How much horsepower do you really need????
#94440
07/25/08 03:31 PM
07/25/08 03:31 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 697 Central IL
70Sbird
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mopar
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mopar
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Central IL
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Ok just a hypothetical question here, how much horsepower do you really need for a relatively quick street car without sacrificing drivability/reliability or breaking the bank? I just trying to plan and budget for a project car I’m contemplating. It’s a 71 Demon. My thoughts are a new generation Hemi (5.7 or 6.1, kind of why I asking this question) and an overdrive automatic trans, with probably a 3.73 to a 3.91 rear gear. This car will be a cruiser with much more street than strip time. Drivability means more to me than outright performance. I’m thinking that about 400 hp would really be all that I would need without getting too exotic or expensive. Also for any A body guys out there that are running similar specs, any idea how fast would this combo be in the quarter? Any thoughts??????? By the way I already know that A: Too much HP is never enough B: Speed costs money son, how fast do you want to go?
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Re: How much horsepower do you really need????
[Re: JF_Moparts]
#94444
07/25/08 04:39 PM
07/25/08 04:39 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 697 Central IL
70Sbird
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I guess that I should add I'm almost completely settled on a new Hemi, with fuel injection, a/c, power steering and all of the "modern" convieniences. I've just seen a growing amount of variability with offerings for this engine, from a junkyard 5.7L truck engine to an $18,000 6.1L beast from a nationally recognized engine builder. Thanks for your input! Scott
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Re: How much horsepower do you really need????
[Re: 70Sbird]
#94445
07/25/08 05:44 PM
07/25/08 05:44 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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as much as you can afford or until it scares you whichever comes 1st.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: How much horsepower do you really need????
[Re: 70Sbird]
#94448
07/25/08 08:02 PM
07/25/08 08:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,462 oklahoma
forphorty
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,462
oklahoma
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Re: How much horsepower do you really need????
[Re: forphorty]
#94449
07/25/08 08:38 PM
07/25/08 08:38 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 10,645 Houston, Tx
AlexP
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Posts: 10,645
Houston, Tx
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A cam/headers 5.7 Hemi will do over 400 hp easily. Pull a low mileage 5.7, sell the tranny, get a truck front dressing (accessories), get the TTI headers and the XV intake, put a cam and run that thing...really basic with LOADS of room to grow. Go drive an LX car, and then imagine one with less drivetrain loss and 1000 lbs less weight. There are longblock cam and exhaust 5.7 cars knocking on high 12's @ 4000-4500 lbs... We are putting a stock shortblock 6.1 into my friends 67 Charger with a carb based cam with worked 5.7 heads....it will fly, and we will detail the process to show how much power these motors will make on a budget. https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...rue#Post4534456
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Re: How much horsepower do you really need????
[Re: 70Sbird]
#94450
07/25/08 09:51 PM
07/25/08 09:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,204 Fort Worth, TX
Clair_Davis
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Fort Worth, TX
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I think any A-body + New Hemi is going to be a dynamite combo. I'm driving a 3600# Valiant with a low-squeeze 340 that makes an honest, untuned 300hp and 340lb-ft at the crank. With a 4-speed and 3.23 gears, it's a treat to drive - can spin the tires with ease, and has plenty of grunt. It's not the fastest car on the street at all, but it should crack in to the 13's. Add 100hp/lbft from the new Hemi and you're looking at 12's with virtually no down sides - except for initial cost, and complexity of fabbing up an injection system if you go that route.
IMHO, grunt makes the world go round. The HP will follow the torque if the breathing is there.
Clair
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Re: How much horsepower do you really need????
[Re: 70Sbird]
#94451
07/25/08 09:53 PM
07/25/08 09:53 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,298 West Coast, USA
jbc426
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,298
West Coast, USA
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Always build more than you need. Remember, that's why we have throttles on these motors.
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)
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Re: How much horsepower do you really need????
[Re: 70Sbird]
#94452
07/25/08 10:18 PM
07/25/08 10:18 PM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Depens on what you can live with regarding street manners in terms of idle and bucking at cruise speed. If you drive it regularly in heavy traffic you will want to take this into consideration.
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Re: How much horsepower do you really need????
[Re: 451Mopar]
#94454
07/25/08 11:42 PM
07/25/08 11:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,421 Balt. Md
383man
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
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Posts: 27,421
Balt. Md
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It really depends on how fast of a street car you want ?? If you want to beat alot of these newer cars then you might want to shoot for 11's. I mean I saw a Mercedes at the track running 12.40's that I believe was the supercharged V8 deal. I figure my 63 makes about 500 hp at the flywheel to push it at 3700 lb's to mid 11's and it really is a very mild 440 by todays standards. But with an A-body the smallblock stroker is the ticket. Very easy to get 450 to 500 hp and that would put your A-body well into the 11's and still be very streetable as you can do it with 3.91's as that's what my son uses with the 400 in his Dart. Good luck , Ron
Last edited by 383man; 07/25/08 11:43 PM.
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Re: How much horsepower do you really need????
[Re: DemonKyle]
#94456
07/26/08 06:04 PM
07/26/08 06:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 697 Central IL
70Sbird
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WOW! This is why I love MOPARTS. Lots of options here and lots of good feedback Thanks to all I've been doing some additional reading on the 6.1 crate motor on a few other threads here and that sounds like a really good deal If the electronics all work out. While I'm at it what is all of you opinion on an OD automatic trans? plenty of options here as well from a beefed 727 and a Gear Vendors Overdrive, to a TCI 4 speed automatic to the Chrysler 5 speed auto that will require floor surgery in an A Body. any suggestions?
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Re: How much horsepower do you really need????
[Re: DemonKyle]
#94458
07/26/08 06:28 PM
07/26/08 06:28 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 697 Central IL
70Sbird
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Central IL
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Thats exactly my thoughts as well. steep gears to get it out of the hole and still cruise at 70 mph at around 2500 rpm! I'm just not sure which is the best option. I have not been in the market for a trans in about 15 years and things have changed!
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