Mid 300's I was able to commute to work, and do track days all on the same setup and little to no maintenance.

Then I went crazy and built the motor, big turbo e85 and 500+whp. If I'm not working on my car in between sessions to keep it running it's like a friggin' vacation - it happens once a year.

 

Low power, Low boost and improve cooling everywhere...

Focus more on suspension and forget about "X" amount of power...

 

Ran time attack with 650 on pump gas no problems. That's the right power if you ask me not to much not to little

 

I'm going to just blissfully assume you understand how hard it is to drive a car with that much power competitively on the track.

You have to ask yourself... why do I want a track car with 400+ whp? Are you competing in a series that requires that level of power? The higher the class you run in, the more cash you need to invest in tires, aero, and drivetrain modifications and repairs. Sure you could run an unlimited car, but you had better have deep pockets. Plus your field of competition will probably be one or two other people at best depending on your region.

If you are doing HPDE or track days, running over stock power levels is STUPID. You aren't competing for anything, so running competition tires and extremely high power levels just increases the cost and risk for no reason.

My advice, find an organization and class you want to run in, and build the car to the class. You might be surprised when you see the power/weight limitations. You can have a VERY fast car running <400 whp.

 

My car was a bit faster than me so now I run at lower boost pressures. I imagine I will "catch up" to the car this next season and can then consider turning the boost up. A lot of the work/learning is done in the corners and that is where people should be focused on learning until they have enough seat time to really feel what is going on with the vehicle.

 

my question is why you guys didn't mention Torque... in a track, maybe a well balance hp/torque combination is going to be the big winner. I think you can build a 2.3 motor, then ask the tuner to run a conservative tune with < 400 hp with 91, then when you need more power, re-tune it with dial maps for race gas or other fuel ....

Or maybe just have a tune with bolt-on, later build a motor when you blow your stock motor

 

Been tracking my 291whp Evo 4-5 events a year since 2008 without issue.



Seat time makes you fast, power makes mistakes.

 

One would think this but I found just the opposite... when my car was on the stock turbo I could mash the throttle to the boards through most any turn and not upset the car to much. I was able to flat foot it through high speed sweepers and I felt like a god...... then I added 100tq/100whp and for me that additional torque required completely relearning the car.

Now I found the car entering turns at 10-15mph faster and above the limit of grip... no longer could I simply stand on it and steer ... now I have to carefully apply the throttle in a way to hold speed, stay in the power band yet not upset the car. Not only did those braking zones come up alot quicker and require a bit more distance but those turns needed to be set up just right or I would quickly run out of track.

I was shocked at how much of a difference (added challenge) that power made. I really did have to relearn the car and how to drive the tracks I thought would be cake.

Keep in mind I'm not talking about Viper tracks like Road America or Autobahn Country Club as those are like driving down the freeway.

 

With great power comes great responsibility. Lol
More power now shows the weakness in the brakes and tires. It's always a chase to find the balance.

But at the end of the day...are you faster?

I'm currently building my motor for a reliable 300Whp car. After blowing a 400whp motor. I have made the decision to step down in power for one major reason. RELIABILITY. Peace of mind at the track is priceless.

Cheers,

CB

 

I would not listen to this OP. Hell I wouldn't even call it advice. It is no fun having a car that is way more capable than you, that is when accidents happen.

 

I am pretty sure he is just being sarcastic.

 

Hardparking on race day, then blowing up your turbo on the freeway while heading to the bar after you spectated does not count as running in timeattack.

 

If you can't handle power I understand that's not for the average joe , I'm use to have 500awhp even in my grocery getter, so I understand where you coming from.

 

Look me up, I attended and ran my car in the Redline Time attack , but of course that might not count for you, and heading to the bar at 40+psi does so count too

 

I've seen lots of people with extremely high horsepower numbers attend time attack and HPDEs. Most of the time they rocket down the straight and crawl around the corners getting passed by Miata's.

In a series that uses P/W or point values like NASA/NARRA/SCCA running 500+ whp means TT1 or Unlimited class. I can't vouch for other regions, but NorthEast/MidAtlantic regions are pretty slim for folks in that range, and a lot of times they are getting beaten in times by people like honda-guy in TT3 running 300something whp.