How much power?

[MelroseMopar]

I know this is a can of worms subject and no 2 people will prob be the same just hoping to find a starting point -range- to see what people that have been driving High HP cars think is a happy streetable number is as far as HP and Torque goes. Specifically in a 4 spd b body. Is it in the 500-600 hp and torque range? higher/lower? In a car that sees no track, sunday cruse in traffic, streetlight antics, carshow & drive it to work in the summer kind of use. Assuming no overheating and sustained highway speeds are attainable.

 

[INTMD8]

I like/am going for high rpm 700hp/550-600ftlbs.

I think you'll find more would prefer lower rpm and more torque than horsepower.

Most of it is personal preference.

 

[Charged440]

How much power? ALL of it!

 

[diesel_lv]

"Streetlight antics" are 1/8 mile or less typically. Street driving, Sunday cruises etc.... all torque scenarios. Build for something that peaks power at 5,200 rpm. Even 500lb/ft of tq in a 4 sp will be crazy fun. If you are asking this question, you may want less as your experience in driving a vehicle w that kind of power is not there. Watch the YT videos of all the people w 500lb/ft tq cars leaving cars n coffee n running into ditches n telephone poles n other cars.

 

[Longknife]

I am pretty happy with my 400 hp (est) 383, 4 speed. I sure don't know what I would do with another 100-200 horses!!!!

 

[Gsmopar]

NA, Nitrous, Forced induction? Plenty of streetable combinations well over 1000 hp. It's never been easier to make power.

 

[Cranky]

And if you can make your car light weight, 4 to 500 hp can be lots of fun! I like a street car to be able to run well into the 11's and these days....that's not hard to do with and if you can get the total weight around 3200, running 11's is much easier.

 

[Michael_]

Is it in the 500-600 hp and torque range?

Yes!

500rwhp is what i'd like to have in a street car.
Fastest car i've ever driven was a 2017 Dodge Challenger Hellcat but i found the 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT 392 with about 500hp to be pretty much perfect.

 

[Cranky]

I drove several 1st gen Vipers and well, they were pretty fun.....can only imagine what 700 hp would be like on the street. By the looks of the vids etc I've seen, 700 is probably a bit of a waste with street tires.

 

[INTMD8]

Depends on what kind of power. I had a 1000+hp corvette and wired the boost controller to have increased boost/power as you went up in gears which made it manageable.

 

[MelroseMopar]

"Streetlight antics" are 1/8 mile or less typically. Street driving, Sunday cruises etc.... all torque scenarios. Build for something that peaks power at 5,200 rpm. Even 500lb/ft of tq in a 4 sp will be crazy fun. If you are asking this question, you may want less as your experience in driving a vehicle w that kind of power is not there. Watch the YT videos of all the people w 500lb/ft tq cars leaving cars n coffee n running into ditches n telephone poles n other cars.

That Is Exactly what I am going for... Motor is done.. its a full 440 source 512 w/ a Holley sniper Comp cams .525"/.525"Duration 285°/297° on a 110 degree LS. Backed buy an 18 spline 4 speed and a Dana with 3:55's dyno sheet says it carries over 500fpt from 2800 to 5300 with max 560 at 3400 so you are correct it will not see over 5500. I purposely went with a little smaller cam for street and durability and to work with my power brakes and sniper. I think it would be cool to say I have 700hp but it would not fit my use. And I would run out of Head as they are the unported Stealths. This is my first attempt at a long life (Miles) Higher HP street motor.. We will see.. Thank You for your (Honest) feedback.. Oh and I "almost" wish I had less driving experience I would probably not try to "hang it out" as much as I am going to..

 

[Pikser]

When was the last time you heard anyone say, I have to much Horsepower ?

 

[Longknife]

When was the last time you heard anyone say, I have to much Horsepower ?

When they fish tail and smack a light pole!!!!!!!!

 

[diesel_lv]

That Is Exactly what I am going for... Motor is done.. its a full 440 source 512 w/ a Holley sniper Comp cams .525"/.525"Duration 285°/297° on a 110 degree LS. Backed buy an 18 spline 4 speed and a Dana with 3:55's dyno sheet says it carries over 500fpt from 2800 to 5300 with max 560 at 3400 so you are correct it will not see over 5500. I purposely went with a little smaller cam for street and durability and to work with my power brakes and sniper. I think it would be cool to say I have 700hp but it would not fit my use. And I would run out of Head as they are the unported Stealths. This is my first attempt at a long life (Miles) Higher HP street motor.. We will see.. Thank You for your (Honest) feedback.. Oh and I "almost" wish I had less driving experience I would probably not try to "hang it out" as much as I am going to..

I did this exact build, even had them do my heads. Only difference is I used the closest comparable Comp hydraulic roller cam and 440 source 383/496 kit. I've got 610hp/670tq at crank. 14" vacuum at idle of 850rpm. Super streetable.

 

[33 IMP]

When they fish tail and smack a light pole!!!!!!!!

Longknife makes a good point. The more power youve got the more tires and suspension (and common sense) you need.
I would try for around 1.2 hp/cu in. That can still be done with a moderate camshaft and compression ratio. You wont, or shouldnt, end up with race car manners in your street car. Then, if you want to go fast.....build a BIG motor, and put it in a light car.

 

[F4R/T]

Horsepower is great torque gets you moving .. traction issues ? Are you willing to tub it or at least mini tub? Otherwise 500 is plenty. You can gear it for highway or track with a swap of gears. All depends on what you want to do and how deep your pockets are. Launch a tank with a rocket into the 10s you better start digging deep.

 

[33 IMP]

When was the last time you heard anyone say, I have to much Horsepower ?

There are LOTS of guys out there with too much horsepower. Thats why they have boost controllers, timing retard, nitrous controllers, etc.! Ever try to hook up 1500hp on a 10" tire on a no-prep street? Lots of street racers doing exactly that, by controlling how much power they use.

 

[Runcharger]

I think 450-600 is lots for a street car. Lots of guys brag they have 800 or 900 but when they go to the track they'd probably run a 500HP ET, big deal. I have more respect for people that have lower HP and run an ET that is strong. My Viper has a true 600HP and big tires, it will cut loose in second gear around 5000RPM without using the clutch, you have to be fast with your hands or you're in big trouble. Your tires break loose at anything above 60 MPH and better gather it up fast.

 

[Cranky]

That Is Exactly what I am going for... Motor is done.. its a full 440 source 512 w/ a Holley sniper Comp cams .525"/.525"Duration 285°/297° on a 110 degree LS. Backed buy an 18 spline 4 speed and a Dana with 3:55's dyno sheet says it carries over 500fpt from 2800 to 5300 with max 560 at 3400 so you are correct it will not see over 5500. I purposely went with a little smaller cam for street and durability and to work with my power brakes and sniper. I think it would be cool to say I have 700hp but it would not fit my use. And I would run out of Head as they are the unported Stealths. This is my first attempt at a long life (Miles) Higher HP street motor.. We will see.. Thank You for your (Honest) feedback.. Oh and I "almost" wish I had less driving experience I would probably not try to "hang it out" as much as I am going to..

How much does the car weigh and do you know your front to rear weight bias?

 

[Cojohnso1]

I am pretty happy with my 400 hp (est) 383, 4 speed. I sure don't know what I would do with another 100-200 horses!!!!

6 months later would want another 100-200 more HP?