How much HP is needed

[DFRESH]

Scott---I'm not giving you back the crossmember--that's the thing that goes between the subframe rails and just in front of the subframe connectors, which are underneath the floorboards of the car which supports the rear most portion of the transmission.



Thanks again man--good luck on the project. Will be watching for pics---those are the images you get from a point and click shutter device that preserves a moment in time which most women put in a thing called scap books (also some use these pics to make a living at various car magazines and are also members here).

Doug

[coolwelder62]

Originally Posted by DFRESH

Scott---I'm not giving you back the crossmember--that's the thing that goes between the subframe rails and just in front of the subframe connectors, which are underneath the floorboards of the car which supports the rear most portion of the transmission.



Thanks again man--good luck on the project. Will be watching for pics---those are the images you get from a point and click shutter device that preserves a moment in time which most women put in a thing called scap books (also some use these pics to make a living at various car magazines and are also members here).

Doug

Doug,I sure hope you don't start a thread about how much I charge to ship the crossmember to you. Then I might have gripe about the fact that you over paid me when you sent the payment.As for photo's of my project's.When I take photo's of my project's everytime the blast of powder go's off it cover's the car with black sute and then I have to stop and dust it off before I can shoot another photo.And I never get that black hood pulled over my head in time and always get a flash in my eye's.Then try scaning those hugh black & white shot's you have to let them dry before you can scan them and down load them.I am headed over the local KIA dealership to see some quality sub frame conector's and how they are installed.

[Stielow]

Originally Posted by Track Junky

With all due respect,

Keep in mind, I don’t think many of us could hold a candle to Mark Donhue's skills. On the same note, tracks like Thunderhill love the high horse power but tracks like Infineon and Buttonwillow would probably fare better with less.

Before anybody decides to go big horsepower, it would be best to be sure you are effectively using all hp that you currently have.

It takes a lot of time and tuning to get our cars to drive effectively on a road course and then you have the other variables such as tires and aero.

Well I was joking.... I always liked that quote from Donahue. He was one of the reasons I got an engineering degree.

My second favorite quote is from Enzo Ferrari is “aerodynamics are for people who can’t build engines”

But, back to the question asked,

In the era of LS engines:

300 HP is very easy and cheap
400 HP is easy and relatively inexpensive
500 HP is fairly easy but more expensive
600 HP is fairly easy but even more expensive and you are starting to get more complicated and near the limit of stock parts
> 700 HP is very expensive and impacts all the systems of the car - fuel pumps, cooling, clutches, transmissions, etc......

My car has right at 750 HP as installed in the car. I have had to do a lot of integration work to get everything to work and stay cool. I can now do a 20 min. track session without anything overheating. But it was not easy.

I have learned more about driving by driving my 177 HP Solstice than driving these over power muscle cars. But its no fun to cruise Woodward in a 177 HP car.

If you are starting out I would suggest a LS2-3 with a cam to get you about 450 - 500 HP. Get a good cooling system, chassis, brakes, tires and fuel system and go have fun.

We are all doing this to have fun. It is no fun to go to the track and have your car break or go off. Build a nice car with a reliable drive train and go to the track and learn from the bottom up. Take a buddy you can learn from that will show you the line and technique. When I started I read every book I could on driving technique and just went to the track.

Another thing to remember is at big track with big power comes big speed which can lead to big accidents. Most of our “Pro-Touring” events are at tracks with moderate speed. So big power is not a major advantage.





Stielow

[Ron in SoCal]

Originally Posted by Track Junky

Before anybody decides to go big horsepower, it would be best to be sure you are effectively using all hp that you currently have.

It takes a lot of time and tuning to get our cars to drive effectively on a road course and then you have the other variables such as tires and aero.

Great quote Gae. Reality is test and tune and find out what you and your car can handle. I'm starting w ~ 550 and that'll be enough until I know I need more. I'm also not building a tube frame race car, so aero will hit the wall (no vents, no splitter/extra downforce, no undercar stuff) and I'll be limited to an earthly number (<700).

Now the next car...hmmmm

[cdushane]

Originally Posted by Stielow

Stielow

My new screensaver, awesome shot!

[XcYZ]

Originally Posted by Stielow

...But its no fun to cruise Woodward in a 177 HP car...

Woodward... Reminds me of a story about crossing the street...






Great pic.

[coolwelder62]

Thank's Mark.You gave me the answer I was looking for.We all know you need a good stiff chassis w/sub frame conector's,Roll cage,or a qualtiy chassis.I just hate when you ask a question and folk's start talking at you and giving answer's that we already know.Thank's Mark.Scott M.

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by Flash68

Since you asked for the ultimate car with no mention of driver skill, it's gotta be a minimum of 600 hp, probably more, and that assumes a very well set up car.

And that is probably not gonna get it done on a longer track setup (road course) or possibly even one of the longer road-course style autoX courses that pop up.

If you pinned me to a # I'd say 700.

I would agree.. I make just under 600 rwhp and it comes in handy at times.

But that car has to be able to put it down.. on some cars the right number is 500.. or 400.. Just depends.

[Vegas69]

Today I needed about 75hp to run the local SCCA event.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by coolwelder62

I just hate when you ask a question and folk's start talking at you and giving answer's that we already know.

Scott, I don't get it. Why ask the question then?

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

I would agree.. I make just under 600 rwhp and it comes in handy at times.

But that car has to be able to put it down.. on some cars the right number is 500.. or 400.. Just depends.

Absolutely. I saw Stielow's car put down that 750 hp pretty damn well, but many others would not and cannot!