How much HP is enough??????

[TnaGuy]

IMHO, It's not at all about the number, it's all about the manners...i.e.; idle, usable rpm range, part throttle response, etc. and the combo it's in...i.e.; weight, chassis, tire size, etc. A small motor in a heavy car with poor gearing that makes 500 HP is far less usable on the street than a larger motor in a smaller car with proper gearing and 350 HP. 1000 HP can be fine on the street in the right package (T-T Viper), but 350 HP can work well too (LS1 in an early Camaro). I build WAY too much HP most of the time, but it's often very streetable...

[Jim Nilsen]

You know you have enough when your tires and your brakes are squealing for mercy

[Steve Chryssos]

You really can't talk numbers without discussing parts selection.

-A 500HP 327 with 1968 heads and a tunnel ram is relatively useless--even by race car standards. It would require big compression and a big cam to reach that goal.

-A 500HP LSx engine with fuel injection is docile and fully functional.

Cylinder head design has progressed by leaps and bounds. Even on a gen 1 small block, a good combustion chamber design can make all the difference. And displacement is still a useful tool for building streetable NA power.

So you really need to hold the engine type and specs accountable when setting an output goal.

[86Cutlass383SR]

How to tell if there's too much horsepower: When the person behind the steering wheel

#1 Hasn't got the talent or ability to handle it or;

#2 Won't handle that much horsepower in a "responsible" manner.

I've seen people driving 100 HP sub-compacts that had too much power under their posterior!

Doug

[GTOnate]

I don't know how anybody can say 350 is enough I have had the pleasure of owning a couple of 500 horse street cars and they only left me wanting more. The next motor for my camaro is definitely going to be twin turbo and maybe 800 whp or so. Not sure how far I want to take it yet. and also responsiblity is way over rated. I haul a$$ everywhere but school zones lol

[David Pozzi]

I just saw Dale Earnhardt blow a restart by spinning the rear wheels at Vegas Speedway, - he had 850 or so flywheel hp and slicks. He also probably had more than 50% rear weight bias. So I'm wondering how fast you'd have to go with a street car before you'd stop spinning the rear wheels with an 800 rwhp engine. 100+ mph?
David

[andrewb70]

......So I'm wondering how fast you'd have to go with a street car before you'd stop spinning the rear wheels with an 800 rwhp engine. 100+ mph?
David

C'mon now David. Everyone know what racing from a roll is where it's at. Just ask the Supra guys....LOL

Andrew

[Damn True]

I just saw Dale Earnhardt blow a restart by spinning the rear wheels at Vegas Speedway, - he had 850 or so flywheel hp and slicks. He also probably had more than 50% rear weight bias. So I'm wondering how fast you'd have to go with a street car ON NORMAL TREADED STREET TIRES before you'd stop spinning the rear wheels with an 800 rwhp engine. 100+ mph?
David

Fixed that for ya David.

[deuce_454]

it all depends on the car... i presonally wouldnt like to do 5 seconds at WOT in a stock suspension and brakes, 56 beetle with 250 rwhp... while 5 seconds of wot in a 250 rwhp viper or 07 C6 propably puts you to sleep....

id say that if you cant floor the throttle at highway speeds without loosing controll... you have too much horsepower..

i know that you can drive a 1600 Hp tom nelson engined PT car.. but im willing to bet my left thumb that you NEVER ever drive at full boost and WOT on street tires for any number of seconds on public roads...

and if the throttles arent fully open, and boost not up... then the engine isnt developing max Hp...

[67 caprice]

Here is an example of 150 HP and it's way too much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSmxa...eature=related

I bet it was a lot of fun.

[Strip Poker 388]

500hp is pretty fun on the street

[GTOnate]

I just saw Dale Earnhardt blow a restart by spinning the rear wheels at Vegas Speedway, - he had 850 or so flywheel hp and slicks. He also probably had more than 50% rear weight bias. So I'm wondering how fast you'd have to go with a street car before you'd stop spinning the rear wheels with an 800 rwhp engine. 100+ mph?
David

Lol that is true my tires do spin ALOT. Good thing I get discounts on them

[68sixspeed]

Here is an example of 150 HP and it's way too much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSmxa...eature=related

I bet it was a lot of fun.

this one looks cool- great in cart video too-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xv76...eature=related gsxr1100 cart.

[67 caprice]

2200 Hp street car.
http://www.tuninglinx.com/videos/fif...all-victor.wmv

[monza]

2200 Hp street car.
http://www.tuninglinx.com/videos/fif...all-victor.wmv

He should have a little read on a roll bar padding thread...

[chicane67]

500 RWHP is about right. Anymore and and it becomes useless, unless you spend the majority of your time about 100mph.