Performance depends on WHAT???

Hi guys..

l just wonder performance depends on what??

l got 97 formula. as you know 8 cylinders, 5.7liter engine, l do not know how many horsepower, but lets say 285HP.

and l heard that nissan 350z is faster that formula/trans ams. l just checked the, 350z's engine options and 3000GT's and eclipse's audi TT's. they all have like 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder, small engine.

but they can be faster then formula/trans am's. l just can't understand. l have bigger engine, more cylinders and even around the same Horsepower. so how come, they can be faster, or hard to be beaten??

l hope you will understand what l am talking about..


BTW, how can l learn that how many horsepower do l have in my car and, if l would like the get a (REAL) supercharger, how much would it cost and how many more horsepower would it give to me??

thank you..

Weight, gearing, suspension, and driver.

ok. about driver.

lets think about the both drivers are really good. now it is time for car to do something.

so lets talk about cars.. performance depens on what??

why a 6 cylinder car can beat an 8 cylinder car??

Power-to-weight is a major factor in such situations. The Zs are lighter than the F-body. Another is "level of tune" of the engine. That is, how "far" is a given engine taken to make power? With a turbo or supercharger, a smaller engine can "act" like a much bigger engine.
Volumetric efficiency is another factor. With natural aspirated engines, this is paramount.

As a "rule", American V8s are at a much lower level of tune that their Japanese and European performance competition. This would be a lower compressioin ratio, smaller cam profile, constricted exhaust system, smaller throttle body, etc. All these could be in combination or individual. The "smaller" and "bigger" terms are proportional to the engine size (displacement).

American V8s have the unique capability of responding dramatically to modifications. The import engines DO respond, but nearly the percentage of gain (due to already being at a higher level of tune).

Another issue is torque versus horsepower. In our business, there's an old saying: "Horsepower sells cars. Torque MOVES them".

Can the F-body be modified to run as well or better than the Turbo Z? Absolutely! No free lunch, though. The 350 Chevy is the most prolific performance engine on the planet. The LTs respond to modifications just as readily as the older ones. SOME of the interal components from the early small block fit, and some don't. The sky (and your budget) is the limit!

ProCharger is the up and coming thing with V8s. It shares the better design features of both a blower and turbo.

Jim

if l buy 4 tires from ebay.com how am l gonna install them to my caR? any mechanics would install them? also l heard that when you install, you have to be so careful, so it would excatly fit and it is good with the car.

HOW MUCH WOULD A MECHANIC ASK FOR INSTALLING 4 TIRES?? (I HAVE THE TIRES)

THANK YOU..

How did you go from wondering about performance to tires?

You have to call up a place that installs tires and ask them for a price on installation. Yes you have to get the same size tires as the manufacturer put on it, or else you will throw off your alignment.

The size of your engine doesn't determine the speed and power of your car. There are many different factors involved. Weight of car, aerodynamics, displacement, torque, valve timing (VVT-LI, VTEC), and engine design (pushrod, overhead cam) are just a few. As a beginner you won't really understand much if you don't go take a class or something.