Agreed. Only thing keeping me from doing heads/cam/intake is the fact that I know *I* am the limiting factor in getting the car faster. That'd put me just under 600whp.

I lack the testicles and confidence to enter turn 8 at big willow at 150mph... I think 650-700whp is manageable in a first gen as long as its setup right. I believe the minitub trend of stuffing steamrollers in the back isn't about traction as much as it is for looks. A leftover trend from streetrodding and pro-street.

I have minimal issues with traction on R888s and 460whp 510ft/lbs...

Buy a prius! :lol:

When I drove my blue car with all the DSE suspension parts and an LS7 with approx 540 hp, it definately felt like the car could handle another 150 hp. So its all relative, if you have a good foundation 550hp seems easily manageable. If you have a stock camaro and 700 hp, you better have life insurance.

a stock camaro with 700hp wont go past 60mph :lol:

I can't imagine my car in stock form with 500hp. Let alone 700hp! LOL!!

I will have it set up with very good suspension and brakes and tires too. Performance is the goal. The car will be better than I am. Just like my bike is.
So MY goal is 500-550 but in a properly built chassis. Maybe someday I will grow into it and need more. But I try to be realistic about that kind of thing.
I think I am better off with a well balanced car instead of a HP monster, no skills and stock chassis.

So I am very glad the manufacturers are going in the direction of performance more and more now. Back in the Pro Street days that was not the case. If it was chrome or billet it went on the car. Performance was not even a consideration. In fact many didn't even run. To me that is a GIANT waste of cash. Any part that does not make the car a better performer should not be on it IMO.
:cheers:

I thought that too, until I realized that, as of now and until the weather stripping is adjusted, my car is quieter with the windows down, so I doubt I'll ever need A/C. Now, decent MPGs are nice, but then again so is the sound of a big block.

Dane, I'd also agree that minitubs are at least somewhat for looks in most cases, and could represent some kind of weird, distorted pro-street nostalgia, but hey what about big blocks :lol:
BTW, I definitely know of several local cars that owners are trying to turn into Lexus/BMWs, most of those owners have more into their half finished cars than many of the finished high-end cars here, just because they always change their minds. I think most of them lack the ability to differentiate between creature comforts and new car feel.

Matt

Muscle cars aren't about luxury, they're about riding lightning and turning money into heat, adrenaline, noise and melted rubber. They always have been and always should be.

To refine a muscle car is a sin. I can understand AC, power steering, comfy seats. But to expect modern car comfort and "get in and go" functionality out of one seems to go against the mere purpose of the vehicle.

Then again, I'm a guy stuffing a 170whp Yamaha R1 with a sequential gearbox in a 1970 mini, so I have a few screws loose myself.

Whatever floats your boat I guess.

I think some people should have bought an AMG SL55 instead of a 1969 camaro though on these forums.

A refined muscle car is cute, I'd like one for my girlfriend.:willy:

1- camaro's are pony cars not muscle cars.:D
2- i live in vegas and AC is a need here.:yes:

Corner entry speed isn't going to change regardless of power at the rear wheels. My old engine made 491rwhp and 497 rwtq and it was very managable during a fast autocross. The new engine is 75hp and 54 ftlbs stouter at the flywheel. It's now a handful. My opinion is you will need to be a much better driver the more power you put under the hood. How many 1000hp drag cars have you seen run 12's? :lol: Ryan Mathews in the DSE car almost taking out the cobra on the road course is a prime example. That car makes South of 500/500 at the tires. I doubt you see DSE with 700-800hp. I don't think the chassis can handle it. Meaning, decent traction in the first three gears. Let's not forget I'm running R888's and all the events will be 200 treadwear. Do I think Stielow can handle 800hp. Yep, but most of you can't. Putting down that kind of power in a straightline with a well prepared track is a different ballgame than a road course or autocross. I wouln't want anymore power.....there is a point where you over power your chassis, tires, and you run out of talent.

Since a number of people don't frequent both boards, I also started the same title thread on pro-touring.com and
Jimi Day posted this...

"I think there's been several companies that made parts to stand up to track days even before the popularity of these events that we see today. I'm lucky to get to work with many of these companies on a daily basis. I can tell you without a doubt that those companies that have always made great parts are making them even better, and all the others have upped their game substantially. The "street car" track events are definitely making a difference and creating change."