Len,
In the U.S. a 1975 (low compression 7.5:1, single ZS, California model 1493
cc) I believe was listed at 15.4 seconds 0-60 mph (0-97kph).
The European 1975 (9.0:1 compression, dual HS4 equipped, non-catalytic
1493cc) was rated at 11.6 seconds 0-60 mph (0-97kph).
I also believe the factory stopped listing the 0-60 times with the 1976
model year.
In a high compression engine, all emissions junk removed, a well adjusted
dual or Weber carb set-up, streetable sport cam, lightened/balanced crank,
upgraded exhaust and 4.11:1 (mkiv?) rear differential, you can probably get
the time down to around 8 seconds (about the same as a 2000 Miata's 7.9 sec
listed time).
But you'll still never beat an American muscle car or a Performance rice
burning vehicle in a straight line from 0.
Most cars average a 0-60 time equivalent to their weight in lbs. divided by
their peak break horse power and then dividing that sum by 2, in seconds
(there's a variance of plus or minus 2 seconds due to a multitude of other
factors...but the formula actually works quite well specifically for sports
cars).
Examples:
A 2000 Dodge Viper RT/10 has a curb weight of 3443 lbs. listed, a peak brake
horsepower rated at 450 horses (7.65:1 weight (lbs) to hp ratio) and a
factory listed 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds. (7.65 divided by 2 is 3.825 and a
variance of -0.425 or four-tenths of a second from factory spec of 4.2)
A 2000 Miata MX5 has a curb weight of 2332 lbs., a peak brake horsepower of
140 (16.66:1 weight to hp ratio) and a factory listed 0-60 time of 7.9
seconds. (16.66 divided by 2 is 8.33 and a variance of +0.43 or four tenths
of a second from factory spec of 7.9.)
A 2000 Mercedes Benz SLK230 Kompressor has a curb weight of 2992 lbs., a
peak brake horsepower of 185 (16.17:1 weight to hp ratio) and a factory
listed 0-60 time of 7.6 seconds (16.17 divided by 2 is 8.085 and a variance
of +0.315 or three-tenths of a second from factory spec of 7.6)
The 'dividing the weight/hp ratio' by the number 2 is just a nice average nu
mber. Most vehicles calculate well within 1.9 to 2.3 so maybe 2.1 would give
a more realistic estimation.
I've got WAY too much time on my hands.
Terry L Thompson
76 Spitfire 1500 (listed 0-60 time of 'sooner or later')
Maryland
>
> I would be interested to hear what a stock '79 Spitfire (with catylitic
> converter, air pump) was expected to do when new.
>
> Len Lubbers
> Ottawa, Ontario
> 79 Spitfire
|