How much power is too much for the roads?
I started out in an 01 WRX bug with a paltry 210bhp, yet it felt rapid in comparison to my old Celica JDM 2.0.
Had it remapped a few times and reached 281bhp on the TD04, but was a little disappointed, more so when I then moved to a VF35 as I was expecting more but didn't really get what I was hoping for.
I think the car made just under 330/320.
On my blob STI I'm going for about 380-400.
Currently running 355/330 and it feels nice and quick, but a few overtaking situations I've thought - could do with "just a little more".
I think much over 400 and I'd end up scaring myself; certainly wouldn't be able to use it much on a day to day basis.
Like many have said - you get used to it and want a little more. If I went for more than 450 I think I'd go for advanced driver training and end up keeping it as a track day toy.
Mine's used as a daily driver so can't afford to go too nuts
Had it remapped a few times and reached 281bhp on the TD04, but was a little disappointed, more so when I then moved to a VF35 as I was expecting more but didn't really get what I was hoping for.
I think the car made just under 330/320.
On my blob STI I'm going for about 380-400.
Currently running 355/330 and it feels nice and quick, but a few overtaking situations I've thought - could do with "just a little more".
I think much over 400 and I'd end up scaring myself; certainly wouldn't be able to use it much on a day to day basis.
Like many have said - you get used to it and want a little more. If I went for more than 450 I think I'd go for advanced driver training and end up keeping it as a track day toy.
Mine's used as a daily driver so can't afford to go too nuts
Last edited by MrNoisy; Oct 2, 2012 at 01:38 PM.
Scooby Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Dark side
Yes I am a noobie
I don’t own a 500bhp+ car nor do I have a Scooby .
But after driving in a few 500 + Audi’s and my own 350bhp Corrado (now sold) 500 + cars are just a tad to hectic on the roads for my liking.
If you’re doing track work or ¼ miles then great .
I would rather have a good spool and good torque spread.
If you want to scare yourself silly for a rush buy a superbike thou
Something to keep me away from M3’s will do me
I don’t own a 500bhp+ car nor do I have a Scooby .
But after driving in a few 500 + Audi’s and my own 350bhp Corrado (now sold) 500 + cars are just a tad to hectic on the roads for my liking.
If you’re doing track work or ¼ miles then great .
I would rather have a good spool and good torque spread.
If you want to scare yourself silly for a rush buy a superbike thou
Something to keep me away from M3’s will do me
Last edited by Andy Redz; Oct 2, 2012 at 01:47 PM.
Scooby Regular
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,662
Likes: 0
From: Enginetuner.co.uk Plymouth Dyno Dynamics RR Engine machining and building EcuTek SimTek mapping
It was, proof that you don't have to have mega bhp to have fun.
Complete with the tour bus!
Having said that of course, it's horses for courses. I have one particular stretch of road I drive frequently, and 600 bhp from a Scooby on it is just mind blowing..
Complete with the tour bus!
Having said that of course, it's horses for courses. I have one particular stretch of road I drive frequently, and 600 bhp from a Scooby on it is just mind blowing..
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,258
Likes: 0
I certainly agree that set up & rubber is the key issue with bigger power.
The P1 was the first Jap car I had owned and after a year of owning it I became involved with Roger Clark Motorsport as many of you may know.
As the power levels increased Olly Clark suggested the next move was coil overs. My first thought was "what!! this thing handles like a dream" .... but then realised he obviously knows what he's talking about, so we went for the EXE-TC.
Even though I never doubted OC's suggestion I was convinced I would see little return of the investment as the P1 really did handle extremely well....... how wrong I was!. After playing around with the 40 settings it made a HUGE difference on what was already a great car in the corners.
To this day I am still totally astonished at how well the P1 handles considering the current power levels, more so on track. The twisty's are unbelievable too but everything happens so fast it's hard to keep on top of things plus it's asking for trouble...... but in saying that it's MASSIVE fun.
I post this just to make a point that 500+ is probably over the top for the streets but with the correct set up and rubber it does handle the current power MUCH better than I imagined it would.
As for tyres the best (by a country mile) for my car have been the Hankook V12 Evos at 2.0 Br (28 psi) as recommended by Daz Davies. Totally awesome tyres in the wet and dry and they last well.
Currently running the new Toyo T1 Sports and they fall well short of the V12's...... well short.
On the street I run the EXE-TC's at setting 25 all round, (with 40 being rock solid) and find this is a nice balance of grip and doesn't result in your bollox entering the turd tunnel when hitting manholes and similar.
The P1 was the first Jap car I had owned and after a year of owning it I became involved with Roger Clark Motorsport as many of you may know.
As the power levels increased Olly Clark suggested the next move was coil overs. My first thought was "what!! this thing handles like a dream" .... but then realised he obviously knows what he's talking about, so we went for the EXE-TC.
Even though I never doubted OC's suggestion I was convinced I would see little return of the investment as the P1 really did handle extremely well....... how wrong I was!. After playing around with the 40 settings it made a HUGE difference on what was already a great car in the corners.
To this day I am still totally astonished at how well the P1 handles considering the current power levels, more so on track. The twisty's are unbelievable too but everything happens so fast it's hard to keep on top of things plus it's asking for trouble...... but in saying that it's MASSIVE fun.
I post this just to make a point that 500+ is probably over the top for the streets but with the correct set up and rubber it does handle the current power MUCH better than I imagined it would.
As for tyres the best (by a country mile) for my car have been the Hankook V12 Evos at 2.0 Br (28 psi) as recommended by Daz Davies. Totally awesome tyres in the wet and dry and they last well.
Currently running the new Toyo T1 Sports and they fall well short of the V12's...... well short.
On the street I run the EXE-TC's at setting 25 all round, (with 40 being rock solid) and find this is a nice balance of grip and doesn't result in your bollox entering the turd tunnel when hitting manholes and similar.
We are have before Megane 225 sport which has been mapped at 270bhp,has been fun car,but not as our wagon,now we are have Mondeo ST TDCi which has been mapped to 185bhp/360lb.ft and at this Mondeo this bhp you are feel,in Megane those 270bhp we are never feel
We are run on our wagon 490bhp and we are now looking for 600bhp+ build,don't take this wrong we are been very happy with 490bhp,but still is not enough for us,we are our wagon used as weekend car,but still using car as daily car I wouldn't use
Fuel cost,ask people who have as daily car Porsche or GT-R if they cares about the fuel cost etc.
If you want to play,you will need to pay for it,simply is that.
How many times you are been on your Impreza on track/drag ?
Jura
We are run on our wagon 490bhp and we are now looking for 600bhp+ build,don't take this wrong we are been very happy with 490bhp,but still is not enough for us,we are our wagon used as weekend car,but still using car as daily car I wouldn't use
Fuel cost,ask people who have as daily car Porsche or GT-R if they cares about the fuel cost etc.
If you want to play,you will need to pay for it,simply is that.
How many times you are been on your Impreza on track/drag ?
Jura
if you want the POWER higher fuel cost come hand in hand with it.
350 classic
400 newage
That's what I'd go for anyway and if I got used to that strip it rather than search out more power but spool is the most important thing in my opinion then you have a hard excellerating car on any rd type a rd b rd motorway etc
400 newage
That's what I'd go for anyway and if I got used to that strip it rather than search out more power but spool is the most important thing in my opinion then you have a hard excellerating car on any rd type a rd b rd motorway etc
ohh dear.
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,258
Likes: 0
If a car or a bike had been coming up from the roundabout that GTR 35 would have wiped them out. Total fookin idiot if you ask me.
We all like a blast but overtaking on crests like that or roads he clearly didn't know is beyond stupid.
Shame he didn't roll the thing and lose both arms and legs.
He would soon get pi55ed off getting hats for Birthdays & Christmas.
We all like a blast but overtaking on crests like that or roads he clearly didn't know is beyond stupid.
Shame he didn't roll the thing and lose both arms and legs.
He would soon get pi55ed off getting hats for Birthdays & Christmas.
If a car or a bike had been coming up from the roundabout that GTR 35 would have wiped them out. Total fookin idiot if you ask me.
We all like a blast but overtaking on crests like that or roads he clearly didn't know is beyond stupid.
Shame he didn't roll the thing and lose both arms and legs.
He would soon get pi55ed off getting hats for Birthdays & Christmas.
We all like a blast but overtaking on crests like that or roads he clearly didn't know is beyond stupid.
Shame he didn't roll the thing and lose both arms and legs.
He would soon get pi55ed off getting hats for Birthdays & Christmas.
Stop it.....you just ruined my keyboard.
It really does depend on the full set up, i used to have the most fun in my type r when it had 300 bhp and everything else was pretty standard, at 330bhp with standard breaks, suspension and 18" wheels it was harder to have fun and would skip about a bit because of the tyre profile, so i put it back.
Tbh even 300bhp in a tail happy type r is a handfull on twisty roads with the odd damp patch, i could quite easily reach the limits of the car and driver which is how i like it, and the dodgy 4 pots were a good way of keeping myself in check.
I'm heading for over 400 with it next as it will be a weekend/track car and there will be two boost settings one for track and one for road.
As a daily driver the wrx wagon ppp is ample for uk roads @ circa 260bhp.
For me it's more about the drivability of the WHOLE package than the numbers, i like to think i can drive a bit, but in reality i'm no stig and often find the less power a car has the more fun it is ragging the t!ts off it, and the speeds don't get silly either.
Tbh even 300bhp in a tail happy type r is a handfull on twisty roads with the odd damp patch, i could quite easily reach the limits of the car and driver which is how i like it, and the dodgy 4 pots were a good way of keeping myself in check.
I'm heading for over 400 with it next as it will be a weekend/track car and there will be two boost settings one for track and one for road.
As a daily driver the wrx wagon ppp is ample for uk roads @ circa 260bhp.
For me it's more about the drivability of the WHOLE package than the numbers, i like to think i can drive a bit, but in reality i'm no stig and often find the less power a car has the more fun it is ragging the t!ts off it, and the speeds don't get silly either.
For me 450/450 in a lightened classic. Properly set up with coilovers, decent brakes, tyres is too much as a rule for UK roads.
On emptyish German roads it is about as much as you want.
But you know if you get it wrong once you are probably dead.
Flicking it down to about 350 is about right on wet roads and twister stuff.
On a more standard modifed classic. My feel has always been about 300 is a nice place to be. Especialy on the damp British roads.
In away it is not so much about the hp - but how you choose to use it.
I think us on here with the really mentaly quick cars would agree, its all about your approach and attitude to it all.
I check the car over. I start it up. Slowly warm it up. Check myself how do I feel? I am feeling tired? Perhaps get out and leave it that day. OK - I get driving, am I at one with the machine at speed? Perhaps so? Or have I spotted a few potential hazzards a second or so two late, did I mess up that last heal and toe, do the tyres feel a bit skittish today when pushing out of a bend. The man and machine warning signs are all there.
In something brutaly quick
Ignore them .... you will die pretty quickly.
Take note of them ... calm it down. Leave it for another day.
I think you need a good grounding in advanced/comentary driving, in terms of hazzard perception to be safe in a big power car on the road.
It is all about the management of risk.
So the driver is the key.
And yes the GTR driver needs his arms removed. The first guy overtook on a shallow crest but the looks of things as well.
On emptyish German roads it is about as much as you want.
But you know if you get it wrong once you are probably dead.
Flicking it down to about 350 is about right on wet roads and twister stuff.
On a more standard modifed classic. My feel has always been about 300 is a nice place to be. Especialy on the damp British roads.
In away it is not so much about the hp - but how you choose to use it.
I think us on here with the really mentaly quick cars would agree, its all about your approach and attitude to it all.
I check the car over. I start it up. Slowly warm it up. Check myself how do I feel? I am feeling tired? Perhaps get out and leave it that day. OK - I get driving, am I at one with the machine at speed? Perhaps so? Or have I spotted a few potential hazzards a second or so two late, did I mess up that last heal and toe, do the tyres feel a bit skittish today when pushing out of a bend. The man and machine warning signs are all there.
In something brutaly quick
Ignore them .... you will die pretty quickly.
Take note of them ... calm it down. Leave it for another day.
I think you need a good grounding in advanced/comentary driving, in terms of hazzard perception to be safe in a big power car on the road.
It is all about the management of risk.
So the driver is the key.
And yes the GTR driver needs his arms removed. The first guy overtook on a shallow crest but the looks of things as well.
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,258
Likes: 0
Yes Steve Whitehorn I also agree that much is down to the driver's general outlook and weighing up of many things.
It's very easy to impress a passenger when you know you have a very quick car but you need to be the sort of guy in these situations that looks at the whole picture rather than a idiot that just wants to show off.
This scenario would prove typically dangerous if a nutta owned the car.
It's very easy to impress a passenger when you know you have a very quick car but you need to be the sort of guy in these situations that looks at the whole picture rather than a idiot that just wants to show off.
This scenario would prove typically dangerous if a nutta owned the car.
Last edited by SkullFudge; Oct 3, 2012 at 07:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,258
Likes: 0
My classic runs 460 and similar ft/lb @ it's lowest boost setting of 1.4 bar and is a total animal.
I cant imagine using that on any road where there is other traffic, pot holes etc etc, at least not to it's full potential.
Might be able to open it up a bit on A roads or motorways but then again, how long for with other cars around?
Maybe that's why it's never seen a road.
I cant imagine using that on any road where there is other traffic, pot holes etc etc, at least not to it's full potential.
Might be able to open it up a bit on A roads or motorways but then again, how long for with other cars around?
Maybe that's why it's never seen a road.
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,258
Likes: 0
Huh, okay dude.... I only asked because everyone that jumped in for a lap couldn't believe nothing had been changed other than the coil overs.
Good piece of kit aren't they ?
What setting do you run on the roads mate ?
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,258
Likes: 0
My classic runs 460 and similar ft/lb @ it's lowest boost setting of 1.4 bar and is a total animal.
I cant imagine using that on any road where there is other traffic, pot holes etc etc, at least not to it's full potential.
Might be able to open it up a bit on A roads or motorways but then again, how long for with other cars around?
Maybe that's why it's never seen a road.
I cant imagine using that on any road where there is other traffic, pot holes etc etc, at least not to it's full potential.
Might be able to open it up a bit on A roads or motorways but then again, how long for with other cars around?
Maybe that's why it's never seen a road.
I know where you are coming from chap. Dead easy to run up the **** of cars in front huh ? That's the issue that can often catch you out.
My classic runs 460 and similar ft/lb @ it's lowest boost setting of 1.4 bar and is a total animal.
I cant imagine using that on any road where there is other traffic, pot holes etc etc, at least not to it's full potential.
Might be able to open it up a bit on A roads or motorways but then again, how long for with other cars around?
Maybe that's why it's never seen a road.
I cant imagine using that on any road where there is other traffic, pot holes etc etc, at least not to it's full potential.
Might be able to open it up a bit on A roads or motorways but then again, how long for with other cars around?
Maybe that's why it's never seen a road.
Steve
Scooby Regular
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
I am only running 240/240 on my Bug WRX and (even though my mate took me down in his 280/270 classic) and I got pawned by an Audi R8 on a dual carriageway in the early morning hours............
..............I just don't really come across any situations where I need more power....
..yes, I would gladly increase to 400 if someone footed the bill...lol...but I've had my wrx since April 2008 and I can honestly say that shes been easily powerful enough to keep a smile on my face and dispatch all but 2 cars that have tried to take me down....
I drive my WRX everyday to work....I do about 200miles a week and ive done that since 2008 and I can honestly say that 'in the real world' you can dispatch pretty much everything with 240bhp/240lb(dynod)
PS....id love a 400bhp Spec C
But..for now....my WRX is ample!
..............I just don't really come across any situations where I need more power....
..yes, I would gladly increase to 400 if someone footed the bill...lol...but I've had my wrx since April 2008 and I can honestly say that shes been easily powerful enough to keep a smile on my face and dispatch all but 2 cars that have tried to take me down....
I drive my WRX everyday to work....I do about 200miles a week and ive done that since 2008 and I can honestly say that 'in the real world' you can dispatch pretty much everything with 240bhp/240lb(dynod)
PS....id love a 400bhp Spec C
But..for now....my WRX is ample!