First Impressions of High Power on the Street

[FordNut]

Sometimes it's a blast. Roll-on is great. Spinning the tires at will (standstill, rolling, or at highway speed) is sometimes fun, gets old after awhile though.

Get used to seeing taillights. Line up at a redlight with Ricky Racer in his rice burner, 'lil old lady in her SUV, just about anything. They're gonna be moving whiile you're spinning the tires the first, second, third time. You can reel them in, but you gotta be really easy on the go-pedal and roll into it. You ain't gonna beat anybody off the line.

On damp roads be scared. I was going to pass on the interstate today, it downshifted and hit the powerband, breaking loose both rear tires and getting sideways. Around 85 mph. Had to stop at the next rest area and clean out my drawers. If I hadn't been running the excellent Nitto 555 street tires on the rear I'd be toast, but I just let out of it and they grabbed and pulled me back into line.

On the other hand, my wife drove it Saturday and said it was just like any other car. She never gets on it, just eases into the throttle enough to get it up to speed. Maybe I need to get her to give me some driving lessons!

[Joe Walsh]

Brian, Are you planning on running Drag Radials during the warmer months in an attempt to get some semblance of traction?

I guess that you are my 'guinea pig'....
I know I won't make the kind of power that you are (whenever I get my lame A$$ around to installing and tuning the D1SC Procharger)...
and maybe that's not such a bad thing based on your early reviews of high HP vs. real world, everyday street traction....or lack thereof.

[FordNut]

I'll stick with the 295 streets for street use. I do a lot of rain driving and I don't trust the shallow tread on the Drag Radials.

The 500 hp setup was more streetable. 550 would probably be ok. Maybe when I get used to this setup it won't be so stressful. Got about 700-750 miles on it so far.

[1stMerc]

Not having any regrets with all that power are you? Maybe you could hire the missus to chaffeur you around. I'm watching Enterprise warp through the galaxie as i read that.

Take it easy out there and be safe.

[FordNut]

Not having any regrets with all that power are you? Maybe you could hire the missus to chaffeur you around. I'm watching Enterprise warp through the galaxie as i read that.

Take it easy out there and be safe.

Not really regrets, just wanted to let folks know what they're getting into when they plan these high power street car projects.

[sailsmen]

Look into traction control.

Or tub it and put on bigger tires.

[Joe Walsh]

:laugh:........:laugh:........ :laugh:



The 500 hp setup was more streetable. 550 would probably be ok. Maybe when I get used to this setup it won't be so stressful. Got about 700-750 miles on it so far.

Brian,
Do you realize that any Ricer reading your thread and these comments would go into shock!?

Here is a guy with close to 700 HP commenting that 550 HP would probably be 'OK'....:rofl:

They'd give their Fart Pipe, 747 Wing, AND all their Type 'R' stickers to break 300 HP!!!

:D

[Vortech347]

Bwaaahahha welcome to my life driving with 570 (around 600 this year when i get it re-dyno'd) in a little car. Its getting drag radials this year, I'm sick of going sideways at 70mph, scares the **** outa me. I NEVER drive my stang in the rain anymore. Its to damn scary...

A big car like a Marauder has got to be a slight handfull....

The days of a little tire burn out of the hole are completely over. Its called "****y foot'n untill 3rd gear" Even with slicks you'll likely burn them till top of 2nd or even 3rd. I almost lost it at the track last year when my car broke loose at 80mph in 3rd. I got video of it too, if you wana see it PM me your e-mail addy.

I love driving the wife's cobra because with the 4.30's and not excessive power the car takes off like a rocket through 1-3 and dosn't burn tire. But 4th it falls on its face with only 340ish hp

[FordNut]

Bwaaahahha welcome to my life driving with 570 (around 600 this year when i get it re-dyno'd) in a little car. Its getting drag radials this year, I'm sick of going sideways at 70mph, scares the **** outa me. I NEVER drive my stang in the rain anymore. Its to damn scary...

A big car like a Marauder has got to be a slight handfull....

The days of a little tire burn out of the hole are completely over. Its called "****y foot'n untill 3rd gear" Even with slicks you'll likely burn them till top of 2nd or even 3rd. I almost lost it at the track last year when my car broke loose at 80mph in 3rd. I got video of it too, if you wana see it PM me your e-mail addy.

I love driving the wife's cobra because with the 4.30's and not excessive power the car takes off like a rocket through 1-3 and dosn't burn tire. But 4th it falls on its face with only 340ish hp

Honestly since the Marauder has such a long wheelbase it's easier to recover than the short Mustang. Yeah, I'll PM you my email for that video, I'm kind of worried about the track too. Even at 500 I broke loose at the tree when I tried to launch and burned them through 1-2-3, then it hooked downshifted and took off. Still turned a 13-something in the 1/4, but the 60' wasn't much to talk about.

[HwyCruiser]

Have you thought about detuning a bit for street use and/or temper the shifts with torque management and locking in shift points at higher mph to keep it from getting squirrelly? I'm not all that familiar with the torque management stuff other than it pulls timing prior to the shift.

Your probably looking at options on slicks for drag racing. What have you done with the axles and housing to handle the torque?

[Marauderjack]

How about "Taller" gears.....3.08's or possibly 2.73's??:confused: With that kind of power you just might be able to control it better this way??;)

I knew I was going to s blower early in the game and for that reason I left the 3.55's in mine.....I DON'T REGRET IT A BIT!!:beer:

Marauderjack:burnout:

[Bradley G]

"You ain't gonna beat anybody off the line."{quote} I heard those Precies are tough, till about 3.539 feet!:P

[Tom Doan]

I love my 3.27 rear for the same reason. Tom

[snowbird]

Brian,

Your build had barely went to operating temp a few times! With time, you'll smooth out the edges in the tune: helping power delivery to the ground and maybe detuning it a bit for a lot better long term reliability. If your battery is still in the stock location, transfer it in the trunk !

In 2-3 months, the asphalt will get its seasonal better grip and you'll be more used to the beast behavior. Post partum blues ? No way. LOOKING GOOD really LOOKING GOOD !! :)

[Bradley G]

Ok, on a serious note;
I can relate to, what I think, Brian is describing, even though I have nowhere near the power, he is at.
He has so much Blood. $weat(equity) & tear$, into his car,(did I $ay, Ca$H!) that the thought of loosing control and doing damage to his ride, becomes a glaring possibility.
I agree the Marauders wheelbase and general predictable behavior is a blessing, none the less, he has a real challenge, with that much power.
Be safe. MM/ Brother Brian!
Thanks for all the threads on the build and trials.

[Zack]

Brian, buy my Trilogy car for a beater.

[FordNut]

What have you done with the axles and housing to handle the torque?

Pretty much all you can do with the 8.8" stock rear.

4.10 gears, 31 spline Moser axles, Auburn ECTED electric locker, welded axle tubes.

[Power Surge]

Brian, given my car has similar power to yours, I can completely understand your views. The car is 100% rediculously overpowered for street driving. I can blaze the tires for as long as I feel like staying on the gas. Forget about seriously lining up with someone on the street, unless they are a 12 second car and you can catch them up top. Even with my QTPs on there, the car still lights up most of first and some of second.

It's completely useless..... and I love it :D .

[ckadiddle]

Well..you COULD change the shifts back to factory slow, soft and mushy to ease you into the next gear? ;) Like that's gonna happen....:)

[O's Fan Rich]

Brian... thanks... thanks alot....
my savings account has a new direction to go in...

Oh, Michelle says you're a "Bad influence". Whatever that means...

[FordNut]

Well..you COULD change the shifts back to factory slow, soft and mushy to ease you into the next gear? ;) Like that's gonna happen....:)

It does that. Shifts easy like stock at part throttle. Shifting has little to do with the traction issue. It's a power issue. Give it gas and spin the tires. If you're putting along in OD and give it enough gas to downshift, if it brings the rpm's up enough to be in the power band you better be ready for it.

[FordNut]

Brian, given my car has similar power to yours, I can completely understand your views. The car is 100% rediculously overpowered for street driving. I can blaze the tires for as long as I feel like staying on the gas. Forget about seriously lining up with someone on the street, unless they are a 12 second car and you can catch them up top. Even with my QTPs on there, the car still lights up most of first and some of second.

It's completely useless..... and I love it :D .

I'm sure I'll love it when I get used to it, but for now it makes me a nervous wreck.

[glassman99]

OK Brian.. Enough said .....I WILL get mine going again. I will hae to kick your......

[FordNut]

Bwaaahahha welcome to my life driving with 570 (around 600 this year when i get it re-dyno'd) in a little car. Its getting drag radials this year, I'm sick of going sideways at 70mph, scares the **** outa me. I NEVER drive my stang in the rain anymore. Its to damn scary...

A big car like a Marauder has got to be a slight handfull....

The days of a little tire burn out of the hole are completely over. Its called "****y foot'n untill 3rd gear" Even with slicks you'll likely burn them till top of 2nd or even 3rd. I almost lost it at the track last year when my car broke loose at 80mph in 3rd. I got video of it too, if you wana see it PM me your e-mail addy.

I love driving the wife's cobra because with the 4.30's and not excessive power the car takes off like a rocket through 1-3 and dosn't burn tire. But 4th it falls on its face with only 340ish hp

Great video, that's what the rear of my car did at about 80-85 on the highway Monday morning. Scary.

[FordNut]

OK Brian.. Enough said .....I WILL get mine going again. I will hae to kick your......

We broke at the same time, mine is running first so I won that race!:banana2:

(However, I guess I cheated since I had a big head start on the buildup):)

[MarauderTJA]

Gee Brian, it kinda makes you wonder on having too much horsepower doesn't it:rolleyes: . Naw, no such thing:beer: .

[glassman99]

I think I mighta won my last one against you!!

[Vortech347]

How are your shorts? Still getting full or are ya used to it yet? Its sooooooo much fun. I can't image 660....

I know come spring when I havn't driven the mustang in 3 months I'm going to learn how to control my "movements" all over again....

[HotrodMerc]

Honestly since the Marauder has such a long wheelbase it's easier to recover than the short Mustang. Yeah, I'll PM you my email for that video, I'm kind of worried about the track too. Even at 500 I broke loose at the tree when I tried to launch and burned them through 1-2-3, then it hooked downshifted and took off. Still turned a 13-something in the 1/4, but the 60' wasn't much to talk about.

Looks like FordNut is in for a lot of fun once he gets used to throttle control in his hotrod, though maybe wifely driving lessons would indeed help as NSSC suggested. It is a problem that most of us look forward to having. Maybe FordNut and SSC can now relate to what people such as Jeff Gordon, J.J. Yeley and the like were doing at age 16 and most sprint car and midget drivers have experienced for a lot of years. How about 800 hp in a 1,200 lb. sprint car or 300 hp in a 750 lb. midget? The closest i have been to that are brief rides in a couple of my dad's vintage Offenhauser midgets on dirt tracks. Like driving on ball bearings. Of course they have very skinny tires by today's standards. The midget races are so exciting to watch, and drive i can only assume, because of a power:wt. ration close to the sprints, but a shorter wheelbase. The wheelbases get longer in the cars as the power goes up because they are easier to handle. Imagine driving the old short wheelbase Fuel Altereds such as the Bantam coupes, T-buckets etc.
It may be what you get used to, and that after driving with the new power for a while, plus warmer tires in the spring, FN will find it easier to control. No doubt that doesn't mean you have to watch it though.
You guys have fun, and i am glad you are in to being careful.:burnout:

[Smokie]

Brian your observations are dead on, it can be very scary to drive a high power car and you have to relearn your touch for the gas pedal almost like if you never drove before. For the most part you can retrain yourself to feather the go pedal.

My experiences with a car far less powerful than yours have been like this: if I am alert and relaxed it is all good.
I've had about 2-3 situations in the rain where a seemingly slightly firm upshift or downshift at highway speeds almost spelled disaster at highway speeds; going in a perfectly straight line.

Recently a car came to a stop in front of me at a causeway to make an illegal left turn, the flow of traffic was 70 mph, I saw what he did and stopped in time; several cars behind me switched lanes in time to not hit me while I wait for the jerk to turn. To my horror I am looking in the rear-view mirror at an 18 wheeler barrelling down toward me with no room to stop or change lanes.

I started blowing the horn in desperation and the jerk in front of me looked back and saw disaster coming; he inched forward and in a PANIC I swerved around him and touched the gas TOO hard and lost traction while swerving around the jerk, my brain wanted to push the gas to escape the 18 wheeler...obviously I am writing this; so I'm not dead but it was nearly impossible to back off the gas so I could regain traction and outrun the the 18 wheeler barrelling down on me. I was at a dead stop he was doing at least 60 mph...once traction was regained, power was the the reason I pulled away from the truck unscathed, I didn't have any gray hairs before this incident...I do know.

Be careful my friend, be safe.:)

[Joe Walsh]

Recently a car came to a stop in front of me at a causeway to make an illegal left turn, the flow of traffic was 70 mph, I saw what he did and stopped in time; several cars behind me switched lanes in time to not hit me while I wait for the jerk to turn. To my horror I am looking in the rear-view mirror at an 18 wheeler barrelling down toward me with no room to stop or change lanes.

I started blowing the horn in desperation and the jerk in front of me looked back and saw disaster coming; he inched forward and in a PANIC I swerved around him and touched the gas TOO hard and lost traction while swerving around the jerk, my brain wanted to push the gas to escape the 18 wheeler...obviously I am writing this; so I'm not dead but it was nearly impossible to back off the gas so I could regain traction and outrun the the 18 wheeler barrelling down on me. I was at a dead stop he was doing at least 60 mph...once traction was regained, power was the the reason I pulled away from the truck unscathed, I didn't have any gray hairs before this incident...I do know.



BTW: Did the truck manage to clear the moron?.... Kinda hoping that the truck 'punted' the idiot into the water.
( Let me guess...the idiot was driving a Honda...?)

[Smokie]

BTW: Did the truck manage to clear the moron?.... Kinda hoping that the truck 'punted' the idiot into the water.
( Let me guess...the idiot was driving a Honda...?)

The moron was driving a small Nissan and managed to just squirm out of the way as the truck blew by him horn blaring, the truck missed the moron by less then 6 inches I estimate...the truck never came closer then 10' from my rear bumper after I gained traction... 10' is too damn close if you ask me.:)

[LILALLEYKATT]

I was lucky enough to ride in it last saturday and it accelerates like a big block with a 8-71 blower ...Its quite a ride on the throttle but idles like a kitten...Be careful Brian...