How much power is enough?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 696
Likes: 18
From: Jenkintown PA
My '91 L98 is really plenty for the street. Very quick off the line and just fun to drive within legal limits. Yes, at 4500 to 4800 RPM that's it, but as been said here several times......speeding is not a street option that can be done safely.
But, I understand why we seem to have a continual hunger to modify for speed. I get more pleasure just listening to an idling modified engine....maybe I'm just getting old and now enjoy the more simple pleasures!
SAVE THE WAVE
But, I understand why we seem to have a continual hunger to modify for speed. I get more pleasure just listening to an idling modified engine....maybe I'm just getting old and now enjoy the more simple pleasures!
SAVE THE WAVE
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
When I had my '86, 235hp was plenty, now that I have a '95, 300 seems just right.... Seriously, if you don't go to the track, spirited driving on the street has its limits. I have a two wheeled device that will satisfy all of my acceleration needs and a two winged device that I can go as fast as I want in, legally.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
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From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
When your wife will not ride in the car since it will be too loud, too hot that is when you have too much power.
I doubt any 66 Corvette 350 HP Roadster with the hardtop could EVER EVER do 150 MPH.
I was a pit crew member back in the early 70 for Rick Dittman who won the June Sprints at Elkhart Lake Wisc and his car would top out at 155 and that was a full race B production 67 Harptop with over 475 HP.
My own 68 B production Corvette Roadsterin the late 70 would top out at 155 also. 500hp in a 2800 lb car.
I doubt any 66 Corvette 350 HP Roadster with the hardtop could EVER EVER do 150 MPH.
I was a pit crew member back in the early 70 for Rick Dittman who won the June Sprints at Elkhart Lake Wisc and his car would top out at 155 and that was a full race B production 67 Harptop with over 475 HP.
My own 68 B production Corvette Roadsterin the late 70 would top out at 155 also. 500hp in a 2800 lb car.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
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From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
When I was looking for a C4 the choice came down to a 91 and a 93. Both were black/black 6 speed coupes. I opted for the 93 to get the LT1 because of its higher HP. I don't regret my choice but after 4 years of owning it I realize I rarely take it over 4800 rpm, and with the L98 I wouldn't have had to replace the opti.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: The Old Dominion
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Sandhills of North Carolina
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 5
From: Lake Orion Michigan
I've owned a couple of 600-700 horsepower big block Chevelles that were streetcars in the sense I drove them on the street with full cages, both went deep into the 9's
But my 85 has seen 150 mph and I can't say that about either street car. The Vette is never going to scare anyone but I don't have to work on it everytime I take it out. I'm going to turn the wick up on the vette to about 400 hp and will be happy with that.
But my 85 has seen 150 mph and I can't say that about either street car. The Vette is never going to scare anyone but I don't have to work on it everytime I take it out. I'm going to turn the wick up on the vette to about 400 hp and will be happy with that.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Grass Valley CA
When I autocross or TT mine sometimes everything I got is just barely enough, although it's a bear keeping it going in the correct direction... The hardest part is getting all that horsepower to the ground.
On the road, sometimes I'll run into 3 digits on empty freeways in the middle of the night, but I'm not using all the power by any means.
I love it regardless - pushing it to the limit or cruising.
On the road, sometimes I'll run into 3 digits on empty freeways in the middle of the night, but I'm not using all the power by any means.
I love it regardless - pushing it to the limit or cruising.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
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From: Slidell Louisiana
Well said!!!!!I hit the rev limiter on my C4 last week its set alittle above 7000 rpm and it felt great....... but I have not hit the point yet where I think "boy I wish I had a little less power and I wish it didn't hit 6800 rpm so quickly".
Hell, if Uncle sugar gives me some stimulus money it will probably end up in at Ron and Phil's in North Carolina for new/faster better SPEED PARTS or maybe ported heads and a Maggy for the wife's G8 GT......
I've been so bored that during the 4th of July weekend I had a Cobra in my garage and installed a Kenne Bell Screw charger on it IOT help my poor Cobra buddy keep up.
Mike
Last edited by aboatguy; Jul 29, 2009 at 09:40 PM. Reason: probably would piss some folks off
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
Too much love, too much sex, to much fun, too much money, too much hp...All oxymorons.
However, 500-550 will keep most of the fleas n "Cs" off yer back. The ported n LT header DOHC option makes it purr like yo moma's Buick LeSabre and scream like a banshee on the strip. In traffic tho, my 300 hp LT1/M6 was more than enough to dispatch an on-ramp or pass anything I needed to. First time out with my fresh 400 to the rear wheels, I went to pass one SUV - stood on it in 3rd gear and almost accidentally gulped up the car in front of him as well. Whew! What a rush!
Sometimes, enough is never enough.
P
However, 500-550 will keep most of the fleas n "Cs" off yer back. The ported n LT header DOHC option makes it purr like yo moma's Buick LeSabre and scream like a banshee on the strip. In traffic tho, my 300 hp LT1/M6 was more than enough to dispatch an on-ramp or pass anything I needed to. First time out with my fresh 400 to the rear wheels, I went to pass one SUV - stood on it in 3rd gear and almost accidentally gulped up the car in front of him as well. Whew! What a rush!
Sometimes, enough is never enough.
P
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: Coatesville PA
No offense bimmervert and i hate to start arguments online cause they're seemingly pointless ... but if your 2800lb car with 500 hp topped out at 155, you may have had an anchor or two hanging out the back. Ive seen drag cars on that level with worse aerodynamics then your vette trap close that in just a 1/4 mile. But after having mine for almost three years now and only bumping it up to about 340hp, I'd feel pretty good hitting about 400hp. Maybe its me being young, but street racing, when done smartly is just as safe as tracks and drag strips... other then the whole cop factor. Can still slip and slide and still hit a wall. Your time slip is bragging rights but when your "slower" car beats your buddies car, isn't that how you really settle it? I think about 400hp is enough to scare the crap outta most any passenger you'll ever have, while still getting some sort of gas mileage and not spinning the tires in every gear... On the other hands a 660hp heads cam Lingenfelter Z06 is my dream car... just sayin...
