How Much HP Do You Really Need???
02-12-2010, 11:44 AM
#77
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This thread has gotten wild! lol! I prefaced this thread by talking about the power needed for the real world. Unless you live in a very isolated place, 500 hp is WAY beyond what you can use on public streets. I live in the Metro Washington, DC area and there is no way I could use that kind of power on public roads without getting locked up.
I am also really surprised that people at a site like this fail to understand the distinction between a sports car and a muscle car. The RX-8 is a sports car like most Lotus cars, like most Porsche cars. The only true sports car I can think of off hand that has this kind of power and is under $100k is the Nissan GT-R. Camaros, Mustangs, etc are not sports cars, they are muscle cars. There is a difference.
My answer to my question is to take a look at the closest true competition to the RX-8: the Lotus Evora. The Evora weighs about the same as the RX-8 and has 276 hp so my answer would be no more than 275 hp with significantly increased torque is more than is needed on public roads. Where are you guys driving??? 500 hp??? NO WAY you can use that kind of power on public roads!
I am also really surprised that people at a site like this fail to understand the distinction between a sports car and a muscle car. The RX-8 is a sports car like most Lotus cars, like most Porsche cars. The only true sports car I can think of off hand that has this kind of power and is under $100k is the Nissan GT-R. Camaros, Mustangs, etc are not sports cars, they are muscle cars. There is a difference.
My answer to my question is to take a look at the closest true competition to the RX-8: the Lotus Evora. The Evora weighs about the same as the RX-8 and has 276 hp so my answer would be no more than 275 hp with significantly increased torque is more than is needed on public roads. Where are you guys driving??? 500 hp??? NO WAY you can use that kind of power on public roads!
02-12-2010, 01:51 PM
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02-12-2010, 03:22 PM
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For a DD, 300whp is nice (3000-3500 lb car). 10-12 lb/whp
My Supra has 480whp (3500lbs, hopefully be 550-600whp by this spring) and while it is fun, you can't really put it down in 1st or 2nd gear on street tires.
Jeremy
My Supra has 480whp (3500lbs, hopefully be 550-600whp by this spring) and while it is fun, you can't really put it down in 1st or 2nd gear on street tires.
Jeremy
02-12-2010, 06:33 PM
#81
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Come on people! The RX-8 is one of the best handling sports cars made. NO muscle cars are on that list. That list includes such great cars as the Miata, the S2000, the boxster, cayman, Elise, Exige and maybe a few others. Of this list only the Cayman S has over 300 hp and NONE have 350 hp much less 500!!! That is the group where the RX-8 belongs. When you talk about 500 hp, you are trying to make the RX car into something its not. If you want a muscle car, get one. If you want a great handling true sports car, consider the RX-8
02-12-2010, 11:21 PM
#84
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Come on people! The RX-8 is one of the best handling sports cars made. NO muscle cars are on that list. That list includes such great cars as the Miata, the S2000, the boxster, cayman, Elise, Exige and maybe a few others. Of this list only the Cayman S has over 300 hp and NONE have 350 hp much less 500!!! That is the group where the RX-8 belongs. When you talk about 500 hp, you are trying to make the RX car into something its not. If you want a muscle car, get one. If you want a great handling true sports car, consider the RX-8
..Look it is similar to the Miata or MX-5, some will never get it.
IMO my 8 has more than enough power, I have never been wanting more, changing down a gear is bliss and what a Rotary is ALL ABOUT...FULL STOP.
In my Police State you can't get away with more power or speed as you won't have a license or car for that matter in less than a year.
I really can not understand anyone who knows the 8's capabilities, then spends a fortune changing the engine for more POWER, and then complains when something goes wrong...WHY.
If you had done your research and reading you would know Mazda have got every last bit of POWER from the RENNY...there is NO More.. that will keep it legal.
IMO the only mod is either FI or Supercharger which is great...but.
Yeah, I know Vendors don't like me..
02-13-2010, 03:40 AM
#86
LOL - obviously driver plays a huge role - and having a broad powerband is better than having a narrow one.
There is a lot more than torque - which is why you should use power as your guide. A broad usable powerband will = a faster vehicle.
I swapped my vtwin for my buddies Ducati 1098 for about 10 minutes once, with a 15K redline and no power really until like 6-7K - that damn bike was still scary fast.... 6K-15K is a very broad powerband.
There is a lot more than torque - which is why you should use power as your guide. A broad usable powerband will = a faster vehicle.
I swapped my vtwin for my buddies Ducati 1098 for about 10 minutes once, with a 15K redline and no power really until like 6-7K - that damn bike was still scary fast.... 6K-15K is a very broad powerband.
Denial is not a river in Egypt...
02-13-2010, 12:28 PM
#88
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Uh oh, Kane brought up bikes. That is a completely different animal. Not to mention a completely different sense of speed and exhileration. I wish I could still ride 
When I had my vette(procharged+) and bike(954RR) I always used to say "My Vette is my crusing toy, My bike is my fast toy"
When I had my vette(procharged+) and bike(954RR) I always used to say "My Vette is my crusing toy, My bike is my fast toy"
02-13-2010, 03:33 PM
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Here is my issue with the current RX-8 and why I feel it needs more power in the real world on public roads. It's not the lack of power, but the need to keep the revs up to access that power. It requires you to constantly row the gears. Granted, the RX-8 has a great manual trans, but it would be nice not to put it into constant use all the time
02-13-2010, 03:39 PM
#91
^that's the fun of it
it's a drivers car; it's not for a lazy person who doesn't want to downshift
even though I have a turbo on mine, I still like to keep the revs high...it's boring to floor it in 6th gear and let the turbo do all the work. I want to drive!!
it's a drivers car; it's not for a lazy person who doesn't want to downshift
even though I have a turbo on mine, I still like to keep the revs high...it's boring to floor it in 6th gear and let the turbo do all the work. I want to drive!!
02-13-2010, 04:29 PM
#93
When my 8 was still N/A and I wanted to pass someone on a 2 lane rd I used to chop down into 3rd and nail it . Now with a turbo I could easily get passed with plenty of time to spare in 6th . But what I actually do is chop down to 4th (or even 3rd) just to feel the rush of power - it's such a buzz .
I'm pretty sure I **** a few people off doing that but it's so much fun I can't help myself .
I'm pretty sure I **** a few people off doing that but it's so much fun I can't help myself .
02-13-2010, 04:47 PM
#94
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I LOOK for opportunities to change gears, not for opportunities to avoid shifting.
It's not a requirement. It's not a 'have to'. It's an 'I WANT TO!' And so does the 8.
02-13-2010, 06:55 PM
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I've been called lazy before! lol! When you read the reviews of the regular Elise versus the SC, some purists prefer the regular Elise because you have to shift much more often while the SC with the turbo offers a more relaxed ride. Depends on what you want. If you like shifting gears and keeping the revs up, I see no reason why the current hp of the RX-8 is more than enough for public roads and keeping your driver's license intact
02-13-2010, 08:36 PM
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As mentioned earlier, RX8 is one of the best handling out there right now and if you bought an 8 for anything else other than looks.... honestly I gotta ask why? If your making 300 to 350 in hp, consider yourself a lucky man..."or girl"....as that alone will suprise most drivers out there....even in the great EVOs and STIs. Also as mentioned earlier...if you want a 500+hp car and care a lot more about straight line power rather then a more challenging and rewarding sense of pride when truning those corners at high speed....then get a car that is more suitable for that amout of hp. Personally I'd like a car that can do a little bit of both...so..300 to 350....is perfect and is about as high as I'd go. Just my 2 cents
02-13-2010, 09:13 PM
#98
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As mentioned earlier, RX8 is one of the best handling out there right now and if you bought an 8 for anything else other than looks.... honestly I gotta ask why? If your making 300 to 350 in hp, consider yourself a lucky man..."or girl"....as that alone will suprise most drivers out there....even in the great EVOs and STIs. Also as mentioned earlier...if you want a 500+hp car and care a lot more about straight line power rather then a more challenging and rewarding sense of pride when truning those corners at high speed....then get a car that is more suitable for that amout of hp. Personally I'd like a car that can do a little bit of both...so..300 to 350....is perfect and is about as high as I'd go. Just my 2 cents