I do stuff with my 90 hp MINI One on a daily basis that most of you folks in the US don't dream about doing on a public road. ;) Like routinely pulling triple digits on my commute, taking bends at more than twice the posted limit (and no, we don't signpost everything resembling a bend with a 15 mph or 25 mph limit either) and four wheel drifting on mini roundabouts. Keeping momentum is the key, and the MINI's ability to take a lot of speed into the heart of the curve is more of a benefit than loads of horses here.
I'd like a bit more midrange torque for overtaking, though...

I simply don't get the quest for supercar power in 'normal' cars with decidedly non-supercar handling and brake characteristics. What are you going to do with all that grunt, when on a race track a mere 140 hp Golf 2.0 TDI provides all the pace to test suspension, brakes and tyres to the maximum, and wear out a set of brakes as well as at least one set of ultra high performance rubber within two hours of driving (been there, done that)? Is being the quickest from traffic lights -that- important? And how often, exactly are you first in line waiting for the light to turn green? Over here, almost never.

The best 'performance accessory' by far is proper driver training. Then come brakes, suspension and only when you get bored with that, then it's the time to add more power.

Balance is everything. Apart from the drag strip, the ability to get 500 bhp within a reasonable budget is nothing if you can't afford the exotic chassis dynamics to go with it, and as long as you're not a VERY competent driver.

Back in the real world, a TVR Griffith 500 (0-100 11.2s) has about 275 crank hp on a dyno (let's call it 260 bhp/tonne), a race-derived double wishbone set up front and rear, an LSD and sticky Bridgestone Potenzas. Nevertheless, I dare anyone to open THAT thing up on the road, and tell me it doesn't have too much power afterwards.

So, what you reckon would be the use of say 300 bhp/tonne in your live-axled, rear drum braked pony car? ;)



posted by 82.204.0...

• Why Saab?, MS, Sat, 17 Jul 2004 21:45:57
  • Re: Why Saab?, CFishgo, Tue, 20 Jul 2004 16:27:11
  • Re: Why Saab?, IceSaab, Tue, 20 Jul 2004 15:17:30
    • then again, I don't read Icelandic :( n/m, MS, Tue, 20 Jul 2004 21:00:27
    • Re: Why Saab?, MS, Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:57:19
  • Re: Why Saab?, 900 SPG, Tue, 20 Jul 2004 14:36:16
  • I like the look on peoples faces when I pass them, Steve88SiS, Tue, 20 Jul 2004 13:00:30
  • So I can carry a spare ignition system at all times? n/, Dean, Tue, 20 Jul 2004 08:01:42
  • N/T "If you cant go fast with 90 HP 500 will not help", Ed, Mon, 19 Jul 2004 18:02:45
    • ...if man was meant to fly he'd have wings. Right! n/c, MS, Mon, 19 Jul 2004 23:40:44
    • Re: N/T - what an utter lie..., TonyC, Mon, 19 Jul 2004 20:42:51
      • No, it's true, Eric van Spelde, Tue, 20 Jul 2004 23:25:36 <-- Viewing This Message
        • Gratuitus Burnouts!!!, SteveW, Wed, 21 Jul 2004 18:18:39
          • Cool :-) nm, Eric van Spelde, Thu, 22 Jul 2004 02:02:49
  • My answer: the X factor, MS, Mon, 19 Jul 2004 11:13:58
  • Re: Why Saab?, Bill in VA, Mon, 19 Jul 2004 10:08:43
  • C900 3dr ... style/design/function, Kevin K , Mon, 19 Jul 2004 08:03:25
  • Im sick in the head possible masochist tendancys?, jak , Sun, 18 Jul 2004 14:24:33
  • Value, design, versatility, different, RobInfo, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 09:13:42
  • a fun challenge, steveC, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 08:54:45
    • Re: a fun challenge, GM, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 09:14:40
      • Re: a fun challenge, Cutic, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 15:36:02
        • Re: a fun challenge, GM, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 16:06:35
          • Re: a fun challenge, cutic, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 16:49:04
            • Re: a fun challenge, GM, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 17:25:22
      • Re: a fun challenge, steveC, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 11:00:02
  • safety....., GM, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 08:01:22
  • Re: Why Saab?, Brently, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 04:55:34
    • Brently, are you color blind?!....., zeke, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 07:16:17
  • Re: Why Saab?, Bill Davies, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 03:03:05
  • Re: Why Saab?, Jeff Cullen, Sat, 17 Jul 2004 23:49:17
  • Re: Why Saab?, Drew P, Sat, 17 Jul 2004 23:05:07
    • Re: Why Saab?, lms, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 08:38:40
  • Good, Honest Question..., Joshua, Sat, 17 Jul 2004 23:03:11
    • Re: Good, Honest Question..., Mike, Sun, 18 Jul 2004 06:38:41

No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.

• Prev by Date: Hopped Up Mechanical Injectors, CraigSmith, Tue, 20 Jul 2004 23:09:42
• Next by Date: Re: What are you sorry about..., Eric van Spelde, Tue, 20 Jul 2004 23:46:54
• Main Performance Bulletin Board

StateOfNine.com

SaabClub.com

Jak Stoll Performance

M Car Covers

Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]

Random Saabnet.com Member Gallery Photos (Click Image)