REALLY, how much extra power is enough?

[slicktop]

Buddy of mine puts down 470whp in his FRS and recently had it detuned to 93 for various reasons. Estimated about 320whp and it felt very very slow. The power comes on so well at 470whp it feels like it should be there from the factory. Very very very well built kit.

Again, though, it's all personal preference. 300whp is not nearly enough for me on this platform, it needs much more.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by slicktop

Buddy of mine puts down 470whp in his FRS and recently had it detuned to 93 for various reasons. Estimated about 320whp and it felt very very slow. The power comes on so well at 470whp it feels like it should be there from the factory. Very very very well built kit.

Again, though, it's all personal preference. 300whp is not nearly enough for me on this platform, it needs much more.

That's going to be an opinion that varies from person to person. No one doubts the chassis can handle an absurd amount of power, but I don't see a MAJORITY of people agreeing with your statement. 300whp <10lbs:hp and that's plenty quick for a street car.

[slicktop]

300whp isn't the same in every car, but in this car it feels "meh". Most of the v8 muscle cars put out the same hp:lb ratio or better in stock form with better gearing. The FRS/BRZ gets equal with a turbo kit and you gotta put more into it to make it faster.

This is a tuners car, it was made to be modified.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by slicktop

300whp isn't the same in every car, but in this car it feels "meh". Most of the v8 muscle cars put out the same hp:lb ratio or better in stock form with better gearing. The FRS/BRZ gets equal with a turbo kit and you gotta put more into it to make it faster.

This is a tuners car, it was made to be modified.

300 whp = ~350 hp

Turbo FR-S: 2800 lbs / 350 hp = 7.9 lbs/hp

Mustang GT: 3618 lb / 420 hp = 8.6 lbs/hp
Camaro SS: 3860 lbs / 426 hp = 9.1 lbs/hp
Challenger R/T: 4082 lbs / 375 hp = 10.9 lbs/hp

None of them really get there, although the Mustang gets closest.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by slicktop

300whp isn't the same in every car, but in this car it feels "meh". Most of the v8 muscle cars put out the same hp:lb ratio or better in stock form with better gearing. The FRS/BRZ gets equal with a turbo kit and you gotta put more into it to make it faster.

This is a tuners car, it was made to be modified.

Get some space savers on the rear and then tell me 300whp is boring.

[OmarGC]

Female hooning like a jackass in a boosted brz? Oh nice.

[dabocx]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

300 whp = ~350 hp

Turbo FR-S: 2800 lbs / 350 hp = 7.9 lbs/hp

Mustang GT: 3618 lb / 420 hp = 8.6 lbs/hp
Camaro SS: 3860 lbs / 426 hp = 9.1 lbs/hp
Challenger R/T: 4082 lbs / 375 hp = 10.9 lbs/hp

None of them really get there, although the Mustang gets closest.

Torque is the big factor between those cars and ours even boosted. I put down 370whp and 308tq, granted the car is still very quick. Its putting it down thats the problem

[slicktop]

To my original point, 300whp isn't enough for me.

I hope to have pleased you, forum warriors.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by dabocx

Torque is the big factor between those cars and ours even boosted. I put down 370whp and 308tq, granted the car is still very quick. Its putting it down thats the problem

Yep not surprising. I was just commenting specifically on the power-to-weight ratio comment he made.

[taylork057]

that question is going to be a different answer to everyone.. everyone likes different things.

[robwbright]

Originally Posted by spc2125

Just drive stock brz/frs at 100% instead of driving 300whp+ at 50-75%. You'll save a lot of dough.

That's a very good point. As I mentioned in another thread, I drove my brother in law's '13 Genesis Coupe 6cyl MT today. The grunt was quite fun and made me want to get a supercharger for the BRZ.

On the other hand, the Genesis vs. BRZ experience reminds me of my current dirt bike dilemma. I do some motocross and for 3 years I've been riding a 250 - about 37 hp and max 13,500 rpm at 228 pounds and 36" seat height. For a play bike I recently purchased a 150 - about 23 hp and max 14,400 rpm at 178 pounds and 33" seat height.

I'm 5'4", 145 pounds (obviously short for the 250). On the track, my lap times on the 150 are already within a second of the times on the 250 (about 1:49-1:50 per lap)... and I'm still getting used to the 150. I think I'm going to sell the 250 because it's just more fun to ride the 150 BTTW than it is to ride the 250 at 3/4 of its capability.

I can only use about 3/4 of the power on the 250 and the height slows me a bit in corners. I can use ALL of the power on the 150 and I'm quicker in the corners. A guy saw me riding both bikes back to back and didn't realize it was the same rider. I pull up on the 250 and he didn't compliment my riding, but asked me if that was my really fast little brother on the 150.

The Genesis had more power than even it's larger tires could handle... which means that it's more power than I could handle (I'm better on 2 wheels than 4). I can use most of what the BRZ has and it handles better than the Genesis.

Not that I wouldn't like 40-60 more hp.

BTW, my brother in law also drove my BRZ today. His immediate comment was how nice it shifted - and his dad is a transmission mechanic and shifter kart racer. After driving the BRZ, his only comment after getting out was that he was still happy with his purchase because the Genesis has more room in the interior.

[Tye300]

Originally Posted by 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.

I'll give you two weeks. Haha!

[Wolfking]

When seeking or chasing HP, the questions should be:
1.) Is this my daily driver or track car?
2.) Do I care about reliability?
Once you've answered these questions, you are free to "chase the dragon."

Within reason, one must realize " you will never be the fastest or most powerful...forever!"

If all else fails you can always get a crotch rocket and become a god...as I have! In street terms cars cannot compete!

[cjsporl1996]

To be honest any car enthusiast will want more power and after they get that desired number they will want more power the question is when do you have enough. That question varies person to person. From my point of view 300 whp is plenty for this car as it's a fun, well balanced car designed for handling. Not a muscle car!. In my opinion people are blinded thinking the want more hp but in reality they want more tq.