What are imports doing about HP?
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From: Albany, NY
Re: What are imports doing about HP?
Originally Posted by Steve0
Even the Rx-8 has pretty good sucess with its rotary motor.
Originally Posted by falchulk
The Titan and Frontier are at the top of thier class for standard engines though.
Standard power in the Frontier is a 2.5L w/ 154HP/173tq, Colorado has a 175HP/185tq 4 cly. so I got you on a technicality
The nissan Frontier V6 has 40HP more than a Colorado I5, but that truck is also 500lbs. heavier, and isn't the old saying 100lbs.= 10hp?
Originally Posted by 3SuperSports
Like I said they aren't competeing in the "hot rod" truck market, but the Nissan's standard engine makes 305hp. The max you can get in the Silverado 1500 without going SS, is 295.
Last edited by Z28x; Jan 21, 2005 at 10:06 AM.
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Re: What are imports doing about HP?
Okay. 5hp or so one way or the other is all we're talking about here, but it answers this topic's original inquiry. It already isn't a problem.
Actually, the forced induction part of that comment, that's what ford does when it needs to surpass 300hp! 
Originally Posted by SNEAKY NEIL
I am really not sure what the imports will do. I would suspect they will stay with forced induction and stay with 4's and 6's.
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From: Hartford, CT
Re: What are imports doing about HP?
Originally Posted by SNEAKY NEIL
Wow, lets not go nuts here.
1. The EVO/STI are NOT C5 fast.
2. That just shows that the Mustang didn't go far enough for performance
3. The only mid 90's muscle car that those vehicles will embarras is a Mustang.
I am really not sure what the imports will do. I would suspect they will stay with forced induction and stay with 4's and 6's.
1. The EVO/STI are NOT C5 fast.
2. That just shows that the Mustang didn't go far enough for performance
3. The only mid 90's muscle car that those vehicles will embarras is a Mustang.
I am really not sure what the imports will do. I would suspect they will stay with forced induction and stay with 4's and 6's.
Anyone remember that Best Motoring video that was posted a while back where they ran a C5 Z51, Evo, Skyline, NSX and a few other cars around some circuit in Japan? I'll have to see if I can dig it up. The C5 got stomped, comign in last place by a large margain. Does it meant he C5 was slow? No, they were all fast cars, but there is a distinct difference between them.
http://www.racingflix.com/getvideo.asp?v=425&p=3
I'll have to see if I can find the uploaded video online somewhere.
A thing to remember is that these new cars are designed for a totaly different driving style then what a lot of the American manufacturers have been making. While american cars are usually more powerful, and rely on big grip (mediocre suspension design and wide tires) to get handling done, these import cars are moderatlely powered, lighter, and rely on more advanced suspensions which inturn make them more nimble and light on their feet.
They can transition and stop a lot quicker than the American competiton. I think that that may be another factor that attracts buyers. You can hop in an awd turbo 4 banger or a 350Z and get comfortable quickly, while learning to drive a Mustang or Vette as fast takes a bit more practice.
Like I said, it's just speculation on my part, but it could be this difference in design philosphy which a lot of buyers are attracted to.
Then one last point I'd just like to bring up. Torque is highly overrated when youre talking about some of these sports cars. When you have a car designed to be revved high and driven around a circuit, having torque at low rpms isnt going to do you mcuh good. Cars like the S2000, and Rx-8 are designed with this in mind. Theyre for people who want to pretend they are Michael Schumacher driving an F1 car, not John Force slamming gears on a Funny Car.
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Re: What are imports doing about HP?
Honda's 3.5L in the RL makes 300 N/A horses and we know BMW and porsche have both employed 333+ N/A 6cyl (BMW 333hp 3.2L I-6's and Porsche's 380hp 3.6L flat 6). Nissan's 3.5L Vq is near 300hp as well and i'm sure they can still get a bit more out of it.
They can make over 300hp N/A without a v8, but it comes at a price. Other alternative too bosting hp without a v8 is forced induction.
Raw power is good, but the overall performance is what matters most and the imports handle that area pretty well despite the lack of big power vehicles from the *** imports. They don't really have any big hp cars (factory wise and stateside), but i like a lot of their performance offerings and am a pretty big fan of both the EVO and STi.
They can make over 300hp N/A without a v8, but it comes at a price. Other alternative too bosting hp without a v8 is forced induction.
Raw power is good, but the overall performance is what matters most and the imports handle that area pretty well despite the lack of big power vehicles from the *** imports. They don't really have any big hp cars (factory wise and stateside), but i like a lot of their performance offerings and am a pretty big fan of both the EVO and STi.
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From: Albany, NY
Re: What are imports doing about HP?
Originally Posted by Steve0
Then one last point I'd just like to bring up. Torque is highly overrated when youre talking about some of these sports cars. When you have a car designed to be revved high and driven around a circuit, having torque at low rpms isnt going to do you mcuh good. Cars like the S2000, and Rx-8 are designed with this in mind. Theyre for people who want to pretend they are Michael Schumacher driving an F1 car, not John Force slamming gears on a Funny Car.
Torque is power, and without power a car can't go anywhere. Torque is what makes the wheels turn.
Originally Posted by Gold_Rush
Raw power is good, but the overall performance is what matters most and the imports handle that area pretty well despite the lack of big power vehicles from the *** imports. They don't really have any big hp cars (factory wise and stateside), but i like a lot of their performance offerings and am a pretty big fan of both the EVO and STi.
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Re: What are imports doing about HP?
Originally Posted by 3SuperSports
Like I said they aren't competeing in the "hot rod" truck market, but the Nissan's standard engine makes 305hp. The max you can get in the Silverado 1500 without going SS, is 295. You're right about Toyota, but I don't think anybody's hp ratings are low simply because they can't achieve bigger numbers. Honda/Toyota have traditionally stressed sufficient performance without sacrificing economy and reliability.
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Re: What are imports doing about HP?
Originally Posted by Steve0
The Evo is C5 fast when going around turns. Yeah, its giong to trap a good 5mph slower and will get burned in a straitilne, but once the road starts turning the Evo and STI will put a hurtin on a C5.
Anyone remember that Best Motoring video that was posted a while back where they ran a C5 Z51, Evo, Skyline, NSX and a few other cars around some circuit in Japan? I'll have to see if I can dig it up. The C5 got stomped, comign in last place by a large margain. Does it meant he C5 was slow? No, they were all fast cars, but there is a distinct difference between them.
http://www.racingflix.com/getvideo.asp?v=425&p=3
I'll have to see if I can find the uploaded video online somewhere.
A thing to remember is that these new cars are designed for a totaly different driving style then what a lot of the American manufacturers have been making. While american cars are usually more powerful, and rely on big grip (mediocre suspension design and wide tires) to get handling done, these import cars are moderatlely powered, lighter, and rely on more advanced suspensions which inturn make them more nimble and light on their feet.
They can transition and stop a lot quicker than the American competiton. I think that that may be another factor that attracts buyers. You can hop in an awd turbo 4 banger or a 350Z and get comfortable quickly, while learning to drive a Mustang or Vette as fast takes a bit more practice.
Like I said, it's just speculation on my part, but it could be this difference in design philosphy which a lot of buyers are attracted to.
Then one last point I'd just like to bring up. Torque is highly overrated when youre talking about some of these sports cars. When you have a car designed to be revved high and driven around a circuit, having torque at low rpms isnt going to do you mcuh good. Cars like the S2000, and Rx-8 are designed with this in mind. Theyre for people who want to pretend they are Michael Schumacher driving an F1 car, not John Force slamming gears on a Funny Car.
Anyone remember that Best Motoring video that was posted a while back where they ran a C5 Z51, Evo, Skyline, NSX and a few other cars around some circuit in Japan? I'll have to see if I can dig it up. The C5 got stomped, comign in last place by a large margain. Does it meant he C5 was slow? No, they were all fast cars, but there is a distinct difference between them.
http://www.racingflix.com/getvideo.asp?v=425&p=3
I'll have to see if I can find the uploaded video online somewhere.
A thing to remember is that these new cars are designed for a totaly different driving style then what a lot of the American manufacturers have been making. While american cars are usually more powerful, and rely on big grip (mediocre suspension design and wide tires) to get handling done, these import cars are moderatlely powered, lighter, and rely on more advanced suspensions which inturn make them more nimble and light on their feet.
They can transition and stop a lot quicker than the American competiton. I think that that may be another factor that attracts buyers. You can hop in an awd turbo 4 banger or a 350Z and get comfortable quickly, while learning to drive a Mustang or Vette as fast takes a bit more practice.
Like I said, it's just speculation on my part, but it could be this difference in design philosphy which a lot of buyers are attracted to.
Then one last point I'd just like to bring up. Torque is highly overrated when youre talking about some of these sports cars. When you have a car designed to be revved high and driven around a circuit, having torque at low rpms isnt going to do you mcuh good. Cars like the S2000, and Rx-8 are designed with this in mind. Theyre for people who want to pretend they are Michael Schumacher driving an F1 car, not John Force slamming gears on a Funny Car.
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From: Kilgore TX 75662
Re: What are imports doing about HP?
Originally Posted by Z28x
...Until the recent Cobalt SS 2.0L and new 2.4L GM hasn't had a 4 cyl. over 150HP in forever. Imports have been running the high end 4 cly. game.
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Re: What are imports doing about HP?
Originally Posted by Darth Xed
276hp is impressive from a 4-cylinder, and can do some good in a smaller car like a Lancer, but if you drop that into a bigger car, say something Accord sized, it's not going to compete with Hemi's and the like in similar sized cars.
Originally Posted by MissedShift
Do yourself a favor and dont assume thats going to last forever. Insurance companies will, sooner or later, bias their premiums up for a 300hp car no matter whats making the power, be it a V8, or four hamsters. The turbo-fours have a free ride for now, but dont be an idiot and think its an untouchable advantage.
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Re: What are imports doing about HP?
Originally Posted by Darth Xed
Plus a lot of that is irrelevant... 4 cylinder Honda Civics have higher insurance rates than more expensive, more powerful Chevy Impalas, because they tend to get wrecked more often.
A lot of the HP or Number of Cylinders to Insurance thing is a myth. It's more based on likelihood of the car to be wrecked, and cost to repair it...
A lot of the HP or Number of Cylinders to Insurance thing is a myth. It's more based on likelihood of the car to be wrecked, and cost to repair it...
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Re: What are imports doing about HP?
Originally Posted by Steve0
A thing to remember is that these new cars are designed for a totaly different driving style then what a lot of the American manufacturers have been making. While american cars are usually more powerful, and rely on big grip (mediocre suspension design and wide tires) to get handling done, these import cars are moderatlely powered, lighter, and rely on more advanced suspensions which inturn make them more nimble and light on their feet.
They can transition and stop a lot quicker than the American competiton. I think that that may be another factor that attracts buyers. You can hop in an awd turbo 4 banger or a 350Z and get comfortable quickly, while learning to drive a Mustang or Vette as fast takes a bit more practice........
........Theyre for people who want to pretend they are Michael Schumacher driving an F1 car, not John Force slamming gears on a Funny Car.
They can transition and stop a lot quicker than the American competiton. I think that that may be another factor that attracts buyers. You can hop in an awd turbo 4 banger or a 350Z and get comfortable quickly, while learning to drive a Mustang or Vette as fast takes a bit more practice........
........Theyre for people who want to pretend they are Michael Schumacher driving an F1 car, not John Force slamming gears on a Funny Car.
Last edited by slt; Jan 21, 2005 at 11:18 AM.
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Re: What are imports doing about HP?
Originally Posted by Z28x
*** handling is overrated. They handle no better than American cars. There isn't one *** car sold here that can hang with a C6 Z06, Viper SRT-10, or Ford GT(40) is a strait line or in the curves. No disrespect to the Evo & STi they handle great, but are no Z06. Even the 350Z only pulls skid pad #'s about the same as a Camaro SS. The CTSv & Cobalt SS both pulled 0.90g in MT and would have no problem taking a 350Z, or G35 in the curves.
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From: Chattanoga & Franklin
Re: What are imports doing about HP?
I hate to say it, but I think the Japs are making the same mistake with their current crop of sports cars that they made back in the 1990's. They are all too complicated and expensive.
The 300ZX TT, Supra TT, and RX-7 TT are all notorious for flying apart and being unreliable. Bad turbos, bad sensors, electrical problems, etc. They are very high strung motors with exotic mechanicals. All of these cars, while cool, are very expensive to maintain. Now the current Evo, STi, and RX-8 fall into the same bin, very fast(not the RX-8 though), fun to drive, but once again very high strung beasts. It wouldn't suprise me if these cars started flying apart too.
The 300ZX TT, Supra TT, and RX-7 TT are all notorious for flying apart and being unreliable. Bad turbos, bad sensors, electrical problems, etc. They are very high strung motors with exotic mechanicals. All of these cars, while cool, are very expensive to maintain. Now the current Evo, STi, and RX-8 fall into the same bin, very fast(not the RX-8 though), fun to drive, but once again very high strung beasts. It wouldn't suprise me if these cars started flying apart too.
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From: cinci
Re: What are imports doing about HP?
Originally Posted by AronZ28
I hate to say it, but I think the Japs are making the same mistake with their current crop of sports cars that they made back in the 1990's. They are all too complicated and expensive.
The 300ZX TT, Supra TT, and RX-7 TT are all notorious for flying apart and being unreliable. Bad turbos, bad sensors, electrical problems, etc. They are very high strung motors with exotic mechanicals. All of these cars, while cool, are very expensive to maintain. Now the current Evo, STi, and RX-8 fall into the same bin, very fast(not the RX-8 though), fun to drive, but once again very high strung beasts. It wouldn't suprise me if these cars started flying apart too.
The 300ZX TT, Supra TT, and RX-7 TT are all notorious for flying apart and being unreliable. Bad turbos, bad sensors, electrical problems, etc. They are very high strung motors with exotic mechanicals. All of these cars, while cool, are very expensive to maintain. Now the current Evo, STi, and RX-8 fall into the same bin, very fast(not the RX-8 though), fun to drive, but once again very high strung beasts. It wouldn't suprise me if these cars started flying apart too.
you would think they would correct those mistakes from the past but you never know...