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how much power is too much?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Torinalth
  • Start date Start date May 26, 2006
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Torinalth

Founding Member
Jul 16, 2002
952
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Clayton NC
May 26, 2006
#1
  • May 26, 2006
  • #1
i know this is kinda an odd thread.. but seriously.

i am almost done with my suspension and looking into the engine now. however something that came to mind is, will 400 be enough? 500?... then i had a thought... what is TOO much? now, people will say there is neve enough power, but most people dont have my situation. This will be my daily driver. it will NEVER see drag slicks, NEVER see a drag track. it will only see at most a set of hoosiers and VIR/Road Atlanta and mostly street tires on 18x9.5 FR500s. i will probably keep my 327s, or at most go to 373s when i get my torsen.

so honestly, at what point will i have the power to satisfy everyone, but so impractical that its useless on the street?

Torinalth
 

DocG

5th graders > me. They're not bant
Sep 25, 2005
8,297
1,358
194
Cincinnati area
May 26, 2006
#2
  • May 26, 2006
  • #2
Just depends on the weight of your foot......but I'd say 400-500 hp would be plenty good enough for a street driver. Any more and you won't be able to get traction and you can only speed up so fast in traffic anyways.
 
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BaXTeR3221

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Jan 12, 2004
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Orange County, NY
May 26, 2006
#3
  • May 26, 2006
  • #3
400hp to the wheels always seemed perfect for a DD in my mind. Like said above, if you aren't going to the track, you can only use so much power in traffic. Besides, once traction becomes a real issue, i think you lose the DD abilities.
 

mrvax

Stay thirsty my friends
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,225
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SN Moderator: Orlando, Fl.
May 26, 2006
#4
  • May 26, 2006
  • #4
I agree. 400rwhp is a lot for the street.
 
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CatmanJJ

Captain Tangnet
20+ Year Stangneter
Feb 5, 2002
4,379
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Maryland
May 26, 2006
#5
  • May 26, 2006
  • #5
Anything that leaves u with no traction on the streets is too much. But some say there is never enough power, but cars at like 700+ hp from vids I've seen have like no traction and can only go from really high speed rolls, what's the fn point.
 

TweekedGT

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Jul 22, 2004
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May 26, 2006
#6
  • May 26, 2006
  • #6
I'm looking for 450-500rwhp personally. As soon as you start getting over that 500mrk you look at breaking things more often cause of the boost or nitrous it takes to get there. If I see 450 on a Mustang Dyno I will be satisfied. At least for a little while anyways
 
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CatmanJJ

Captain Tangnet
20+ Year Stangneter
Feb 5, 2002
4,379
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May 26, 2006
#7
  • May 26, 2006
  • #7
TweekedGT said:
I'm looking for 450-500rwhp personally. As soon as you start getting over that 500mrk you look at breaking things more often cause of the boost or nitrous it takes to get there. If I see 450 on a Mustang Dyno I will be satisfied. At least for a little while anyways
Click to expand...

F U Mr Forged 5.1
 

DBMSTNG

I fantasize about it being BIG!
Founding Member
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May 26, 2006
#8
  • May 26, 2006
  • #8
you will get 400rwhp and say "damn, this is fast!". then a few months later you'll be used to it and want more. it's a viscious cycle.
 

3 eyed snake

New Member
Apr 22, 2006
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louisville,ky
May 26, 2006
#9
  • May 26, 2006
  • #9
since you already spent money on your suspension why dont you just put enough hp in the engine to have a good running car. try not to over-power everything you have already done.... you kind of put the wagon before the horse.... just my opinion though...
 

gtstangau

Member
Jan 9, 2006
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Alabama
May 26, 2006
#10
  • May 26, 2006
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DBMSTNG said:
you will get 400rwhp and say "damn, this is fast!". then a few months later you'll be used to it and want more. it's a viscious cycle.
Click to expand...

Yup you will just have to keep modding till theres nothing left! I would want at least enough power to go play with the vettes and vipers!
 

GDawg

Founding Member
Mar 22, 2002
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Nevada
May 26, 2006
#11
  • May 26, 2006
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I'm looking for 400hp at the block right now. She's a lover not a fighter but when you challenge her, I want the "bitch" in her to come out. All for the legend of the Pony!
 

Mike97gt

it doe snot
Founding Member
Jan 26, 1999
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the people's republic of massachusetts
May 26, 2006
#12
  • May 26, 2006
  • #12
no such thing as too much power.
 

02LaserRed2V

New Member
Jul 30, 2004
379
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Augusta, GA
May 26, 2006
#13
  • May 26, 2006
  • #13
Talk to many of the MPH customers who drive 600+hp cars and most of them will tell you their car was actually more fun on the street when it put down 400-500hp. I think most who shoot for ridiculous hp in their street car is doing it more for bragging rights than anything else. Nothing wrong with that, though. It's only natural for us wanting the baddest, and highest hp car in town.

Higher powered 600+hp cars do benefit more in 1/4 racing (with good tires) and high speed highway rolls.
 

TweekedGT

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Jul 22, 2004
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May 26, 2006
#14
  • May 26, 2006
  • #14
CatmanJJ said:
F U Mr Forged 5.1
Click to expand...

View attachment 467193

 

back_in_black

New Member
Apr 12, 2003
460
1
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frederick, MD
May 26, 2006
#15
  • May 26, 2006
  • #15
My 03 cobra was awesome at 470 rwhp, but I had to run drag radials for any traction, my 04 mustang with 430 rwhp is really nice on the street with the 410's, I have embarassed 2 -03 - 04 cobras, vey nice street car., the auto helps alot
 

281pony

Active Member
Aug 31, 2003
2,681
2
46
Oly, WA
May 26, 2006
#16
  • May 26, 2006
  • #16
i think 500 rwhp.

my cobra stock felt fast for a day. then i was like, dammit i need more power. now its at 460/470 and it feels fast but not that rush. i get great traction still, so why not go a little higher?

no traction problems outside of first gear for me, unless im going from a stop.
 

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
2,811
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Four Oaks NC
May 26, 2006
#17
  • May 26, 2006
  • #17
i have 375 RWHP and i am used to it after less than a month. i dont think i'm gonna push it too much farther though. it gets expensive really fast!! i'd say stick to less than 400 at the wheels. even with that you'll have traction issues
 

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
2,811
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58
Four Oaks NC
May 26, 2006
#18
  • May 26, 2006
  • #18
its kinda like cocain. the first hit is great but after that it is never enough. (not that i would know about the drugs, just what i've heard!)
 
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Torinalth

Founding Member
Jul 16, 2002
952
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16
Clayton NC
May 26, 2006
#19
  • May 26, 2006
  • #19
well, since i am going to be doing everything the right way the first time around i am building up everything else first, then comming behind with the power. looking into a high comp 5.4 with forged internals and ported FR500 heads/cobraR intake and call it a day at somewhere around 450 or so. with the forged motor i could always spray it if i NEEDED more power... but i dont see me wanting much more unless my 295s and torsen are really keep the ruber on the road.

thanks for the ideas and thoughts. please keep them comming if you wish. i do like opinions from other people.

Torinalth
 

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
2,811
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58
Four Oaks NC
May 26, 2006
#20
  • May 26, 2006
  • #20
295's wont keep even 375hp from spinning, TRUST ME!!!
 
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