Prius Power?

[Lakehaze]

Outsider here, still running on 1987 technology. I like watching you guys compete over gas milage, it's just like horspower here. But I still belong to the oldschool category, and the 250-290 torque from 1 to 6000 rmp that the electric motor produces intrigues me.

I gather that the Prius does 0-60 in about 10 seconds. Not bad in the big picture as a hybrid, but quite slow in the 0-60 realm.

Why does the Prius have so little 'umph' with a number like 250 bl-ft? It's not that heavy. Is it the gearing?

Why:
I bought an old '87 Corolla AE86. Great car, I love it. I bought it specifically for the track (but am keeping it streetable for as long as possible). I am considering a motor swap. I can get a JDM 20v motor with about 30% more power for about $750. The 20v 4age motor makes about 140-160 blft torque.

The Prius's electric motor is not just more powerful (torque-wise), it's lighter, as a unit. The batteries are heavy, but I don't need a full cmopliment, it would't need to drive across country. I wouldn't install the gas engine, and would avoid the ingenious Synergy Drive transmission (need a stick). This swap would make it track use only, but it would be alot cooler. Gas prices are bloating and I figure we'll be paying nearly $5 before the year is over, maybe $8 by 2008. If recreational racing is to survive, it will only be by experimenting with drastic alternatives.

Anyway, can anybody tell me why the electric motor would be useless as a race motor? Why does it have so much trouble rocketing the 2900bl Prius?