84 RX-7 GSL-SE vs 87 300z
 

I have an 84 gsl-se, he has an 87 300z, he has a brand new stock turbo, and i have 50 pounds lighter. who will win in straight line speed and in the corners?

1987 300zx ~160(n/a)hp ~200(single turbo)hp
1984 GSL-SE ~130hp

I think the 300zx is quite a bit heavier though. I would say if everything else is stock, you'd lose the straight away and likely win in the twists/turns assuming both of you know how to drive...

The other day I took this onramp pushing at 40mph in my miata and I thought I saw something in my rear view mirror. By the time I questioned it, a big ass suburban passed me like nothing on the outside lane. I think we often equate lighter cars as better for corners but there always seems to be crazy people willing to push there 4 ton trucks past our 1.5 ton cars limits.

If you got the turbo, things would lean considerably in your favor. About the same horsepower but lighter car means you win everywhere agaist the 300zx.

The 85-90 300ZX isn't really a sports car, it's a sporty shaped car with high horsepower but has power everything, T-tops, underengineered unibody with metal everywhere. It's a porker.

However, like the Grat American Porker, the Mustang, brute horsepower can win in the straightaways. The British approash to sportscars that Mazda copies with RX7's and Miatas are small, nimble, light things. The current Lotus Elise has about 128 hp - less than my GSL-SE - but is considered a faaaast exotic because it weighs about as much as a box of kleenex.

Go for it. I used to beat stock Boost 300ZX Turbos when I had a 12A. They are Dogs. Especially off the line. If you lose...Oh well he did have a Turbo. If you win, you can rub it in his face.

That is a funny analogy. Good one.:crackup:

:D hehehe!
box of kleenex???? yeah, that was a funny one! i like it ...

anyways, yeah, i agree with the consensus. the Z will probably take you in a straight line. it has the torque, but i'm thinking the exxxxxtra weight will kinda level the playing field, so it should only start to creep away from you when you guys have transitioned from torque to hp. but 65 horses can only beat you, it won't "waste" you!

in the corners, i'm guessing the independent rear should make it corner harder/faster (on paper) but you will be able to transition better than him 100% because you have the weight and distribution advantage. as long as you know how to predict and catch a sliding Rx-7, you should have no problems spanking his ass.

like directfreak said, i used to beat Z-turbos with my 12A setup! and when i took my rear sway bar off, i got a lot more speed in the turns before the rear end started to step out.