Topic: 2008 C&D Lightning Lap

[Snowman]

I sent Snowy a PM a few days back about a modding session on an 2009 Sti.  For about $1000 the car picked up nearly 100TQ and 75 or so HP.  I have the numbers at home...So I may be off.  Maybe Snowy can Copy/Paste the PM I sent him....These cars mod very, very nicely.  Almost as easy as a Supra...

Hey,

 I read every import mag every month.  DSport is by far the best, most accurate out there.  They dyno everything.  Well, they just started modding a stock 2009 STI.  It put down 268 AWHP on a Dynojet and 225 AWHP on a Mustang (they always read 15-20% more concervative).

Here are the mods, in order:

1) Harman Motive Turboback exhaust: +11 HP +11 TQ..but +22 HP@ 5150RPM, and about the same at at 4000RPM.  Impressive!

2) COBB Accessport +27 HP and a staggering 52 TQ!!! This on POS Cali 91 octane and a pretty tame 11:0 A/F.  Easily another 10+ in there with our 94 octane and 11.5 A/F

3) For fun, they threw in some VP100 race fuel. +19 more HP and +40 TQ!

Not too shabby at all!!  With the race fuel, that's +57 HP and +101 TQ!!

But for our needs...just the exhaust and COBB...were talking 38 HP and 60 TQ.  On a DynoJet, that would be 312 AWHP and 350+ AWTQ.  Awesome!  And like I said..that tune was tame on 91 octane.  Throw in an intake..and you'd have a bit better response and another couple of ponies.

Pretty impressive..and pretty fun for not a ton of money.  I like this car...but would need a sunroof in it!!! 

Cheers...~Ron

[mmret]

It did set the all-time 'ring record for a FWD car by over 13 seconds....

Chevy man-love says "yes".

Wife, age, looking for refinement, and devastating crash say "no"

Don't forget the 3000 bp spread on GM 5Year CDS.

BMW is at something like 150 bps I think.

(Still a damn impressive performance!)

[Vmango]

I sent Snowy a PM a few days back about a modding session on an 2009 Sti.  For about $1000 the car picked up nearly 100TQ and 75 or so HP.  I have the numbers at home...So I may be off.  Maybe Snowy can Copy/Paste the PM I sent him....These cars mod very, very nicely.  Almost as easy as a Supra...

Hey,

 I read every import mag every month.  DSport is by far the best, most accurate out there.  They dyno everything.  Well, they just started modding a stock 2009 STI.  It put down 268 AWHP on a Dynojet and 225 AWHP on a Mustang (they always read 15-20% more concervative).

Here are the mods, in order:

1) Harman Motive Turboback exhaust: +11 HP +11 TQ..but +22 HP@ 5150RPM, and about the same at at 4000RPM.  Impressive!

2) COBB Accessport +27 HP and a staggering 52 TQ!!! This on POS Cali 91 octane and a pretty tame 11:0 A/F.  Easily another 10+ in there with our 94 octane and 11.5 A/F

3) For fun, they threw in some VP100 race fuel. +19 more HP and +40 TQ!

Not too shabby at all!!  With the race fuel, that's +57 HP and +101 TQ!!

But for our needs...just the exhaust and COBB...were talking 38 HP and 60 TQ.  On a DynoJet, that would be 312 AWHP and 350+ AWTQ.  Awesome!  And like I said..that tune was tame on 91 octane.  Throw in an intake..and you'd have a bit better response and another couple of ponies.

Pretty impressive..and pretty fun for not a ton of money.  I like this car...but would need a sunroof in it!!! 

Cheers...~Ron

Well, if/when the WRX lands in my driveway I will probably eventually be seeking some turbo modding advice.

[The Mighty Duck]

The Cobalt's performance is just staggering...  WOW!

[Snowman]

I sent Snowy a PM a few days back about a modding session on an 2009 Sti.  For about $1000 the car picked up nearly 100TQ and 75 or so HP.  I have the numbers at home...So I may be off.  Maybe Snowy can Copy/Paste the PM I sent him....These cars mod very, very nicely.  Almost as easy as a Supra...

Hey,

 I read every import mag every month.  DSport is by far the best, most accurate out there.  They dyno everything.  Well, they just started modding a stock 2009 STI.  It put down 268 AWHP on a Dynojet and 225 AWHP on a Mustang (they always read 15-20% more concervative).

Here are the mods, in order:

1) Harman Motive Turboback exhaust: +11 HP +11 TQ..but +22 HP@ 5150RPM, and about the same at at 4000RPM.  Impressive!

2) COBB Accessport +27 HP and a staggering 52 TQ!!! This on POS Cali 91 octane and a pretty tame 11:0 A/F.  Easily another 10+ in there with our 94 octane and 11.5 A/F

3) For fun, they threw in some VP100 race fuel. +19 more HP and +40 TQ!

Not too shabby at all!!  With the race fuel, that's +57 HP and +101 TQ!!

But for our needs...just the exhaust and COBB...were talking 38 HP and 60 TQ.  On a DynoJet, that would be 312 AWHP and 350+ AWTQ.  Awesome!  And like I said..that tune was tame on 91 octane.  Throw in an intake..and you'd have a bit better response and another couple of ponies.

Pretty impressive..and pretty fun for not a ton of money.  I like this car...but would need a sunroof in it!!! 

Cheers...~Ron

Well, if/when the WRX lands in my driveway I will probably eventually be seeking some turbo modding advice.

The WRX265 now has the STi turbo so ECU, down-pipe, and cat-back exhaust will easily get over the 300 HP mark.

[Giant Dwarf]

The current issue of Car and Driver has the latest lightning lap.  They've also been so kind as to post all the times they've acquired to date:

2:45.9 - Mosler MT900S (08)
2:48.6 - Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe ACR (08)
2:51.8 - Chev Corvette ZR1 (09)
2:52.3 - KTM X-bow (09)
2:53.9 - Lambo Murcielago LP640 SV (09)
2:54.6 - Ferrari F430 Scuderia (08)
2:55.6 - Nissan GTR (08)
2:57.4 - Dodge Viper SRT10 (07)
2:57.6 - Ariel Atom 3 (09)
2:58.2 - Corvette Z06 (07)
2:58.8 - Corvette  Grand Sport (09)
2:59.0 - Nissan GTR (all-season tires) (08)
2:59.5 - Audi R8 5.2 (09)
3:00.7 - Ford GT (06)
3:01.1 - Corvette Z06 (06)
3:01.2 - Corvette Z51 (08)
3:01.6 - Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe (06)
3:01.8 - Porsche 911 GT3 (07)
3:03.6 - Corvette Z51 (07)
3:04.0 - Caddy CTS-V (08)
3:04.5 - Lotus Exige S (07)
3:04.6 - Audi R8 (07)
3:05.0 - Lotus Exige S 260 Sport (09)
3:05.4 - BMW M3 (09)
3:05.8 - Porsche 911 Turbo (07)
3:05.8 - Porsche 911 Carerra S (09)
3:05.8 - Porsche Cayman S (09)
3:05.9 - Ford Shelby GT500 (07)
3:05.4 - Jag XKR (09)
3:06.5 - Mercedes C63 AMG (08)
3:07.4 - Ford Shelby GT500 (09)
3:08.4 - Audi TTS (09)
3:09.2 - Lotus Elise (06)
3:09.3 - Corvette Z51 (06)
3:09.5 - Porsche Cayman S (06)
3:09.5 - Chev Camaro SS (09)
3:10.0 - BMW M6 (06)
3:10.5 - BMW 335i (07)
3:10.8 - Audi S4 (09)
3:11.0 - Ford Shelby GT500 (06)
3:11.2 - Audi RS4 (07)
3:11.7 - BMW Z4 M (07)
3:12.0 - Nissan 370Z Nismo (09)
3:12.5 - Nissan 350Z Track (06)
3:13.0 - Chev Cobalt SS (08)
3:13.3 - Mitsu Lancer Evo MR (08)
3:13.3 - Ford Mustang GT (09)
3:13.5 - Mitsu Lancer Evo MR (06)
3:13.7 - BMW 135i (08)
3:14.0 - Lexus LSF (08)
3:14.6 - Audi S5 (08)
3:14.8 - Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 (09)
3:15.0 - Honda S2000 CR (08)
3:15.7 - Pontiac Solstice GXP (07)
3:16.0 - Mazdaspeed3 (07)
3:16.2 - Mazdaspeed3 (09)
3:16.3 - Dodge Challenger SRT8 (08)
3:16.6 - Subaru Impreza WRX (09)
3:16.6 - Lotus Elise SC (08)
3:17.1 - Mini Cooper Works (09)
3:17.5 - Infiniti G37S (08)
3:18.2 - Dodge Charger SRT8 (06)
3:19.0 - Mazda RX8 (06)
3:19.0 - Subaru WRX STI (08)
3:19.3 - Volkswagen GTI (09)
3:20.6 - Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged (06)
3:20.8 - Dodge Caliber SRT4 (08)
3:20.9 - Ford Mustang GT (06)
3:21.8 - Volkswagen R32 (08)
3:22.9 - Mini Cooper S (07)
3:24.8 - Honda Civic Si Mugen (08)
3:25.1 - Volkswagen GTI (06)
3:26.5 - Honda Civic Si (06)
3:26.6 - Volvo C30 ver.2.0 (08)
3:29.3 - Mazda MX-5 (06)


A couple of standouts from the list to me:
1)  Viper ACR - while it is a proper track car, we always seem to hear about how great the new ZR1 is, but geez, look at that thing -- second only to the Mosler (which is as close as you're going to get to a purpose built race car).

2)  New Corvette Grand Sport - Besting R8 5.2 and Ford GT and damned-near it's much more powerful Z06 brother.

3)  335i bests the new S4 (whose fancy pants suspension goodies apparently don't work as well on the track as on the street) and even the RS4.  Very close to the 500 hp M6 too.

4)  Cobalt SS (turbocharged one).  Holy crap!  Look at what it beat!  Evo MR, S2000 CR, Elise!

5)  135i beats Lexus LS-F

6)  New WRX is quicker than STI (article references this too asking "why do we need an STI?")

[Turbo Bob]

Much as I like these sort of lists, isn't it very track dependent?  For example a small light car such as an S2000 won't do so well on a long track, but will kill lots of cars on a shorter more twisty track.

I'm guessing the track they got these times on has lots of long sections where hp matters?

Still surprised by that Cobalt though, what a performance!  I don't understand how they got a slower time than the old Exige, with the new more powerful Exige, that is odd.  Also what is the Corvette Z51, haven't heard of that before?

[Giant Dwarf]

Much as I like these sort of lists, isn't it very track dependent?  For example a small light car such as an S2000 won't do so well on a long track, but will kill lots of cars on a shorter more twisty track.

I'm guessing the track they got these times on has lots of long sections where hp matters?

Still surprised by that Cobalt though, what a performance!  I don't understand how they got a slower time than the old Exige, with the new more powerful Exige, that is odd.  Also what is the Corvette Z51, haven't heard of that before?

Z51 is a suspension package on the base Corvette.

You're probably right about the track.  Plus, the weather conditions have certainly varied over all the test days, but, it's better than having nothing to compare. 

[toolatecrew]

3:13.0 - Chev Cobalt SS (08)

3:20.6 - Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged (06)

So an additional 55 hp is worth 7.5 seconds? Something is off here.

Weather conditions, bad driver in the 06, underspec 06 or maybe ringer 08.

That's an awfully big gap for such similar platforms.

[blur911]

Much as I like these sort of lists, isn't it very track dependent?  For example a small light car such as an S2000 won't do so well on a long track, but will kill lots of cars on a shorter more twisty track.

I'm guessing the track they got these times on has lots of long sections where hp matters?

Yes, VIR has a long uphill straight not unlike Mosport, makes for a HP-centric track.  It's big and fast.

[rrocket]

3:13.0 - Chev Cobalt SS (08)

3:20.6 - Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged (06)

So an additional 55 hp is worth 7.5 seconds? Something is off here.

Weather conditions, bad driver in the 06, underspec 06 or maybe ringer 08.

That's an awfully big gap for such similar platforms.

Nothing is off.  Some might not like to hear it, but the Cobalt SS is likely the best handling FWD car on the market. 

[Turbo Bob]

Much as I like these sort of lists, isn't it very track dependent?  For example a small light car such as an S2000 won't do so well on a long track, but will kill lots of cars on a shorter more twisty track.

I'm guessing the track they got these times on has lots of long sections where hp matters?

Yes, VIR has a long uphill straight not unlike Mosport, makes for a HP-centric track.  It's big and fast.

Ah yes, a long uphill after a sharp corner, that always kills the light cars.

[Careener]

Go Cobalt...
It's interesting to see how well the GTI did too.

[vdk]

3:13.0 - Chev Cobalt SS (08)

3:20.6 - Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged (06)

So an additional 55 hp is worth 7.5 seconds? Something is off here.

Weather conditions, bad driver in the 06, underspec 06 or maybe ringer 08.

That's an awfully big gap for such similar platforms.

Nothing is off.  Some might not like to hear it, but the Cobalt SS is likely the best handling FWD car on the market. 

The 08 is has a different suspension setup than the 06.

[Giant Dwarf]

Just noticed another curiosity:  the 370Z Nismo is what, 20 hp more, plus much lighter than the 350Z Track (plus, arguably a newer, more performance-oriented suspension setup) and yet it can only manage a 1/2 sec quicker? 

[HeliDriver]

Just noticed another curiosity:  the 370Z Nismo is what, 20 hp more, plus much lighter than the 350Z Track (plus, arguably a newer, more performance-oriented suspension setup) and yet it can only manage a 1/2 sec quicker? 

Some snippets from the mag:

"We struggled to get a good lap time out of the NISMO 370Z... feels heavy... feels uncomfortable and slightly disconnected when pressed... high-effort shifter fights quick gearchanges... we also wondered whether all 350 ponies showed up."

Sounds like a very underwhelming package, over all. And, of course, the brakes suddenly disappeared, causing them to put the car into the wall. Maybe if they had a chance to get in a few more laps, they could have got a better time out of it?

[TopGun]

Nothing is off.  Some might not like to hear it, but the Cobalt SS is likely the best handling FWD car on the market. 

Wonder how the HHR handles in comparison.

I'm really liking the Corvette GS too...I think they'll do well with that one.

[rrocket]

Just noticed another curiosity:  the 370Z Nismo is what, 20 hp more, plus much lighter than the 350Z Track (plus, arguably a newer, more performance-oriented suspension setup) and yet it can only manage a 1/2 sec quicker? 

It's actually not lighter.  They even mentioned something to that effect recently in a car mag.  It's the same weight.

370Z Nismo ~3,300 lbs.
350Z Nismo ~3,352
350Z Track ~3,327

"Nissan claimed the new car is 43 kilograms lighter than 350Z, but in reality a 370Z Sport is proved to be sightly heavier than the equivalent old car."

[quadzilla]

3:19.0 - Mazda RX8 (06)
3:19.0 - Subaru WRX STI (08)
3:19.3 - Volkswagen GTI (09)

I was surprised with how close these three were or more surprised that the STI wasn't faster than the other two.

[rrocket]

I'm really liking the Corvette GS too...I think they'll do well with that one.

I dunno..when I saw it I thought "Same old GM".  Add on some scoops and vents to make it look like a Z06 without it actually being a Z06 or having Z06 performance and sell it.