Performance: C3 vs Imports
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 200
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From: Manahawkin NJ
Performance: C3 vs Imports
I was reading up on the C3s and realized that the Corvette is a Paper Tiger when it comes to Performance. Is 195 Horsepower a different type of Horsepower back in 81? Another thing, a kid I know swears on his life that A 2nd Gen Mitsubishi Turbo can beat a C3 in the quarter and I don't have numbers in front of me. What do you guys think?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Wichita, KS
The mid 70's to early 80's GM engines were hampered by smog laws that the General could not get a handle on. As a result the engines were in fact very sick compaired to any other years. A stock '79 L82 4 speed was tested by one of the car magizines at 15.4 in the 1/4 mile.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,581
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From: Spring, Texas
Apples vs. Oranges. All vehilces were subject to heavy smog equipment and low hp/torque in the mid 70' and 80's. More recently, a number of auto manufacturers entered or re-entered the hp race (market-driven trend). Also, the newer ricer cars have numerous advantages from a physics standpoint (front wheel drive, aerodynamics, weight saving materials, etc.). What year Mitsu are you referring to? Compare it to a Corvette of the same year and the story changes. Each year, cars get better and more technologically advanced (the Corvette itself is just one case in point).
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,455
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From: Upstate South Carolina
I owned a 79 L-82 4spd, followed by an 81 Datsun 280zx turbo. The vette was hands down faster, better handling, and all round nicer car. About 6 years later I owned a 77 Datsun 280z followed by a 75 L-82 4spd. Again the vette was a better car but not by as great a margin. Vettes may not always be the fastest, but they generally hold there own. Plus what are those vettes worth today compared to the 280s.
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C6 the C5 of tomorrow
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From: Twin Cities Minnesota
I love it when people compare my 35 year old car to a new one and say the new one is faster ( sheesh I hope so...)
Lets compare a 79 Vette to a 79 Mitsubishi, a little more fair I think
Lets compare a 79 Vette to a 79 Mitsubishi, a little more fair I think
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: San Jose CA
By merely opening up the exhaust system (headers, duals, good mufflers) you can get an L-48 to run as fast to 60 as a modern Infiniti G35.
Not many naturally aspirated cars can boast a 2 second 0-60 time drop through exhaust modification.
Not many naturally aspirated cars can boast a 2 second 0-60 time drop through exhaust modification.
Team Owner
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Originally Posted by Pacin'California
Not many naturally aspirated
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,165
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From: Keizer Oregon
apples to oranges maybe, but the simple fact is: if you drive your C3 on the street your will pull up next to a ricer who want to tell his freinds about the old Corvette he smoked. So, personally, I am waiting for the next fart can to pull up next to my 440 hp stroked 76, and teach them not to look down on rubber bumpered mid-70's Vettes......(on the dragstrip of course 
)
)
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 420
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From: Lapeer MI
Yes 165hp was the lowest year. That's what I used to have. Anyone have any use for a 165hp SBC? I did a search on the second generation Mitsubishi and didn't find much. I assume your friend is talking about a 2nd Gen Eclipse.
The fastest production 2nd Gen Eclipse is the Eclipse GST. This is sports a turbocharged engine. Performace data follows:
0 - 60 in 6.4 seconds
1/4 mile in 14.9 @ 91.7
Max HP: 210 @ 6000 (notice how high those rpms are)
Max torque: 214 @ 3000
This car weighs a few hundred lbs less then you average C3.
Conclusion: The fastest 2nd Gen Eclipse is faster than the slowest C3. This is expected but at 22+ years old as stated eairlier. These Corvettes are really holding thier own.
The fastest production 2nd Gen Eclipse is the Eclipse GST. This is sports a turbocharged engine. Performace data follows:
0 - 60 in 6.4 seconds
1/4 mile in 14.9 @ 91.7
Max HP: 210 @ 6000 (notice how high those rpms are)
Max torque: 214 @ 3000
This car weighs a few hundred lbs less then you average C3.
Conclusion: The fastest 2nd Gen Eclipse is faster than the slowest C3. This is expected but at 22+ years old as stated eairlier. These Corvettes are really holding thier own.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: largo florida
I dont see how or why these comparisons come up. Which is better, a dog or a cat, a frog or lizard, alligator or shark, steak or fish.... Need to compare apples to apples. C3 vs imports is a very very broad range.
Le Mans Master
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From: DFW TX
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St. Jude Donor '07
THe funny thing is 14.9 is a fast quarter mile for a import. I've driven a GSX and gotten a ticket in also. Unfortunity I was behind a same year Mustang GT vert that had just kicked my ash. The other part was that it was a girl coworker that beat me. The only good thing about that day was he only wrote me up for 85, not the 110 I was moving at.
I don't have to tell you the moral of the story.
I don't have to tell you the moral of the story.
Last edited by Budman68; Sep 20, 2004 at 10:52 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 200
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From: Manahawkin NJ
Is there any exhaust out there (mufflers or a whole system, has to be SL though as its my daily driver) that can improve performance by the margin you stated but sound stock? I hate loud exhausts on cars.
Safety Car
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From: out of nowhere
Not always true
Originally Posted by Budman78
Don't race a V8 if your driving rice
