Now before anyone tears my head off for asking, keep in mind that not long ago, I was definitely in the hunt for big HP numbers.

My question is this: Why are so many Evo owners shooting for 400, 500, even 600 whp? For some like AMS, Big Al, etc., I know it is for their business and for drag racing. But some of the posts are for 450 whp daily drivers. I just wonder why. I was on track to make 400 whp, but I stopped. Why? Because it really isn't usable power. I autocross, plan to do some track days here in VA, etc., but I have plenty of power as it is. My biggest concerns if I was making that much power would be 1) losing traction in slippery conditions, 2) feeling the need to demonstrate that horsepower and then dealing with the legal repercussions, and 3) the prohibitive costs associated. To those of you who are building these rides, I have nothing but admiration and genuine appreciation. I am just wondering what you guys will do with 500 hp on the street.

Chris

 

I was thinking the same thing.. But Hey, I like swingin my chain occasionally.. All I know is I have a 78 Malibu making over 600HP at the WHEELS with 2.73 gears of all things.. I can honestly tell you that its SCARY To drive the car on the road.. hit the gas, go up in smoke, in ALL Gears.. Ya know whats funny, is with all the power, I rarely if ever go to the track.. I prefer to keep a low profile and just jump all over a competitor when necessary..

Heck, I'm still on my stock clutch! And running with pretty serious modifications..

 

Why not? I got about 350whp now and I can spin all 4 in 1st, it's fun but not out of control. I will be doing a turbo next year I think, but I do the same with all my toy cars and why not, it's fun at the track.

 

I didn't say it WASN'T fun.. just not necessary.. But when is gobs of horsepower really necessary.. LOL

 

I don't believe there are more than a couple cars with that kind of real HP running around. Only a very very few have ever driven a car with that kind of power and actually understand the reliablity and longivity of 4 banger motors and AWD drivetrains producing those kind of numbers. Once you start modding your car you start breaking it! I would bet a virtual beer that 95% of owners are quite happy with 300 to 350 hp.

Dave Buschur made a decision not to make his EVO a drag car out of the respect for the incredible handling and performance of the entire EVO package. If it is good enough for a professional racer........ good enough for me.


Speedlimit...

 

I have to agree on this. Most of the time, we do not really push to car to the limit so, having lots of power would not be practical although psychologically, you still know you can tap a whole lot more potential from the car. What i'm concerned more is about the driveability. A friend of mine modded his DC2 Integra till about 430 bhp and it was totally not being able to drive it on the road. Too much lag and jerkiness in the car. I guess taking the evo to around 330 - 350 whp would make it just about right for daily driving and weekend sprints along the highways.

Cheers!

www.SpeedXS.com - Center for Japanese Performance Cars

 

Power is all about bragging rights! We don't quest for more power knowing that it will ruin the reliabilty of the car. Most people just want to beat the pants off of someone who races them. Me personally, I just wanted to have a car that is able to break in the 12's, 4 doors and be light.

 

If its about "beating the pants" of someone then its not bhp you should be thinking about, its torque, you want lots of torque geared at the middle of the rev range for best use. I would rather have 400ft/lbs than 400bhp.

 

I don't see a need for that much power either but if you could get your **** to 12" would you?, probably the same mentality

 

Go buy an Oldsmobile. There's no such thing as "too much HP," Grandma!

 

I agree I am very happy with just an exhaust/comuter/ and cams- the care is great around town and still respectably fast. And anything else and I fell the stresses go up significantly, Besides if you cant drive fast with 300-350 WHP then you cant drive fast with 400-500 WHP either. People talkk a big game but very few have the sack to put it all down after apex

 

that's what it's all about...

"my dick is bigger than yours"...

 

Why shoot for 400, 500, 600?? When you can have 1000!!


That's a pretty big *****, i mean turbo.

 

Nice reply. It is actually torque that accelerates a car not the horse power. Proper racers plot the torque at the wheels to the rpm of the wheels to optimize their shift points, thus maximize acceleration.

 

The reason why...

FUN!

The stock Evo or even mine (265whp) has no "*****." It's just a lot of fun to drive a car thats sickeningly fast. But you need about 400whp in an evo to get that effect. It's not that expensive either...so why not!

And...
I don't drink
I don't smoke
I don't do drugs...
The LEAST I can do is break the speedlimit on a daily basis!