what if the world was measured in torque instead of horsepower?

 

Does a 350Z have a back seat? How big is the trunck in a 350Z, can you get golf clubs in there?
I wonder how many 350Zs were sold in the last year as compared to Mustangs.
Swedish, you should just get a Saab.


ps It's a good thing I do not have the ban power.

 

Well this is a FORD FORUM if you dont like the bias go to a Nissa Forum...

 

doesnt a 350z take premium gas too? ford engineers made sure to produce a V8 with decent horsepower and torque that was capable of running on regular unleaded gasoline...87 octane. you cant beat the sound of a V8 Mustang IMO...and the feeling of the torque is great...and if you wanna run on 93 octane...you can get a tune and a few aftermarket goodies and get more power for your car. for the price of a Mustang GT...i think its pretty good. but i own one too...

 

You hit right on it, check the Compression ratio of 350Z. You take the same Ford engine give it the CR (which Ford could have done it they though consumers would want to use 93) and you would see a chang in HP. For instance look at the 1999 & 2001 Cobra, major difference from GT was CR 8.5:1 up to 9.8:1.

 

it would b a glorious day indeed

 

yeah, i have wondered stuff like this before... my 2000 alero w/ v6 can put up a pretty good fight against my 95 gt. Horsepower wise, they are just a little different, but the stang gets the alero in torque. All in all, ford could have done so much to things 5.0 and 4.6's, but how efficient would they be? That is the bottom line for a "regular" car buyer.... thats why gas mileage is always put on the door sticker at a dealership, not 10 mpg but has 450 horsepower. If you wanted more power, you would have to purchase there cobra and cobra R models, which, yeah are "quicker" but still not full potential....

 

We should put an end to this argument right now. You don't buy a base Mustang because its fast, you buy a base Mustang because its a Mustang, an icon, a legend...40 years of American history. Why do you think foreign cars are cheap and put out a lot of HP? Anybody ever heard of a thing called NAFTA and free trade. Anybody else ever heard of cheap labor? In America we support our own through Unions and purchasing products made in the USA...helps the economy if you have ever heard of Free Market Economy. Next thing, how do you get HP out of a smaller engine? Any guesses? You must rev it higher, you can do that with a Mustang...cam swap? Heads? Americans don't like to buy something off the shelf and never touch it! We want something we can make our own...that's why the US is called the melting pot of the world...that's why numerous inventions and innovations have came from the American society. Not everyone wants to go fast however...if we all wanted to go fast, why would we sell the Ford Taurus? Ford 500? Toyota Corolla? Chevy Malibu? Should I go on...sad fact of the matter is people like what they like...don't knock it.
D

 

I useally wouldn't respond to something like this, but I will try to explain the "unexplainable", only because, I think you asked a reasonable question for some who doesn't understand. The cars you mentioned are nice cars, and it sounds like you have more garage space and money then me. I would love to have some of those, but I wouldn't trade a V8 for any of them.

First, until you drive an "American V8" you will never fully understand. Yes, many European and Japanesse brands are pumping out more horse power. But Non of them produce huge torque right off the line and hold high torque numbers through the RPM range. I am talking the power to spin 12" wide tires for as long as you hold the throttle down. I am not talking about modified, but stock cars. Is this completely useable? Maybe not, but it is Raw American Power! A v6 will never have the sound of a V8!

I have lived in Europe, and I have driven on the Autobahns, and with out a doubt, I would take my 3.0L Opel, over my Camaro if I wanted to hit top speed. But my Opel, would never keep up with my Z28 in a Quarter mile. A solid example was I ran with a Porsche boxer with my Stock Z28. I would never be able to keep up through the corners or on the Autobahn, but when we come out of the corners, I would quickly catch him and could pass any time I wanted up to about 120 mph.

Ok, my last example. 100Km/62mph in top gear , a Stock V8 is running around 1800 RPMs. When you have a V8, you can push the petal down, and feel your body press in to the seat without downshifting.

Why a Mustang GT, because it isn't a Nissan, honda, BMW, Audi, etc. Like I said, it is unexplainable, just like my big slow Harley Davidson.....

Hope this helps.
tom

 

The last two replys, are great examples of people who know what there talking about, I second both of you and I couldnt of said it better. Great Job guys.