Front wheel drive cars, like the Honda, don't have enough traction until
higher speeds, which is why the Civic caught up in third gear, where it was
probably going between 55 and 85 mph in that gear, and having a horsepower
advantage--unless your motor is really suped up. A rolling start like you
described
will even off the differences between a front and rear wheel drive car. The
differences in aeordynamic drag would be minimal, if any differences at all
exist.
Both cars would need around 50 horsepower to overcome drag (including rolling
resistance) at 85 mph. The SI probably has a drag coefficient of around .3,
the TR6 around .44 from what I understand, but the Honda has more frontal area
(wider and taller) as well as more weight.
Be careful not to get any tickets...
-Sean
In a message dated 9/8/2003 11:34:02 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
Gameparker@cs.com writes:
> Subj: How can a "spirited driving challenge" be lost in third gear???
> Date: 9/8/2003 11:34:02 AM Pacific Daylight Time
> From: <A HREF="mailto:Gameparker@cs.com";>Gameparker@cs.com</A>
> To: <A HREF="mailto:6pack@autox.team.net";>6pack@autox.team.net</A>
> Sent from the Internet
>
>
>
> List,
> I was on an abandoned road project today investigating my 0-60 times when a
> Civic SI with probably the same idea in mind pulled up and gave me the nod.
>
> With no lights or anything we both got off to a slow start, neither one
> wanting
> to be clearly the first away. I was clearly and cleanly pulling away from
> the
> SI today in first and second gears - shifting when he shifted which for me
> was about 5200rpm @ 55mph. We both shifted into third and he starts pulling
>
> past me. By the time we shifted into 4th, he was 2 lengths ahead of me and
> slowing down (challenge over). I felt proud but puzzled how my ratios could
> have
> caused something like that. Ideas how to gain that back? Gears, rear end,
> fuel, exhaust? I am already running: twin SU's with O2 matched needles and
>
> K&N's, fast road cam, headers but with stock exhaust, electric fan and head
> milled
> to about 10:1. Would a 3rd SU and/or a larger exhaust really make a
> difference?
> Thanks,
> Geoff Parker
> 74 TR6 (supposed to be running the engine in, but you know how that goes...)
> P.S.: I really do not, in any way condone, street racing. It is reckless
> and irresponsible. I was in a controlled environment with no outside
> influences.
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