What engine should I go for? - help
Discussion
I'm looking to build a 7 and I'm not sure what engine to start with.
Many years ago I built and raced one, back in the late 80's. That car had 185 bhp and was great, but I was an inexperienced 20 year old. Also back then the roads were empty and they hadn't invented speeding cameras. At that age I had pretty much no driving experience.
Since then I've ridden and raced motorcycles, on and off road. So I know all about power to weigh ratios and having more power than you can put down on the road.
I've a few motorbikes and just use them for weekend blatts on country roads - which is not different to what I want to do with the 7.
I own a 911, so have some power and luxury, which is great for touring abroad.
But I'm really not sure what to build. Would I find the 360 less exciting than my 1000cc KTM for messing about on ? Do I need to be looking at the 620 to get the same kind of rush.
When I'm on the motorcycle its all about squeezing out the power to match the grip, no traction control and pretty extreme consequences if you are a bit ham fisted. In the 911 the traction control stops it getting too hairy, plus the price of sorting it out if I bin it. What is it like in a 420 or 620 ? Can you put the power down on the road, or are you feathering it the whole time.
I intend to use it 99% on the road, so don't want to find I've wasted most of my money on something that's so quick its wasted on the road, but on the other hand I don't want to find its a bit of a let down compared to a sunny Sunday spin on one of my motorcycles. I don't want to end up paying for more power after getting used to it.
Anyone have any similar experiences they can help me with ?
Many years ago I built and raced one, back in the late 80's. That car had 185 bhp and was great, but I was an inexperienced 20 year old. Also back then the roads were empty and they hadn't invented speeding cameras. At that age I had pretty much no driving experience.
Since then I've ridden and raced motorcycles, on and off road. So I know all about power to weigh ratios and having more power than you can put down on the road.
I've a few motorbikes and just use them for weekend blatts on country roads - which is not different to what I want to do with the 7.
I own a 911, so have some power and luxury, which is great for touring abroad.
But I'm really not sure what to build. Would I find the 360 less exciting than my 1000cc KTM for messing about on ? Do I need to be looking at the 620 to get the same kind of rush.
When I'm on the motorcycle its all about squeezing out the power to match the grip, no traction control and pretty extreme consequences if you are a bit ham fisted. In the 911 the traction control stops it getting too hairy, plus the price of sorting it out if I bin it. What is it like in a 420 or 620 ? Can you put the power down on the road, or are you feathering it the whole time.
I intend to use it 99% on the road, so don't want to find I've wasted most of my money on something that's so quick its wasted on the road, but on the other hand I don't want to find its a bit of a let down compared to a sunny Sunday spin on one of my motorcycles. I don't want to end up paying for more power after getting used to it.
Anyone have any similar experiences they can help me with ?
So were you just spinning away the extra power then ? Or bouncing down the road ?
One of the things that makes the 911 quick is top notch suspension. On my motorbikes the suspension is endlessly adjustable, so you can waste hours twiddling it. In the end though, its easier to cope with more power on 4 wheels than on 2.
One of the things that makes the 911 quick is top notch suspension. On my motorbikes the suspension is endlessly adjustable, so you can waste hours twiddling it. In the end though, its easier to cope with more power on 4 wheels than on 2.
The bike I like riding the most is a big V-twin. All the torque is very low down, so you sort of surf a wave of it at low revs. It redlines at 12k, but you ride it at 3-4k. So for me, I would probably enjoy an engine that doesn't need thrashing.
Hard-Drive, you make some interesting points - your right, the feel / feedback and balance are key. Also a valid point about them all going round corners at the same speed.
So perhaps the 420 is the right one for 99% road use. But then I never use the 911 or any of my bikes to their full potential and that doesn't stop me enjoying them, so why not get the 620 before they are outlawed ? Bugger, too much choice just prevents decision making.
I need to drive one, that will help settle the matter.
Hard-Drive, you make some interesting points - your right, the feel / feedback and balance are key. Also a valid point about them all going round corners at the same speed.
So perhaps the 420 is the right one for 99% road use. But then I never use the 911 or any of my bikes to their full potential and that doesn't stop me enjoying them, so why not get the 620 before they are outlawed ? Bugger, too much choice just prevents decision making.
I need to drive one, that will help settle the matter.
- goes off to Google Caterham car hire*
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