ok, so this may be a really really dumb question. But just curious if there is any sort of mathematical equation to figuring out how fast you really can go.

Now, I understand that how fast you are depends a lot on a weight to horsepower/torque ratio. But is there an actual formula that you could plug numbers into to get an overall number.

What I mean is.....say for example you have your car and you want to size it up against another totally different car....the weights are different, the horsepower is different...ect...

is there any formula that can give you an estimated guess who'd win. Say the other car has 100 more hp than you, but you also weight 800 lbs lighter than him. Is there a way to figure out who has the overall better speed/acceleration/who would win?

 

There's too many other things that play into it than just hp and weight, gear ratios, and what kind of "drive" car it is... a RWD car with a hundred more hp AND 1000 less pounds will get it's *** creamed by an Evo if it's on street tires in the rain... get it? weather, tires, gear ratio, rims, overall traction, etc

 

Try using a car simulator. That is only half accurate, though.

 

No, because there are way too many factors. Aside from horsepower, there is torque, and peak horsepower really doesn't mean anything. Power to weight ratio can give a ballpark figure, but the area under the curve(hp and tq curve) is also very important.

For example, a car with a lower peak hp but hits the peak in low rpms and maintains power throughout could thereotically out accelerate a car that reaches a higher hp at higher rpms, but has little power in the low rpm range. This can happen regardless of the weight of the vehicle.

A few other factors of many could be gear ratios, and drivetrain. Even something like tires could make all the difference...