What's better? HP, PP, and weight

[Fernand126]

Consider two cars with the same Performance Points; which one is better?

a) The one with lower HP but also lighter
b) The one with higher HP but also heavier

I made a comparison between an Audi that corresponded with a) and a Lancer Evo that corresponded with b). The Lancer demolished the Audi.

I'm willing to join a Japanese 90's seasonal event where the limit is 450PP. The fact is that I have two potential cars to use:

-Skyline GT-R R33 '97(301 HP/450PP)
-Skyline GT-R V-spec R33 '97(310HP/PP454)

I was thinking of adding weight to the second one so it meets the race requirement. Would it be worth it or do I go with the first one?

Also, what's PP all about? HP, weight, tuning(downforce and such) and handling? Does it take handling and how controllable the car is in the procces of evaluating PP?

 

[Motor City Hami]

I think you need to test the theory on two identical cars. In my testing, it depends upon the car. Once you get a car below 1200 kg, lower weight seems to start losing it's dominance. I start adding HP.

 

[Fernand126]

I think you need to test the theory on two identical cars. In my testing, it depends upon the car. Once you get a car below 1200 kg, lower weight seems to start losing it's dominance. I start adding HP.

Thanks a lot; It might help.

 

[trackripper123]

I'd concur with that, I know for a fact that if you have a sub-1000kg car, it pays to add ballast so you can add extra HP for the same PP.

 

[DigitalBaka]

I think you need to test the theory on two identical cars. In my testing, it depends upon the car. Once you get a car below 1200 kg, lower weight seems to start losing it's dominance. I start adding HP.

I think I may do this over a weekend. Ideally I'd use examples from all drivetrains, probably on default settings and at differing PP levels. Anyone have thoughts on what cars will suit this testing or tst methods? Probably want to stick to premium cars for the time being.

FF - Civic/GTI
FR - S2000/RX7/M3
AWD - Evo/STI
MR - NSX/Elise

 

[krenkme]

I like 'em FAT (bet you didn't see that one coming )

Reason being, when you add weight you can place it anywhere on the car to give it better balance, and help with handling... at least in my mind, that is

 

[GeeBaby]

I have tested this with FF and 4WD. In most cases the lighter FF car won on accel out of the corners but in all cases the heavier 4WD won because of torque and HP. With the FF cars it depends on how you set it up power wise as well. If you are a 100% limiter kind of guy or if you don't mind running 93 to 95% limiter just to get a couple less HP but have more torque.

One thing is for sure, if you have a choice in drive train at 450pp, don't use 4WD unless you can master sliding around corners. At 450pp, you will have to run eg. 02 WRX at 1400kg just to even be close to the power of say a S2000. I like 4WD from 475 and up if it's not an all 4wd race but 500 and up are great for 4WD.

 

[claudiorz]

Depends mostly on the track. I mainly run 550pp street cars RS tires at Nordschleife and my cars usually are on the 500 hp and 1400 kg vicinity, because you need power on that track for the long straigths. However on Tsukuba for instance you might be better off with the same car limited to 450 hp and 1250 kg.

 

[MrPainCake]

what i do in this case is:
calculate power to weight (Weight divided by power)
and then check its acceleration vs the other but really you cant beat the 500pp amuse r1 (standard) it flys and is on rails

 

[Master_gamer438]

Don't forget about RPM's, if your peak power & torque low, say around 5K RPMs and when your racing your car never goes lower then 6k your losing potential. My 500PP '10 Camaro SS weighs 1755kg @ 434HP, torque @ 4700RPMs & power @ 5300RPMs, every time I shift it drops below 4700RPMs to get the most potential, @ this weight it competes with M3's and NSX Type R's. It's top speed not the greatest but handles like a dream.

 

[fbccars924]

Driving feel is the most important of all after you establish cars in your pp/hp range find the one that suits your style. Because, If you aren't comfortable in your car no matter how fast you are your times will suffer.

 

[Peasantslayer]

Tyres are important to, if you use a car which takes corners very easily thanks to grippy tyres then you can probably add a bit of weight without losing too much time in the corners (you can also move that weight to have a positive effect on the driveability) and add extra power at the same PP. Having said that there is only one real way you can find out which is the best thing to do for a certain car at a certain track and that's by testing, there is no definitive answer. Also in general modern cars are better at a PP than their older counterparts even though their stats may not suggest it, sometimes you'll see old cars that are very light and very powerful at a PP but they often handle like ****. Another point, good straight line speed may not always translate to better lap times but overtaking and defending is easier which is crucial if you are going up against cars better than yours.

 

[NEWDRIVER2]

Tyres are important to, if you use a car which takes corners very easily thanks to grippy tyres then you can probably add a bit of weight without losing too much time in the corners (you can also move that weight to have a positive effect on the driveability) and add extra power at the same PP. Having said that there is only one real way you can find out which is the best thing to do for a certain car at a certain track and that's by testing, there is no definitive answer. Also in general modern cars are better at a PP than their older counterparts even though their stats may not suggest it, sometimes you'll see old cars that are very light and very powerful at a PP but they often handle like ****. Another point, good straight line speed may not always translate to better lap times but overtaking and defending is easier which is crucial if you are going up against cars better than yours.

I agree with +1 👍