I'm really keen to drive the new Lambo. 572HP with all wheel drive should be one heck of a car. There is a HUGE difference between potential power & controllable power. This is a lesson I am starting to learn all too well...