REALLY, how much extra power is enough?

[Ralph Spoilsport]

Originally Posted by digital_assassin

I just made the jump to 274 WHP a week ago and told my tuner "it's perfect, plenty of power" and now after 1 week... it needs more

Well, it's just a car, after all.

I think this is nature's way of telling you you need to branch out a little bit. It's a big world o' thrills out there and cars, imo, are definitely on the tamer end.

[BlueDubbinTDI]

I owned a mk4 Jetta GLI that had 304whp (stock was 181 i believe). The turbo spool was so abrupt and violent it became very unfun on the street. If I was going to go 40%+ power over stock it would have to be a smooth power band or else I wouldnt even bother I dont think.

[ShadowSeraph]

If anyone is a tinkerer and likes to see just how far they can push it, then it is truly never enough. I for one like to overclock my computers to the limit, cars, the works. IMO, push it to where you feel comfortable being able to handle the car and leave it there. Some people just have a death wish... /raise hand


*edit* Push that fun factor to the limit.. who doesn't like flying around corners seemingly out of control..

[mike the snake]

Originally Posted by ShadowSeraph

If anyone is a tinkerer and likes to see just how far they can push it, then it is truly never enough. I for one like to overclock my computers to the limit, cars, the works. IMO, push it to where you feel comfortable being able to handle the car and leave it there. Some people just have a death wish... /raise hand


*edit* Push that fun factor to the limit.. who doesn't like flying around corners seemingly out of control..

I push my clocks to the limit.

[LBC Por Siempre]

Originally Posted by BlueDubbinTDI

I owned a mk4 Jetta GLI that had 304whp (stock was 181 i believe). The turbo spool was so abrupt and violent it became very unfun on the street. If I was going to go 40%+ power over stock it would have to be a smooth power band or else I wouldnt even bother I dont think.

That was one of the big problems I believe with the older Porsche Turbos, before the AWD 993. When the Turbos spooled-up you knew you were in for something very hairy. Even in WRCs early days of adding AWD and Turbos some of the Pro Drivers would get real freaked out the first time they took the cars out to shake them down and that "POW" would hit them. I believe there is a video on youtube of Walter Rohl talking about it when he was racing for Audi years ago.

[STV3]

For me my FRS in its stock form is perfect for what I wanted it for. Dont feel the need for any extra power. Now my other car (Neon SRT-4) can never seem to have enough power. Right now its a little over 400whp/tq and when I first got it tuned on the current turbo I am running it scared the crap out of me. Now that I am used to that power I want 500hp. I feel like its a never ending cycle.

[mike the snake]

My old BMW 135i had 400+ HP and became not too much fun on the street. Power hit too hard, and the car actually was unstable even going straight in 1st and 2nd.

[STV3]

Originally Posted by mike the snake

My old BMW 135i had 400+ HP and became not too much fun on the street. Power hit too hard, and the car actually was unstable even going straight in 1st and 2nd.

Yeah thats the problem with my Neon. Its no fun unless your on the drag strip with slicks or on the highway.

[BRZPDX]

same as women. Eventually you need to "spice it up" a bit to keep it entertaining.

[Bl1tzkr1eg]

You will never have enough power. After you get used to the extra power you are running, you would always want more.

I'm running 260 at the wheels and i'm more than happy with it. Great acceleration, linear power and minimal wheel spin. Don't know how long before I would want more.

[TopGearSolutions]

You can never have enough power.... Had nearly 600WHP in my z06 and it still wasn't really enough. You can make too much power for a chassis though and then it seems to have diminishing returns for some.

[tg_1981]

I've gone up from 250hp to 325hp supercharged then switched over to a turbo to make 400+hp. 360-400 is the spot where i've settled for daily driving. I find the car to be most fun at this level, controllable but powerful.

[STV3]

It also depends on how well the car handles the power and puts it to the ground too. Say you take an old civic and put 600hp in it. All that car will be good for is highway pulls and track use. Now say you have a Dodge Viper that comes with 600hp and is set up and meant to handle that power, it will be a much more enjoyable car on the streets.

[Raven604]

Originally Posted by STV3

It also depends on how well the car handles the power and puts it to the ground too. Say you take an old civic and put 600hp in it. All that car will be good for is highway pulls and track use. Now say you have a Dodge Viper that comes with 600hp and is set up and meant to handle that power, it will be a much more enjoyable car on the streets.

Ha! Vipers can't even handle that power...

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