Poll: Maximum HP/T For 100% Street Driven Cars?

[Robb]

the hemi challenger convertible is 710 dyno hp is yet to hit the pavement, update from custom-musclecars.com is the trunk is complete - 10" rockford fosgate subs, 2 Boston Acoustics Amps, hidden tool compartment on driver side, hidden battery compartment on passenger side

Infinity 6.5 speakers in rear back seat panels; exhaust is complete, custom console at upholster shop as well as kick panels for front speakers

alignment completed, hopefully next Friday

just a suggestion,

you might look at having those 6.5s in the rear panels covered in white grill cloth or something, too blend into the interior a little more.   Looks like a nice car.

Robb

[cudabuyer]

i thought the same thing, maybe they can also be more surface mounted as well, challenger goes to the paint shop on Tues or Weds

[rallyechall]

I was in the ballpark as I chose 650hp. In reality I would be happy with 400-450hp. That would make it a real turnkey car. I wouldn't be worried about being hassled by the police, I could enjoy the drive anytime I was with the car, and it would be enough for me to get on it a little and be content with its performance when needed.

[HP2]

Perhaps the stumbling block here are the two statements  "fully streetable" and  "to its fullest potential." These could contain two very different interpretations that have large variables that encompass suspension, tires, driver ability and feel, and the rate and method of power application.

Perhaps defining "full potential" is necessary. Would this be a full throttle blast for 5 seconds, 30 seconds, longer? Is this a hook and launch with the front wheels in the air or a smokey spectator show? Is it the stop light derby or a 2 hour drive across a desolate highway?

A Silver State car would be built completely different from a Comp Eliminator car, yet both are capable of very high speeds. What is the exact goal we are after?
 

[Carlwalski]

Without getting overly technical, it basically comes down to what is overkill for a street car I guess. There could be millions of ways at looking at it in hindsight I didn't think people would get into it or as deep as some have.

Full potential to me as being able to put your foot down anytime you want without thinking about will the car snap out or react to a slightly damp road or (the list goes on). Basically a car you can use fully and enjoy. I was more along the lines of thinking without tubs or roll bars or big suspension upgrades, these are of course streetable but for a daily driver, I'm not sure who would build one with roll bars etc, these cars are more at home on the track than at a shopping complex or the local traffic lights.

[nivvy]

My 499 Stroker makes 600 HP and does not run hot at all! Gas mileage sucks though but I dont care about that...Fully Streetable Naturally Aspirated car! That BeCool Radiator system really does it job!
I am going to upgrade to Max Wedge ported indy heads to get me to 700HP and I'm gonna stop there! As I believe that is the limit!
May add a power adder down the road like NOS if I want an extra shot of HP but not sure about that yet!

[moper]

I put 400. I dont know too many guys that really have 500hp street cars that say it's fun to drive every day. I'd venture to say that anyone who says over that has never driven a high powered car in the rain, or worse..snow. I have. Also, anything over 400 and you are basically driving a bullet. It's hard to modulate the throttle if you're buzzing down a back road at 60. Tire use sucks. The cars understeer unbelievably. You get 4 miles/gallon so you stop al the time. I'm all for mad power, but you simply can't drive a musclecar witht hat much power every day without eventually getting frustrated over something. Atleast not driving it like I want to. I can run with many V8 cars with my Neon if the road is anything other than falt and straight. Theres a lot more to be said for stopping, tunring, and not having to let off to get the front (steering) wheels back in control.

[KellysCuda aircard]

It really all comes down to personal preferance.  Anyone the builds buys or owns high perf cars cannot seriously be worried about fuel or they would have a 6 banger in there. So really it comes down to how much miles to gallon do you want.  :cheers:And, if you cant handle the extra power, get your foot out of the throttle. That being said I think there is nothing wrong with 400 to 700 hp as a daily driver and better yet if you sneak in the nitro for the extra power when you have to squash a ricer......muhahahahahahaha.  Of course thats just my 2 cents.

[Robb]

I put 400. I dont know too many guys that really have 500hp street cars that say it's fun to drive every day. I'd venture to say that anyone who says over that has never driven a high powered car in the rain, or worse..snow. I have. Also, anything over 400 and you are basically driving a bullet. It's hard to modulate the throttle if you're buzzing down a back road at 60. Tire use sucks. The cars understeer unbelievably. You get 4 miles/gallon so you stop al the time. I'm all for mad power, but you simply can't drive a musclecar witht hat much power every day without eventually getting frustrated over something. Atleast not driving it like I want to. I can run with many V8 cars with my Neon if the road is anything other than falt and straight. Theres a lot more to be said for stopping, tunring, and not having to let off to get the front (steering) wheels back in control.

I agree with Moper.

I think a good example is how some of the modern sportscars have a computer controlled "traction control" switches that you keep on for everyday driving.   Corvettes have this, for instance. 

My 2002 WS6 TransAm has this switch as well.  That car has an LS1 Vette motor in it and is something like 340hp the way I have it setup, car weighs the same as my Challenger.  Anyway, there is a significant effect that switch has.   It saves your Azz when it's on and you pull a boner-mistake goosin it a little too much around the corner, but take switch to "off" and its "burnout" party-time.   

I leave the traction control on for normal driving and its kept me out of trouble a few times.   

[KellysCuda aircard]

Hard to beat the handling of the newer cars and trucks, my old cuda starts to get scary after 90 mph, its just old...LOL

[moper]

Like I said...it's like aiming a bullet...lol. My '74 used to go 140+ with the NOS, and above 100 you might as well have shot off a cliff the way the car responded. So that was a straight flat open road, or 4 lane empty highway stunt...lol. My Neon (97 DOHC) is as stable at 105 as it is at 35.

[360 'CUDA]

I leave the traction control on for normal driving and its kept me out of trouble a few times.   

I like the idea of ABS because it saves on flat spotted tires (when it works) but I just can't see traction control. Even in the rain...

[bb71challenger]

I like the idea of ABS because it saves on flat spotted tires (when it works) but I just can't see traction control. Even in the rain...
[/quote

I am the exact opposite, I dont like ABS because sometimes you want to be able to lock up the tires. ABS to me is valuable for panic braking. I do like traction control if it works right. Dont get me wrong, I love to leave smoking blackies taking off as much as the next guy but it is a nice feature and one less headache when its wet or there is slush/ice on the roads.

[360 'CUDA]

OK for a Caddarac SUV or some kind of $80,000 beemer I guess.   Reminds me of the road tests of the Viper vs the Corvette.  GM traction control beat the Viper and the magazine weenies loved it.

You know, those are the guys that think the Mazda Miassda is the best car ever.

In keeping with the theme of the thread 500 HP is about right for a Road GT car.

Don't get me wrong though, I wouldn't kick Robb's Late Model TA out of my driveway for eating crackers.  Those are great performance cars

[HP2]

With the right mix of suspension componenets and correct alignment, there is no reason your old car shouldn't feel as stable as your new car at speed, regardless of horsepower. Granted, the higher numbers will allow you to override traction at will if you chose so, but part of being a good driver is knowing your machine and its capabilities.

Things like efi adn computer managment systems have made it possible to run higher horsepower numbers without dealing with the associated headaches of high idle speeds and unburned fuel mixtures. A big cammed, over carb 400 horse motor can be a bigger painto live with than a 700 horse, forced inducted, efi mill. There are other parameters to it than just plain horsepower levels.