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| quote: | Originally posted by Tranceplanted
On the whole forced induction issue, it is probably one of the most cost effective ways to get a large bump in hp, which is why it's so attractive for a lot of people. Generally speaking, you're going to pay a lot more for tuning a car to higher levels using strictly naturally aspirated methods over forced induction. That's even more exaggerated with smaller displacement engines. That said, having a car that can go 0-100 in 4.0 seconds, but then can't stop and make the corner really doesn't mean much. Neither does one that blows it's engine after a few runs.....
Personally, I actually like cars with lower torque characteristics at lower revs, ie S2000, RX8, etc, because if it's your daily driver, it makes it a lot more manageable in most conditions. Even in racing conditions, it really shows who are the drivers and who are the pedal mashers, because maintaining your speed is much more based on skill with a car without huge torque characterisitics. |
it certainly does make for simpler city driving, that's for sure...but...the con is that to hit power you've always got to rev the engine. Honda S2000 is a great example. Very comfortable in stop-and-go conditions and as a daily driver...but power down low is mediocre, I find and gearing is a bit close. Great car...but...for that price, I'd take the hp/torque curve of an STi (although it's more of a bruttish, raw ride at low speeds). I guess it just comes down to personal preference and driving style.
definitely right on the FI as a cost effective solution for big power...I can't count the # of people who've poured a lot of time and money into every bolt-on imagineable (intake, exhaust, header, cat, cams, gears, etc) only to discover that they'd spent the equivalent of a decent turbo kit yet have subtantially less power to show for it...
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