Ideal hp

[ONEBAD78TA]

Is there an ideal amount of power to go for when building a pro tour/ track car,,,I for one have a hard time saying too much power LOL,,,I'm going to be running a 501 Cubic inch Pontiac making approx 700 hp/665 fp torque,,,I'm thinking it will be tons of fun ,,,don't think it will get a lot of traction but that's ok.

[Rick D]

Is there an ideal amount of power to go for when building a pro tour/ track car,,,I for one have a hard time saying too much power LOL,,,I'm going to be running a 501 Cubic inch Pontiac making approx 700 hp/665 fp torque,,,I'm thinking it will be tons of fun ,,,don't think it will get a lot of traction but that's ok.

I look at it a little differently, yes never TOOOO much HP!! But its when the power comes in, anyone can have a high number but is it useable power??

Intended use of the car, track, autocross, mostly stop light to stop light?? I would look at those things first then talk to your engine builder about intened use of the car?

[Che70velle]

I personally don't get real excited over peak HP numbers. I look at torque. Torque is the usable portion of the spectrum for 95% of most people on here, because most people on here aren't racing their cars, and having to wind their engines up to 7K. For me there's nothing more exciting than riding in a car, or driving one for that matter, that produces ridiculous torque numbers (down low in the powerband) and being able to lug the car around, and when you want to go, you don't have to downshift into 3rd and wind it up to pass someone, or make it up the mountain. That's what makes a good street car fun to drive. You should have plenty of fun with those numbers you mentioned, and pontiacs were always known to be torque monsters anyway. I've got 500 horses and 500ish torque, and that will be plenty for my street car. Now if I were 25 years old, I'd refuse to believe what I've just written, because more is better, right?

[WSSix]

My preferences are along the line with Scott's. It's the reason I ultimately decided to build a 383. It won't make much if any more horse power than a 355, but it will bring the torque in hard a lot sooner. I also am only a street car. For street cars, the most fun I have had is when they are making 400-450 at the wheels with broad torque bands.

[Flash68]

Yep, broad torque band.... that's what I would want.

So about the car... what are we talking about for suspension, tires, track width, weight etc?

[Vegas69]

Can you drive? ha

[mach1stang]

I prefer a lighter car with a real lightweight drivetrain and a mild amount of power to a crazy amount of power. Much rather use every last HP and TQ I have then waste half of it spinning the tires.

[Sieg]

You can definitely hook those hp/tq specs up with a properly set up chassis and right tire combo.

Hp/tq to weight ratio is more important than the hp & tq pinnacles.

[ONEBAD78TA]

I agree guys torque is the most fun,,,the car has an art morrison 4link with 335 bfgoodrich r1 for tread on the rear ,,and its going to have an extended travel coil over setup with eibach 600 pound springs and viking shocks,willwood 14 in brakes ,front and 13 in in rear.,,it should have tons of torque starting really low in the rpms and good through about 5k,,,but the dyno run hasnt been done yet I will post up the actuall numbers when i get them,,not sure on what the car weighs,,but its alot lighter than stock im sure but with the full cage thats been installed its probably put on a few lbs..

[carbuff]

Yep, broad torque band.... that's what I would want.


Says the guy who is building the 8500-9000 rpm NASCAR motor. ;)

[Flash68]

I agree guys torque is the most fun,,,the car has an art morrison 4link with 335 bfgoodrich r1 for tread on the rear ,,and its going to have an extended travel coil over setup with eibach 600 pound springs and viking shocks,willwood 14 in brakes ,front and 13 in in rear.,,it should have tons of torque starting really low in the rpms and good through about 5k,,,but the dyno run hasnt been done yet I will post up the actuall numbers when i get them,,not sure on what the car weighs,,but its alot lighter than stock im sure but with the full cage thats been installed its probably put on a few lbs..

Sounds like you have a pretty potent setup with suspension and sticky tires. Should be fun dialing it in with that power. :gitrdun:

Says the guy who is building the 8500-9000 rpm NASCAR motor. ;)

Sorry Bryan. Try again. :)

My Nascar-top-end motor was "detuned" (i.e. stroked) to bring the power range down to around 7000 rpm for durability. It has a mild cam in it for valvetrain longevity. It has 496 ft lbs at 3900 (lowest the dyno operator started it at) and peaks at 640 ft lbs at 5900 and 795 hp at 7200.

This ain't no peaky Cup motor and these numbers were no accident. They were engineered.... for pro touring. :lol:

Carry on.

[carbuff]

My Nascar-top-end motor was "detuned" (i.e. stroked) to bring the power range down to around 7000 rpm for durability. It has a mild cam in it for valvetrain longevity. It has 496 ft lbs at 3900 (lowest the dyno operator started it at) and peaks at 640 ft lbs at 5900 and 795 hp at 7200.

This ain't no peaky Cup motor and these numbers were no accident. They were engineered.... for pro touring. :lol:

Carry on.

Apparently I missed the dyno sheet. :EmoteClueless: 7200 still isn't exactly the most street friendly RPM. :catfight:

[WSSix]

When you pull out a great sounding and rev happy 377, you've got to put something else in its place that also sounds great. I'd save Dave nailed it.

[ONEBAD78TA]

7200 rpms,,Oh my',,,',,,,woooooo hooooo I won't make any power past 6200,,,but my butt should be pasted to the seat already,,and puckered,,LOL:woot:

[Flash68]

Apparently I missed the dyno sheet.

And I thought we were friends. :lol:


When you pull out a great sounding and rev happy 377, you've got to put something else in its place that also sounds great. I'd save Dave nailed it.

Thanks dude... :thumbsup:

7200 rpms,,Oh my',,,',,,,woooooo hooooo I won't make any power past 6200,,,but my butt should be pasted to the seat already,,and puckered,,LOL:woot:

6200...7200.... what matters more is quality parts and precision machine work and assembly by someone who knows what heck they are doing. :)

[ONEBAD78TA]

Well it's butler Pontiac who is building it,,so it should be fine....And for as much as it is costing me it better have the good stuff.

[Flash68]

Well it's butler Pontiac who is building it,,so it should be fine....And for as much as it is costing me it better have the good stuff.

Sounds like you are in good hands there!