Oooh look at that title, thought I would post one of these since there aint been one for a while and I'm buggering off the weekend!
Honda Civic Type-R, 197bhp @ 7,400rpm, 0-60 in 6.8secs, 146mph maximum speed.
90% of torque available at 3,000rpm.
Astra GTE 16v, 156bhp @ 6,000rpm, 0-60 in 7.4 seconds, 137mph maximum speed.
Max torque available @ 4,800rpm (90% from 3,300rpm).
My mate test drove one the other day, gave it hell and said he wasn't amazed by it. Whether this was because it could do with a few miles under its belt to loosen it up or what I don't know. Perhaps he's been driving round in a Porsche or something
Either way they are very quick, look at the spec. According to all reports they offer a firm and direct feel and as many have said, it's the closest thing to the 'old hatchbacks' there is and that's why many rate it higher than the V6 Clios and new MG-Z thing.
What would you have to do to an Astra GTE 16v to put it on terms with the Civic in straight line speed? I guess throttle bodies since they offer good power gains and replace the 'restrictive' set-up the car is born with. But with a better head, cams, exhaust, flywheel etc etc could you get the necessary 'performance' to challenge this car?
VTEC engines are pretty smart, their torque figures always seem low but that's just down to the specifics of the engine. With two cams that respond according to the driving these things tend to take off after 5,000rpm and scream all the way to a 9,000rpm limiter. Scarey stuff.
When 0ddball raced Tom Stickland there wasn't a huge difference, with Tom's car topping 145bhp with the B+ head it seems to make a big difference in terms of performance, if not bhp. 0ddball gained where his car could use the extra 400rpm, thus creeping ahead with every change up.
If you race a car with a 7,250rpm limit against one with a 9,000rpm limit is the former gonna get whooped purely because the other can stay in gear longer?
I'm also wondering cos another mate of mine has jumped ship to a Corolla GTi and loves the huge revving of the car. He says it's real quick and he owned a very capable GTE 16v with about 170bhp.
Mike - have you raced any other Type-R's apart from the Accord?
Gary - have you raced anything with a much higher rev limit?
0ddball - Tell us about the GTi-R
Your thoughts people please.
P.S I wont really touch on the handling issue. That's gotta be down to the new technology and the Astra is 12 years old, perhaps 15 in terms of design. The Civic is brand spanking new and so I think I would leave it alone on bends!
Honda Civic Type-R, 197bhp @ 7,400rpm, 0-60 in 6.8secs, 146mph maximum speed.
90% of torque available at 3,000rpm.
Astra GTE 16v, 156bhp @ 6,000rpm, 0-60 in 7.4 seconds, 137mph maximum speed.
Max torque available @ 4,800rpm (90% from 3,300rpm).
My mate test drove one the other day, gave it hell and said he wasn't amazed by it. Whether this was because it could do with a few miles under its belt to loosen it up or what I don't know. Perhaps he's been driving round in a Porsche or something
Either way they are very quick, look at the spec. According to all reports they offer a firm and direct feel and as many have said, it's the closest thing to the 'old hatchbacks' there is and that's why many rate it higher than the V6 Clios and new MG-Z thing.
What would you have to do to an Astra GTE 16v to put it on terms with the Civic in straight line speed? I guess throttle bodies since they offer good power gains and replace the 'restrictive' set-up the car is born with. But with a better head, cams, exhaust, flywheel etc etc could you get the necessary 'performance' to challenge this car?
VTEC engines are pretty smart, their torque figures always seem low but that's just down to the specifics of the engine. With two cams that respond according to the driving these things tend to take off after 5,000rpm and scream all the way to a 9,000rpm limiter. Scarey stuff.
When 0ddball raced Tom Stickland there wasn't a huge difference, with Tom's car topping 145bhp with the B+ head it seems to make a big difference in terms of performance, if not bhp. 0ddball gained where his car could use the extra 400rpm, thus creeping ahead with every change up.
If you race a car with a 7,250rpm limit against one with a 9,000rpm limit is the former gonna get whooped purely because the other can stay in gear longer?
I'm also wondering cos another mate of mine has jumped ship to a Corolla GTi and loves the huge revving of the car. He says it's real quick and he owned a very capable GTE 16v with about 170bhp.
Mike - have you raced any other Type-R's apart from the Accord?
Gary - have you raced anything with a much higher rev limit?
0ddball - Tell us about the GTi-R
Your thoughts people please.
P.S I wont really touch on the handling issue. That's gotta be down to the new technology and the Astra is 12 years old, perhaps 15 in terms of design. The Civic is brand spanking new and so I think I would leave it alone on bends!