How Would You ‘Spend’ 1,100 Horsepower?

Aa 1100 Horsepower
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It’s Friday Junior, so I’m looking for any opportunity to take it easy. And blammo, there’s our pal Zerin of Speed Sport Life with a terrific Autopian Asks idea just there for the taking on his Twitter. I may go home early!

 

What a fun idea. You’ve got 1,100 horsepower to divvy up amongst as many vehicles as you like–or just one, I guess, but maybe you’ll have enough left over for at least a moped? It’s your call, you do whatever you like. Six Mazda Miatas? Sure thing, the math checks out. You want a Mustang GT, Mini Cooper S, Veloster N, and a Harley-Davidson Fatboy? Shoot, you’ll still have like a hundred horsepower left over! What about fourteen Mitsubishi Mirages? Uh … sure. No judgements, but many questions. Soooo many questions.

14 Mirage Copy
Fourteen Mirages? must be some kind of a Turo situation …

How would YOU spend 1,100 horsepower*? To the comments!

*Rollers do not count. They have to have a powertrain.

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134 thoughts on “How Would You ‘Spend’ 1,100 Horsepower?”

  1. I’d spread it out and avoid blowing it on a CTS-V5 Blackwing (although that would be temping):
    Sprinter “H.O.” 3500XD 211HP
    Alfa GTV 2000 129HP
    Mazda ND2 MX-5 RF 191HP
    JCB 3TS-8T telehandler 74HP
    Skandic SWT 900 ACE 90HP
    Christini AWD Fat E-5 2HP
    Ford F-150 3.0L 250HP
    VW Vanagon Sycro Westy 153HP (tuned to get to this dizzying level of HP)

  4. 1989 240SX* – 140HP**
    2017 JKU Wrangler* – 285HP
    2022 Yamaha XSR700 – 74HP
    2001 BMW 540i Touring – 286HP
    1985 Ford Bronco (300 i6) – 170HP
    PA-18 Super Cub (O-290 Lycoming) – 135HP
    =1090HP

    This also assumes in the budget I could also get said 240sx to be reliable and fully restored rather than being an overpowered basket case.

    *Already own these
    **Current HP numbers may be much higher.

  5. Offhand:
    BMW R1200RT 105 hp
    Small tractor, micro excavator, skid steer, not so small tractor 95 hp
    misc old motorcycles 100 hp
    Everyday car 200hp
    Pickup truck 300 hp
    Which leaves 300hp for whatever catches my fancy

  6. The Yaris, keeping and LS-swapping the project 245, and a new-to-me MX-5 would only get me around halfway there, and I don’t fancy trying to keep even three cars on the road.

    Even if I gave the Blueberry to a friend and got a Maverick, a Mazda3, a Corolla hatch, or one’a them sexy new Priora as a replacement, I could still host a five-car Spec Mirage mini-series.

    So… my answer includes just shy of 400 HP worth of CPO five-speed Mirages, with enough wiggle room left over to tune the V8 in the Volvo or, alternatively, add a Pike car or kei-something that would fit in the tiny, shallow excuse for a garage bay that can nearly fit the Yaris.

    Also, based on Irving Warden’s answer: Every car I’ve ever owned, going by the factory ratings which certainly did not always apply and including a parts car and a far-from-roadworthy project, collectively fail to reach 1,100. (Four Volvo 240s at 114 apiece from the factory, a 740 Turbo which was rated at 162 but made more like 90ish for most of my ownership, a 20v N/A 850 at 168, a N/A NG900 at 150, and currently an XP90 Yaris which once had 106. 1,042! I could buy a Pao and a moped and still not get there!)

  7. I could do a lot with that. But I’m going to stick to what I could afford to keep.
    191 hp Ford Maverick Hybrid (DD)
    400 hp 2005-6 Pontiac GTO
    469 hp 2008 Cadillac STS-V

  8. Not enough motorcycle in this thread.

    • New Yamaha FJR1300 – 145hp
    • Old Buell XB12S – 105hp
    • Zero SR/F – 110hp

    and then

    • Buick Regal TourX – 250hp, plus some ironic woodgrain vinyl decals
    • Ford Maverick pickup – 250hp
    • Prius Prime 2023 – 220hp combined

    leaves 20 to spare.

  9. I took a different approach. I added up the horsepower (I used Wikipedia when memory did not serve) of all my daily drivers since 1964. 19 cars added up to1,997 HP. It took me 14 cars (with the 1995 Civic) to get to 1,081 HP in 1995. Since my cars broke the 1,100 HP limit, I did not add up my eight motorcycles, but none of them was very powerful.

    1960 VW Beetle 36
    1960 Austin Healey Sprite MKI 43
    1967 Austin Healey Sprite MKIII 59
    1968 Ford Cortina GT 91
    1971 Toyota Corona 109
    1969 King Midget 12
    1976 Plymouth Volare 100
    1980 VW Vanagon 67
    1978 Plymouth Horizon 75
    1983 Toyota Camry 92
    1984 Toyota Van 90
    1991 Toyota Camry 115
    1995 Toyota Avalon 192
    1995 Honda Civic EX 125
    1988 Mazda RX7 Convertible 146
    2002 Honda Civic Si 160
    2011 Honda Accord EX-L 190
    2005 Toyota Solara Convertible 225
    2018 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD 195

    I would like to make two points:

    1. These are the good old days as far as automotive performance goes, e.g., one can purchase a RAV4 Prime (basically a Toyota station wagon on high heels) with 302 horsepower.
    2. In my experience, the cars with the least horsepower have often been the most fun. In the current environment, I do miss the lightweight, low power, cars of yesteryear. Of course they were polluters of the first magnitude, not very safe, and often guzzled fuel, but they were often fun.

    1. I agree: there is plenty of power out there these days. And, even regular cars handle worlds better that ones from 30 years ago.
      One of the most fun cars I ever drove was a 59 Morris Minor 1000. It was surprisingly peppy (figured out while replacing distributor that it had an Austin 1300 motor: that explained a LOT), and fun to tool around in. Felt like it cornered well, but a lot of that was the completely flat seats: really had to hold onto that wheel!

    2. This is the best list. Thank you. I got a little emotional going through that. This should be in your profile. I want to add this to mine. So good.

    3. We’re being robbed.

      We need lightweight, efficient chassis to go with modern technology. Fuel economy, AND performance, could both go way up from what they are today. Time to consign the ubiquitous Karen-mobiles to the dustbin of history.

      Imagine a modern take on a Ford Cortina. Say, an 1,800 lb car built out of a carbon fiber monocoque, with extensive wind tunnel streamlining, perhaps a Cd value of around 0.19 and a frontal area of around 1.7 m^2. Shove a modern 310 horsepower 2.4L Ecotec engine like that used in the base 2024 Mustang in it. Keep all the electronics to a minimum, just radio/AC/heater/defroster, and bare minimum legally mandated controls. No screens. 6-speed manual, of course.

      Imagine what that would be like. You’d have a subcompact car that could seat 4 adults in a pinch, carry all your groceries, and would likely get somewhere around 60 mpg. AND 0-60 mph acceleration would be somewhere under 4 seconds with a 1/4 mile drag race in the upper 10s or low 11s, and if the gearing was optimized for the top speed potential, it might top 200 mph. And it would be soooo light and nimble.

    4. I love this take! Also, I have so many questions, like, you listed these in order of year but is this also the order in which you owned them? Because of it is, it kinda looks like you were all euro and US until the 83 Camry (my first car!), and that car clued you in to the superiority of Japaneses cars. Tell me that’s how that went.

  11. 2021 P300 Defender: 295
    2007 Jaguar XKR: 420 (bung!)
    Royal Enfield Continental GT: 47

    Then I guess I could spend the 338hp somewhere but all my boxes are pretty much checked with those 3.

  12. -1969 Triumph GT6 EV conversion w/ Tesla Swap (300 horsepower)
    -Custom built electric microcar/velomobile w/AWD (30 horsepower, for trolling the local hood Hellcats)
    -Custom built electric microcar/velomobile w/RWD (13 horsepower, and still pedalable with disabled motor)
    -Custom 2WD offroadable full-suspension ebike (13 horsepower, for hunting/bugouts)
    -1986 Mercedes 240TD w/tuned injector pump (300 horsepower, multi-passenger vehicle/kid hauler)
    -1986 Isuzu Pup diesel (76 horsepower, towing vehicle)
    -Kawasaki KZ1000, replica of Toecutter’s bike in Mad Max and tuned for more grunt (350-ish horsepower, strictly hooning/cop trolling)

      1. I own two vehicles on that list in partial states of completion.

        The GT6 currently has an old forklift motor, some LiFePO4 batteries, and a PWM controller for series-DC motors. I estimate it is making somewhere around 120 horsepower, and whenever I take it to a drag strip, I expect this confioguration to get me a 1/4 mile drag time somewhere in the 14s. It will eventually get about 500W of flexible solar panels once the aerodynamic work on the body is finished, and the drive system will eventually be upgraded. With aeromods, energy consumption can be dropped to around 0.120 kWh/mile on the highway. Without aeromods, it’s about 0.200 kWh/mile. With a Tesla Model 3 drive system, I could have this thing running 11s in the 1/4 mile. Should get an average of perhaps 15-20 miles range per day from solar alone when everything is finalized.

        I also built the 13 horsepower velomobile. The body is currently off the trike and I’m working on the next design iteration of the shell, based on a Milan SL velomobile in my possession, but scaled up proportionally and with the unique constraints imposed by the frame, suspension, DOT rims/tires and roll cage considered. It loves to spin around at full power, shredding the rear tire. I love doing donuts with this thing and it will serve me very well as a daily hoonabout when finished. With the previous body on it, it would get about 10 miles per penny of electricity and total ownership cost on a per mile basis including the build cost and all repairs/upgrades is cheaper than taking a bus or jumping on a light rail, and is a LOT more convenient to use than either. The next iteration is also getting about 150W of solar panels on it, which should also give it 50-80 miles range per day from solar power alone. Plus if the battery runs dead, it’s still very pedalable.

        I am eager to finish both so that I can look into building another velomobile, that won’t be very pedalable on a disabled EV system(it would be like pedaling a heavy moped), but will have AWD and make 30 horsepower peak when everything is in use. Imagine 450 lb-ft of torque on tap, that in a vehicle that is laden with rider and luggage, only has to push 280-300 lbs or so. THAT would be nuts. The functioning bicycle drivetrain would be a formality in order for it to pass as a “bicycle” to police, but this would really be a batshit insane microcar intended to troll fast cars with, while still going ten miles per penny worth of electricity and costing next to nothing to operate in normal non-hooning usage.

      1. The 240TD was not sold in the USA. Stock, it made all of 71 horsepower. But that block can handle a lot more if you can feed more fuel to it. The 4-cylinder is preferred due to minimal friction losses compared to the larger engine variants, in the interest of maximizing fuel economy. With some rudimentary aerodynamic work that doesn’t involve drilling any new holes, 30 mpg on the highway is possible, retaining stock appearance.

        What I like about mechanical-injection turbodiesels is the wide variety of crap that they an be run on. Not just petroleum diesel, but kerosene, biodiesel, waste fryer oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, motor oil, and with modification, even NG or propane. This versatility ensures that there will be ways to keep it running if petroleum-based liquid fuels became unavailable or cost-prohibitive.

  14. S2000 (237)
    Lotus Exige S (218)
    1978 GMC k1500 (170)
    BMW M440i xDrive (382)
    Porche 356 1100 (39)
    Citroën 2 CV (29)
    Rolls Royce 20/25 (25)

    I’m outta power now

      1. I’m not even that much of a car guy. I can’t work on my own, but appreciate the art that goes into making them and the technology to make them go. S2000 was what I wanted as my first purchased by myself car, but the amount I was approved for on the loan fell short by about $10k. Ended up with a civic instead. Lotus is one I have driven and enjoyed, same with the BMW. The K1500 is the truck my dad had when I was a kid. The rest of the list are just very good examples of a bygone era in automotive history.

  15. Really, any more than ~300 per car is wasted in normal driving, and more than ~3 actually interesting cars becomes a full time job to maintain/use or earn enough money to pay for maintenance on. I’d pay to get a sweet Milano built, unless something like a 348 or Mondial T was cheaper to buy (budget 300 HP). Then I’d keep my inherited 300CE (budget 200hp). Beyond that I just want some AWD electric appliance so I never think about maintenance or fuel costs but can still make it to the mountains in winter (budget 350 or less). This leaves 250, but I honestly don’t want any of these cars to be faster or to have to worry about more than three cars in my life.

  16. Blackwing – 668 HP
    7 go-karts – 140 HP
    Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD (daily): 225 hp (idea stolen from Kroozah)
    2x RadRover 6 Plus Electric Fat Tire Bike: <14 HP?
    Zero FX electric motorcycle: 48 HP
    6 HP worth of 48V LDO 2804’s for 3d printing

    1. I think I’d go the same way. One high horsepower dino juice burner for weekend fun, a quality electric daily for the planet, and a bunch of random stuff just for the hell of it.

  18. 1994 Corvette ZR1 405 HP
    2012 Corvette Z06 505 HP
    2019 Mazda 3 Touring 184 HP

    I’ve said I’m a Vette guy…C4 ZR1 because that car is my high school car (I grad in 1994) and the LS7 just needs to be owned. If those are in the garage, I’ll happily enjoy the Mazda 3 daily.

  19. 1952 Cadillac Series 62 convertible ~190hp
    1985 Chevy pickup ~175
    Ariel Atom ~320
    1988 Porsche 959 ~440
    1965 Mercedes-Benz 220SE convertible ~120

    175 remaining…

    How about a 2015 Honda Fit (~130) so I have something to drive when none of the above is appropriate for Wisconsin. Of course, with this fleet, I’m moving somewhere with perfect weather 24/7/365.

  20. I did the math using stock numbers:
    Lamborghini Diablo VT: 485 hp
    Subaru Impreza STI 22B: 300 hp (they say 276 but it’s really about 300)
    MGA Mark II: 90 hp
    Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD (daily): 225 hp

    That’s exactly 1100 hp. Ideally I also want a Ford Model T (22 hp) but that’s too much for this exercise

  21. Let’s see
    •GR Corolla
    •Older Tacoma
    •V6 RAV4
    • Volvo P1800
    •A couple Honda Ruckuses
    •A decent trolling motor
    I think that covers all my bases.
    Does anybody want my excess 280 or so HP?
    I’m all good here.

      1. But I forgot to toss a convertible into the mix. Can I get back 71 HP for an old basket Rabbit? If that’s too much I’d be fine with 52 for a diesel.
        I swear you can have the rest. I’ll even throw the trolling motor into the deal.
        I’ve got oars.

  22. I HAVE A VERY CRITICAL CLARIFYING QUESTION.
    Are we using factory horsepower or are we using horsepower after RootWyrm gets done with it?

    1. It’s been 10 minutes, and Peter hasn’t answered, so I’m going with factory! (If Peter wanted to stop me, he should’ve done it in 15 years ago or so at the Indoor Champs.)

      • 245HP – 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
      • 408HP – 2012 Porsche 911 C4GTS
      • 94HP – 1986 Dodge Daytona
      • 64HP – 1996 Suzuki Cappuccino
      • 115HP – 1994 Mazda Miata
      • 130HP – 1979 Datsun 280ZX
      • 44HP – 1965 Toyota Sports 800

  25. Let’s see;

    • AWD Maverick – 250hp
    • 300 SRT (’14) – 470hp
    • C30 T5 – 227hp
    • Geo Metro XFI – 49hp
    • 1983 Plymouth Scamp – 84hp

    I’m left with a whole 20 horsepower…. and I’d be glad to have this set-up, honestly.

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