I thought the equation looked like it was derived empirically from data
taken at the track from many cars. I think that if you derived one assuming
constant horsepower that it would not be accurate at all. But the one Dick
gave us seems to be pretty close, which makes me think that it's generated
from track data. Of course, I could be wrong.
-mark
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-6pack@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-6pack@autox.team.net]On
Behalf Of Shane Ingate
Sent: Monday, July 01, 2002 10:32 AM
To: tr6taylor@webtv.net
Cc: 6 Pack
Subject: Re: Elapsed Times, etc.
Dick,
Nice tutorials. One important question: Do you use engine hp, or rwhp? It
seems to me that you are using crank hp, so there are no allowances for
drive-train loss.
Is it really as simple as this? I thought tires, air temperature and a
zillion other things all played a role, not to mention drivers reaction
times and gear-changing times. I'm guessing that this simple equation
assumes no wheel-spin, cool air and gas temperatures, peak-hp all through
the rpm range, zero-time gear-changing, and perfect driver reaction time.
Still, as a guide it is a lot of fun to play.
As an aside one of the big scams in selling modern cars is the gearing they
use to ensure that the 2-3 gear shift occurs AFTER the car hits 60mph. This
way auto manufacturers can quote low 0-60 times which would be really hurt
if the motor hits the redline at 58mph.
Shane Ingate in Maryland
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