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Old May 9, 2006 | 01:38 AM
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Racer X
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Default RE: Mustang Fans Getting Scared


ORIGINAL: Jeremiah 29:11

I totally agree. I have mentioned it before and I will say it again. Horsepower is just part of the equation and the other is weight for total performance.

Some of the cars in the RWD Outlaw class like the Eclipse weight around 2500 lbs. You put even a decent small engine and lighter car will perform.

I keep using Lotus as an example because they world renown for doing this and that is a high horsepower/lb. ratio designed into the car.

Power for the Lotus Elise comes from a Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Lotus fitted unique intake and exhaust components, as well as a reworked engine controller, to broaden the engine's power band and push peak horsepower to 190 at 7,800 rpm. Torque peaks at 138 lb-ft at 6,800 rpm.

Lotus claims a 0-to-60 time of just 4.9 seconds.

The car weights 1975 lbs. Are we starting to get the picture?

No we don't need 7000HP for a 4 cylinder engine.

That is why I would still continue to suggest a 3500 lb Challenger instead of 4100 lbs like in the Concept Car.

I like working on both sides of the equations..... a great engine with a lighter car.

The law of physics is not going to change.

Enough said.



I agree, the Elise with a weight of 1984lbs (off their web site) @ 190 HP has 10.44lbs per HP and my GTO 3745lbs @ 350HP has 10.7lbs per hp and the Challenger with its beer belly weight of 4100lbs @ 400HP has 10.25lbs per HP. Shave that down to 3500lbs and you've got the next fastest thing on the road next to the Vette @ 8.75lbs per HP.
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