So I've got my car running very well, probably the best it's run since I've owned it. My best guess is I should be at around 300 RWHP which would be around 335 or so at the crank. Problem is at 100 or so HP over stock the car just doesn't seem that fast, I would think that from a dead stop in first the tires should break loose when the boost comes on, no? I figured maybe I could get an idea of what to expect from others with similar power levels before I start taking things apart again.

 

Depends on many factors: whether you have LSD, your tire width, compound, age (very important), torque curve shape etc. My 924 2.5 16v Turbo doesn't feel that fast at first but it is so just until you push the throttle good. Also it has good tires and rebuilt LSD, it will not break tires loose so easily but when it does, hang out!

 

300rwhp feels pretty fast in these cars -- enough to break the tires loose in 1st typically -- though that's not a very reliable test. Fast is so subjective -- 300hp in this car is a rocket compared to a '77 Corolla, but a slug compared to a 991Turbo S... Maybe try a quarter mile pass or a dyno session to get some better data? What have you done to the car -- why do you think it should have 300rwhp?

 

As the car sits I've got the M-Tune, 46mm wastegate, full 3" exhaust, an " improved stock" cam by D Elgin, and a K27/6 at 16 or so pounds of boost. I also just put on Bridgestone Re11's in the stock 245-45-16 size. If I haven't reached 300 yet I've got to be close I think. The new tires are pretty soft.

 

Probably worth checking it out on a dyno. Why not, right? If it's way off your estimate then you'd know to start looking to see why. If all of that is working well, with a good tune, it should scoot along pretty nicely. What kind of boost control/curve do you have? From a seat of the pants perspective you can make these cars "feel" slower by rolling on the boost slowly -- the factory pretty much did that. A long time ago I went with a friend to dyno our 944 turbos. We were both certain mine had more power -- maybe 50hp more -- just based on how hard the acceleration hit. I ended up getting 275 and he was about 305. The boost curve was the difference. His boost rolled on slowly like the factory, and mine hit all at once like a sledge hammer (Profec B), so my car just "felt" faster and would spin tires, etc.

 

My car has 280 RWHP and 290 ft-lbs of torque at 15 PSI.

First gear is more about getting into the boost around 3K, then timing the shift early so you don't over rev the car, then hitting it in second....and it really comes on, but third is the best gear of all.

On a few occasions I can get it to slip in second....but only in first if I'm going to do donuts.

 

It probably wouldn't hurt to also check your compression, leak down, etc. You would seem to have the right piece parts installed, *provided* you have a good healthy engine underneath it all. Knowing this may also help you save money (both in exploratory as well deciding on further mods).

 

Trying to break the tyre grip in 1st is more likely to break something else. Better to check it out properly as these guys suggest.

 

RE-11's are 200tw tires, so in the summer time its unlikely you'll break them loose.

These cars are slow off the line, but try a 60-95 pull in 3rd gear and see how you like it.

 

Agree.....to me this car loves 3rd, 4th and even 5th. Most newer cars give a quick off the line feel. Very little pedal input and the newer cars jump off the line. That being said you have to floor them on the highway to get going.

I had the same thought when I got my new engine (over 300 whp). It didn't seem that fast so I went to the dyno and confirmed. Now I realize when you get into the higher gears it just keeps pulling. 60 - 100 seem very fast to me.

 

Thank you everyone for the input, I guess I really have to make an effort to get the car on a dyno, probably should have done it before any mods so I could track progress. Seems like with a turbo car the power delivery can feel inconsistent at times and is dependent on a lot of other conditions, even accelerating up a slight incline seems to bring on boost faster and gives a feeling of more power. Third gear does seem to be the best of the bunch.

 

3rd is great and uphill puts the turbo under load earlier. Cooler evening on some nice open winding roads and the car feels very powerful underfoot where small increments of throttle seem to induce major momentum gains. Best fun I can remember in my car when it was streetable.

 

As most have said, the best way to know for sure is to take the car to a dyno. Turbocharged cars are indeed somewhat inconsistent on power delivery. These cars seem sensitive to having the intercooler heat soaked, as well as just trying to get power on a hot day. Crisp cool evenings and spring/fall days are where you will get your best power. I've had these cars for a long time, and had different configurations of power supply. Right now I have a car with a K26-6 that maybe makes 250 wheel... maybe.. and a car running an M-tune super 61-#8 hotside, that should be around 300whp, but never dynoed. Honestly the biggest difference I see between a 300whp car with a decent setup, and an engine putting out less, is the power at the redline. Setups that aren't ideal will still have a swell of mid range torque, but they will run out of steam up high.

 

If you do get it on a dyno, make sure you measure AF ratio and tune it if required. Very important if you have 300 HP going through the thing. Run it lean and you will be sorry.