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HP Vs Car Weight

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Old May 2, 2007 | 01:10 AM
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Default HP Vs Car Weight

How can a general ballpark calculation be done for comparing two cars with different HP, Torque and weights.

In general I would like to compare the following:

-Corvette Z06 vs Cobra/Shelby 500,500KR or Super Snake.

Corvette 550 or 600rwhp vs Mustang at 630 or 680rwhp

Corvette 3250lbs vs Mustang 3800lbs

Would like to look at:

1. 0-60
2. 0-100
3. 1/4 mile....

Thanks!
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Old May 2, 2007 | 07:44 AM
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This will start you off. It is from an F body site

http://www.fbody.com/calc.htm

3rd one down
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Old May 2, 2007 | 07:48 AM
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Corvette:
550 HP
3250 lbs
E.T. = 10.53
Trap Speed = 129.4 mph

600 HP
3250 lbs
E.T. = 10.23
Trap Speed =133.2 mph

Mustang
630 hp
3800 lbs
E.T. 10.6
trap speed = 128.5 mph

680 hp
3800 lbs
E.T. 10.3
Trap Speed = 131.8 mph

Weight kills time. I did not add in the wt of the driver, but must also be added for better estimations

Last edited by AU N EGL; May 2, 2007 at 08:28 AM.
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Old May 2, 2007 | 10:34 AM
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http://www.stealth316.com/2-calc-hp-et-mph.htm
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Old May 2, 2007 | 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by AU N EGL
Corvette:
550 HP
3250 lbs
E.T. = 10.53
Trap Speed = 129.4 mph

600 HP
3250 lbs
E.T. = 10.23
Trap Speed =133.2 mph

Mustang
630 hp
3800 lbs
E.T. 10.6
trap speed = 128.5 mph

680 hp
3800 lbs
E.T. 10.3
Trap Speed = 131.8 mph

Weight kills time. I did not add in the wt of the driver, but must also be added for better estimations
I find these numbers to be on the aggressive side. 3400lbs with 505hp runs 10.99... A 2006 or 2007 Z06 with 200 pound peson csn even come close to 10.99...
Anywhat, I think the real value here is the differeance between one time and another. This is the valuable...

Thanks!
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Old May 2, 2007 | 08:58 PM
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Wow, That's unbelieveably complicated to calculate. The link provided by screw991le is much more accurate but still tries to generalize for the "average" car.

Major factors:
HP (or much MUCH more importantly-torque curve)
Weight (add driver too)
Friction coefficient of tires (Av^2 + Bv + C, depends on complex formula of tires, weight and diameter)
Aerodynamic drag (1/2*Cd*CrossSectionArea*Density*Velocity^2 )
Loss in drivetrain

The most important thing is to look at the numbers (all else equal) then try to guesstimate your advantages and weaknesses to the competition.

In this case, you are signifiganly more aerodynamic, so I think it would swing a little in your favor.
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Old May 2, 2007 | 09:58 PM
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How about gear ratio's. They might play just a little factor in all of this
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Old May 2, 2007 | 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by JagTech
How about gear ratio's. They might play just a little factor in all of this
I agree, also stick or auto with a hi-stall.
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Old May 3, 2007 | 12:09 AM
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Originally Posted by AU N EGL
This will start you off. It is from an F body site

http://www.fbody.com/calc.htm

3rd one down
do you put in flywheel hp or rwhp?
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Old May 3, 2007 | 02:06 AM
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Originally Posted by jz06man
I find these numbers to be on the aggressive side. 3400lbs with 505hp runs 10.99... A 2006 or 2007 Z06 with 200 pound peson csn even come close to 10.99...
Anywhat, I think the real value here is the differeance between one time and another. This is the valuable...

Thanks!
I think it is using rwhp not flywheel hp

Clayton from Las Vegas
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Old May 3, 2007 | 07:41 AM
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those formulas are only ESTIMATED. Too many other factors.

Just using the WT/HP ratio that is used in NASA ( National Auto Sports Association ) also gives an indication of how fast the car will be.

Too much wt and it wont matter how much HP the car has.

The mustangs 3800 lbs is just way too much weight, no matter what the hp is to get it off the line in drag racing.

Dont forget to add in the drivers wt, of ~200 lbs to any caculations.

Getting the mustangs wt down to 3200 and the car is still an aero brick. I think it is a great looking car, but and aero brick non the same.
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