How much power is enough?
How much power is enough? How much power is enough?
Asked by itself, that question has no answer: too much isn't even enough! There's no such thing!
So let me qualify that question a bit:
99 Firebird Formula daily driver street-driven. Drag radials only. (pump gas, if that matters) I'll have some creative weight reduction but no gutting, hole-sawing, bumper-removing, etc. M6. And that's how it's going to run at the track, too.
After a certain threshold, is there any point to adding any more power? 500 RWHP? 600 RWHP? 700?
Asked by itself, that question has no answer: too much isn't even enough! There's no such thing!
So let me qualify that question a bit:
99 Firebird Formula daily driver street-driven. Drag radials only. (pump gas, if that matters) I'll have some creative weight reduction but no gutting, hole-sawing, bumper-removing, etc. M6. And that's how it's going to run at the track, too.
After a certain threshold, is there any point to adding any more power? 500 RWHP? 600 RWHP? 700?
Originally Posted by black_knight
How much power is enough?
When you start spending more time (and money) dealing with broken driveline parts and other power related issues and less time enjoying everything you've worked so hard to achieve.....or till your wallet runs dry....whichever comes first! 
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by black_knight
How much power is enough?
After a certain threshold, is there any point to adding any more power? 500 RWHP? 600 RWHP? 700?
After a certain threshold, is there any point to adding any more power? 500 RWHP? 600 RWHP? 700?
Last edited by Amerkin; Sep 24, 2005 at 03:58 PM.
Trending Topics
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Tony Mamo @ AFR
When you start spending more time (and money) dealing with broken driveline parts and other power related issues and less time enjoying everything you've worked so hard to achieve.....or till your wallet runs dry....whichever comes first!
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Originally Posted by Tony Mamo @ AFR
When you start spending more time (and money) dealing with broken driveline parts and other power related issues and less time enjoying everything you've worked so hard to achieve.....or till your wallet runs dry....whichever comes first!
Originally Posted by Amerkin
Mark Donahue once said something to this effect, "if you have enough horsepower to spin the tires from one corner to the next, then you have enough power". This of course was assuming a well sorted chassis able to apply this theoretical amount of HP. The point of diminishing return as it relates to power production is dependent upon the point at which you're not able to put it to the ground. Relative to most of the cars in this forum, that becomes a tire issue rather than a chassis/suspension one. If you can buy it and apply it....
Originally Posted by Tony Mamo @ AFR
When you start spending more time (and money) dealing with broken driveline parts and other power related issues and less time enjoying everything you've worked so hard to achieve.....or till your wallet runs dry....whichever comes first!
But I think I've put some sane limits on how far on want to take my car. It's a question of how much power will "work" for that kind of car.
Originally Posted by KingCrapBox
We figure about 2,400 will be enough for some 7.10's @ 203 MPH @ 3,000 LBS. 
Of course, everyone has a different idea of what they will drive on the street. I have mine, now I just have to get the details...
If you can DD ~550-600 rwhp, I think you'd be pretty much happy then. That seems like more or less the limit for a DD. In my eyes anyways. Procharger on a well sorted engine, maybe a bit of a shot, you should be good!
Thats as far as I'd go for a DD. Now if you wanna make it a "Weekend car" thats when I'd go TT with a low comp engine, and a well sorted suspension/drivetrain.
Those are my takes on your question. =)
Thats as far as I'd go for a DD. Now if you wanna make it a "Weekend car" thats when I'd go TT with a low comp engine, and a well sorted suspension/drivetrain.
Those are my takes on your question. =)
I would be scared to race in or against anything thats making more than 600rw n/a on the street and anything than 800 on the street using boost or nitrous. I worry about if I could keep it in check if something happened, or if the person next to me could handle it.
Right now I'm looking at a 427. With the kinds of heads out there these days and the right cam, headers, intake, etc, I could easily see over 600 to the wheels.
If that's not enough, I'll have to build it in a completely different fashion so it can do boost.
If that's more than enough, then I can plan to go N/A.
If that's not enough, I'll have to build it in a completely different fashion so it can do boost.
If that's more than enough, then I can plan to go N/A.
Originally Posted by black_knight
Right now I'm looking at a 427. With the kinds of heads out there these days and the right cam, headers, intake, etc, I could easily see over 600 to the wheels.
If that's not enough, I'll have to build it in a completely different fashion so it can do boost.
If that's more than enough, then I can plan to go N/A.
If that's not enough, I'll have to build it in a completely different fashion so it can do boost.
If that's more than enough, then I can plan to go N/A.
Originally Posted by stang killer
That along with a solid roller thrown into the mix sounds like a nasty set up, but its only so much you can do traction wise.
If you are going to buying a 427 next week, then ask them. This thread has answered your questions several times over.
A stock LS1 M6 can break its 10-bolt. About 550-650 rwhp seems to be the limit for a DD. Move along.
A stock LS1 M6 can break its 10-bolt. About 550-650 rwhp seems to be the limit for a DD. Move along.