How much power is too much?

"Luc - The Acadian Oppo" (luc5)
03/15/2014 at 11:31 • Filed to: None

This is a 704rwhp Toyota AE86 this would be totally underivable I'm sure 300hp-350hp in this car would be way more fun than 700hp.

DISCUSSION (17)

Nerd-Vol > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
03/15/2014 at 11:46

That guy sucks at burnouts.

cyclingdude723 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
03/15/2014 at 11:50

Nothing like a boosted F20C; here is mine!

daender > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
03/15/2014 at 12:10

A Miata could use more power but no more than 300hp at the wheels. Anything beyond that is unusable unless you're that one Formula Drift Miata.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
03/15/2014 at 13:26

1 horsepower per 10lbs is a good rule of thumb, but I think it has to be a case-by-case basis.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > daender
03/15/2014 at 13:30

I agree 250-300hp would be ideal on a Miata a co-worker of mine has a 89 miata but replaced the 1.6 after he blew it with a 1.8 with upgraded clutch and that thing is a hoot to drive(it maybe has 130hp?) another 125hp would be so much fun without being excessive.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Nerd-Vol
03/15/2014 at 13:30

agreed the burnout was disappointing

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > cyclingdude723
03/15/2014 at 13:31

what's the numbers on that?

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
03/15/2014 at 13:39

it's funny you say that because I have been preaching this for a long time.(for a daily drivers that's ideal anyway) if a Mclaren P1 only had under 300HP I would be disappointed, but for a Evo X or Subby STI it's perfect

cyclingdude723 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
03/15/2014 at 14:48

I'm up at altitude with 91 octane. So I'm only at 330 whp right now. Planning to switch to e85 soon.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > cyclingdude723
03/15/2014 at 16:31

330 is more than respectable.

daender > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
03/15/2014 at 17:54

Just 160 whp and the Miata's in S2k power-to-weight territory, anything beyond that and you're flying.

Desu-San-Desu > daender
03/15/2014 at 19:07

Randomly reply that has absolutely nothing to do with this conversation: I can't find the videos from that weekend up in the mountains. I can haz links?

daender > Desu-San-Desu
03/15/2014 at 20:17

You can haz!

Wes video 1

My boring video

Wes video 2

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
03/15/2014 at 20:45

I can officially use this video as proof that my car is not the only one that constantly pops burbles farts and spits.

Philbert/Phartnagle > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
03/17/2014 at 19:22

I think the answer to that question will be different depending on the engine size and power curve.

I have seen videos of cars built by Nelson Racing (V8s) that put down from 600 to 1000+ HP and they are docile and easy to drive on the street in a normal manner. If you can control yourself, those cars will perform well both on the street and on the track, but if you cannot control yourself, then you could say that they have way too much power. If you Google Nelson Racing, look up the Helleanor Mustang. It puts down 630 hp and 590 ft lbs. of torque and it's a perfect street performer as well as a race car. It's exhaust sound is absolutely awesome too.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Philbert/Phartnagle
03/17/2014 at 22:57

I agree but a 630hp 3500lbs Mustang will be way more drivable than a 704hp 2100lbs AE86. if you have a car that you can't ever mash the throttle without ending up in the ditch then the power is wasted like this AE86 for example. 350hp would probably make the car faster on a track because it is power you can actually use. unless this is a purpose built drag car (which it is not) this car is useless.

Philbert/Phartnagle > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
03/17/2014 at 23:49

I see your point and agree. It would take more "finesse" than most are capable of providing.

On the other hand, with a lighter vehicle you do have the option to add weight wherever it would do the most good. I think the bigger problem is how and when they make the power. If it is peaky like most small engines are, that's going to be much more difficult to control than a larger engine with a broad smooth power band.