Originally Posted by john70t (Post 10641387)

I never understood stoplight racing.
Still don't.

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins (Post 10641401)

No, I have never had the pleasure. Aren't those Turbos shown in those two videos 4WD? And about 1,000 lbs lighter than this Mustang?

The line lock is (or was in my day) only used to keep the car stationary during the burnout.

Launch control limits the throttle and/or feathers the clutch to avoid wheelspin, right? There still has to be a certain level of mechanical grip.

Back in my day, sub-11 second cars ran on slicks. There was no "launch control", but there was plenty of traction. The four speed cars were launched by sitting on the line as the Christmas Tree counted down with the motor turning 6,000-7,000 rpm. Timing this to when we thought the light was going to turn green (looking for that hole shot), we simply stepped off the clutch pedal. Anyone who has ever done this knows just how utterly violent the ensuing mayhem really is - it sounds like you smacked a manhole cover with a sledgehammer. That's what it took to get into the tens.

Maybe they make it up with horsepower now, with the cars accelerating much more aggressively in the top half of the track. I've watched many of the undoubtedly countless videos of these cars supposedly running in the tens, and I just don't see the violent launches that characterized those E.T.'s back when I was playing the game.

Originally Posted by rattlsnak (Post 10641623)

Yes, the Turbos are AWD, but GT3s basically run the same times and they are 2WD..

From what I can tell, the Porsche cars are@ 800 ish pounds lighter..

I ran a 427 '67 RS Camaro "back in the day" with a line lock, which is basically a front brake lock and totally agree about dumping the clutch and boooom.. You were gone...

These cars do it all electronically... Combination of clutch slippage, traction control, limiting power etc... I'm here to tell you, it will put you back in your seat the entire way. It's like a slingshot... If you turn all the nannies off, it will burn rubber almost halfway down the track and still run a 12 second QTR mile.. Just insane power from a street car with ZERO mods... The modded ones are stupid fast..

But my point to this thread, was someone stated that the new mustang was "crazy fast for a streeet car" and I was merely pointing out that these cars have been in that realm for 5+ years already..

Originally Posted by legion (Post 10642078)

Jeff, you are correct about mechanical grip. My Mustang (which is a no-option 2016 with a manual) came with Pirelli P-Zero Nero tires stock. The grip from them is insane--both during acceleration and cornering. My point about the launch control is that it removes the driver's skill from getting the car going. Every Mustang made in the past few years can make 100% use of the available traction every time. On my manual Mustang, the launch control will control the throttle, clutch, and engine power.

Originally Posted by rattlsnak (Post 10641069)

Porsche is absolutely a normal street car class.. The others, I would consider exotics/rare/etc..

Originally Posted by masraum (Post 10642190)

Hmm, they may not be as rare as a Lambo or McLaren, but I don't think I'd consider a 911 TT, GT3, GT3 RS, GT2 RS, etc... remotely on the same level as a Camaro or Mustang. I think they should still be considered exotics, just maybe on the more mundane end.

Originally Posted by 911 Rod (Post 10642171)

Don't they say "Horsepower is how fast you hit the crowd and torque is how far you go into the crowd"?

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera (Post 10642243)

They are only mundane because the owners actually drive them and you can see them on the road. Ferrari owners hate to add miles and they know the service is going to be very expensive. And they are nothing as reliable as a Porsche. My 35 year old 911 with 175,000 miles is ready for the fall tour next weekend. I will drive it to California again next year. I have driven it to California three times before.

When was the last time you saw a 1980s Ferrari or McLaren out actually being driven anywhere but maybe a Cars and Coffee?

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera (Post 10642243)

They are only mundane because the owners actually drive them and you can see them on the road. Ferrari owners hate to add miles and they know the service is going to be very expensive. And they are nothing as reliable as a Porsche. My 35 year old 911 with 175,000 miles is ready for the fall tour next weekend. I will drive it to California again next year. I have driven it to California three times before.

Originally Posted by Superman (Post 10642606)

Jeff mentions tires, and I think some of the most important recent advances in motoring relate to tires. The tires on my '78 SC are a far cry from the ones it came with in '78.

Originally Posted by legion (Post 10641274)

My friend has a Model S. He can beat my Mustang in a drag race. The key difference, is after the drag race, I can drive 150 miles to Chicago whereas he has to go back to the charger.

Originally Posted by Superman (Post 10642606)

Jeff mentions tires, and I think some of the most important recent advances in motoring relate to tires. The tires on my '78 SC are a far cry from the ones it came with in '78.

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera (Post 10643024)

Absolutely. My 911 came with 15 inch Fuchs. I loved the wheels when decent rubber was available. Now the 15 inch tire size is either a mini van all season tire, or a autocross track tire that is super scary in the rain or below 32 degrees.

I drive my 911 on long road trips, and we are going on a fall foliage trip soon. Last year one morning it was 16 degrees.

I have 17 inch Euromeisters now and Michelin PS2 tires. They have a grip level that is orders of magnitude higher than anything I even had in 15 inch tires. The are great in the rain, and do just fine at 16 degrees. They cost a lot more than the 15 inch tires ever did, but man they stick me to the road.

Of course going from 185s front and 215 rear to 225 front and 255 in the rear is a big part of it.

Originally Posted by MMARSH (Post 10642714)

That's strange, because in my Model S I'd still have over 200 miles of range. Assuming I started at my normal 80% charge for the day. Point is, a single drag race isnt gonna drain your range that much.

Originally Posted by pwd72s (Post 10643374)

After a ride in my honorary nephew's new Chevy Bolt, I can see the usefulness of electrics for some people. Those whose usual driving habits allow access to fast charging systems...he said a 200 plus miles range. Not bad...and it's enough for his lifestyle. I was impressed with the instant torque of an electric.

Of course, I promptly challenged him to a race...from my home to Burns Oregon and back. He'd have to stop to charge for hours while I could gas up the Mustang in minutes.