Not Ranked
Just some thoughts on how much HP for the street is enough. I think the real question is how "streetable" is the power? I've think its possible to have an engine that produces 400 HP via high RPM torque that is not very much fun to drive anywhere other than a rece track. Its also possible to build a big engine or use a supercharger) to achieve a very flat torque curve that comes in at reasonable RPM (say 2,500 - 3,000) that makes 600HP or more and it will be a great street machine. Its true that it can be difficult to get a light car like a cobra to really hook up with a combination like this but with the right choice in tires and the selection of a gear ratio on the taller side, these combination can work quite well.
I am currently running a 482 ci stoked side oiler in my cobra and I find this combination to be very streetable. The engine was dyno'ed at 650 hp and 625 ft-lbs of torque. I am also running a blown and injected SBC in my vette. It made about 625 HP and 600 ft-lbs on the dyno. Both of these cars make their torque down low and have fairly flat torque curves. Both cars have rear end ratios on the taller side (the Vette has 3.31 gears, the cobra has 3.54 gears).
I will say that both of these cars need an extra measure of respect to be driven safely on the street but neither was overly difficult to master.
- Fred
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