I think what a lot of people don't realize. Is you don't need "OMG 800 horsepower!!!" to have a fun street car. Lets look at horsepower to reach 60mph.
Here's some examples:
300HP - 3000-3400 pounds = 5-5.5 seconds = 13.22-13.79 1/4 mile
400HP - 3000-3400 pounds = 4-4.5 seconds = 12-12.5 1/4 mile
500HP - 3000-3400 pounds = 3.4-3.7 seconds = 11.15-11.63 1/4 mile
600HP - 3000-3400 pounds = 3-3.3 seconds = 10.49-10.94 1/4 mile
Now. My numbers might not be perfect. But it gives you a general idea.3 seconds to hit 60MPH is insane. Let's not forget that many "hypercars" hit 60mph in the same time frame. We are talking high end lambos, ferraris, mcalarens. Cars that cost hundreds of thousands of dollar. But it comes down to, when building a hot rod, you gotta ask yourself. Do you wanna accelerate so fast you plough into that light pole before you can say "OH ****"? I highly doubt many people out there have driven a true 600 hp street engine. Never mind 700-800. In my personal opinion. 400 is excellent for the street for the "enthusiast" driver. That is, someone who knows cars. Can drive cars. And would like the occasional 1/4 mile pass. You can do more absolutely. But just be prepared for it. I don't think a lot of people truly understand what 600 horse is like on the street. On street radials. On shitty no-prep pavement. Or even worse, when it rains, even the slightest.
Rusty makes a lot of excellent points in his guide. You don't need RACE parts for a STREET car. Trust me. You'll be a lot happier with 20ft/lb of torque more on the bottom end, then you will with 20hp more on the top end. Every day of the week.
