Simple question for the 500 rwhp (or close to it) club, retaining the 13b rotary engine. Do you enjoy driving the car more now than you did years ago with say, 350 rwhp, or is it more about chasing a number and being part of an "elite" club? Do you believe you're faster on mountain roads, or slower (if you ever drive on any)? Does it feel like the powerband is more or less user friendly and tractable? How has it added to your driving experience, aside from the g-force of mashing the go-pedal (isn't there always a need for more...)

 

Yes, for me it's much more enjoyable. I enjoy the car at lower boost levels, but at 20-22 it's like warp speed ahead..... non-sense on the streets, I've heard it called

I'm very happy with the way my FD has turned out---from the response of the 500R, to the sound of the 4 inch exhaust, to the feel of the Exedy twin plate clutch, to the powerband of my IRP street-ported engine.

Ask Helghast7 what he thinks, I took him for a spin last week and he was able to feel the difference between what he was used to (350ish rwhp) and what I've grown used to

 

lol im almost at the 400 mark and looking at this makes me want to go up another 100

 

Good question. I am fortunate enough to have both a stock fd and another which is almost at 500rwhp. I love the stocker more as its more driveable around town and on track the response is instanteneous. That being said, having 500rwhp in the city really keeps the porsche wannabe's in check. I'm now going to set my goal on 320rwhp. hope this helps.

 

thats what its all about i think.
having a high HP FD on the street keeps thos posers in check.

 

Though i have never been close to 500hp...

I enjoy my stockissh FD way more than the modded FD collecting dust.

I would Probably have to bring it down to the money spent/needed on making a well rounded 500hp fd vs enjoyment on a "mild" FD.

 

Hold onto to your license.

I honestly don't know where anyone in the city uses 500 rwhp with today's increasingly congested and cop-filled roads.

 

mr fellas of goods, how often do u use you high boost? when youre at the track do u leave it on your normal boost settings or turn it up?

im shooting for 500+ as well but highlyyyy doubt ill ever use it.. i just dont see me being able to controll that on a course or anything... it would be more for like i accomplished this and "if i ever need to" its there kinda thing..

 

Are there any other opinions from people who do track days or back roads, not just highway pulls and cruising?

 

I wouldn't mind finding out how I like 500 hp, but honestly for track use, I really like my streetport/99 twin combo. It's actually pretty rare (believe it or not) that I get just plainly out-horsepowered, and the torque and driveability can't be beat (it's as quick as a small single). My only real reason for going single right now would be weight and heat reduction.

 

We need more input from 500+ guys and the basis of there opinions.

 

My opinion is like Peter's. I have the same setup.

At the track, I'm still one of the fastest cars out there. ~320 RWHP at 10PSI and 2800lbs make for a power:weight ratio that is hard to beat. I can usually get by anyone I need to on the straights by sheer power. The few occasion where I can't do it w/ power, I can get a better line into the previous corner and get it done - which is far more satisfying for me.

I have driven some high HP cars in general and high HP turbo rotaries on the street. I prefer my more balanced setup that I have now. It is a great, all around, balanced car where the power band, suspension and brakes are all in sync and working well together. I don't have to work too hard to drive this car fast and on the street I can't safely make use any more power than I have now - too much congestion and cops.

 

Backroads driving is much less enjoyable because you are constantly worrying about dying. I'm serious. When I go backroad cruising with my friends who have sti's etc I struggle to keep up. I'm too worried about losing control, especially compared to my experience driving my old nonturbo rx7 and other lower powered cars. I could push the car harder but it's IMO it's too risky.

 

Another problem on the street is that if you aren't regularly hitting full boost you feel like you are "wasting" the power. And that means a constant temptation to do illegal things.

 

i can really relate to that especially on track. On the straights wham bam you kill pretty much everything but in the corners a well balanced 300hp fd will have its way with you. my opinion anyway.

 

I sold my 400whp car to get my stock FD. It was a TII, but the principle still applies. Nowadays, I'd never go back.

On curvy backroads, I really do prefer the linear power of the twins compared to the peaky powerband of the big single. It results on a more predictable and overall more entertaining drive. Even a stock FD is plenty fast when pushed, and will routinely out-accelerate a high-HP lagmonster on corner exit.

Sure, the massive straightline thrust was enteraining, especially for passengers, but I'm a bit older now. I've grown out of the desire to skool posers on the highway, and don't really care when I get revved at while stopped at a red light. I'm okay knowing that some cars will be faster than me, and enjoy a different driving experience: jumping into my FD and ripping around without monitoring 5 gauges and my Haltech.

 

i agree with what everyone is saying about not needing the power, but how does this compare to a smaller single with 400whp like a 35r or similar? would you still prefer the stock twins? of course a large single will be boring till it comes on but i'm not after a high hp number.

 

its alot more fun.

im rarely in boost with the t88, but its good to know youve got power on tap when you need it to keep those mustang owners in check.

i WOULD perfer a smaller turbo with less lag though.

 

Well I have a GT35R with a short manifold and it's fun as hell coming out of the corners. It spools quick and is very linear so I don't miss the twins in that respect.

Last year my mechanic and I were testing my tune so we drove to this spot that he knows. It's rural, windy road. At the 15 psi setting my car took on that road like a champ, the revs came up so quick I'd forgotten we were in a single.

 

^i'm glad to hear this^ as i'm in the process of going single, i did want a huge number so i bought a gt40r but then realized it'd be no fun, especially on stock ports, so it's up for sale and i'm in the market for something smaller.

what port do you have montego?

 

A properly built and tuned bigish single stays in its powerband once it gets going. The gearing of the FD keeps the revs high so it's not like you are waiting much after each shift. When you are driving in an environment with a lot of turns you just have to keep the car in the correct gear. The main thing you lose is part throttle torque around town, when you are under 4000rpm. And in that way it's not much different from an s2000 or Rx-8. A bigish single doesn't necessarily have to be an on/off switch.

 

Mild streetport. Note that I have a short manifold so that gives me a quicker spool (I've heard about 200 RPMs), also i run a GT35R T3 1.06 with SMIC (so the piping is short as well).

The end result is my mechanic states that my car is one of the fastest spooling singles he's ever done.

 

Thats the turbo kit im going when its time.

I never ridden in a 500rwhp nor any other FD thats faster than mine lol so i really cant comment.

But i've ridden in 600+rwhp supras before and its simply amazing. Its seriously like an airplane thats about to take off.

I feel like that much power in an FD is almost a waste. Our cars arent straight line cars, its meant to attack corners and to be competitive at a track, you dont need 500rwhp IMO. Im sure even high hp FD owners will agree to that.

If you want a serious HP machine, dont give your FD that task. Get something else.

 

+1, thats what supras are for

 

Who doesn't want 500 rwhp, **** give me 700 the problem is I don't want to pay for it and.......well I like living

On track I'm sure you could use every bit of the 500 (with some 315s hehe) because you're not worried about lag at 4k and up however longevity and upgrades to deal with it is another whole book of problems and even with meth inj and a priests blessing you won't save your motor, trans, diff etc....

A well prepped FD with 500 rwhp would need so much money in brakes, tires, aero, completely different trans and diff, safety equipment, etc....etc.... I bet I'd see over 180 at VIR if I didn't lift due to heart failure. Once again I'm sure 500 rwhp is AWESOME it's just not practical nor do I have the cojones.