Is it true???
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,136
Likes: 2,983
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Is it true???
Is it true that every 10 lbs added to the vette's curb weight is like losing one horsepower?
ie. If I added a 200 lb passenger along with my 200 lbs, my acceleration would be that of a 310 HP motor instead of the true 350 HP stock motor
ie. If I added a 200 lb passenger along with my 200 lbs, my acceleration would be that of a 310 HP motor instead of the true 350 HP stock motor
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 0
From: Nesconset NY
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Originally Posted by CAJUNY2KC5
I dunno. But I've driven much faster since my divorce lightened that side of the car up some 
.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: ohio
Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
Is it true that every 10 lbs added to the vette's curb weight is like losing one horsepower?
ie. If I added a 200 lb passenger along with my 200 lbs, my acceleration would be that of a 310 HP motor instead of the true 350 HP stock motor
ie. If I added a 200 lb passenger along with my 200 lbs, my acceleration would be that of a 310 HP motor instead of the true 350 HP stock motor
I'm no expert but don't sound right
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
Is it true that every 10 lbs added to the vette's curb weight is like losing one horsepower?
ie. If I added a 200 lb passenger along with my 200 lbs, my acceleration would be that of a 310 HP motor instead of the true 350 HP stock motor
ie. If I added a 200 lb passenger along with my 200 lbs, my acceleration would be that of a 310 HP motor instead of the true 350 HP stock motor
Given the same traction and several other variables it is generally safe to say cars with equal weight /HP are going to perform quite similarly.
If a C5 weighs 3200 lbs and has 350 HP it's weight to HP is 9.14. (3200/350 = 9.14)
Adding 400 lbs would increase the weight to HP ratio to 10.29. (3600/350 = 10.29)
To get back to the 9.14 weight to horsepower would require an increase to 394 HP if running 3600 lbs. (3600/9.14 = 394) In other words another 44 HP would be required to offset 400 lbs.
Any vehicle that gets into the 9's and below for weight to HP is considered to be a very high performance production street vehicle.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Ashburn VA
Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
Weight to HP is the holy grail for performance until you get up to higher speeds then aero drag kicks in.
Given the same traction and several other variables it is generally safe to say cars with equal weight /HP are going to perform quite similarly.
If a C5 weighs 3200 lbs and has 350 HP it's weight to HP is 9.14. (3200/350 = 9.14)
Adding 400 lbs would increase the weight to HP ratio to 10.29. (3600/350 = 10.29)
To get back to the 9.14 weight to horsepower would require an increase to 394 HP if running 3600 lbs. (3600/9.14 = 394) In other words another 44 HP would be required to offset 400 lbs.
Any vehicle that gets into the 9's and below for weight to HP is considered to be a very high performance production street vehicle.
Given the same traction and several other variables it is generally safe to say cars with equal weight /HP are going to perform quite similarly.
If a C5 weighs 3200 lbs and has 350 HP it's weight to HP is 9.14. (3200/350 = 9.14)
Adding 400 lbs would increase the weight to HP ratio to 10.29. (3600/350 = 10.29)
To get back to the 9.14 weight to horsepower would require an increase to 394 HP if running 3600 lbs. (3600/9.14 = 394) In other words another 44 HP would be required to offset 400 lbs.
Any vehicle that gets into the 9's and below for weight to HP is considered to be a very high performance production street vehicle.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,136
Likes: 2,983
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
Weight to HP is the holy grail for performance until you get up to higher speeds then aero drag kicks in.
Given the same traction and several other variables it is generally safe to say cars with equal weight /HP are going to perform quite similarly.
If a C5 weighs 3200 lbs and has 350 HP it's weight to HP is 9.14. (3200/350 = 9.14)
Adding 400 lbs would increase the weight to HP ratio to 10.29. (3600/350 = 10.29)
To get back to the 9.14 weight to horsepower would require an increase to 394 HP if running 3600 lbs. (3600/9.14 = 394) In other words another 44 HP would be required to offset 400 lbs.
Any vehicle that gets into the 9's and below for weight to HP is considered to be a very high performance production street vehicle.
Given the same traction and several other variables it is generally safe to say cars with equal weight /HP are going to perform quite similarly.
If a C5 weighs 3200 lbs and has 350 HP it's weight to HP is 9.14. (3200/350 = 9.14)
Adding 400 lbs would increase the weight to HP ratio to 10.29. (3600/350 = 10.29)
To get back to the 9.14 weight to horsepower would require an increase to 394 HP if running 3600 lbs. (3600/9.14 = 394) In other words another 44 HP would be required to offset 400 lbs.
Any vehicle that gets into the 9's and below for weight to HP is considered to be a very high performance production street vehicle.
Another excuse to so say no rides for fat chicks
This is good to know, I added approx 100 lbs of stereo to the vette but I invested in fiberglass instead of wood or it would have been closer to 200 lbs. Maybe the 51/49 weight ratio is now 50/50
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Westville Illinois
Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
Is it true that every 10 lbs added to the vette's curb weight is like losing one horsepower?
ie. If I added a 200 lb passenger along with my 200 lbs, my acceleration would be that of a 310 HP motor instead of the true 350 HP stock motor
ie. If I added a 200 lb passenger along with my 200 lbs, my acceleration would be that of a 310 HP motor instead of the true 350 HP stock motor