How much power is enough?
Discussion
I went on a blast today on a mixture of A and B roads, and noticed how rarely and for what short periods I was giving it full throttle. Mine's a standard 996 C2, and although I would love a tt and enjoy all the upgrade threads here - I do sometimes wonder what's the point, the skills in the corners after all; any idiot can drive fast in a straight line, is it just a case of mine's bigger than yours?
(and yes I am just trying to stir)
(and yes I am just trying to stir)
I was thinking the same thing a couple of days ago, I only get to use full throttle through a couple of gears at best.
This is probably confirmed by the computer showing an average speed of 18mph during my three week's ownership.
I'm planning a high speed continental trip to sort this out soon.
Surely you can't have enough of a good thing though
This is probably confirmed by the computer showing an average speed of 18mph during my three week's ownership.
I'm planning a high speed continental trip to sort this out soon.
Surely you can't have enough of a good thing though
I think it comes down to the individual. Some of us just have an unnatural craving for power !!!
I had a standard C2 prior to the GT2 and from the first day I got it, I always felt I would like a bit more power. The GT2 was slightly different, it has taken me two weeks to decide that a little more power would be nice and at the same time a little more driver training !!!
Cheers
I had a standard C2 prior to the GT2 and from the first day I got it, I always felt I would like a bit more power. The GT2 was slightly different, it has taken me two weeks to decide that a little more power would be nice and at the same time a little more driver training !!!
Cheers
In the right circumstances you can never have enough power, however these are usually when on drag-strips and on airfield runways. There are therefore times when 600, 700 or even more bhp is inadequate for what you are wishing to achieve (a desired top speed or perhaps a desired 1/4 mile time).
That said on the road you can easily have too much power. It is exceptionally rare that I can use full throttle in my car and in the few instances that I can (dry straight road with significant visibility ahead), I can only do so for a few seconds at least without going very fast indeed (from data-logging, if I floor it at 60mph, it's doing over 100mph in well under 4 seconds).
On a clear de-restricted autobahn you will always always crave more power 
However in england, it is so rare to be able to use the power, roads are crappy, with far too much traffic. Thats why we are moving all the cars to germany
all the best
adam
>> Edited by adamt on Friday 24th March 00:16
However in england, it is so rare to be able to use the power, roads are crappy, with far too much traffic. Thats why we are moving all the cars to germany
all the best
adam
>> Edited by adamt on Friday 24th March 00:16
I'll let you know when I get there...
But seriously, one of the benefits I find, arises on low speed twisties where a surplus of grunt can be used to delicately unseat grip, provoking the most pleasant whiffs of minor oversteer, nothing lairy, just an enjoyable adjunct to an otherwise rip-snorting kreighunt o'er the moors.
Indeed, a week ago, just zonking along similar roads, the surface, frankly, treacherous, all greasy film and rivulet, afforded me umpteen microslithers, even straight lines; not second, that would be temptation too far, rather lots of fourth and fifth gear rear end shimmy as the excess grunt is just about gathered up by jiggery hips astern.
Exiting the toll booths, too, a recently frequent enough delight, eease away in 1st then slot home number two and prod with just the devilish side of cloven hoof and oh my, you little ferret, leeeft we go and away...just endlessly entertaining but all the while, not chronically scphincter twitching.
The most recent silliness has been truly awakening, regular but distinct wheelspin in the very highest of gears, at some of the very highest of speeds, always where circumstances permit, of course.
I think you build up a kind of psychological reaction to power and somehow grow to develop a hooning style that embraces it's possibilities, rather than somehow question it's inate excess.
I think it was Chris Harris, in Autocar, not long ago lamenting the inability of his venerable 993 C2 to dispatch an Accord 2.2 CDTi across a country road...
Power is a most relative concept, it's perpetual increase in the automobile mirrored by a simultaneous erosion through time.
Just go back to 1982 and imagine that 375bhp Lamborghini Countach, being merely quick.
But seriously, one of the benefits I find, arises on low speed twisties where a surplus of grunt can be used to delicately unseat grip, provoking the most pleasant whiffs of minor oversteer, nothing lairy, just an enjoyable adjunct to an otherwise rip-snorting kreighunt o'er the moors.
Indeed, a week ago, just zonking along similar roads, the surface, frankly, treacherous, all greasy film and rivulet, afforded me umpteen microslithers, even straight lines; not second, that would be temptation too far, rather lots of fourth and fifth gear rear end shimmy as the excess grunt is just about gathered up by jiggery hips astern.
Exiting the toll booths, too, a recently frequent enough delight, eease away in 1st then slot home number two and prod with just the devilish side of cloven hoof and oh my, you little ferret, leeeft we go and away...just endlessly entertaining but all the while, not chronically scphincter twitching.
The most recent silliness has been truly awakening, regular but distinct wheelspin in the very highest of gears, at some of the very highest of speeds, always where circumstances permit, of course.
I think you build up a kind of psychological reaction to power and somehow grow to develop a hooning style that embraces it's possibilities, rather than somehow question it's inate excess.
I think it was Chris Harris, in Autocar, not long ago lamenting the inability of his venerable 993 C2 to dispatch an Accord 2.2 CDTi across a country road...
Power is a most relative concept, it's perpetual increase in the automobile mirrored by a simultaneous erosion through time.
Just go back to 1982 and imagine that 375bhp Lamborghini Countach, being merely quick.
recently sold my 400+bhp ubertorque s4 which, despite being 996tt fast, i kind of got used to, perhaps because the chassis and transmission clearly used alien technology to keep it on the road. sad thing is i always wanted more, even when executing the most journey shortening 15 car overtakes. now ive definately got the 911 addiction but the 964rs clearly has half the required power of any self respecting vmax missile. im eager not to repeat the usual route of making many small upgrades to project uber beetle 2 (name possibly copyrighted by der) so going to have to jump in at the deep end. hopefully 600bhp will be enough for this year
430 Spider said:
2 different answers:
1) Just you and the road, probably 250-300BHP.
2) Cars to overtake? 400-500BHP.
On the road 300bhp in a tin top is enough for anyone. If you feel you need more, feel the need at track days and save somebody else's life on the road.
>> Edited by steve rance on Friday 24th March 13:58
you can never have too much power as long as the chassis and brakes are up to the job.the only way on the road to get away from the jub in a focus rs,clio trophy,m3 etc is too have much outright straightline accelaration.(or take huge risks)ive never lived down my mates' m3 cab staying with my c4s in a straight line up to 130mph,i got away on the twisty bits but i had to take too many gambles for my liking....i sold it and bought a tt
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff