General Car Related Discussion. To discuss anything that is related to cars and automotive technology that doesnt naturally fit into another forum catagory.

big power FWD cars

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-05-2009, 10:54 AM
  #1  
gingerman
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
Thread Starter
 
gingerman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in the bushes outside you window(birmingham)
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default big power FWD cars

ok reading cossiebags abuse topic and that 106 has really caught my eye
what power can you have out of a fwd car and not understeer everywhere
surely 300bhp is already to much??
Old 08-05-2009, 10:55 AM
  #2  
PT
PassionFord Post Whore!!
 
PT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: .
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

They always used to say about 220bhp
Old 08-05-2009, 11:04 AM
  #3  
ECU Monitor Enthusiast
BANNED
BANNED
iTrader: (1)
 
ECU Monitor Enthusiast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 12,483
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have nearly 300bhp in my focus ST and its fine. It is a modern car though !
Old 08-05-2009, 11:14 AM
  #4  
focusv8
PassionFord Post Whore!!
 
focusv8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 4,771
Received 86 Likes on 81 Posts
Default

Stick some Revoknuckles on from the new FRS and you could probably easily hit 400.

.
Old 08-05-2009, 11:15 AM
  #5  
smila
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
iTrader: (1)
 
smila's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: wednesbury,west midlands
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i had a mk3 astra gsi with a calibra turbo engine in running 280bhp,i had to wait till 2nd gear before i could propa boot it else it would snap the gearbox but after 2nd it flew fastest car i have ever had
Old 08-05-2009, 11:16 AM
  #6  
gingerman
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
Thread Starter
 
gingerman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in the bushes outside you window(birmingham)
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

400bhp in a fwd would be a bit scary
Old 08-05-2009, 11:16 AM
  #7  
chettle
Regular Contributor
 
chettle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i had a C20let corsa B, we never got a final power figure but it was good for 300bhp+ that was also just on the normal F20 5speed box with no LSD...... great fun in a line, but throw some twistys in and it was dangerous!


Last edited by chettle; 08-05-2009 at 11:21 AM.

Trending Topics

Old 08-05-2009, 11:19 AM
  #8  
smila
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
iTrader: (1)
 
smila's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: wednesbury,west midlands
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

my astra was 280bhp at 12psi it was fun when subarus used to try there look and most other things on road
Old 08-05-2009, 11:46 AM
  #9  
ybturbo
PassionFord Regular
 
ybturbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Greece
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It depends from the weight of the car and the suspension set up - system. To a modern car (weighting 1200kg+) I would say 250 bhp with lsd too. A friend of mine had a starlet GT 170bhp (700kg) wich I was also driving sometimes and it was understeering a lot on throttle. It was an animal and hard to take it on the limit but very capable of leaving today spec 300hp cars behind. That's why it was called "pocket rocket"!
Old 08-05-2009, 11:48 AM
  #10  
gingerman
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
Thread Starter
 
gingerman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in the bushes outside you window(birmingham)
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by chettle
i had a C20let corsa B, we never got a final power figure but it was good for 300bhp+ that was also just on the normal F20 5speed box with no LSD...... great fun in a line, but throw some twistys in and it was dangerous!

looks nice
Old 08-05-2009, 12:02 PM
  #11  
DangerousBryan
Advanced PassionFord User
 
DangerousBryan's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: sheffield,s.yorks
Posts: 2,201
Received 21 Likes on 21 Posts
Default

this was mine. was abouit 350hp with the nitrous and 300 with out. 6 speed box with lsd and decent suspension. it had adjustable boost so our lass could drive it. would spin up in third with the nitrous on though. never found anything quicker on the road. miles quicker than my m3 on the road.

Old 08-05-2009, 12:08 PM
  #12  
chettle
Regular Contributor
 
chettle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

cheers, it was an awsome car, but i had to sell to go travelling a friend of mine is building another C20LET corsa for 450-500bhp which will be a weapon on the 1/4 mile, but as a track car would get destroyed by most. Altho i have another mate who is building a supercharged GTi6 currently at 259bhp (0.6bar boost), but going for a fully forged bottom end and 1.2bar with a LSD, should be a monster if he can get power down, hopefully the smoother power curve will play a big part!
Old 08-05-2009, 12:14 PM
  #13  
woolford
Advanced PassionFord User
 
woolford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Blackpool
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

like the look of all 3 and there all vauxhalls
Old 08-05-2009, 12:19 PM
  #14  
alistairolsen
Advanced PassionFord User
 
alistairolsen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Glasgow/Oban
Posts: 2,053
Received 8 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

you can have any peak power figure you like as long as its mapped and specced so its controllable, you then just use your right foot to ensure you stay on the road.

Just cos you can spin the wheels on any corner on the track, in any gear, doesnt mean you dont have to, but until you can do that, you *could* go faster.
Old 08-05-2009, 12:24 PM
  #15  
Paulo P
PassionFord Post Whore!!
 
Paulo P's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: High Wycombe, Bucks
Posts: 4,530
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by Flux Capacitor.
I have nearly 300bhp in my focus ST and its fine. It is a modern car though !
They do spin and understeer badly in the wet though if you switch off the ESP Other than that they are great though as you say
Old 08-05-2009, 12:30 PM
  #16  
Chip
*** Sierra RS Custard ***
iTrader: (3)
 
Chip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 47,250
Received 22 Likes on 14 Posts
Default

Rob's astra is around the 400bhp mark, and that drives fine, its certainly not too much for the chassis IMHO at that level.

Much more than that would start getting to be a bit pointless though, so I reckon that is about the real limit for useable power.
Old 08-05-2009, 12:32 PM
  #17  
alistairolsen
Advanced PassionFord User
 
alistairolsen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Glasgow/Oban
Posts: 2,053
Received 8 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Chip
Rob's astra is around the 400bhp mark, and that drives fine, its certainly not too much for the chassis IMHO at that level.

Much more than that would start getting to be a bit pointless though, so I reckon that is about the real limit for useable power.
For those that dont know, robs car is mapped with a VERY progressive, controllable power delivery. It is nothing at all like a stage 3 cossie engine. This seems to be what people miss when they talk about big power. In fwd big power should come from maintaining torque at high revs, not a massive lump of torque in the midrange and then nothing.
Old 08-05-2009, 12:33 PM
  #18  
Big Will_
Borg Warner EFR Equipped!
 
Big Will_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: In the unit, building a 450bhp Time Attack Focus!
Posts: 5,810
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

My supercharged ST170 was around 300bhp last year and i pedalled that around with no wheelspin/torquesteer issues at all...

I'm going for around another 100bhp this year and suspect i'll only be traction limited with the nitrous in 1st and 2nd...

I think a lot of people overlook the chassis/suspension/geometry and tyres when building fast FWD cars and then moan that "they're all over the road"...
Old 08-05-2009, 12:34 PM
  #19  
DanW@FastFord
Spelling Club King!
iTrader: (1)
 
DanW@FastFord's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Fast Ford
Posts: 10,415
Received 21 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

It entirely depends on the chassis and the capabilities of the car. The Focus RS handles 300bhp easily, the Alfa 147 GTA struggles to cope with 250.
Old 08-05-2009, 12:34 PM
  #20  
gingerman
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
Thread Starter
 
gingerman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in the bushes outside you window(birmingham)
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

what about a saxo chassis?
because that black 106 posted by cossiebags seems cool
Old 08-05-2009, 12:34 PM
  #21  
Chip
*** Sierra RS Custard ***
iTrader: (3)
 
Chip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 47,250
Received 22 Likes on 14 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by alistairolsen
For those that dont know, robs car is mapped with a VERY progressive, controllable power delivery. It is nothing at all like a stage 3 cossie engine. This seems to be what people miss when they talk about big power. In fwd big power should come from maintaining torque at high revs, not a massive lump of torque in the midrange and then nothing.
Oh god yeah, if we took the LET out and put the YB from my 3 door in with its 34lbs midrange spike, it would be totally undriveable, lol
Old 08-05-2009, 12:52 PM
  #22  
Red16
10K+ Poster!!
 
Red16's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: South Shields
Posts: 10,788
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by gingerman
ok reading cossiebags abuse topic and that 106 has really caught my eye
what power can you have out of a fwd car and not understeer everywhere
surely 300bhp is already to much??
Power has nothing to do with understeer! Do you mean torque steer? as they're two totally different things.
Old 08-05-2009, 01:02 PM
  #23  
gingerman
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
Thread Starter
 
gingerman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in the bushes outside you window(birmingham)
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

not torque-steer
its just with that much power in a light car it must be useless on a track
Old 08-05-2009, 01:46 PM
  #24  
alistairolsen
Advanced PassionFord User
 
alistairolsen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Glasgow/Oban
Posts: 2,053
Received 8 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by gingerman
not torque-steer
its just with that much power in a light car it must be useless on a track
Why?

people dont seem to understand that if your power is controllable then you can select any level of power you want with your right foot. Id suggest that even 600bhp wouldnt be too much on the main straight of most tracks in 4th or 5th. Doesnt mean you need to use it in the bends tho.

Problem every time this gets discussed is people assuming that with 400bhp comes the lack of control associated with the sort of engine chip describes.
Old 08-05-2009, 02:16 PM
  #25  
Luca
Lukesville
iTrader: (2)
 
Luca's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Portsmouth
Posts: 9,668
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Mine drives like a normal road car

The world just needs to slow down the car is pretty tame!
Old 08-05-2009, 06:01 PM
  #26  
gingerman
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
Thread Starter
 
gingerman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: in the bushes outside you window(birmingham)
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by alistairolsen
For those that dont know, robs car is mapped with a VERY progressive, controllable power delivery. It is nothing at all like a stage 3 cossie engine. This seems to be what people miss when they talk about big power. In fwd big power should come from maintaining torque at high revs, not a massive lump of torque in the midrange and then nothing.
i didn't see the progressive power delivery sorry
but i think my question is answered thanx
Old 08-05-2009, 06:30 PM
  #27  
Minirotty
Lucifer II - 666
 
Minirotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 8,342
Received 303 Likes on 197 Posts
Default

all the cars mentioned are Turbo'd

Mine track car will be hitting 300+ BHP all N/A so no lag, I'm sure it'll take me a while to set it up but Ive got fully adjustable front end

once dialed in I cant see it having any issues at all.
Old 08-05-2009, 07:22 PM
  #28  
Barry_GTi
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
 
Barry_GTi's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Driven plenty of Supercharged Saxo's some with 230bhp at the wheels and they all had very little issue putting the power down. That was mostly due to the way the supercharger produced boost as opposed to a turbo kick.

Basically it depends how the engine is setup, as per Rob's Astra.
Old 08-05-2009, 07:43 PM
  #29  
zetaboostboy522bhp
Advanced PassionFord User
 
zetaboostboy522bhp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: in reality!!!!!!!!!!!
Posts: 2,158
Received 119 Likes on 101 Posts
Default

my mk3.5 fiesta zetec turbo running about 280/300bhp was fine with adjustable lower arms and gaz gold coilovers ,the problem is that most people with a modified car buy suspension etc , fit it and then dont have the car set up correctly. it also had power steering which helped with the torque steer , i remember when i picked it up from grove garage and drove it to ian howells house and let him have ago in it , he just couldnt believe how little torque steer the car had , in the end i had to take the keys off him!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kosienutter
General Car Related Discussion.
31
22-08-2015 09:55 AM
track.focus'd
Restorations, Rebuilds & Projects.
26
12-08-2015 05:53 PM
Cameron
General Car Related Discussion.
14
09-08-2015 06:28 AM
Blown Hell
General Car Related Discussion.
3
05-08-2015 07:22 AM
Old ford
Ford RS Cosworth Parts for Sale
0
31-07-2015 06:50 AM



Quick Reply: big power FWD cars



All times are GMT. The time now is 06:05 PM.