Would a 200sx feel faster than a 540i?

[swiftpete]

Currently have 540i. Not bad, but its not as fast as I would like. Am thinking of going the 200sx route and modding it up to 280ish bhp. Anyone out there driven both?

[thenick]

I've got a Nissan 200 S14a and a modified TVR Chimaera 450 and I have to say the Nissan feels faster (at 12psi boost) even though I have run the two together and the Chim is considerably quicker. The key factor is boost; due to the nature of a turbo, you get an ever increasing rate of change of acceleration which the human body mistakes for a rate of change of speed. So turbo cars, or cars with a very steep power curve will always feel faster as you get a longer kick in the back when you put your foot down. In actual fact though, the n/a car will often be faster, but its flatter torque curve won't feel as quick as you get accustomed to the acceleration as it is more linear.

In short, yes the 200sx will feel faster if you tune it to stage 1!

[swiftpete]

Cheers for the reply! I used to run a saab 9000 with 200bhp, not the most powerful car in the world but it felt quick, the car im driving in now has 280 but because of the power delivery being as you described, it doesnt kick me in the back. It probably is faster than the saab, but i somehow remember the saab as being quicker. Maybe its just petrol tinted glasses. Either way, s14a tuned to stage 1 sounds like the way forwards!

Edited by swiftpete on Thursday 31st July 22:29

[sparkyhx]

If your saying the 540 has about 280bhp then I would suggest a stage 1 200sx will feel faster due to what has been described and be faster due to the weight difference. I don't know how much a 540 is but I doubt its anywhere near the 1260kg of a 200sx.

A Stage 1 200sx will match an older M3 (I don't know version numbers) simply because of the weight factor.

The major difference will be performance at lower revs - the 200 won't pick up til 3500 whereas the 540 will more or less have it on tap all the time. - but its no where near as bad as a revvy VTEC - a second gear overtake at starting at 40mph is simply awsome in the 200.

[swiftpete]

The 540 weighs 1550kg so there is a bit of a difference there. My girlfriend has a 2.2 vtec prelude so I know what vtec is like, hers is still a fun car to drive as it feels like it weighs nothing compared to mine and gets round corners so well.

just need to sell the 540 now..

Edited by swiftpete on Friday 1st August 08:34

[RobCrezz]

I would say so. like you say the 540 is only 280bhp, and that figure is easyly obtained on a 200sx. spend a little money and the 200sx can be a real rapid car.

[thenick]

sparkyhx said:

a second gear overtake at starting at 40mph is simply awsome in the 200.

He's not lying there... It still gets me sparky, its like being on an elastic band slingshotting around the car in front!

[WeirdNeville]

thenick said:

sparkyhx said:

a second gear overtake at starting at 40mph is simply awsome in the 200.

He's not lying there... It still gets me sparky, its like being on an elastic band slingshotting around the car in front!

Glad to see you're still enjoying the Datsun Nick!
Great cars. I Still have the odd pang after selling it.

[SmokinV8]

Yay, go for the 200sx. I got a 300bhp one and was meant to part with it when I bought my cerb..... but didnt!

[tali1]

Cousin had modded 150BHP Cherry Turbo zx - neck and neck flat out with his brothers 540i at 140mph - with the Cherry just edging it.....

[sparkyhx]

thenick said:

sparkyhx said:

a second gear overtake at starting at 40mph is simply awsome in the 200.

He's not lying there... It still gets me sparky, its like being on an elastic band slingshotting around the car in front!

I'm glad you still find it addictive - I love sunday drivers doing 40mph on NSL roads, just gives me an excuse, even better when you slot back in front of them and its popping and banging on overrun.