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can any modern car compare to the handling of the FD?

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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 10:28 PM
  #51  
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Originally Posted by RX7SIGN
It also makes me happy to know thru customizations we can push the limit of our 7's. RE Amemiya is the perfect example, a fully streetable (a/c, cd player, etc) track prepped RX7 ran a 59 second lap time on Tskuba. I belive thats 3 seconds faster than the Mclaren F1's best track time and 2 faster than the Mine's Skyline. This is an example of how volatile our cars can really be. There is a handfull of ridiculous track prepped 7's that run times that very few cars can touch. Just another thing to be thankful for ; )
You sure about that? In BMI Vol. 25, HVI Tuner Battle Royale, it took RE-Amemiya a 6 speed, 3 rotor N/A PP (400HP) @ 2425 lbs to hit 59"688. A semi, if not fully, race prepped FD. The Mines R34 hit 57"996, although it did have a turbo and 200 more HP, but also weighed 3414 lbs...

BTW, In my opinion, I'd say an S2000 handles better than the FD, having driven both...
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 10:33 PM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by Healing
You sure about that? In BMI Vol. 25, HVI Tuner Battle Royale, it took RE-Amemiya a 6 speed, 3 rotor N/A PP (400HP) @ 2425 lbs to hit 59"688. A semi, if not fully, race prepped FD. The Mines R34 hit 57"996, although it did have a turbo and 200 more HP, but also weighed 3414 lbs...

BTW, In my opinion, I'd say an S2000 handles better than the FD, having driven both...
It depends on the model FD though, an R1 handles better than a Touring.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 01:21 AM
  #53  
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Originally Posted by Healing
You sure about that? In BMI Vol. 25, HVI Tuner Battle Royale, it took RE-Amemiya a 6 speed, 3 rotor N/A PP (400HP) @ 2425 lbs to hit 59"688. A semi, if not fully, race prepped FD. The Mines R34 hit 57"996, although it did have a turbo and 200 more HP, but also weighed 3414 lbs...

BTW, In my opinion, I'd say an S2000 handles better than the FD, having driven both...
I think you explained it yourself, that was his NA car. A turbo cars going to be putting out a lot more than 400hp.

Kevin T. Wyum
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 01:32 AM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by 1.3 liter V8 eater
It depends on the model FD though, an R1 handles better than a Touring.
Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention, RE-Amemiya set up that 3 rotor on a completely stock suspension...<_<

Sorry, couldn't help myself ^_^

Originally Posted by Kevin T. Wyum
I think you explained it yourself, that was his NA car. A turbo cars going to be putting out a lot more than 400hp.

Kevin T. Wyum
That's not to say that adding a turbo onto that will significantly shorten the FD's lap time on that track. There's only one real straightaway on Tsukuba circuit where all of that power is really put to use. But it might...
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 01:37 AM
  #55  
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Power helps everywhere all else being equal. It's not just the straights, it's coming out of EVERY turn it helps.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 01:40 AM
  #56  
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Originally Posted by prescription 7
mini cooper s? That thing looks like it can handle like a champ.

Got a chance to drive this one for a while, and it is no joke...
http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Mi...-preview/1574/
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 01:43 AM
  #57  
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With respect to the topic of the thread I think people are missing the real issue. Yes a company could build a car that handles better than the FD but the problem is they don't think there's a market for a "pure sports car" and end up making trades that detract from the handling to add things like creature comforts or a ride that a 50 year old and his wife would be willing to tolerate, ed: Corvette. I doubt the S2000 would really keep up when driven on the edge, I'm sure a hardtop chassis with a little more power would be every bit as good though. It's tough to make roadsters handle as well. A lotus with more power would really be the thing to take out an FD on the track. They're kind of the same concept with the lotus being a tiny bit down on power over what I think it should really have. I'd be afraid to own a lotus on the basis of quality concerns, and yes I know how bad FD's can be.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 01:46 AM
  #58  
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Originally Posted by fdeeznutz
IIRC, the Supra was the only car in it's category to stop quicker than the FD.
If you mean less stopping distance, it's probably because the A80 has a higher mass than FD. If my physics knowledge serves me correctly, mass is a factor in fuel efficiency and friction, in this case, braking.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 02:07 AM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by eatmyclutch
If you mean less stopping distance, it's probably because the A80 has a higher mass than FD. If my physics knowledge serves me correctly, mass is a factor in fuel efficiency and friction, in this case, braking.
Are you suggesting the higher mass causing slightly higher friction in the wheel bearings and tires is going to offset the additional force needed to accelerate (negative) the much heavier car to a stop? Extremely unlikely unless they're some of the worst bearings out there. I'd guess the Supra just has a better ABS unit than the RX7.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 02:10 AM
  #60  
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Originally Posted by Kevin T. Wyum
Power helps everywhere all else being equal. It's not just the straights, it's coming out of EVERY turn it helps.
But you can agree that there's a certain point you reach, where you really aren't using all the power that you have at your disposal. Having more and more power yields diminishing returns in terms of its usefulness on the track...

Honestly, in terms of handling, I still think the S2000 is better than the FD, stock for stock (which is my only basis for comparison). Even though its a roadster, it has Hondas special X-bone chassis, and you can feel its stiffness when you drive it. Just as how Mazda found a way to make a chassis even stiffer than that of the FD in the RX-8 with 4 seats (According to Best Motoring, at least), Honda has made a roadster with stiffness at least equal to that of hard topped cars. That, and its suspension is top notch as well. I'm very confident in the ability of the S2000 to match/exceed that of not only the FD, but NSX and other sports cars in its class as well.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 02:23 AM
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I am going to agree that the S2k handles very well, even though I am selling it in the for sale thread haha. However I am still holding that this 220 hp mini felt like it would kick its ***.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 03:01 AM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by Healing
Honestly, in terms of handling, I still think the S2000 is better than the FD, stock for stock (which is my only basis for comparison). Even though its a roadster, it has Hondas special X-bone chassis, and you can feel its stiffness when you drive it. Just as how Mazda found a way to make a chassis even stiffer than that of the FD in the RX-8 with 4 seats (According to Best Motoring, at least), Honda has made a roadster with stiffness at least equal to that of hard topped cars. That, and its suspension is top notch as well. I'm very confident in the ability of the S2000 to match/exceed that of not only the FD, but NSX and other sports cars in its class as well.
Convertibles like the S2000 can certainly have strong bending rigidity numbers, but what about torsional? I don't think a car with its roof cut off can compare to a coupe, do you?
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 07:30 AM
  #63  
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Originally Posted by Healing
BTW, In my opinion, I'd say an S2000 handles better than the FD, having driven both...

Click here to see Video
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 06:31 PM
  #64  
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Originally Posted by 1.3 liter V8 eater

This is your example of why an RX-7 outhandles a S2000?


Find 2 stock ones going at it.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 06:53 PM
  #65  
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^ it doesn't need to be two stock vehicles.

if the fd came out of factory with 185's all around would you compare it to a s2000 with 255s? lol. would u compare a s2000 with one of those SP edition rx7s?

theres never been a good way to equalize 2 cars to decide conclusively which one is better.

maybe if 2 cars were matched up with power to weight and on different types of courses etc. even then there are too many other factors that will give 1 an advantage over another.

btw in the video it looks like the fd is making 380rwhp and the s2000 only 256? in the next episode the fd did beat a 500(600) hp skyline on that same course though, i think in the touge final.. haha.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 07:15 PM
  #66  
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Originally Posted by mirabile
This is your example of why an RX-7 outhandles a S2000?


Find 2 stock ones going at it.
...its a fairly good example in my opinion.

I have also driven an M3, S2000 and an EVO. I have spent time on the track with my RX7 and nothing compares to it.

I have heard from many people that the RX7 is almost unrivaled when it comes to handling. There are only a few cars that are parallel to its handling performance.

my 2 cents.

Last edited by GregFD3S; Dec 10, 2006 at 07:30 PM.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 07:15 PM
  #67  
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Originally Posted by Kevin T. Wyum
I'd guess the Supra just has a better ABS unit than the RX7.
Nope, just bigger brakes and wider tires.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by 1.3 liter V8 eater
...its a fairly good example in my opinion.

I have also driven an M3, S2000 and an EVO. I have spent time on the track with my RX7 and nothing compares to it.

I have heard from many people that the RX7 is almost unrivaled when it comes to handling. There are only a few cars that are parallel to its handling performance.

my 2 cents.

Comparing tuner cars is a horrible example.
Your comparing the tuners, and the drivers of those cars, not the stock ones.
I have spent time in numerous cars as well, and as amazing as the RX7 is, more modern technology has taken over.
The Rx7 can compete with any car on a skidpad, the highest numbers I can find on a totally stock car is .97g in most tests I have.
If someone has a better one on a stocker please show it.
The numbers below are pulled off various car and driver road tests.
The Rx has a better number then any S2000 I can find, the best numbers being around.91g
Now for the modern technology and some kit cars, which are pulling over a 1.0g
Factory 5 Racing Mark II Roadster- 1.02g - look it up if you have never seen it
Caterham 7 Superlight - 1.02g
Dodge Viper .96g
NSX .93g
C4- 911 .95g
LOTUS ELISE at 1.06g (Holy Hell)
Corvette Z06 is up there but I cant find reliable numbers.
The Rx7 is very impressive even today, but not when you start trying to find cars with better skidpad numbers...
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 08:37 PM
  #69  
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Originally Posted by jimlab
Nope, just bigger brakes and wider tires.
And it needs them.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by mirabile
Comparing tuner cars is a horrible example.
Your comparing the tuners, and the drivers of those cars, not the stock ones.
I have spent time in numerous cars as well, and as amazing as the RX7 is, more modern technology has taken over.
The Rx7 can compete with any car on a skidpad, the highest numbers I can find on a totally stock car is .97g in most tests I have.
If someone has a better one on a stocker please show it.
The numbers below are pulled off various car and driver road tests.
The Rx has a better number then any S2000 I can find, the best numbers being around.91g
Now for the modern technology and some kit cars, which are pulling over a 1.0g
Factory 5 Racing Mark II Roadster- 1.02g - look it up if you have never seen it
Caterham 7 Superlight - 1.02g
Dodge Viper .96g
NSX .93g
C4- 911 .95g
LOTUS ELISE at 1.06g (Holy Hell)
Corvette Z06 is up there but I cant find reliable numbers.
The Rx7 is very impressive even today, but not when you start trying to find cars with better skidpad numbers...
comparing STOCK NUMBERS has all the same downfalls as comparing tuned vehicles.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 09:13 PM
  #71  
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Originally Posted by sevensix
comparing STOCK NUMBERS has all the same downfalls as comparing tuned vehicles.
WTF does that mean?
Its totally different.
The goal is to compare factory numbers to see how the RX7 handles compared to modern stock cars. Read the thread.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 09:48 PM
  #72  
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why hello

these discussions never get anywhere lol.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 09:53 PM
  #73  
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Haha sevensix please talk some sense....
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 10:07 PM
  #74  
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IMO, a '72 914-6 could come damn close...and it's another 20 years older than the FD!

handling's all about adding lightness. Lotus (for one example) proved that long ago.

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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 10:11 PM
  #75  
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Originally Posted by MisterX
Convertibles like the S2000 can certainly have strong bending rigidity numbers, but what about torsional? I don't think a car with its roof cut off can compare to a coupe, do you?
Well, seeing as how the "bending" actions of a car are probably far less significant compared to the torsional actions a car sees during hard driving, I might suggest that that was what we were talking of in the first place.
And this begs the question - how stiff does a chassis need to be for it to be a good production sports car? You can say that this car is X times stiffer than this car, but does it make a difference when driving it? The fact is that the S2000 is a stiff, capable performer, whether or not you like the car.

Originally Posted by 1.3 liter V8 eater
Nice video. This might actually show how close the FD and S2000 are in its handling capabilities, as the FD doesn't exactly destroy the S2000.
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