Too much power?

[ProKiller]

i love my combo at the moment. it has the low end torque because of the stroker and its still 302 based so parts were cheaper and easier to come by verses the amount of time/money on a 351 swap. the centrifugal blower gives gobs of power in the top end to keep you grinning and its expandable.

as the sig says, i'm at 450 and its a good time, but this winter it should be in the 550-600 range with the stuff i got sitting. i don't drive it in the rain or anything, it gets garaged over the winter, and will hopefully next see some track time. i can take it on trips if i want to spend all that gas money, but a 6-speed tranny and lower gears would help there if i wanted.

my recommendation would be to ask around your area to see if you can get a ride in some different cars to see what you think is an adequate number/combo.

 

[Pokageek]

I think it comes down to driveability vs. power vs. noise. My car is just about right in the power department, although I'm starting to get bored with it. The problem is it bucks below 2000rpms and idles rough and generally pisses me off most of the time when I drive it. Tuning (again) should fix it, but I haven't had the time or money yet. The other problem is that it's so loud I don't like to "play" on the street, especially in town.

IMO, something like a modded 03-04 Cobra is the perfect street car. You can get 450-500rwhp out of them easy and they drive like stock.

I am RIGHT with you man!

"The problem is it bucks below 2000rpms and idles rough and generally pisses me off most of the time when I drive it. " yep.

"The other problem is that it's so loud I don't like to "play" on the street, especially in town." yep.

When I NAIL it it's LOOOOUUUUDDD!! It SHOUTS "Hey everybody within a 1 mile radius including any cops!! LOOKIE FOR MEEE!!!!! I am a WIDE OUT IDIOT FLOORING MY CARR!!" HEY OVER HERE!!!! amnit:
Now no drone mind you..but lt-headers lowdie! If yo uthink I am kidding about 1 mile radius? I am not. Floor it under and over-pass and shatter windows and people want to call you in on cell phones.

 

[earleys94gt]

FWIW, I have always heard 400 HP is about the limit for when you really need to start replacing most/all suspension pieces in order to handle the current, and future, levels of power.

That being said, do you need to do this? No, you can make due I am sure. Every scenario is different and unique.

Like grady said, torque will make a world of difference. I look at it from the stand point of, what is the point of having 400, 500, 600+ HP if you can only drive legally on the street, not scriptrue just an example, using only 200 HP. I guess what I am saying is, there is no point in having an insane amount of HP if you can't use all of it anytime you want.

However, to answer the original question, I say 400 HP is good for a street car. But again, torque makes all the difference. Good luck.

 

[Guero]

Im always riding in 400hp cars and my brothers 500+ HP LS1. And I can tell u it gets boring after a while. I think if the car has a power adder and it doesnt lope all crazy and is 2 loud Isay get as much as u can as long as u know how to handle and be responsible with the pedal.

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

Like grady said, torque will make a world of difference. I look at it from the stand point of, what is the point of having 400, 500, 600+ HP if you can only drive legally on the street, not scriptrue just an example, using only 200 HP. I guess what I am saying is, there is no point in having an insane amount of HP if you can't use all of it anytime you want.

My point exactly, so those who say they're bored with 500hp obviously have little opportunity to use it.

 

[Guero]

My point exactly, so those who say they're bored with 500hp obviously have little opportunity to use it.

That all depends were u live. There is alot of places 2 open up here in Phoenix including the track.

 

[1slow95]

My point exactly, so those who say they're bored with 500hp obviously have little opportunity to use it.

I just drove my car to the track last week and got 8 runs in one afternoon. I'm used to the power now, so 11.90's are getting boring. I've spent most of the summer dreaming of superchargers and nitrous. Unfortunately they're only dreams because I have no money.


I do want to add that my driveability problems are tune related or something's wrong with the car. There's been times that it drives perfect with almost no bucking. In fact, I think it ran smoother with the stock tune at times. You know it's a well thought out engine combo when it's as wild as mine but still runs fine on the stock 94-95 EEC.