Good Motor Trend Issue this month
04-30-2003, 10:52 PM
#1
NASIOC Slut
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Roseville, CA
Posts: 4,723
Car Info: 1995 Subaru Impreza 1.8 L
Good Motor Trend Issue this month
I know theres been alot of talk about the crazy EVO vs. STI numbers in the Motor Trend issue this month (13.0 1/4 mile for the EVO, 13.2 for the STI) but its a really good issue, best ive seen in awhile. Top speed/track like shoot out with the EVO and some exotics, along with a SRT vs. Mazdaspeed vs. SVT Focus comparo, and a review of the PPP (Prodrive) WRX and even a Forester vs. Outlander review in the snow 
Ok, end rant...
Ok, end rant...
05-01-2003, 05:57 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
o i c. too bad i am on the right coast, huh? o well, i'm not buying right now anyway.
and are we really supposed to believe the evo had a quicker 1/4 time?! the sti must have still been in break in period. driver didn't tach above 4g's... haha. no, really why do you think the evo had a better time?
-PJ
and are we really supposed to believe the evo had a quicker 1/4 time?! the sti must have still been in break in period. driver didn't tach above 4g's... haha. no, really why do you think the evo had a better time?
-PJ
05-01-2003, 06:13 PM
#5
Registered User
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 18,369
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
It's because there's more to the 1/4 mile than horsepower. There hasn't been a 4 cylinder japanese car bult yet (well, mass produced) that has as much power as a stock Chevy 427 from the muscle car era, but those cars couldn't break 14 seconds. The legendary GTO often was a 15 second car.
05-07-2003, 02:46 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
There are lots of mechanical factors besides peak horsepower and weight such as gearing and tires.
Also, some cars are easier to launch than others. Don't forget, these guys don't own the cars, and really don't have time to practice launches.
I used to have a 1997 Mustang Cobra. It was a ***** to launch. You had to rev it up to about 3500 RPM and then slowly let the clutch out. The first 4.6 DOHC cobra motor had a variable length intake manifold with butterfly valves that opened at 3750 RPM (you could hear the relay in the passenger footwell!). So there was a bump in the torque curve there. If you hit that bump during a launch, your tires would light up. Even below that, you could light the tires. So basically you ate up clutch instead. It was seriously hard to do, and took a lot of practice. It took my 20-30 runs before I could do it everytime. It shaved a full half second off of my 1/4 times (14.1 to 13.6).
The LS1 was easier to lauch. Automatic LS1's would sometimes beat manuals at the track because the GM automatic is pretty damn good, and it was a mindless exercise to launch.
Maybe the STi is a finicky launcher. I have personally experienced a half second improvement by learming to launch.
Also, 1/4 miles are only one measure. Wonder who would win on a big-boy race like 50 to 150?
Also, some cars are easier to launch than others. Don't forget, these guys don't own the cars, and really don't have time to practice launches.
I used to have a 1997 Mustang Cobra. It was a ***** to launch. You had to rev it up to about 3500 RPM and then slowly let the clutch out. The first 4.6 DOHC cobra motor had a variable length intake manifold with butterfly valves that opened at 3750 RPM (you could hear the relay in the passenger footwell!). So there was a bump in the torque curve there. If you hit that bump during a launch, your tires would light up. Even below that, you could light the tires. So basically you ate up clutch instead. It was seriously hard to do, and took a lot of practice. It took my 20-30 runs before I could do it everytime. It shaved a full half second off of my 1/4 times (14.1 to 13.6).
The LS1 was easier to lauch. Automatic LS1's would sometimes beat manuals at the track because the GM automatic is pretty damn good, and it was a mindless exercise to launch.
Maybe the STi is a finicky launcher. I have personally experienced a half second improvement by learming to launch.
Also, 1/4 miles are only one measure. Wonder who would win on a big-boy race like 50 to 150?
05-07-2003, 04:23 PM
#7
Registered User
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 18,369
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Originally posted by brizey
There are lots of mechanical factors besides peak horsepower and weight such as gearing and tires.
Also, some cars are easier to launch than others. Don't forget, these guys don't own the cars, and really don't have time to practice launches.
There are lots of mechanical factors besides peak horsepower and weight such as gearing and tires.
Also, some cars are easier to launch than others. Don't forget, these guys don't own the cars, and really don't have time to practice launches.
Never buy a media fleet tester. Ever.
Also, 1/4 miles are only one measure. Wonder who would win on a big-boy race like 50 to 150?
05-07-2003, 05:33 PM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: We are the all singing, all dancing, crap of the w
Posts: 556
Car Info: '09 Black Audi S5
WRX Prodrive PPP stage bits, etc. are being offered currently at two Subie dealers (that I'm aware of...)
- Irvine (spimotorsports.com)
- Mastro (mastrowrx.com)
...although I don't believe either can tell you exactly when you would actually receive your 'preorder'.
- Irvine (spimotorsports.com)
- Mastro (mastrowrx.com)
...although I don't believe either can tell you exactly when you would actually receive your 'preorder'.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post