4th Jan 2005, 13:31
OK, more on the power to weight ratio.
A single cylinder 50cc moped pushing all of 15 horses can smoke (quarter-mile in 19 seconds) a 1792-cubic-inch V-12 M1 tank that pushes 1500 horses (quarter-mile in 32.1 seconds at 38.8 mph) This is because the horsepower to weight ratio of the M1 is 22hp/ton, compared to about (assuming a 200 lbs rider) ~40hp/ton for the moped.
While there are of course other differences between the two vehicles, generally the higher the horsepower to weight ratio, the faster the acceleration.
(Yeah, I know torque is in there somewhere, but let's assume that torque and horsepower are within certain limits to one another)
If you want to compare cars, please take a look at the Caterham 7 superlight (4cyl 2litre) that outguns a Lamborghini Diablo (V12 I believe)
One more thing.
It's either fast or it's not.
Too often ricer boys boast about how fast/light/powerful their hatchback is only to moan "but he had a V8 in his" once they loose a street race. Cork it, please, no one cares whether you have a lawn-mover engine in your go-cart or a v12 in your transport truck. It's either fast or it's not.
19th Jan 2005, 18:52
Power and Weight ratios are very very important... any one who believes otherwise needs to take a physics class. That's all I gotta say.
20th Mar 2006, 23:31
I got lost I only saw 1 OK Honda Civic Si review. OK so let me ask a question not regarding street racing (I have a 3000GT VR4 for that) I want an everyday car that has more power that a SOHC, will the Si give me freeway passing speed, but not get less than 25mpg? (And last that magic 200k mile marker)
15th Jun 2007, 20:46
Well I've heard too much crap about how fast and how slow, but that's not the biggest thing. The honda is one of the best running cars on the road, and one of the cheapest. I own a 1994 Honda Civic, and it has 250,000 miles on it, and it still runs like a champ.
If you by these american cars, you might get, and I repeat MIGHT, get 150,000 before the engine blows.
The power for a Honda is amazing for how small and cheap it is. My brother has a 2004 Mustang GT, and he always gets smashed by the Honda Si. So if you want to spend 30,000 plus on a car that gets crappy gas mileage and isn't that fast, then do. But I'm about to buy a 2000 Si, and I'm going to love it, and love the power it has. American gas hogs suck...
16th Jun 2007, 06:58
To commentor 20:46.
"American engines *might* last for 150K"? How about the 350K that I put on a '91 Pontiac Grand Prix? All I ever did was change the oil and had to heli-coil a spark plug once. How many cam gears and timing chains will you have to replace over that period?
And if your brother is losing in a race with his Mustang GT versus your Civic... then he needs some serious lessons on how to drive.
19th Nov 2008, 15:52
I drove the 2000 Si for the first time and fell in love with it. The handling, the VTEC scream, the addiction to revving. Sure you have to rev the hell out of it to get speed. But revving is fun, not to mention the beautiful VTEC scream that comes out of the b16. But speed is not only the only thing. People are forgetting the build quality that the Si has. It is one of the better built Hondas that I can think of, and I have owned 3 Hondas. The Si or EM1 as its chassis is called is an amazing machine. What other car can race other suped up cars, get chicks attention, doesn't break down no matter how much you rev the hell out of it, and still get 28-30mpg? Only one EM1.
The Si will be a collectors car. It's fairly rare even for a civic (2 year production run). Too bad the EP3 Si's are so crap. I guess when the mountain top is achieved they can only go down from there.
23rd Jul 2003, 20:06
Just to let you guys know, weight does make a HUGE difference in a car's power. Why else do you think these kids buy hatchbacks and CRX's to do engine swaps in??? Just imagine your Trans Am weighing as much as a civic... it would roll! Not only that, but the DOHC VTEC in the Si makes a big difference too. Without that VTEC kicking in at 5500RPM, the car wouldn't be as quick as it is. I have a 2000 Civic Si, and it's by far a slow car. You can build a B16A2-stock Si- motor to run with those Trans Am's, and smoke them!