Jaded by the power

[fiveoh2go]

I'm at a crossroads of sorts with my car.

When I first got it the plan was to just drive it the way it was/currently is. That was fine until this past fall when I started to become a little bored with it. I had done all the cosmetic mods I wanted along with some suspension and exhaust work, but the power that I fell in love with when I first bought it started to become a little mundane and boring. So this leads me back to the crossroads I mentioned earlier. I have a couple choices and wanted MM's unbiased input. If I put this thread up on SVTP I know the answer I'd get over there...that's why I didn't. So anyway my options are:

#1 - Wait another year or two to save up the funds to buy a twin screw blower (Kenne-Bell or Whipple) along with the supporting fuel system and go for broke (600-650 rwhp). Upside to this choice is the large increase in power but also the propensity for stuff to break. At this boost level (18-20 pounds) race fuel or a fuel additive is pretty much required. Total cost is roughly 6-7K.

#2 - Get the factory Eaton blower ported and pick up a few necessary fuel upgrades this fall (490-510 rwhp). This choice is considerably less expensive than #1, but makes less power too. I'm only gaining around 50 hp with this choice but the cooler discharge temperatures of the ported blower will actually lead to increased engine longevity. The car would be tuned to run pump 93 so no special fuel would be needed. Total cost is roughly 1.5-2K.

#3 - I should STFU and be happy with where I'm at.

[.RJ]

smaller pulley + ECU change?

[fiveoh2go]

smaller pulley + ECU change?

Already done :?

[.RJ]

Oh, STFU then :lol:

[JustinG]

buy a DD and go crazy with the thing, ask how much people love DDing their project car. Dont know of many who do. If you want to continue using it as a DD id stick with the Option 2, or just STFU.

[Goodspeed]

buy a DD and go crazy with the thing, ask how much people love DDing their project car. Dont know of many who do. If you want to continue using it as a DD id stick with the Option 2, or just STFU.

He has a DD and drives the Cobra like once a month, no idea how you're getting bored of the power Matt :lol:

Is there any in-between, like doing the fuel system for a KB but instead doing a Stiegemeier port on the Eaton? That way you could see if you'd be happy with ~500whp, and if not, you're only a blower swap away from 150 more.

Or nitrous?

Edit: realized I didn't vote, so I chose #2. KB's are nasty, but for the money it sounds like a ported blower, boost-a-pump and maybe a dry shot with a good, safe tune would be the most cost effective route versus "am I happy with this new power level?"

[fiveoh2go]

Or nitrous?

Seriously though, not really keen on nitrous. Too many horror stories and burnt pistons for me. Boost only.

[BLINGMW]

Boredom leads to spending
Spending leads to power
Power leads to suffering

it's like a circle

[D_Eclipse9916]

Go do stuff with your car. Autox/road racing etc.

I got bored with the power of the gsx all the time and it was a constant, ooh can I add this, more parts....

Once I got into road racing more I didnt give much about power.

If your not, go sell the cobra, drive your daily for a year, then come back. lol thats the only way. Our bodies adapt, you can either try the arms race with yourself or just do soemthing else to keep you occupiped.

[Steve85]

How do your street tires hold up under max acceleration with the current setup? I think I know the answer...

So, how much time will you really spend accelerating from the speed limit to 150 to enjoy that increase in power?

If it means anything, I would trade every dollar I spent building 500-600hp for more track time, suspension improvements, nasty brakes, and a full rack of racing slicks to burn through.

My car when I bought it dyno'ed 230rwhp, I bumped it to ~380, over 400, then into the 500's for a brief time. You will get bored again when you realize the diminishing returns of trying to acclerate a car on street tires with anything over 300-350 ft/lbs of torque. There is an article where they reviewed the KR500 from Shelby and they were shocked the car didn't get any more tire than the standard Cobra (or GT or whatever) and the car was no faster, just more frustrating.

So,
#1 is useless, for other than bragging rights or drag racing with slicks
#2 at your current power level will hardly be noticeable and will certainly not provide long-term satisfaction
#3 is your winner. I know you've been to check out a few track events and auto-x, I don't know if you've tried it, but you should.

[Goodspeed]

Go do stuff with your car. Autox/road racing etc.

+1, this is the best suggestion so far, didn't even think of it. I guess I'm the opposite, I don't get tired of the power but I love hitting the twisties, autocrossing, and hit that track crackpipe once at VIR. The Supra stayed at the power I bought it with for 2 years, I even had all the fuel I needed besides injectors but couldn't be bothered to go after more power b/c I was having too much fun autocrossing it. I don't really care that the Miata only has ~140hp at this point either.

Still the most fun I've ever had in a car, and it was right at your current power too. Get some clear bra done (or a few rolls of blue tape), some cheap wheels/sticky tires and go for it.

[Jake]

+1million on the "learn to drive" part. Not saying that you don't know how, but seat time with AX is incredibly cheap, and track days are relatively cheap as well, long-term. Your 'Stang is gorgeous and if you've done suspension stuff, I suspect it would be a lot of fun with autocross. Power is relative and really, there's only so much horsepower and torque that's practical and useful on the street.

I'd leave it as-is and get to driving "events" when the weather gets a bit nicer. My car's 128 hp is a handful when driven improperly, and a ton of fun when driven right. I'm not bored, because the courses and challenges are constantly changing.

[WRXtranceformed]

It really just depends on what your goals are. Do not underestimate the massive money pit your car becomes when you push 550whp+, as well as the headaches that can come up and make the car less enjoyable.

If your goal is to make it a 1/4 mile strip warrior, then by all means consider power as the next option, although I would suggest seat time at the strip to really get your driving down before just throwing more money at the car. If you want more power just "because"... believe me I've been down that road and it's a road of diminishing returns. The most fun I ever had with any car was driving the heck out of it in twisties (I never got into auto-xing or road racing, but I grew up in an area with awesome, awesome empty back country roads that made for some fun spirited driving). Looking back, I could have enjoyed those roads at half the power I had with either of my performance cars. Again though if you're building a strip warrior, adding power after you've completed the RWD traction mods really is the next step to lower ETs and higher trap speeds. Like Steve pointed out though, how much fun can you really have on public roads with enough power to get you to 150 in 12 seconds without potentially getting into a lot of trouble?

Another thing, don't expect to get that $7k back out of the car if you ever go to sell it. Don't dump that much money into the car unless you plan on keeping it for a long, long time. Learn from my mistakes :lol: (I don't have any regrets, I LOVED my project cars and I'm itching for another one in the next 5 years, but be smart about it)

[Evan]

its bad when you can tell from a still picture how bad a car plows

[D_Eclipse9916]

He is also about 10 ft off where he should be lol.