Insolent Ford Windstar

[subieskier]

There's this stoplight with a two-into-one merge lane not far from my house with about 300 yards before the right lane runs out. As it is a busy intersection, opportunities are few, far-between, and short to engage other cars.

The only times I have matched up so far have been against a couple of riced-out Integras. A good launch took care of them.

But today in the right lane up pulled a newer Ford Windstar. The dude looked like a bodybuilder, plus the cropped hair and dark glasses. From the way he was staring at the light, I figured he was going to try to get ahead on the merge. So, for fun, I decided that if he tried, I'd blow by him, but would ease off in first just in case my impression was wrong.

Well, the light turned and he did go. Must of had a V-6 in that baby -- combined with my non-launch in first, it was actually pretty even for a couple of seconds, until I reached 3500 rpm. At this point I had to watch the road and tach for the next part of a second as the boost yanked me back in the seat for the brief interval it took to reach second. Before I hit 60 I looked back to see that two bus lengths separated us.

One of these days I will get my 1969 340 Barracuda running again. The WRX is fun, but there is no substitute for cubic inches!

[youngvr4]

1: it shouldnt take 2 seconds in a wrx to reach 3500rpms if your wot(or maybe i'm just use to this vr4)

2:if you put 2 bus lengths on him by 60, then he wasnt trying to race you

[98BlackTransAm]

Originally Posted by subieskier

The WRX is fun, but there is no substitute for cubic inches!

i think you mean "there's no replacement for displacement." same thing, but yours doesnt rhyme.

[-The Stig-]

Originally Posted by 98BlackTransAm

i think you mean "there's no replacement for displacement." same thing, but yours doesnt rhyme.

It doesn't have to rhyme, it just has to go fast.

[youngvr4]

CARLAW! lol

[-The Stig-]

hahaha.. no shit!

[subieskier]

Originally Posted by youngvr4

1: it shouldnt take 2 seconds in a wrx to reach 3500rpms if your wot(or maybe i'm just use to this vr4)

Well, it seemed like two seconds. But I think you might very well be used to your vr4. It takes a lot longer to hit boost in the WRX when you don't launch. I did not floor the gas pedal until I had eased off the line at about 700 rpm. Doesn't respond too well from idle in gear.

Next time I meet up with a minivan, I'm not taking any chances.

[pimp349]

Originally Posted by subieskier

Next time I meet up with a minivan, I'm not taking any chances.

HAHA Nice kill.

[youngvr4]

Originally Posted by subieskier

Next time I meet up with a minivan, I'm not taking any chances.

lol be carefull they can blow your doors off

[subieskier]

As a footnote, I did a few test runs. In gear, idling at 1000 rpm, I floored it. It took two full seconds obtain 3500 rpm, and then about one more second to reach 6500 (39 mph or so). I repeated this test several times in a row, as it puts no strain on the tranny or clutch.

Then I knocked out a pretty good launch from a standing start (I know it was good because my sunroof cover flew halfway back). Now it took one second to reach 3500 and again one more second to 6500.

Then I did a few runs in second from 39 mph (3900) to 60 (6000). About three seconds. Throw in a shift and this seems in line with the latest Car and Driver test of a TR (5.3 seconds 0-60).

So the WRX is definitely a dog off the line without a launch (my 6-year-old daughter liked this icon!).

[BeZerK2112]

Fun kill. He must of shut down when he realized theres no chance.

I hate thoes fast minvans!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...arch&plindex=1