When is it enough?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 71
From: MA
Unless you plan on dragging or tracking, I don't understand how you can use high HP (550 +). For street use, how can you use it SAFELY? On street tires, what can you really use it for, other than smoking the tires to death, which is just a waist of $?
I guess I don't have the addition :-(.
I guess I don't have the addition :-(.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
Likes: 1,224
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Unless you plan on dragging or tracking, I don't understand how you can use high HP (550 +). For street use, how can you use it SAFELY? On street tires, what can you really use it for, other than smoking the tires to death, which is just a waist of $?
I guess I don't have the addition :-(.
I guess I don't have the addition :-(.
Driving a high HP car well on the street is a skill, no different then being good at playing golf, football, or any other sport. I am terrible at golf, thats why I cant understand why someone would spend thousands of dollars on clubs, but the guy who is good sure knows why.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
And the truth is no matter how fast your car is.
There will ALWAYS be someone faster.
I built mine to 500 rwhp 3 years ago and for the way I use the car it's perfect.
Could have pushed to 1000 if I wanted to but better spent my $ building a Pro Street 55 Belair and just finished my 69 Camaro SS with a SBC 408
There will ALWAYS be someone faster.
I built mine to 500 rwhp 3 years ago and for the way I use the car it's perfect.
Could have pushed to 1000 if I wanted to but better spent my $ building a Pro Street 55 Belair and just finished my 69 Camaro SS with a SBC 408
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 15
From: Loxahatchee Florida
Sorry buddy. 
I have had my car on jack stands more times than I can say for many different projects. My wife asks me "don't you ever get sick of this?". My answer to her "nope. This car could sit on jack stands for 6 months while I wait on parts. I love the UPS and FEDEX man coming to my door with boxes. I love looking for parts. I love the pursuit of power and speed almost as much as the power and speed itself and if I get to feel it a week before I put it on jackstands for another 6 months for yet another part, then I'm still happy looking at it. When I no longer feel that way, it's time to say "goodbye" to the car and move on."
I don't have the best looking, cleanest, nicest, fastest or quickest car, but it's mine. I don't count money or time thrown at it. It's a hobby, not an investment and there's no misunderstanding. I turn wrenches while jammin' to 80's and 90's rock and don't care if Iran has nuclear capability or North Korea threatened us again
.
I love my car. I love talking about cars. I love working on them and helping others with theirs. This is my passion and I don't have to call two days in advance to get a tee time with it or get up a 6am to play with it.
I have had my car on jack stands more times than I can say for many different projects. My wife asks me "don't you ever get sick of this?". My answer to her "nope. This car could sit on jack stands for 6 months while I wait on parts. I love the UPS and FEDEX man coming to my door with boxes. I love looking for parts. I love the pursuit of power and speed almost as much as the power and speed itself and if I get to feel it a week before I put it on jackstands for another 6 months for yet another part, then I'm still happy looking at it. When I no longer feel that way, it's time to say "goodbye" to the car and move on."
I don't have the best looking, cleanest, nicest, fastest or quickest car, but it's mine. I don't count money or time thrown at it. It's a hobby, not an investment and there's no misunderstanding. I turn wrenches while jammin' to 80's and 90's rock and don't care if Iran has nuclear capability or North Korea threatened us again
. I love my car. I love talking about cars. I love working on them and helping others with theirs. This is my passion and I don't have to call two days in advance to get a tee time with it or get up a 6am to play with it.
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Northern NJ
Mine is a stock c5. I just put it away for the winter about 2 weeks ago. Last weekend I just had to take it out and I did. Yes it was below freezing and much easier to spin the tires and then I wondered, "What the hell do people do with all the HP on the street?" I do want a bit more but I basically think I have enough for the street right now. I just can't imagine that much HP on the street. Congratulations to everyone who has more, wants more and is loving the whole process. But for me right now, I'm just going to drive is as much as I can this winter/summer/spring and fall. Hats off to all of you want more and achieve more......I have about as much as I can handle......for now.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,539
Likes: 886
From: Republic of Texas
Driving a high HP car well on the street is a skill, no different then being good at playing golf, football, or any other sport. I am terrible at golf, thats why I cant understand why someone would spend thousands of dollars on clubs, but the guy who is good sure knows why.
Thankfully, the car thing is a system and there are "stages" to modifying. For instance, above a certain HP mark you will probably blow your tranny and rear end. Above that you need to start thinking about iron blocks and specailized suspension...the list goes on.
What's enough is when your $$ and effort output exceeds the enjoyment you have from driving your car. It's like eating a serving size of the best food you've ever had. The second serving is pretty good, and by the 3rd you might be feeling full and won't get as much enjoyment out of it. By the 4th you find yourself with indigestion.
As long as you're enjoying yourself and not neglecting the rest of your life, go for it until the pavement has flaming treadmarks
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio TX
without a helmet on and a very good harness/belt system, a roll cage can be more dangerous than no roll cage.
Last edited by M_T_0; Jan 5, 2011 at 11:07 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio TX
Sorry buddy.
I have had my car on jack stands more times than I can say for many different projects. My wife asks me "don't you ever get sick of this?". My answer to her "nope. This car could sit on jack stands for 6 months while I wait on parts. I love the UPS and FEDEX man coming to my door with boxes. I love looking for parts. I love the pursuit of power and speed almost as much as the power and speed itself and if I get to feel it a week before I put it on jackstands for another 6 months for yet another part, then I'm still happy looking at it. When I no longer feel that way, it's time to say "goodbye" to the car and move on."
I don't have the best looking, cleanest, nicest, fastest or quickest car, but it's mine. I don't count money or time thrown at it. It's a hobby, not an investment and there's no misunderstanding. I turn wrenches while jammin' to 80's and 90's rock and don't care if Iran has nuclear capability or North Korea threatened us again.
I love my car. I love talking about cars. I love working on them and helping others with theirs. This is my passion and I don't have to call two days in advance to get a tee time with it or get up a 6am to play with it.
I have had my car on jack stands more times than I can say for many different projects. My wife asks me "don't you ever get sick of this?". My answer to her "nope. This car could sit on jack stands for 6 months while I wait on parts. I love the UPS and FEDEX man coming to my door with boxes. I love looking for parts. I love the pursuit of power and speed almost as much as the power and speed itself and if I get to feel it a week before I put it on jackstands for another 6 months for yet another part, then I'm still happy looking at it. When I no longer feel that way, it's time to say "goodbye" to the car and move on."
I don't have the best looking, cleanest, nicest, fastest or quickest car, but it's mine. I don't count money or time thrown at it. It's a hobby, not an investment and there's no misunderstanding. I turn wrenches while jammin' to 80's and 90's rock and don't care if Iran has nuclear capability or North Korea threatened us again
. I love my car. I love talking about cars. I love working on them and helping others with theirs. This is my passion and I don't have to call two days in advance to get a tee time with it or get up a 6am to play with it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 71
From: MA
Tiger Woods applies his skill where it is appropriate!
Driving a high HP car well on the street is a skill, no different then being good at playing golf, football, or any other sport. I am terrible at golf, thats why I cant understand why someone would spend thousands of dollars on clubs, but the guy who is good sure knows why.
I don't doubt that you are a skilled driver. Perhaps you can explain to forum members how you can safely apply big HP (+550 HP) using street tires SAFELY on suburban streets? I doubt you can fully use that power between stop lights or on highway enterance ramps.
Just like Tiger, you should be using that power in a venue appropriate for your skill and equipment, which is on the track or strip!
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,469
Likes: 20
From: West Bloomfield MI
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 30
From: WENTZVILLE MO
Some may remember my build thread that went bad 1 1/2 years ago and I really don't want to go over that in this thread.
Bottom line is that I built a 2004 C5 damn near the spec's of ECS. I have a Blown 402 (9.4 compression, 8 rib) all forged with studded bolted mains etc. , custom cam, Trickflow's that I have $5K in, stage II ECS fuel system, Stage II RPM A-4 with a Yank 11" (not what everyone uses/9") Nitrous converter. Hardend 1/2 shafts with 373's.
Been a long time but I finally came to the point of reality this last week. Went out with a drive with the tuner and he put it in 2nd gear and nailed it (St Louis, was around 40F) at 45 mph. Car spun the whole way to 110 mph and I felt I was on a ride at Six Flags. The G's were unbelievable.
After we got back to the shop we talked in depth about what I wanted to do with the car. I had the money to take it straight to the fab shop and get a full cage in it.
I like many got caught up in making a dream come true. My tuner is the one that put it in reality: Have a bad day? Fire that bitch up and go and have some fun. You have probably the top five bad-*** c5's in the STL region.
My wife and I golf at least 100 rounds a year. I thought about the cost to put a full cage in the car and how many times I would really use it. I got caught up in a dream from my younger years.
When I was younger I would hear stories about a fast car that the person would say "I will put $100 on the dash and when I hit it, and you can grab it, you can have it".
I now have that car.
Thanks Chris and Doug for this experience. I have a rocket. And do not need a dyno, or track time to prove that I have something that will **** your pants. I did not do anything in my build that was cheap, cut corner's. I still owe you the walnut/maple sign.
Frankly, I built a car that is so frick'n quick and fast that I could make a statement at ATCO.
It sooooooooooo important to tell your builder what your goals are. I got caught up in having the fastest vette in the region that I spent so much money to get that point. Got there.... this last weekend we had a group meeting and it put everything in prosective. It's so fast, but it came to the point that do I want to buy a trailer and put the full cage in the car?
What was my original intentions? I got caught up in H.P. and FAST.
I just want to have fun with a beast.
I'll post up some pic's in the near future.
Bottom line is that I built a 2004 C5 damn near the spec's of ECS. I have a Blown 402 (9.4 compression, 8 rib) all forged with studded bolted mains etc. , custom cam, Trickflow's that I have $5K in, stage II ECS fuel system, Stage II RPM A-4 with a Yank 11" (not what everyone uses/9") Nitrous converter. Hardend 1/2 shafts with 373's.
Been a long time but I finally came to the point of reality this last week. Went out with a drive with the tuner and he put it in 2nd gear and nailed it (St Louis, was around 40F) at 45 mph. Car spun the whole way to 110 mph and I felt I was on a ride at Six Flags. The G's were unbelievable.
After we got back to the shop we talked in depth about what I wanted to do with the car. I had the money to take it straight to the fab shop and get a full cage in it.
I like many got caught up in making a dream come true. My tuner is the one that put it in reality: Have a bad day? Fire that bitch up and go and have some fun. You have probably the top five bad-*** c5's in the STL region.
My wife and I golf at least 100 rounds a year. I thought about the cost to put a full cage in the car and how many times I would really use it. I got caught up in a dream from my younger years.
When I was younger I would hear stories about a fast car that the person would say "I will put $100 on the dash and when I hit it, and you can grab it, you can have it".
I now have that car.
Thanks Chris and Doug for this experience. I have a rocket. And do not need a dyno, or track time to prove that I have something that will **** your pants. I did not do anything in my build that was cheap, cut corner's. I still owe you the walnut/maple sign.
Frankly, I built a car that is so frick'n quick and fast that I could make a statement at ATCO.
It sooooooooooo important to tell your builder what your goals are. I got caught up in having the fastest vette in the region that I spent so much money to get that point. Got there.... this last weekend we had a group meeting and it put everything in prosective. It's so fast, but it came to the point that do I want to buy a trailer and put the full cage in the car?
What was my original intentions? I got caught up in H.P. and FAST.
I just want to have fun with a beast.
I'll post up some pic's in the near future.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
how you can safely apply big HP (+550 HP) using street tires SAFELY on suburban streets? I doubt you can fully use that power between stop lights or on highway enterance ramps.
Just like Tiger, you should be using that power in a venue appropriate for your skill and equipment, which is on the track or strip!
Just like Tiger, you should be using that power in a venue appropriate for your skill and equipment, which is on the track or strip!
I can drive my 900+ safely on any given street. I know of several 1500+hp street driven cars that car drive safe as well anywhere they like.
Just saying
Last edited by Slow Z06; Jan 5, 2011 at 08:06 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 27,567
Likes: 99
From: San Diego
WHere is whos state law or venue does it state that you may only have xxx amount of HP before you have to use it on the strip?
I can drive my 900+ safely on any given street. I know of several 1500+hp street driven cars that car drive safe as well anywhere they like.
Just saying
I can drive my 900+ safely on any given street. I know of several 1500+hp street driven cars that car drive safe as well anywhere they like.
Just saying
I know of a 1000rwhp Foxbody Mustang that cruises San Diego with no issues.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 71
From: MA
You missed my point.
WHere is whos state law or venue does it state that you may only have xxx amount of HP before you have to use it on the strip?
I can drive my 900+ safely on any given street. I know of several 1500+hp street driven cars that car drive safe as well anywhere they like.
Just saying
I can drive my 900+ safely on any given street. I know of several 1500+hp street driven cars that car drive safe as well anywhere they like.
Just saying
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,797
Likes: 52
From: Boise
I am not saying that you can't safely drive a high HP car on the street. My point was that you can't safely use ALL that high HP on most streets! What is the most HP that can be hooked with street tires anyhow (there was a post here and I believe the consensus was 500 to 600 HP)? So how can you safely apply ALL that high HP on suburban streets?