LOL! After watching her run 10.5's in an effortlessly run, I just had to go find a few of my in car videos. Some of you older members may have seen these already so don't shoot the messenger.

First video was a Friday night test and tune. It's a street legal night but they allowed drag cars to make some passes. There is very little traction compound and street tire cars easily spin off the line. Even my big tires had problems finding traction.


Next video just shows a tach overlay as I make a pass. I spin the 588 BBC pretty high but it's still lower than what the internal components can withstand.


This last video shows what good track prep can do. I got all 4 wheels off the ground.


My wife shot this video many years ago when we first started dating. She was a little loopy on some meds at the time but still got some video of me tripping the 60' timer with my back tires.

 

Originally Posted by QwkTrip
My car is the result of 30 years of hobby entertainment. Bit by bit each year, but eventually after enough years you've done a lot.
I can't imagine buying all that stuff in one go-round. If that were the case I'd rather use the money to buy a better car!

For how much I've spent changing a street car into a race car over all the years I've been racing, it would have been cheaper to just buy a tube chassis car right from the start.

I wish I had the means and the space and time to do this. I always wanted to build a Pro Touring style 3rd gen but I also understand my reality would just not permit this. 3rd gen F-Bodies will always be my favorite cars, With that said, my desire for 400+ hp and a suspension to handle it still burns within me. 400hp is what I do consider nice streetable hp, but for me it needs to have the suspension to go with it. Nothing wrong with the straightline speed but for me if the chassis can only handle the straight speed that is when it can get sketchy on the street.

Just yesterday i was finally able to quench my desire within my means...



I didn't sell the Z, I don't think I ever will as long as I have a garage for it. Now I can really enjoy the Z for the car it is and when the HP desire gets me, well I just will drive Grey!!

 

I hear New Balance is having a sale on sneakers right now.

https://www.newbalance.com/

 

Its rare to see someone driving a Plaid compared to a normal Model S, and even then the Model 3 and Y's in Long Range trim definitely out-number the S's completely.

The Model 3 Long Range is low 14's. The Model Y Long Range is high 12's. And the Performance Variants of the 3 and Y are in the 11's, they have about 500hp'ish.

But, I recently spent about 200 miles behind the wheel of a 2022 Camaro SS 1LE and I was supremely impressed with it. Ton of fun, crazy awesome stock exhaust, handling is sublime, and the power is plenty.

 

The quickest production car in the world ends up being a whisper quiet 4 door family sedan.... I'm sorry, but if you're somebody that can't see the fun in that then you're just no fun.

 

That's a bit of a narrow focus. I'll steal a quote from someone else from another forum. I'll use it because this person's story is beautifully told and w/o a doubt, better than I could deliver it -although I've had the same experience, in a roller coaster ride, and in a car (or a few).

(-my emphasis added in italics) It's about the experience. There is more to an "experience" than the number. I'll admit though, there is 10-20 minutes of fun, going down the track in that electric car.

.

 

Also, I recently was at a party with family and it was non-stop round trips as family wanted to experience the Plaid launch. And the reaction was always the same. A combination of sheer terror followed by the biggest grin in the world. Because there is no build up its the anticipation of when Im going to hit it, and then the sudden 1G of acceleration.

It is a blast.

 

There are gobs of people that would love to have a new car but won't because life circumstances, or personal choices, don't make that possible. The rest are liars.

 

Hell of an implication you're making. I guess I'm a liar? I bought a brand new 'Vette, tried to love it for 3-1/2 years....THEN, bought a C4 to flip. Had both for about 4-5 mo's. Always chose/drove the C4, never drove the C6**, and finally sold it. "Liar" that I am, I sold the 'Boringest faster car ever made", and have never missed it. IDK... that path/progression seems pretty unbiased. I could buy a new car today...if I could convince myself that I'd like it. I don't though, and I won't until one actually "pulls at me". Robots don't interest me though.

**Point of interest: To the gentleman's point above that I quoted, The C4 and the C6 felt equally fast. No BS. They did. Friends of mine agreed. Wife agreed. The C6 was 1 second, and 10-12mph faster in the 1/4 in our rarefied atmosphere, and would go 20 mph faster than the C4 on UMC's full front straight. They felt the same. It's not about a number. Experience. I've already said that, though.

 

You just needed more engine in that C6 to make it more of a risk to life and limb, then it would have be more fun.

 

Nope. That wouldn't have fixed it. I think "proof" of that is that my 300hp car is more fun than my 400hp car. More power would have made it faster, but not meaningfully more fun, b/c it's not really about a number. There were too may other problems, annoyances, interference w/the driving experience. I don't like robots, I like cars. I like to earn my driving experience and results. The C6 -even in a manual trans, didn't really offer that, in the way that other/older, more analog cars do.

 

What I see happen a lot is people have old cars that they work on and are excited about as a fun hobby, go buy a new car that is sooooooo much better, and then they lose interest in the old car. Real quick, efficient way to ruin what was a fun hobby.

 

I recently replaced my 2013 AWD Charger SXT with a last call 2023 AWD Charger GT. The 2013 had 180,000 miles in it and gave me absolutely no issues in the 11 years I owned it. That was the main reason I bought the 2023. The rumor was no more ICE Chargers after this year. Figured since it’s the same drivetrain as my old one there’s no reason why this one won’t last 10 years. It’s got every available option. Lots of tech and some options I don’t plan to use - lane departure, adaptive cruise, etc.
I’m really impressed with the Sport mode and handling. There’s a Performance section in the onboard apps that has a real time dyno, g-force, reaction time, 0-60mph, etc. It’s all pretty cool. The car is only a 300HP V6 but I really like it for a daily commuter vehicle.

 

Yep. I suppose so. Glad that didn't happen over here.

 

OH MY These vids are GREAT! LMAO on first vid; tach overlay nice in 2nd vid! Wheelie ?!?!?! Bada** stuff. @AlkyIROC

 

I appreciate reading this thread and your insights on the TESLA. I've been wondering about that car quite a bit lately. I have yet to ride in one; but wow; crazy redicoulous accelleration. And in automatic form; no gear shifting issues lol. just super easy all the sudden GO speed. incredible imo. @Thirdgen89GTA

 

Man I say this all the time as well. that i like/enjoy my 89GTA 240hp > the 300hp 04SRT4 > 400hp 03 EVO8 I had. Which is sooo strange cuz you would THINK you would like the faster one better. And least so far in my lifetime it hasn't been the case. I thought the EVO8 AWD would replace my 89GTA; but it didn't. And the 300hp SRT4 I didn't "hate" as bad as the EVO; it was sorta in between but I still favor my 89GTA better than those other 2. @Tom 400 CFI so many things you said in this thread i can relate to.

 

welp i kept my 89GTA and a 94Saturn ; both I enjoy driving them still since year 2000ish. I thought a 03EVO8 and 04SRT4 would replace them; but they didn't. In some ways I feel "I FAILED" at getting them to a point I am at peace with enought to get rid of my 2 oldest cars; but for reason's I don't think I can explain; I still like my older cars better. At least than those 2 mentioned. I still hope to find something maybe one day. My thoughts are the scatpack, the TESLA. I am a TTOP fan as well (still) even though I'm old now and rarely do it; but I did do it the other day and I still enjoy it. Perhaps after reading this thread I'll never REPLACE my 89GTA or lol my 94saturn as well; but perhaps like the TESLA or SCATPACK could be like my more modern hobby car if you will.
--Wish I had ALSO KEPT some 79TA's and a 87TurboBuick I had. smh. hindsite is 20/20. Dang prices of GRAND NATIONALS and such have skyrocketed. well kinda. 25k-50k avg;

 

I'm glad to whomever that sent a 2024 third gen org email to my email (gone years w/o checking my email) but have had reasons to lately and saw it YEAR 2024 THIRD GEN and it had a a few links which this was one of them. Catching up on the whole thread; was pretty cool for me; it kinda helped reinforce WHY I felt I kept my 89GTA all these years. And WHY I feel I failed to replaced with 'newer better faster' cars. When I bought it for $2500 from autotrader back around year 2000 with 145k miles; I definately did not think I'd be keeping it this long. It was a TEMPORARY TTOP car that I could afford until I saved up more like 10k at the time for a TTOP GRAND NATIONAL that I wanted; well really I wanted a TTYPE or TURBO-T. But when I searched I wanted one that AC was still working well on it and NONE had AC still working, needed to be charged etc. So I went for the 2003EVO8 (2fast2furious car). It was TURBO, the one I found was moddified super fast at the time in 2007. But yeah I had a difficult time being at peace w/that car. etc etc. Anyways large due to my dad being good at fixing things, he is the main reason why I still have it today.
-also largely due to this website; as it helped us figure out a problem with my car back in 2011 I think it was. It ended up being the fuel injectors. someone on here helped point us in that direction and boom; problem was fixed! that was a tough one to figure out.

 

Since it's been brought back, I just made the mistake of reading this thread in its entirety. How depressing.

If you have a subconscious desire to stop spending money on your third gen and euthanize your hobby, this is definitely the one for you.

 

What do you mean? I don't take that from this thread at all. If anything, this thread makes the case for a FUN car like a third gen, even more compelling.

 

Same!

 

My sentimental attachment to my thirdgen is what keeps me putting money into it. I stopped caring about making it as fast as I could a few years ago and ended up reverting a few of the race orientated stuff I did to it in favor of more cruiser friendly parts. I have no desire to street race anymore.

I really don't even drive it much at all after I rebuilt it, I just get a kick out of doing all the small tweaks and upgrades. Constantly trying to build a better mousetrap. I Just built a torsen 9-bolt rear for it, was a fun after work project but I doubt the rear will even have 100 miles on it by the end of next year lol.

 

I agreed with your comments. But the general vibe seems to be...go get a superior modern car. Maybe I'm just old.

 

I gotta agree on boring. I drive my parents newer cars regularly and I had a rental new ford something or other last month and it’s a weird experience every time. My bird is a poverty spec car and I drive the wheels off of it. When I’m in the Firebird, or my mom’s ‘66 mustang, they’re so engaging and fun no matter what I’m doing. When I’m in a “normal” modern car, it’s just boring. Driving becomes a chore and filler time between where I’m coming from and where I’m going.

I will say, I got to take a family friend’s 2023 C8 Z06 out for a spin earlier this year and it was INSANE. So much fun, but I wonder if that wears off with regular use. There’s a bunch of fantastic modern cars, but to me, they don’t have the same character as 60s, 70s, and 80s rides.

 

I have a Buick Lacrosse with (No bullshite, look it up) 310 HP that would smoke my Firebird mercilessly.......

Guess which car gets the most attention, thumbs up, smiles, allright bro fistbumps when I drive it?

Bottom line= maybe I should put a Lacrosse engine in the bird?

 

Nooo! you may end up with Orangeick, and no one wants that!

 

Not to worry my Friend, while my car may not be too old for such an ambitious project.......

..... I am

 

You and me both!
I'm hopeful that my looming retirement and my Camaro can share a peaceful coexistence. Plenty still left to do but I like to think all of the heavy lifting, but literally and figuratively, has been done. And all resulting in "respectable street performance" too. Not that I street race (anymore anyway) but I like to think I have 95% of the car population covered on any give day. Buick Lacrosse's notwithstanding!

 

Ya, my wifes 2008 Lexus ES 350 putting out 275hp, it would blow my Formula away. You gotta beat that Toyota or you don't have respectable street performance. For the record, I never claimed to. But boy are you right, it looks cool going down the road. Funny how many people think it must be fast.

 

I'd be curious ss to what the Buick and the Lexus would put down for a 1/4 mile ET and MPH. Or maybe the 1/8th?
As it was mentioned, street performance is subjective however, to me it really implies street racing on some level.
If my Camaro can see 11's this season (not likely given the altitude I race at) but still, I see that as respectable as it's a long ways from a dedicated drag car. So my line is drawn there. If your daily can rip off 11's, then that too is respectable. Even low 12's on street tires would do it for me although I'd have the traction of a race orientated tire. Lets hope the SRT in the next lane is on old rubber!

 

2008 Lexus ES350: V6, 3.5L 0-60 mph : 6.8 seconds. 1/4 Mile : 15.0 seconds. Top Speed : 137 mph | 220.433 km/h

 

Well, it's certainly not a 1/4 mile car. Nice top speed though. And despite my Camaro being able to match that, I'd bet the house on it not nearly being a comfortable to do so.

 

Here's a random list I came across: I think it's safe to say that if you can match any of these, then that can be genuinely defined as acceptable. If you can match the top half of the list, that would be outstanding street performance in my book.

 

My 2009 M6 - 10 cylinder - 5.0L which is naturally aspirated and revs to 9000 rpm will clear the 1/4 in 12.2 seconds. Puts out 500+ hp - that is 100 HP per Liter. Slap on a super charger and you bounce to 750hp and would take out most any car in that list! For a lot less $$.

 

Undoubtedly. Boost will do that.
However, I'd say in it's present trim (NA), it still has respectable street performance. I would absolutely think so anyway. 12.2 is nothing to turn your nose up at.
But, further to your point regarding cost, which do you think is a lot less bucks? My Camaro with a NA 357 (~ 77 HP/L) , converter and built transmission or your Beemer? Quarter mile-wise, they're evenly matched.

But as I understand the intent of this thread from the OP, it's not about cost. It's about performance.

I'd started to compile a North American list as those are the models I'm likely to come across. Not too many Bugatti's out this way (although I've seen one or two). But funny you should post that as it's the BMWs that have me head scratching the most as I've no idea what their performance levels and I see quite a few around here. And those guys always want to be in the lane I'm in!

 

I think the OP left the building.

 

Yes sir. Long ago.
But that doesn't mean we can't have additional input.
Liquid Blue's Beemer example was just the sort of yardstick I found to be tangible. It's undoubtedly a quick machine, certainly more so than any 3rd gen that's at or nearly at as delivered performance. But there you go. What does it take to beat it?
It's not to say, "Hey look! I've only got 25k in my heap."
It's strictly about that stop light Grand Prix that might pop up now and again. How fast can you get to highway speeds coming off that on ramp?

 

BMWs are modern muscle cars. If it has a V8 it also has a handling package. I also have a 2004 545. It looks like a grandpa car but when you see it up in the air on the lift you recognize its a beast. Give the hi performance Bimmers their respect. Trust me, they deserve it. Every part is engineered to the max.

 

I'm very aware of BMW's technical expertise. I've always appreciated them since my military friend brought a late 80's/early 90's 318i model (IIRC) over from Germany when they were still a current model year. Very impressed even though I was a thorough V8 gearhead.
In the 2000's their 3 liter V10 F1 engine was very competitive and that's saying something considering the automotive giants they were competing against.
I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if your 2009 V10 doesn't have some lineage with the F1 product.

 

Pass. I like cars that are reliable and that you can fix (on the rare occasion that they do have issues) w/o getting a HELOC.

 

I grew up building and racing cars that had one fuel line and a one wire ignition. No electrics to the transmission. As basic as you could get. When I starting building 3rd gens, some twenty years after those days (and twenty years going now), I tossed the computer and went back to that original recipe. 700R4 notwithstanding (as there's little substitute for OD and lockup!).
It does offer for some simpler maintenance although I've since complicated things with a CD box, an electric fuel pump and a few other bits. This all serves to elevating the level of troubleshooting needed when some goes sideways. But still simple in comparison to a modern vehicle.

My D/D Chevy trucks (03, 05 and 06) can be maddening as they often require sophisticated methods for determining the root cause of a malfunction not to mention how many possibilities there are for a malfunction to occur. One broken small gauge ground wire once disabled the truck completely. I've no issue driving with the check engine light on!

And I'm happy to have my HELOC!

 

I do all my own work on my BMW's. But Tom is right, they are finicky machines that need lots of TLC. In order to do any real work and debugging you must have the actual technician OBD software which we all get in a hacked version. You load it up on a laptop and begin. It runs a complete set of diagnostics and provides a game plan on how to fix something. (sometimes) BMW procedures are very specific so you must have the TIS to do work on them. Often during a repair bolts must be replaced because they are TTY, same with nuts. Working on them is a real challenge but a great learning experience. They also have technical overviews of how the cars are designed and built, and reading thru those makes you appreciate the cars all that much more. Without that info, you would have no idea on some of the things that go into these cars. I've learned alot from other BMW backyard mechanics on the forums, w/o them, I'd often be lost. The nice thing about BMW's is you can pick them up cheap, but people often find out that there is a reason for that after they purchase. If you cant do your own work, don't bother buying one, especially a cheap one! Parts are expensive and you really dont want to get the wrong/cheap part. In turn, it really makes me appreciate what the GM engineers did with our cars back in the day, very simple to work on and probably part of their design process.

BTW - The M6 V10 is called the S85 engine, and yes, it is F1 inspired, thus the V10.

 

I can appreciate all of that. It was same sort of learning for me and the D/D Chevy trucks I have. I went so far as to buy a Tech II scanner so I get further into the computers however, the issue was so deep that the scanner wouldn't function properly. Then the whole works, a different truck and tools including the $1000 (CDN) scanner, were stolen out of my driveway. The truck was recovered intact (more or less) 12 hours later but of course the tools were long gone.

When it comes to street performance, I'd often considered something along the lines of a 5th / 6th gen Camaro. Enough performance built in with the option of all the modern upgrades and kits that aren't cobbled together bits that often an old car like our 3rd gens are today require.
That said, the cost of switching to different platform makes the whole exercise cost prohibitive. And I've a time constraint as I realize I'm getting to the end of my wrenching days. Especially on the enthusiasm side. I'll finish my old 86 with all of the parts in play (and planned) and then call it a day. The fresh engine, transmission, converter and slicks has re-ignited a spark though.
Maybe a single turbo on one of the Tahoes, but that's it...

 

Yep, it's gotten nuts. ^that^ is totally true. We're on the downward curve of "PEAK VEHICLE".