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Basic Horsepower Upgrades



 
 
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  #51  
Old November 14th 05, 07:08 PM
Lanny Chambers
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Default Basic Horsepower Upgrades

In article >,
Grant Edwards > wrote:

> In the states I've lived in, the yellow "speed" signs at curves
> are not regulatory.


Moot, if you're doubling a yellow 45 sign where the white signs are 60.

Strictly as a thought experiment, of course...

--
Lanny Chambers
'94C, St. Louis
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html
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  #52  
Old November 14th 05, 08:54 PM
XS11E
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Default Basic Horsepower Upgrades

Grant Edwards > wrote in
:

> On 2005-11-14, XS11E > wrote:
>> Lanny Chambers > wrote in
>> :
>>
>>> I dunno--perhaps limited expectations, or a compulsion to obey
>>> speed laws? If the road is dry, the tires are first-rate, and
>>> the driver has had some training, as a rule he can double the
>>> number on most yellow "SAFE SPEED" signs and still have enough
>>> reserve capability to deal safely with the unexpected.

>>
>> Wrong, you may deal with the unexpected but what about the
>> expected? Going fast will irritate Mr. Policeman and when he's
>> irritated the ears on his horse will turn red and that will cause
>> severe injury to your wallet (don't ask how I know this!) so to
>> be safe, drive so as not to irritate Mr. Policeman.

>
> In the states I've lived in, the yellow "speed" signs at curves
> are not regulatory.


Which is much worse because that means speeding is "at the discretion
of the officer".


  #53  
Old November 14th 05, 09:49 PM
Dave
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Default Basic Horsepower Upgrades

In article >, pws > wrote:

>http://home.austin.rr.com/sheltonser...pers-miata.jpg


Great pic! My new work wallpaper.

>Have fun and be safe! I just did.


83 degrees: rub it in, why don't you! Seriously, we are having
a lovely day here in the frigid NE, a balmy 52. So I took the Miata
out for a ride. Probably one of the last of the year. Global
warming has some benefits.

Enjoy the day!
  #54  
Old November 15th 05, 02:29 AM
Leon van Dommelen
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Default Basic Horsepower Upgrades

(Dave) wrote:

>>I agree that the power is an advantage, but how does the weight help?

>
>It doesn't. Never said it did. Miata owners, me included, worship
>at the "add lightness" temple (noting your Elise comment and I too
>want one). Yes, light is good. But I think we all overestimate it.
>But I submit power/weight is by far the biggest component in racing


As you say below, on a racetrack. I sure am not aware of many 115 hp
Miatas dominating Formula 1.

>after the driver (assuming a decently sorted suspension). Sure, make
>it light and you've solved the equation. So does adding power.
>
>Next, any lightweight-disciple will say "yeah, but light makes for
>better cornering and braking". To an extent, I agree. But you can
>make anything brake and corner with great tires, big brakes, and a
>well-sorted suspension.


And aerodynamics.

> "But they all add weight...". Yes, but you
>can still make that up with added hp.


On a racetrack. A car with twice the weight and twice the power of a
Miata is not the same as the original Miata, if it is a handling question
instead of a racetrack.

> Vipers, GT CTS-V race cars,
>and many others go very, very fast


On a racetrack.

> and still weigh 3500 lbs.
>Listen, I don't want to argue myself into a corner, so I'll state
>"YES, LIGHT IS GOOD". But it isn't going to make up for a ****-poor
>power/weight *on a race track*.


Agree completely.

>Look at that Automobile article where they had 9 track cars. The
>Elise finished mid-pack.
>
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.
>php?s=&threadid=3270&highlight=automobile+magazin e
>
>Further, frankly, I think we overestimate the Miata's handling. It
>has *fun* handling. Nice balance, lots of feel, good stick
>(rubber-dependent). But out of the box, too much roll, too much
>weight transfer (though it makes it fun). Yes, aftermarket can
>address all that ... as it can with a Mustang.


If there are aftermarket suppliers that can take Mustang cup holders and
transfer them to a Miata. How about the radius of gyration? The live
rear axle? The different dimensions? The contact patch?

> On the road, any of
>these cars is a lot more capable than what we do with them. If not,
>you are a danger (sand, oil, deer, bicyclist ...).


Actually, a Miata can be taken relatively closely to its capabilities
"on the road." That is what makes the car fun. Are you going to
take a 500 hp car to its 250 mph limit on the road? Or its awkward
handling, designed to put 500 hp on the road rather than
tossability?

>Honestly, I have no idea how well a stock Mustang GT handles. I
>wouldn't believe what I read here anyway. Most everyone says their
>car handles great.


Mine does.

> And will say the other guy's (especially
>American cars) suck. But handling is so subjective it is a
>near-meaningless statement.


So is the statement that a woman is beautiful. Yet there may
be overwhelming agreement with such a statement.

> Bottom line, I'd look for the same
>very competent driver running both a Miata and a Mustang GT stock.
>My bet: on a track other than auto-X, no contest.


No argument there. On a real road, also no contest, unless the
Mustang driver has a dead wish.

>I don't have any proof, but here's an interesting article ...
>
>http://www.edmunds.
>com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=107486?flushCache=true
>
>We all agree the RX-8 is a fine handling car akin to the Miata? And
>it has much better power/weight, so it should be faster on the
>track? Well, here's three drivers of very different ability levels
>lapping it and the Mustang GT (and others). They were all about 3
>sec a lap faster in the junky Ford than the RX-8. Certainly not
>conclusive, but doesn't it make one stop and reconsider their
>preconceptions?
>
>I still prefer my Miata. But I wouldn't diss anyone who either (a)
>prefers the Mustang or (b) wants to add power to their Miata.


I added power to mine, so I will not disagree.

>My apologies for the long-winder post ... if you got here ...


Hic sunt leones
--
Leon van Dommelen Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
http://www.dommelen.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)
  #56  
Old November 15th 05, 05:14 AM
pws
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Default Basic Horsepower Upgrades

XS11E wrote:

> Leon, we've told you before, eating beans for breakfast and then
> passing gas while accelerating really doesn't add any power! <GD&R>
>


Ohh, it adds power, just not horsepower.
The miata has a tiny interior, putting the top down can actually be an
emergency procedure depending on your diet and your passenger. :-)

Pat
  #57  
Old November 15th 05, 05:23 AM
pws
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Default Basic Horsepower Upgrades

Dave wrote:

>>http://home.austin.rr.com/sheltonser...pers-miata.jpg

>
>
> Great pic! My new work wallpaper.


From the Flying Miata website. I like it because it looks almost
identical to my car, even though I don't like the color red on cars.

> 83 degrees: rub it in, why don't you! Seriously, we are having
> a lovely day here in the frigid NE, a balmy 52. So I took the Miata
> out for a ride. Probably one of the last of the year. Global
> warming has some benefits.


Actually it hit 85 with minimal clouds. Tomorrow looks like a high of 74
and then it is going to get really cold, dropping down to the mid-60's.
Don't worry, I pay for it dearly in the summer. My miata has no A/C and
we had a nice hot, humid summer this year.
In August I was getting hungry at a light wondering what was smelling so
good until I realized that it was me that was being cooked. :-)

> Enjoy the day!


Thanks!

Pat
 




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