FC Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Here is a link to a Dodge Charger Hemi 5.7L that I got into a short race with. The road forked in 1/8 mile, so we didn't go any further. Just two screaming engines. I only have a 4.6L engine (saw a Mustang Shelby today who could have smoked me). The Charger and my Mustang GT stayed neck and neck, which frankly surprised me. He's got 1.1 liters on me, which is about 348 cubic inches to my 280 cubic inches. What the Charger didn't know is that I have a 4.11 rear end (geared low), cold air intake, and computerized engine tune to advance my timing (requires premium gas). It was fun while it lasted. What is amazing is the performance of today's smaller engines. The old 383 Chrysler engine put out 323 HP, and my 280 with my modifications has at least that much HP. Charger looked like this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken98k Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 I just did some work for a guy that has 500 plus HP Shelby. Only about 600 miles on it. When I asked him how my buddies 315 HP Fire Hawk would stack up to it, he said the Fire Hawk wasn't even in the same league. Then he took me out back and showed me a Ford Lightning pick-up, he said with the "blower" it makes 540 HP. He finished up the tour with his pristine 69 427 4 speed Vette. (I charged him $125 for 45 min labor) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Hess Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 You Hot Rod kids... I was in my 18 year old 4 cylinder English sports car, after dropping my wife off at work and heading to my job. I got back on the freeway behind one of those new GTOs with the 500 HP LS-whatever motor. He was goosing it as traffic allowed and I was behind him. Most of the traffic gets off at one exit and the road has a slight turn and opens up. You can see where the cop hides if you look closely. So, the traffic let up, there was no cop and he nails it. I just left it in 5th and nailed it too. He jumped to the inside of the turn and was giving it his all. I walked right around him like he was standing still. He just couldn't put the power down on a turn at 120MPH. It was funny. I later found out from a guy at work that met the GTO guy that it wasn't a stock one either. He had a supercharger added because obviously 500 HP isn't enough for a street car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FC Posted January 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Those Firehawks are sure nice looking cars. A four cylinder beat the GTO? That's funny. You were rough on his ego! The GTO body is an embarassment to the old GTO. I can't justify the expense of a super or turbocharger. Would be nice, but the traffic here is too heavy for that anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Hess Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Yeah, well, it is a rather fast 4 cylinder: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flaco Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Would that be a Lotus, Dr. Hess? flaco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenden Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 you guyes don't have anything. i've got a 91 ford escort, with 114k on it, a 1.9 efi engine, its been totaled 2 times, and can run 0 to 35 in about 10 minutes. I get passed by kites quiet frequently. nice car Dr. Hess. Brenden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Hess Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 Thanks Mauser dude. Yeah, it's a 1989 Lotus Esprit Turbo. 0-60 in around 5.5-ish if the weather is right. Like I said, a 18 year old 4 cylinder English sports car. I try to take it to work about once a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FC Posted January 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 They've got a couple of those Lotus's at the front door of a hotel on Waikiki. I didn't know where they came from. Are they turbocharged? Bet they don't cost $30,000 like the Mustang GT, do they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Hess Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 I know there are a few Esprits in Hawaii. Yes, all the ones that look like my car are turbocharged. The last ones (97 on) are twin turbo V8's. There was a body style change in 1988. Before that, they look like the ones in the James Bond movies, body designed by Giugiaro. In 1988 Peter Stevens redesigned the body. 2004 was the last year they were made. This web page: http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ has about all the info you could handle on Esprits. They cost as much as you want to spend. Basket case Giugiaro's go for two or three large. Clean V8's 40-60K+. The rule of thumb is: Buy the best car you can afford. I got mine on eBay. Drove my 86 Toyota Truck and a car hauler trailer from Arkansas to San Jose, PRC, loaded it up and drove it back. Couldn't get in any hurries over the mountains, but didn't need a cruise control either. Just plant the foot on the floor and take whatever speed I got. I didn't want to take a 15 year old (at the time) English car that I had no real history or experience with on a cross country trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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