Posted on 12/18/2013 1:58:28 PM PST by nascarnation
It’s the kind of thing that makes you want to join the dark (blue) side. Every year, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department runs the newest crop of donut-holders around Fontana Speedway. With no significantly new entries available, it’s no surprise that the results are fundamentally the same as they were last year.
I’m not exactly sure what the justification is for using lap times to rank police vehicles, but we live in an era where police get to do pretty much whatever they want. Why not run ‘em around a track? Some of the significant laptimes:
Ford (Taurus) Police Interceptor: 81.25 seconds Chevrolet Caprice PPV 6.0 (355hp tune): 81.97 seconds Dodge Charger HEMI AWD: 82.19 seconds Ford (Explorer) Police Interceptor: 85.58 seconds Chevrolet Tahoe PPV: 91.71 seconds
(Excerpt) Read more at thetruthaboutcars.com ...
One of our friends pulls a 4 horse trailer with living quarters. He easily out accelerates the diesels and big V8s. It is really responsive.
Fontana is a 2 mile banked oval. Not sure if they have an infield road course (like Michigan).
Wow. OK then. If they only got up to 90 average on a 14 degree 2 mile banked oval, that is really weak.
I have done numerous easy laps around Atlanta motor Speedway above 150 MPH. I didn’t go any faster ‘cuz the rev limiter stopped me.
But the track does have an infield cycle course. Pretty tight too.
http://www.nasaproracing.com/socal/fontana_sctrackmap.gif
i suupose it depends on how the turbo’s tuned.
90 average on a 2 mile oval?
I do better than than on Route 40 in my Honda S2000, with a 2.2 liter no turbo 4 cylinder VTEC everyday on my commute.
Top speed 160 (or so I’m told)... not bad for a convertible.
“You keep your foot in that Turbo for any length of time and the motor is not going to last as long as the Cubic inch displacement engine.”
Horse hockey. I drive, ocasionally, a 92MR2 turbo.
I’ve owned it since 50k. Currently at 243k. I run the crap out of the duece when I drive it. Take care of your stuff and be rewarded.
Mine clocked 38 mpg, windows up, cruise at 75, interstate, A/C on. I ran 385 miles on a tankfull and bought gas.
Turbos rule, honest buck and a half when the fuel cut hits.
I’m sure it would be weight. One can add a given amount of horses to an engine with a turbo, with a lot less weight than the same amount of horsepower added through displacement.
Just my experience with turbos.... My cummins , I have the compound trifecta from ATS and am extremely careful to cool down after driving and use bypass filters and such with additional oil coolers to “protect” my investment.
As we both know they are expensive to replace.
Just purchased a Toyota Crewmax this past summer and added the optional TRD super charger, which is (I think, not sure) made by Eaton. Took 381 horses and put it well above 500 HP. Not dyno’ d yet it makes that school bus / limo truck scoot really nice. Keeping my foot in it for a press to test before the warranty runs out to see if it has a downside or weakness. Runs great thus far.
A supercharger may have better endurance and resist abuse better than a turbo for use we’re discussing here.....
After retirement from military I worked as a deputy for a while and then just as a reserve deputy for community service later on.... We used amsoil bypass filters for oil, coolant and transfluid on our take home vehicles. Ten ply tires, less flats, and motor pool had a car wash with detailing equipment. Those vehicles lasted well into the 300k mile range before replacement. Now to be fair we were a rural department versus shitty city urban suburban environment so most of our driving was highway... Less wear and tear on brakes an drive train etc ....
As we discussed, some FLEAS/ LEOS are kick the tires and light the fire sorts and others are check and maintain ALL your work tools before and after shift. More abusers than proper users IMHO .....
My vote is displacement vs turbo for cop cars..... Just my opinion.
Stay safe !
bfl
Most V6’s are about half the weight of their BB counter parts.
All of that tech, applied to a smaller engine, can produce some serious numbers. Same tech applied to the big block, serious goes to phenomenal.
When I was shopping for a 911 Carerra, I specifically avoided turbocharged models. 320 horsepower does the job for a 2900 pound car...
And then I imagine what that level of tech would do on TWICE the motor...
And it makes me giggle a little bit inside.
245 and 6”3”. Drive a 2011 Mustang as my Commuter / Work Car.
I fit great, but I’m sure one of those Cop Belts would be a problem in any Car with decent Bucket Seats.
A big old Bench Seat, no problem, and the Box of Donuts is in easy reach.
My Boss has a retired Nevada Highway Patrol Car, a Crown Vic, and the seating position is awful. I’d take the Mustang over it any day of the week. Just put the Prisoners in the Trunk. You can make them fit.
The Hemi’s have cylinder deactivation. I was driving a brand new 300C Rental Car and the “eco” light came on when it was running on four cylinders. As I recall, it got pretty good MPG and it hauled a$$.
The C7 Corvette I’m getting has the same feature and it’s Direct Injection as well. 460 HP and 30 MPG Highway.
Yep - though in the RAM, there are two “stages” to the cylinder deactivation/ECO mode. The ECO graphic comes on - though not in deactivation mode (it simply means you are driving “economically” - Then there is a marked difference in the sound of the exhaust - was rather odd the first time I heard it! It is really obvious when the engine switches over... though it is all seamless and really - instantaneous. Punch it - and you are GONE!!!
Seriously? Is there such a thing as “too much power”? LOL
Of course, IT’S A HEMI!
My someday Lottery Car, well one of them, 1970 HEMI CUDA!
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