Engine and Transmission Tech

Yep, the thing that makes a vehicle fast, fun, addicting, & dangerous.

Tony Stewart on sprint car racing, "They're 910 horsepower cars that weigh 1,400 pounds. It's probably the best power-to-weight ratio other than a motorcycle.''

That is mind boggling! I'm not aware of a motorcycle that can touch that.

Let's put that in context... Typical sport bikes are in the 6-8 range. Race bikes are in the 3 range (with rider). 910hp in 1400lbs is 1.5! Our cars are mostly around 8 I'd expect. Maybe even 8.5. Mind boggling is right Carl!

Hello it's me Tom power to weight ratio is an interesting subject what it takes to be competitive changes every year when I was little I remember going to the drag strip with my uncle he used to tell me that it took 100 hp per thousand pounds to make a fast street car and a drag car took about 125 hp per thousand pounds in the late 60s that was the rule of thumb when you go to the drag strip today it takes about 150 to 200 hp per thousand pounds just to be competitive the advantage that we have building these little British cars lightweight strong and good handling with American muscle motors we have an amazing advantage over the big heavy American cars for me the most mind-boggling thing is how far can we push the window of horsepower weight ratio on the very day I don't think I can get any more out of my car I will sell it or junk it and start over with something else the always trying to get more performance out of the car is the best part of owning it of course driving it is still kind of a rush

If my car ends up weighing 2,400 lbs and it makes 480 hp that is 5:1. A ZR-1 Corvette or Viper would need 660 hp to equal it. A 1,000 hp Veyron is about 4.2 and the 1200 hp version is 3.5!