How much power for backroads?

[Beau]

Drag racing is fun, but my favorite use for my car is just going out on backroads and having fun. Making big horsepower numbers is great for bragging rights, but for my needs it would probably negatively affect the balance of my car. I'm curious what people think is a decent hp level for tearing up backroads and what turbo you would select for the job.

I'm thinking an S15 turbo would be all I would need at around 310-330rwhp max.

Opinions?

[InstantRice]

any reason your particularly focused on an s15 turbo?

[Beau]

I like the S15 turbo because it is big enough to produce some respectable numbers, but small enough to be very responsive. Basically I want the most power possible while still using a responsive turbo. Other pluses of the S15 turbo is that it's pretty much a plug-n-play bolt on and they can be had fairly cheaply.

[extheflow]

i have the S15 turbo, you're right about responsive.it's fun as hell to drive. from what i've seen it takes a little more than the basics to bust 300 though. even at 250 or so (my estimate) it would be enough to have fun on backroads

[annunziato39]

what do you mean by back roads? You mean like dirt roads or twisty side streets?

[Beau]

I mean twisty country roads when I say backroads. Roads that you need a very linear and predictable powerband to drive safely. I'm still on the T25 for now and it's plenty fun, but of course I want more power. I just want to keep the turbo responsive and keep a fairly linear powerband. I have a FMIC and full 3" exhaust right now and I plan on having some mild cams and the Greddy intake and turbo extention to make 300+ if I go with the S15 turbo.

[extheflow]

you're not far from me, if you want to check out the S15 turbo let me know, i'm always looking for an excuse to go for a ride.i'm in columbus(can't remember if i have that in my profile or anything)edit:

<~there it is(yeah i'm a dumbass)

[Altiman94]

as much power as you feel fit is needed. Even a stock ka24(d)e can be fun in the twisties. More power jus tmakes it that much more dangerous.

[book-ends]

Hello,

The reason I haven't spent a dime on power upgrades is because I basically have to take fifteen miles of backroad every day just to get to the highway!! I'm talking about off camber turns, decreasing radius turns, switchbacks, several "S" turns in a row........

Just a few more horses with the stock KA and I'll be in heaven. Several thousand more dollars of suspension and brake upgrades and I'll never leave this area for as long as I live!!!

Evergreen, CO

[Beau]

you're not far from me, if you want to check out the S15 turbo let me know, i'm always looking for an excuse to go for a ride.i'm in columbus(can't remember if i have that in my profile or anything)

That would be cool if we could meet up sometime so I could sample how the T28 feels on your car. I used to live in Columbus so I might use this as an excuse to go back and see some of the stuff I grew up with. I haven't been back for nearly 10 years. Damn, that almost makes me feel old

I'll PM you about this.

Most of my money will be going into suspension and brake upgrades for now, but since a turbo upgrade is a big investment I'm starting my research early. Besides, if I get this job paying $35,000/yr then I'll be able to finish my car this year.

[D1SR240]

i think for back roads a nice smaller turbo with good response would be ur best bet, and the s15 one sounds pretty good

[SpeeDDrifT]

Hello,

The reason I haven't spent a dime on power upgrades is because I basically have to take fifteen miles of backroad every day just to get to the highway!! I'm talking about off camber turns, decreasing radius turns, switchbacks, several "S" turns in a row........

Just a few more horses with the stock KA and I'll be in heaven. Several thousand more dollars of suspension and brake upgrades and I'll never leave this area for as long as I live!!!

Evergreen, CO

you sound like you should be a regulaur takumi....hehe.

BEAU....it's all relative....your driving skill level....your suspension set-up....no one can estimate what kind of power you can handle but i would suggest $$$ in the suspension and an LSD if you have not already.....you will appreciate that far more than more horsepower on backroads.

[MikeMurphy]

Do you even realize how powerful 310-330rwhp is on a 240?!?

Its enough to leave a stupid face on your passengers. You will reach crazy speeds very quickly and thus your looking at rather large tickets.

You would probably do better with a t3/t4 combo.

[MainEvent212]

nah the S15 turbo is jsut a ball bearing T28 iirc...

but i'm hoping to get one myself soon...what do those greddy extensions do?

i got a redtop w/ 2.5 in. exhaust, and stock downpipe right now...i wanna get a tougefactory dp and get a custom 3" exhaust welded up to my tanabe muffler if possible...it sounds so deep right now i love it