how much HP really is necessary.....

Hal Copple · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 05:32 PM

i have been thinking a lot for the past few months about just this sort of thing. I know, a project for me to think about anything for that length of time. But about two months ago, i came face to face with an SPF with a stroked NASCAR motor, which really did dyno at about 760 hp.

Got me to thinking about how often i really use my much less hp car, at about 460 hp or so, at full throttle. I was driving a 300+ hp AWD Eclipse when i got my SPF, but was still scared stiff by the SPF's abrupt and brutal acceleration, using just two wheels. But eventually, i started to want even more power, so did a few things to the car, with Bob and Dennis Olthoff's advice and suggestions.

I always thought i wanted to "back up" my car's intimidating appearance with power, sort of "walking the walk", as some say. But i have found that i have to always respect my car's power. I sometimes wonder if, outside of my track time, if i even have over a minute's worth of full throttle. Certainly can't in first or second, and third gear goes so fast i have to shift in a few more seconds. I love coming down an on-ramp, or out of a rest stop (i cruise them all), yet unless i can see the road surface is perfect, with no curves, i just can't risk an accident. When i was running the speed event sat, just beyond the start there was a bit of a curve in the "track", and i walked it to see if it was going to be safe for a full throttle run that early on the track surface.

I absolutely never ever do anything abrupt with my throttle, on or off. I have only made the mistake of one roll-on encounter with a Z-06, and promised myself to never do that again. I can run 12 flat in the quarter, but who would care if i could do it faster, or if my timed mile was better than my 147 mph?

I know it is easy to joke about more power, but i have come to realize that there is no reason i can think of to have more than about 450-500 hp, max, in my car.

I always respect my car, and realized that for me, i so seldom use my present hp (aside from the track, when who cares), that having more hp would be pointless. I am not sure i would want another 100 hp if someone gave it to me.

How can anyone safely use 500-600 or more hp in a street driven replica? Or how often?? I think i know myself and my car about as well as any replica owner does, with about 63-65K miles, and countless hundreds of race track laps. And i just can't use my power very often.

Power-wise, i am at peace with myself.

cobradriver · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by Hal Copple

Power-wise, i am at peace with myself.

Hal,

You have said it right there.

Most of us, feel we always need more.

"You almost have enough horsepower when you can lay down two black streaks from the exit of the turn until breaking for the next"

It's more a of a visceral thing for me. That throaty rumble which sets off the tuning fork in your soul.

KobraKarl · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 05:56 PM

When I first got this car, I thought ..I will never get used to this much power.....a few years later like most of the guys here , I am pretty comfortable now..... I will admit i can now notice when she isnt quite running right and is down 15 or 20 horses.

If I kept adding power I think my already small margin of error would disapear .......

KK

Cracker · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 06:02 PM

Not that I'm old and not that there's anything wrong with it but as I mature I don't need my car to fast all the time. My engine dynoed at 543 hp and I was happy. Like everyone else the acceleration over time becomes predictable but I now truly appreciate the cruise mode 3K rpm/any gear. For me now this is where it's at with an occassional WOW it still is fast. Another alternative is to jump in my '76 BMW 2002 4-cyl. for a quick errand. It's recalibrates power & speed senses!

Excaliber · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 06:03 PM

I could use another 100 or so. Target: 400. Acutally I'm pretty happy with I got, maybe some more would make the car to "nervous".

Ernie

Samurai · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 07:28 PM

Hal,

I've thought about this often. Especially over the last few months, and I've come to the conclusion, I would like more torque.

My main reason is that my car is setup for mostly cruising with a high rear gear (3.25). I've thought about switching to a 3.5 or 3.7 or higher gear, but I really like the 3.25 to much for what I do.

However, I do like the occasional burst of acceleration so that leaves me with adding more torque to overcome the rear diff.

Love that seat of the pants feeling.

Samurai

speed220mph · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 07:30 PM

See below.

Back in Black · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 09:36 PM

Some one here has the motto... too much is just enough.. that one's good two

BANDIT 1 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 10:02 PM

I must be a good driver, because 650 horsepower in my Superformance Cobra still wasn't enough.

Power is real simple, it's a matter of when and where. Use it in the wrong situation or at the wrong time and it's all over.

Bart Carter · #10 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 10:12 PM

I think a person need to build according to use.

Street cruising with 300 HP is enough.

Tracking leads to choices: 1/4 mile, autocross or road course.

Build the engine to suit the type of competition.

I like the road racing part. My car was designed for top end power. When I don't rev in the HP range it is very streetable. (If you are careful)

McCobra · #11 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 10:23 PM

Hmmm,
Tri-Quads....

Who makes the manifold and is there enough room??

Turk · #12 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 10:30 PM

How many watts is enough for a good stereo system?
Are Zeiss optics necessary to take a good picture?
Do you really need a Hasselblad for snap shots?
Does Rolex keep better time than a Timex?
How many sq. feet is enough for a comfortable home?
Does one have to go to Belize for a vacation to get the full flavor of a beach?
Isn't Rolls Royce excessive?

If you can answer these questions accurately, you can then decide how many horses are enough for us all. Until then I will decide what is enough.

I say 750 HP. I may be wrong. Let's say plus or minus 300 HP , I should be in the ball park.

Something in life are attained and acquired not because we NEED them. We get them because we WANT them.

TURK

ac andy · #13 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 10:41 PM

Thats spot on Turk. None of us NEED a Cobra at all but we all want one. Half the reason we want one is coz of the fantasy of such a big motor stuffed into such a small car. Everyone wants what they havent got.

Andy.

Mark Husar · #14 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 10:48 PM

I have over 500 hp from a small block. The car I own was built and raced exclusivly for the likes of Thunderhill and tracks on the west coast. When I bought it and drove it home it was the first trip she had taken other than off the trailer at the track.
To go for a drive to the coast, to take it up to Auburn and enjoy mountain curves for an afternoon is all I need. It is kind of like riding a purebred racehorse in the field after the track days are over. I don't need the race to get the high.
500 is more than enough

PatBuckley · #15 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 10:50 PM

If I could have 2000 hp I would.

McCobra · #16 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 10:51 PM

God Bless ya, Pat

Turk · #17 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 10:51 PM

I disagree. You need another 75HP.

TURK
HP Police.

MAXVELO · #18 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 11:01 PM

I can honestly say that I dont think what I have will ever be too little hp. I guess what Im trying to say is I wont be needing to add any hp for any reason. maybe subtract. how do you fellers feel about letting someone drive your cars if they should ask? Ive actually lost friends over it. The seem to get very insulted when I tell them I would not be comfortable with them drivingmy car with this much HP. Then they start to tell me about the 400HP camaro or mustang they had in high school (get real more like 250-300HP) if that, in a 3500 lb. car they just cant fathom 820hp inder their foot. HELL, I STILL CANT FATHOM IT!!! I just have an extreme respect for my machine!

cobrashoch · #19 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 08:01 AM

These replys really do illistrate something I've been harping on for years. It's not the horsepower that counts, really! It's all about how the car runs. (translation- fun) My answer to this question is setup, setup, setup. I've seen 300 horsepower , 2200 lb. cars run low 11's at the digs all day long. Anyone thats bombed a road course a few times will tell you that if your power is down you can still be competitive with a good setup and modest driver skill too.
Daily driver? Now that changes everthing. All to often I see daily drivers that use components that are a after-thought. The reality is it is VERY hard/expensive to make a street car that will perform well on a track or strip.
My answer to this question is to go for the cheap 75 or 100 extra horsepower, but spend your money on the car. You won't regret it I would think.
cobrashock

rdorman · #20 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 09:08 AM

Kind of a bragging rights vs fun factor thing.

I go for the fun factor. (still want more power though!)

Who has the bragging rights, the guy with the 650HP Cobra or the guy with the 375HP Cobra who just spanked him in the quarter or lapped the big HP car?

Rick