Why not 700+ HP?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Sioux Falls SD
Re: Why not 700+ HP? (H82BFST)
They could easily make it reliable. But the addition of a supercharger, the likely inclusion of a cast iron block, and the pointlessness of 700 horsepower in a lightweight street car will keep them from doing it. They dont want superchargers or iron blocks because they add weight.
Whether you've got 500 or 800, the first two/three gears are going to go up in smoke. The law of diminishing returns applies here, because a 500 horsepower car is not going to be significantly faster than an 800 horsepower car in the quarter mile, and honestly, how many of you are going to risk going 200+mph on roads anywhere in the US ?
Whether you've got 500 or 800, the first two/three gears are going to go up in smoke. The law of diminishing returns applies here, because a 500 horsepower car is not going to be significantly faster than an 800 horsepower car in the quarter mile, and honestly, how many of you are going to risk going 200+mph on roads anywhere in the US ?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 62,198
Likes: 1
From: All humans are vermin in the eyes of Guru VA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Why not 700+ HP? (H82BFST)
Hmmm....
- Reliability
- Emissions
- 100,000 mile tune ups
- etc, etc, etc
It's like asking why a Saturn doesn't have 400HP...
How about this one?
- Reality!
- Reliability
- Emissions
- 100,000 mile tune ups
- etc, etc, etc
It's like asking why a Saturn doesn't have 400HP...
How about this one?
- Reality!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 27,232
Likes: 5
From: Houston TX
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Why not 700+ HP? (Jinx)
When the car can spin the tires in every gear, it has enough power.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill NC
Re: Why not 700+ HP? (H82BFST)
There is no technical reason the power output can't be reached with an engine that meets the reliability criteria. With electronic driver aids, ala the MB SLR, the car can be kept from going off the road every time the pedal is pushed. I'm refering to that car rather than a race car because it does operate on the street. Or if you'd rather, the MB SC600 with the turbocharged V12. For an intersting discussion on the subject see McL's book, Corvette from the Inside. He pushes for a twin turbo Vette to reach that kind of power. One more thing, go back in history to the famous "sledgehammer" Vette that was driven from Con to Ohio and then blasted around the track at well over 200 mph and then driven back. The key is tires as much as engine and tires kept in proper inflation. :cool:
[Modified by I Bin Therbefor, 12:42 AM 12/22/2003]
[Modified by I Bin Therbefor, 12:42 AM 12/22/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,532
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Why not 700+ HP? (boxerperson)
They dont want superchargers or iron blocks because they add weight.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 43,370
Likes: 0
Re: Why not 700+ HP? (Painrace)
700 HP = gigantic price increase.
What's the point? The Corvette isn't a straight line machine, nor is it a super-exotic supercar. It's a somewhat affordable world-class sports car. 700 HP reliably would increase cost to the point that it would eclipse the Viper in price. And the Viper can pull 700 HP out of its azz easily to match the 'vette at a now-lower cost.
What's the point? The Corvette isn't a straight line machine, nor is it a super-exotic supercar. It's a somewhat affordable world-class sports car. 700 HP reliably would increase cost to the point that it would eclipse the Viper in price. And the Viper can pull 700 HP out of its azz easily to match the 'vette at a now-lower cost.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 67
From: USA
Re: Why not 700+ HP? (Painrace)
I would pay for 700+ HP! I raced for many years. I retired in 1994. You don't start a race on cold tires. You have to use the power in lower gears not overpower what you have. You need to power for higher gears and higher wind resistance. There is more to racing than going in a straight line! It would be very nice to have. With the new GM motor shop, why not? I know there would be a price. So what? Lets have a few world class cars that can also be road raced.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 37,190
Likes: 20
From: Trying to get back to Bokeelia, FLA-USA
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06, '15
Re: Why not 700+ HP? (Avanti)
1st, It should be all wheel drive......
Something that will never happen in a vette---from what I can see
[Modified by jd, 9:14 AM 12/22/2003]
Something that will never happen in a vette---from what I can see
[Modified by jd, 9:14 AM 12/22/2003]
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Florence SC
Re: Why not 700+ HP? (Painrace)
[QUOTE]I would pay for 700+ HP!QUOTE]
Then do it. Have lingenfelter build you one. Or buy an Enzo or something. There is no real need for a 700hp corvette. It would be so expensive that very few could afford it. The reason everyone here loves the car is because it has great performance and it is possible for a normal person to own one.
Then do it. Have lingenfelter build you one. Or buy an Enzo or something. There is no real need for a 700hp corvette. It would be so expensive that very few could afford it. The reason everyone here loves the car is because it has great performance and it is possible for a normal person to own one.