Interesting Hp situation.

[Demon-Xanth]

Import cars are having amounts of power that say they should easily be competeing with muscle cars, however the speed isn't there. An Acura RSX has 210HP, 3200Lbs, and a six speed yet can't outrun a 3400Lb Mustang with a 215HP 5.0 or 4.6 and a five speed. It can't even come close. And it's only about as fast as my Dakota with a 230HP 4.7, 5 speed, and 4200Lbs worth of mass. (and it's a TRUCK!). The Celica has 180HP and 2700Lbs and it's about the same speed. It seems like the only car now that can pull numbers with the muscle cars is the Subaru WRX which brings down quarter mile times over a second faster than the RSX with 227HP.

The only thing I can think of that's really missing is torque. I'm not trying to flame imports, but it seems like they're using tricks to make an unusually large HP number to put up on an advertizement instead of concentrating on putting in some usable HP. (P4 anyone?)


When a 260HP 4000LB automatic equipped brick in the wind (aka: Caprice, Impala SS, Roadmaster) can out run your 210HP 3200Lb manual equipped sport compact it makes me question where the HP is.

 

[ElFenix]

force = mass * acceleration.

torque is force, which the 'stang has in gobs at a low rpm, and the integra/rsx/whatever doesn't generate all that much at peak.

the turbo on the WRX flattens out the torque curve and makes it almost v8-like.


i've wondered myself exactly what is the benefit of HP

 

[bmd]

What he said. A lot of the imports are lacking somewhat in low end torque when compared to bigger V6/V8 domestics.

 

[Ladies Man]

the hp is there.... but look at it on a dyno..... the max hp is at a huge rpm and there is barely any hp before that.

on a 5.0 or really any other decent sized v8 Torque and Hp are there at idle all the way to 6-7k.

 

[vi edit]

Would gearing have anything to do with it? Geared more for economy than performance?

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Import cars are having amounts of power that say they should easily be competeing with muscle cars, however the speed isn't there. An Acura RSX has 210HP, 3200Lbs, and a six speed yet can't outrun a 3400Lb Mustang with a 215HP 5.0 or 4.6 and a five speed. It can't even come close. And it's only about as fast as my Dakota with a 230HP 4.7, 5 speed, and 4200Lbs worth of mass. (and it's a TRUCK!). The Celica has 180HP and 2700Lbs and it's about the same speed. It seems like the only car now that can pull numbers with the muscle cars is the Subaru WRX which brings down quarter mile times over a second faster than the RSX with 227HP.

The only thing I can think of that's really missing is torque. I'm not trying to flame imports, but it seems like they're using tricks to make an unusually large HP number to put up on an advertizement instead of concentrating on putting in some usable HP. (P4 anyone?)


When a 260HP 4000LB automatic equipped brick in the wind (aka: Caprice, Impala SS, Roadmaster) can out run your 210HP 3200Lb manual equipped sport compact it makes me question where the HP is.

I can't believe it - does the lil itty bitty RSX really weigh 3200lbs?! :Q

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Would gearing have anything to do with it? Geared more for economy than performance?

yes. close gears are going to help acceleration.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Would gearing have anything to do with it? Geared more for economy than performance?

yes. close gears are going to help acceleration.

Gearing plays a big part in it, but both of the cars are aimed for the sport market so I'm sure they both are geared for best acceleration.

 

[B00ne]

I dont think its that easy. The gearing so it fits the engine charcteristics, top speed,acc, fuel consumption, Tops speed might not be important in the states but it is here. and u need HP to get to a high top speed

me thinks - could all be wrong

 

[Placer14]

Is this a RAW HP measurement or is this an HP measurement where the tires meet the ground. This is an important thing that most people miss.

Oh, and don't buy an HP, they suck. Especially since they have Compaq now. Their Tech Support blows.

 

[RegaPlanet]

like it's already been said it's all about torque.

plain and simple there's no replacement for displacement! (in a naturally aspirated world)

Read
Here for a total explanation.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: RegaPlanet
like it's already been said it's all about torque.

plain and simple there's no replacement for displacement! (in a naturally aspirated world)

Read
Here for a total explanation.

A long stroke allows the engine to produce power for a longer period of time, and subsequently more torque.

ummm... no, its because you have a longer arm on the crankshaft. lbs is the explosion, foot is the length of the arm from the center of the crankshaft to the center of the rod pin on the crank. bigger explosion, more torque. longer arm due to longer stroke, more torque. power doesn't come into it.

 

[RegaPlanet]

ummm... no, its because you have a longer arm on the crankshaft. lbs is the explosion, foot is the length of the arm from the center of the crankshaft to the center of the rod pin on the crank. bigger explosion, more torque. longer arm due to longer stroke, more torque. power doesn't come into it.

neither does explosion... detonation is a bad thing, it's a controlled burn that creates good/efficient/reliable power. Jest of the article or part of it that related to this thread was that a longer stroke gives more torque. Which is what v8's have compared to import 4cyls. I understand how the article saying "power" is incorrect but no need to be so technical. We're computer nerds here, not all mechanical engineers and yes I am being overly technical on yer description of explosion vs burn.

 

[ElFenix]

cylinder firing is an explosion... detonation is when the explosion doesn't start when/where its supposed to.

 

[RegaPlanet]

you missed my point

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: RegaPlanet
you missed my point

but i like being technical

 

[Cyberian]

Quote

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A long stroke allows the engine to produce power for a longer period of time, and subsequently more torque.
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There might be more to it than just relative stroke length.
I think the Acura RSX has a bore equal to its stroke, and the venerable 302 Ford is actually oversquare.