quote:Originally posted by Bosswrench:
Remember, you can always do as VW owners used to do during fuel-mileage discussions-
Lie.
Some of those "500+ horse engine" owners- and/or their dyno operators- are likely doing this. I have several friends that have pulled their high-horse engines- one of which cost $26,000 and is still for sale I believe- and replaced them with more streetable engines. As one said, 'You don't need to spin 12" wide rear tires in 3rd gear to take your lady to Sunday Brunch. It ruins her appetite!"
I don't seem to have any issues with driving a Pantera with over 500 horse power on the street. Of course port fuel injection on an all aluminum stroker engine with the right camshaft helps make things easier to live with. We logged over 2k miles on the Pantera going to and from the Texas rally and the car ran great on the highway and in city traffic. I do agree that you have to control yourself in the first couple of gears because the rear tires can sometimes break loose. I try to think of the cost of replacing the rear tires every time my right foot wants to go all the way to the floor. My wife never complains about full power runs, just as long as we are going in a straight line and I don't start to burn the back tires off.