Power costs money, so what is the ideal power for a gen 1 used on the street.

OK with money you can get 500hp out of a 13B street car. But except in 1/4 mile competition is it worthwhile?

I have a stockported 12A with numerous bolt-on engine and suspension mods giving 124-126 rwhp say 155 at the flywheel. Recently I had a friendly dual over 200 miles of rural roads with a Porsch Boxster keeping in the legal limit of 70mph, creeping to 75. He could naturally out accelerate me out of 45-50mph advisory corners, but his handling in the corners was far better. It was not the difference in power but the handling that mattered. An extra 50hp would not have improved the situation except in the acceleration to straight line speed of 75mph. The Porsche does the 1/4 in just under 14 seconds.

Coming home two days later I accelerated nicely round a 55 mph advisory corner only to be piked up on radar by an approaching police car at 70 mph in a 65 rural zone- the fine was equivalent to the fuel costs of the 800 mile trip! Obviously I had too much power/handling for a typical vehicle for legal purposes.

As Mike P28 said in a recent thread -why worry about doing 100mph when most roads have a much lower speed restriction.

This comes back to the fundamental question what is the ideal power for a Gen 1 for normal street use? Is the old ratio of 8hp per 100lbs too much.

I am beginning to believe about 180 at the flywheel, possible with a streetport is ideal and going 13BT has little benefits in a street car. after all it will keep off the typical ricer Honda! Whats your view?

 

I see no benefit in turboing a Rotary, although I understand some went into production. But its far not worth it.

Rotaries dont like boost, which is why most 2nd and 3rd gen 7's need rebuilds early!

 

 

any engine is not going to last the same if boosted, it don't matter if it's rotary or piston. I guess it all comes down to how fast you want to go. Oh and you don't have to do a 100mph on the street, a quck acceleration from 0-70 does it for me, all i care about is the push i feel during acceleration and not how fast i go.

 

I want this much ~~~> 400HP's to burn through ricers. But on a serious note, I've been in a nice Turbo SE, and it had ONLY ~260 hp's (give or take a couple). I want about ~200hp...My stock SI feels pretty good at 160hp. Just race those ricers on twistys in our 7's.. Remember, power is nothing without control...

 

I personally think about 200 rwhp for a 1st gen will be verry nice, and still scoot plenty fast enough.

The nice thing about turbo is that you can leave it on LOW Boost, and run 200 to the wheels, or high boost, and run 300+!

 

I would rather be pulled over for exhibition of acceleration rather than going 150 per say in 45zone.

just my thoughts...

 

I think boost is a very good thing, riding in a lightly mod'd FC TII engine and the broad torque is WAY better then the bridgeport 12a I have. Turbo makes a street car very fun and doesn't have so much of a peaky power curve either. Not that the bridgeport isn't fun, but hey, if I had my way, we'd all have turbo bridgeports!

 

Have you ever even been in a turbo 7? Guess not. What you just said has got to be one of the most retarded statements I've ever heard. Yes it IS far worth it and a massive benefit it is! Rotories are perfect for turbocharging. Probably the best motors in the world for turboes. They have less internal parts than a piston motor so theres a decreased chance of breakdown due to high boost. Plus they are extremely responsive to boost and have an excellent powerband for it. Sure you'll need a rebuild early...every turbo car will. Think your car is fast enough now? It's not. If you had a huge single turbo on there right now you wouldn't have anything to say would you. If you only knew.....

 

The noises you get from a turboed 1st gen make it all worth while!

The accelaration to the speed limit is great too.

Rotars where made to boost and they do it so very well.

 

You all need to go for a ride in a HIGH hp turbo rotor

If I was going through the twisties and got pinged by a radar, I have the confidence and power to outrun them

 

sometimes it is just personal oppinion. some people like there cars to be super fast for everything.(i don't know why) i just want my car to be able to hold off the typical ricers around town. i am probably only getting exaust and intake for speed, but i want to get full suspension. i car more about handling, some people want speed.

 

is that all youre gonna be pushin

 

Yeah, at 2 lbs of boost.

Or

About 200 rwhp, per rear wheel.

 

i would like to have my car at 300hp i dont think i need to go higher thank that

 

Power is usable only if you can put it to the ground. I can put most of my power to the ground, so yes it is useful. Previously though, I couldn't put half of it down so it was useful to no bugger...

 

how exactly do you go around the corners? is your susp totally adjustable or what?

edit: meant to quote ajc, doh!

 

I'm pretty sure the steering wheel plays a part!

I would say, good brakes and decent suspension. And getting from corner to corner bloody quick!

 

well yeah, but if hes runnin 10's and gettin the front of the ground, hes not exactly setup for the corners at that moment in time. im wonderin what he does to get back on the street

 

my s3/gsl-se with most of the bolt on suspension and power mods is a lot of fun, it needs about 20-30more hp though

mike