Anyone else find that lower hp cars just 'feel' faster when driving them?

[testknight]

So, I wanted to ask you all what you think. I just never felt as though my car pulled as had as other vehicles I've owned...now my hp numbers just aren't as high as they should be with my mods...I topped right at 300rwhp on a dyno dynamics (not sure what that equates to on a dynojet)...but it still is more than other cars I've owned. I mean when I punch the car it's just not an overwhelming feeling, which is a disappointment when I want to show off riding passengers. My best kick is around 45mph and it's ok....I have no issues with the car... SO I'm guessing this is the nature of a very linear hp curve....whereas in my 98 CObra (which topped around 290hp on a dynojet...shows higher hp numbers that a dyno dynamics) would at around 4500rpm (when IMRC's opened up) would just throw you back on your seat. That graph took a more pattern of a slower inclining hill then just get real steep quickly. I assume that steep portion of the graph (despite the entire Cobra graph would likely fit under the c32) was why it felt faster. Hell I had a grand prix GTP with about 300whp (not rwhp) that actually felt faster on the highway then the C32...well that was before my son totalled that car..the sh^t head (he was fine...once I knew that I can say it). Anyone else find this to be true? Sucks when you want to show off, lol. And OMG never nail it around 55mph...feels like a Civic...am I only one?

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[loudandheard]

When I first got my car, with out any mods, it would push me back when I put the gas pedal all the way down to the floor. Recently, I've felt my car has lost some of that kick, even though I have E55K airboxes, 178mm crank pulley, headers, and tune. I'm thinking I need a new intercooler pump or I may have a lot of gunk in my intake. So maybe you have something keeping your car from feeling quick?

[ddtham]

Ditto here. I suspected that something might have "broken" when I dynoed my car on a Mustang dyno last year and only got 285 rwhp after all of my mods. First time I got it, I dynoed at 297 rwhp stock on dyno jet. It turned out to be leaking intercooler that gunked up my intake walls. Now the car feels quick again.

FWIW, I have dynolicious app on my phone, and when I did my runs during ic leak, I got 252 rwhp... Now I got 320.

On the other hand, it is true that C32s do not feel as fast as some lower hp cars. I could have sworn that E36 M3 felt quicker. I think our autobox might have something to do with the performance "feel" being sedated as well.

[MercedesFTW]

Since you have C32, maybe something is wrong?

However, I would say the C55 does not have a punch-in-the-gut acceleration feeling. I contribute that to the auto transmission and linear V8 power delivery.

[WaveyKat]

since i installed 3.2K Engine in my C320 i feel a Great Difference i get that Push back into my seat feeling. and loving it for the past 5-7 months :-)

[chris.bachman]

You're car isn't slow, you've just become used to the performance. Take a ride in the passenger seat and have the driver punch it. It feels totally different.

[firstshadow]

Originally Posted by chris.bachman

You're car isn't slow, you've just become used to the performance. Take a ride in the passenger seat and have the driver punch it. It feels totally different.

That, and it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

[tw2]

There is no harm in checking there is nothing wrong, new plugs, wires and other maintenance if it hasn't been done and check IC. I personally find comparing cars with 0-100 or quarter mile times are usually more helpful especially measured with gizmo's since they take out any reaction time. It takes any feeling of quick away and shows you without a doubt which is quicker. Like Chris said, you get used to it. After driving a ****ter rental on holiday etc I can't believe how fast my car is when I get back.

Dynos are fine if they are run on the same dyno with approximately the same conditions but gearing etc can make all the difference. I find the C32 has a fantastic ability to select the exact gear you don't want when left in auto (Yes I always want to select the gear to give me 2000rpm for overtaking )

[michael kuzni]

Originally Posted by chris.bachman

You're car isn't slow, you've just become used to the performance. Take a ride in the passenger seat and have the driver punch it. It feels totally different.

+1 i try that sometimes with my 17 year old sister.

[varoom]

my C32 is totaly standard apart from k&n filters and feels very very quick at all speeds

maybe your spark plugs and wires are tired.

bigger wheels and stiff suspension also removes some of that feeling of getting thrown back into your seat.

[GT-ER]

Cars with linear powerbands tend to feel slower than those with less low end torque but more top end power. This being said, my friends C55 feels very quick...but when I go wot in my car it feels like a rocket ship in comparison. So more power, at the end of the day, does feel quicker...lol

[503C43 ////AMG]

Originally Posted by chris.bachman

You're car isn't slow, you've just become used to the performance. Take a ride in the passenger seat and have the driver punch it. It feels totally different.

+1, I drove my wife's V6 Accord for 3 weeks while she was in China. Once she got back I started driving my C43 again and it felt like I was driving a Veyron. It has been a month since I started driving my C43 again and while it does still feel quick, it doesn't feel like it did after those 3 weeks.

You could have something wrong (i.e plugs, leak, etc...) but I question if you have just become used to the power.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder

I say absence makes the horsepower feel stronger

[AMG3.2]

Mine's a rocket lol My friend has an e36 M3 which is decently quick. But I simply cannot compare it with my car as the low end torque in my C32 is ridiculous. I have the SC pulley and matching tune so I'm assuming that's why it feels so fast.

The only car I've been in that makes my car feel utterly slow is an M6 ('08). This thing is just a monster and eats highways. Even an F430 I've driven doesn't feel as fast as this car, granted it does not have 500+ BHP.

[ddtham]

I test drove a stock w211 E55 a while back, because I was looking into jumping ship. To my surprise that one did not feel much faster than my c32.

That was after I test drove a W215 CL600 TT though, and the CL was a monster compared to both. Holy mother that CL pulls from all speed.

[testknight]

yeah for me even right after the tune I was just never overwhelmed with how it felt....as I mentioned I'm sure it's the linear curve. Figured it was worth discussing...

[Nachtsturm]

Take it to the track. Butt dynos don't mean much lol.

For a comparison, My 01 CLK55 put down 263whp on a dyno dynamics and ran the time in the sig stock.

Your C32 should definitely be faster than your 98 cobra as well. As far as feeling fast, I don't get on my cars all that much, but when I do, even my ML55 throws you back a tad. Had a srt-6 as well, same deal.

[fxschneider]

I think those cars may seem faster due to the fact that they don't have the same build quality so you usually hear alot of roadnoise particularly at higher speeds. Also they are closer to their limit. Kinda like if you're in a car that has a top speed of 120mph and you are doing 110 it feels like you are going 110. When you're in a car that has a top speed of 180mph and you are doing 110 it feels like you are doing 60. Just my thoughts

[Misfit]

I have been thinking this same thing about my C55 AMG lately. I keep hearing people talking about how tractionly challanged these cars are but I dont find that with mine. I don't know if it's the wheel / tire combo that I have or what but there is no drama at all with car and I was kinda looking forward to that when I got this thing.

[paqueras]

IDK about you but my car feels really fast!

Im been taking it to the track and its quick as hell!

[tw2]

You get used to it quickly. I have constant traction problems especially when doing a slight turn, rain or dry when taking off straight but you always want more.

[arekux]

i dunno after driving 100hp volvo my car feels like a supercar, i have eurocharged tune, afe filters, res and cat delete, which also made huge difference feels about same as my old c32 with tune and pulley, filters.

[Misfit]

My car feels fast enough for what it is and I've run it up against other fast cars and done pretty good but that tire shredding, oh my god this thing is going to kill me feeling is just not there. I am running 275/30-19's on the back so there is a good amount of tire there but I still expected much more drama from this thing.