Today's new cars are way overpowered...

[MossRoad]

OP here...I can understand the need for horsepower and torque in a TRUCK that hauls and tows, but as I mentioned in the beginning new CARS are overpowered. How many of you have actually NEEDED to use full power in your car during normal driving? I have been driving since 1967 and have never actually needed to use full power except for two or three times during a high speed pass, and that was when I was driving a dog-slow '79 2.3 litre Fairmont.

I can think of a couple of times driving around Chicago where it came in handy to avoid getting rear-ended by semi's. I used to drag race my street bike at a local dragstrip. I know several folks that take their street cars there. Also, there's quite a lot of people that road race street legal cars. And I'll admit that I've taken our car out to the industrial areas at night were there are loooong stretches of open 4 lane with NO driveways just to see what it'll do.

Personally, I hate driving a car that won't get out of its own way.

 

[MossRoad]

I had a chance to drive a BMW M3, Lexus 430, Porsche Carrera, and a Porsche Cayman back-to-back-to-back-to back in 20 minute track sessions at Lime Rock. The first two have over 400hp.

Without electronics on they are really twitching coming out of corners. I have a WRX with around 290 WHP and on a twisty course it will motor away from most of the high-powered 2WD machines. Except the Porsched Cayman, which is a scalpel compared to hatchets and axes....

Ohhhh, that sounds like fun! :thumbsup:

 

[KennyG]

Okay, if you're thinking your ride is a little short on power, think about this one:

Watch a Ridiculous 12.3-liter Quad-Turbo V-16 Dyno at 5000 Horsepower

 

[ray66v]

What ever you guys want to believe.

It's only a 5 speed transmission. And, without bigger tires, or a gear change, as well as other mods, I do not believe it.

But, I rest my case. It's not going that fast without mods.

 

[MossRoad]

A quick search says that there is a factory speed limiter set to 100MPH, but a tuner can bump it up to 150ish.

Aaron Z

Rumors have it that 2011, 12 and 13 Impalas are speed limited to 112mph, unless you got the LTZ model or police package, which had W rated tires, and the speed limiter was bumped to somewhere north of 150.

Michigan State Police tests in 2012 had a 2012 V6 Impala hit 150 and that was on... GADS! E85!!! :laughing:

2012 Police Vehicles Reach 150 mph at Michigan Tests - News - POLICE Magazine

 

[aczlan]

What ever you guys want to believe.

It's only a 5 speed transmission. And, without bigger tires, or a gear change, as well as other mods, I do not believe it.

But, I rest my case. It's not going that fast without mods.

Actually, its a 6 speed Allison 1000 (per: http://media.gm.com/dld/content/med...Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Specifications.doc).
6th gear is 0.61
Rear axle is available with a 3.73
Redline on the Duramax is 3450
Stock tires are LT265/70R18
As such (per: Gear Ratio Calculator - Cargister ) the theoretical max speed is 147MPH

Edit: I missed that you were talking about a 2010. Specs look to be the same though: Chevrolet Pressroom - United States - Silverado HD
Aaron Z

 

[Green Power]

Actually, its a 6 speed Allison 1000 (per: http://media.gm.com/dld/content/med...Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Specifications.doc).
6th gear is 0.61
Rear axle is available with a 3.73
Redline on the Duramax is 3450
Stock tires are LT265/70R18
As such (per: Gear Ratio Calculator - Cargister ) the theoretical max speed is 147MPH

Edit: I missed that you were talking about a 2010. Specs look to be the same though: Chevrolet Pressroom - United States - Silverado HD
Aaron Z

He does have bigger tires and wheels on at the moment...

 

[4570Man]

What SUV did you get that has more room and gets better mileage than a minivan? We have an Odyssey Touring Elite (6 speed) rated 28mpg on the highway and has 170 cu ft of passenger volume and seats 8. According to this, a Chevrolet Suburban has 122 cu ft. It is rated for 22 (4WD) or 23 (2WD) on the highway. They both do 0-60 in around 7 1/2 seconds. So what is bigger than a Suburban?

You are comparing apples to oranges. The surburban has that much room behind the first row. Which one is rated to tow more? The surburban is rated to tow almost double. Who really cares about a side by side comparison? Most people don't want a minivan.

 

[Garandman]

You are comparing apples to oranges. The surburban has that much room behind the first row. Which one is rated to tow more? The surburban is rated to tow almost double. Who really cares about a side by side comparison? Most people don't want a minivan.

He compared them. Most parents compare them.

He did not mention towing. He mentioned mpg.

 

[brown40]

The danger of overpowered vehicles is inexperienced drivers and adrenaline junkies that don't make good decisions. When people panic or horse around under the wrong circumstances, 500 hp gets the chain of events started a lot faster than 100hp at the rear wheels. When a vehicle has the capability to break traction at will, it continues to have that capability by accident. I was fortunate to have a 4 cylinder Ranger and a straight 6 Rambler to cut my teeth on, and get the meathead out of my system. If I'd have had a muscle car or souped up truck like some of my peers, I'd have definitely left a lot more rubber around... likely worse. Teenagers and gobs of power are a dangerous combination.