Street Car vs Race Car

[RdRunnr]

I am curious...what is everyone's definition of a street car vs a race car?

[dodgestang]

Radio - Street car
No radio - race car.

[frdfandc]

Street car - If it can pass state inspection/emissions inspection (don't care how ya pass) and its reliable on the street

Race car - It has no chance in hell of passing inspection :)

[rel3rd]

Street Car:
Full, or near full interior...
Runs fine (on the street) with pump gas...
Doesn't puke coolant if in a traffic jam...
Full exhaust...
Tagged, Insured, and Driven...
Able to drive more than a few minutes/miles at a time...

Race Car:
None of the above.

I've always been, and always will be, a fan of legitimate "street cars". IMO, it's much more exciting seeing a "normal looking" car run the number, than to see a gutted, slicked, open headered 11 or 12 second (or slower) POS...I still cringe when I see "street car" guys taking the car half apart to race it. Removing seats, spare tires, spoilers and stuff seems to be sort of false advertisement to yourself. If you're trying to break some sort of record or something, I can see it...but for the "hobby" racer, it seems like a lot of BS just to get a number you can't back up in actual street trim.

That's one thing I always prided myself on with the old BarneyCar...It had full interior, and even a spare tire and jack in it at all times...Sure, I added race gas for the track, and I also trailered it, but both were done as preventative measures, not to give myself any false hopes...

(p.s.: No disrespect to anyone who guts there car out to race on the weekends, it just isn't my idea of "keeping it real"...If I wanted to gut out a car to race...it would be a race car I'd own)

[fast88]

hmmmm........here we go with the street car/race car thing...

my car is a pure weekend race car......it doesnt have interior, the carpet and sound deadner are gone and its pretty much got everything stripped that i dont need.

its carburated so itll never pass inspection.....so its definatly a race car.

the challenge for me is to get it as fast as i can with 306 cu .....building engines is expensive so im having fun with what i got.....

having a race car to me doenst matter......i catch alot of grief cause it aint a "street car"....but...who cares..its mine.....its what I want.....i work on my car for me and i dont care what catagory im placed in.

i look at it this way........everybody does thier own thing .....if we all had the same shit it would be a boring world......

[1quick95]

Really i think its "what can you put up with" that is the difference between a street car and race car.Yes inspection plays a part as does reliabilty,but in this day and age you can putt around in a 7 sec car in certain areas.My fathers car had a big ole cam in it,would lose low speed drivabilty at 2500 rpm,bucked would surge a little at traffic light.Guess what,didnt stop me from driving it :D most people wouldnt want to drive something like that.However,for me personally,my car will have A/C,P steering full sterio and leather seats,its just the way i am.Like blk88 said,its my car,many people tell me im nuts for trying to keep all that stuff,well too bad :fullmoon:

[musclestang89]

well said blk88


I guess I'm in the same boat as him. Mine is a trialer car and will always be like that. Heck I think most of the guys with street cars would tow there shit to the track if they could. Well if they wasn't going to the track to huscle (sp) which happens alot down here. Casue if my shit breaks I can just throw it up on a trialer and not have to worry about getting a tow truck. Still have AC and a radio :D. And then I still have a car at the house that I can drive to work and not have to worry about working on my stuff all night just to get it running to be able to go to work.


Plus there is no way in hell it would pass inspection, but shit someone will give you a sticker for $100-150. . Then your legal ;)

[VANZ]

Street cars make turns above 20 mph...........race cars dont. 8)

[RadialX]

blah blah blah...............if its got slicks or ET streets.............it aint a street car...............hahahahahahaha.

To each his own..........case closed.

[fast88]

blah blah blah...............if its got slicks or ET streets.............it aint a street car...............hahahahahahaha.

To each his own..........case closed.


haha.....i guess that about sums it up ......any questions??? :kick:

[my95GTHO]

I agree with these guys............it's up to the person........it's whatever makes ur ass smile when you riding in it lol

[VANZ]

So what's the BIG deal? :roll:


http://home.comcast.net/~vanzracing/VanzCruisinOC.JPG

[qwikhuh]

I don't think this case will ever be settled..... For me there have always been 3 definitions....

1. Street Car - can hop in a drive it for a few hours with no worries, some creature comforts, etc Example:mine

2. Streetable car - Can be driven to a local cruise night but you are most likely not going to hop in it and go away for the weekend. Ex: Erics car

3. Race Car - no creature comforts, every concession made to go fast. Ex: Richs car

[The Don]

Bill's examples are dead on IMO.

My car is kinda tipping on the edge if a street car and race car.

I honestly don't know which way i want to go with it.

And bite me with the it's slow comments.

[RdRunnr]

Yea, Bill's assesment is almost dead on. The only thing I would say is if you own or use a trailer frequently, for trips to the dyno, for the bulk of long trips, etc. your car belongs in the streetable category vs the street category regardless of wether or not it has AC.

[frdfandc]

Don, your car is still considered to be a Street car. Your not close to being a "streetable" car.

[RdRunnr]

Don's car is definitely an awesome street car. Just like Bill said he could hop in it and go away far for the weekend without a moment's thought, yet it runs it's ass off at the track.

[The Don]

Thank you Eric.

Darin, let me rephrase.

What I mean is, do I want to keep my car a "comfortable" street car that is raced on the weekends and driven a couple times a week.

Or do I want to yank the sway bar, remove the ac (which doesn't work anyway), remove the mach460, remove the sound insulation material, and so on and so on.

Some days it seems like a good idea, but other's it does not.

[Julian Moore]

What are your goals Don?? My car is a complete show/street car and on the bottle runs consistent 12.4's@114. You have decide how far you want to take it. I love the fact that a car comes to th etrack with air, radio ect and runs great numbers. Reminds me of the stories of guys taking rental Mustangs and racing on the weekend then returning them..wild. You on the other hand are close to a track, so going more hard core is possible..as the drive is not that long. Look at Burbank, he drives his vert everywhere and runs 10.5's all day....amazing!!

[The Don]

Jules seeing that I have budget restrictions dumping a ton of $ into the car at once is not an option.

Right now, I am very happy with the setup Rhodes did. Money well spent IMO.

I'd like to see 12's staying N/A, which I know is possible. I'd like to be one of the fastest N/A 4.6 Gt's on CCR and SSOTN.



My next planed mods are power pipe, mas air, tb and plenum. i was actually thinking of just riding out this season as is and then modding when the season ends.

My theory is I can enjoy the current setup this season, and then take it to a new level next season and enjoy it.

Don't know if that makes sense, but it's probably the route I will go.

[frdfandc]

Don, you need to just say fuck it and get a blower. Save your pennies and WHAMMO, 11's.

[The Don]

Don, you need to just say fuck it and get a blower. Save your pennies and WHAMMO, 11's.

I don't want a blower.

I think it's more fun for me to add mods stayin n/a

No offense to the blower guys, but anyone can slap a blower on a 4.6 and be mad fast.

Then what?

I'd rather do a little at a time and enjoy the progress of the car.

[my95GTHO]

I see this like Don does.........the slow process of adding parts and seeing the benefits seems more fun than slapping on a blower and doing it all at once.

[qwikhuh]

Don, you need to just say fuck it and get a blower. Save your pennies and WHAMMO, 11's.

I don't want a blower.

I think it's more fun for me to add mods stayin n/a

No offense to the blower guys, but anyone can slap a blower on a 4.6 and be mad fast.

Then what?

I'd rather do a little at a time and enjoy the progress of the car.

That was me for the last 3 years....then you hit a wall where the car simply does not go any faster and you get bored.....Major engine work is MEGA bucks....blowers are far cheaper

[The Don]

Trust me Bill. I know I will get to that point.

But for now, I'm just having some fun.

BTW.......what you and I talked about how I was staging, I was very aware of my last time out.

[qwikhuh]

Trust me Bill. I know I will get to that point.

But for now, I'm just having some fun.

BTW.......what you and I talked about how I was staging, I was very aware of my last time out.

:)

BTW I have definately proven my cars streetability lately. Drove it back and forth to OCMD, back and forth to Carlisle, and today down to Chestertown, MD and back in rush hour traffic. Car did not skip a beat the whole time. Dave at Kauffmans did a fantastic job on the tune....car did not go over 190 all day

[The Don]

That's really cool that you have such a reliable car making the power it does

[nj91pony]

8) i think the difference a street car and a streetable car is the all mighty dollar,lets face it, we have seen some of the monster high dollar setups in MM@FF and 5.0 that are quote un quote street legal . it also depends on where you live that defines what you can get away with. here in new jersey the last time i even tried to go through state insp. with even the mild transformatoin i have, they literaly laughed in my face. i seldom see a 700+hp late model stang in my parts with that ever elusive sticker on the window. its ashame too because then you see that civic wish the strait pipe and the potato shooter hanging off the back with a shiny new insp. sticker. whats up with that

[fast88]

hmmm......i think the big question is..."why care"

there are some damn impressive race cars and streetcars around here......the question of "race car/streetcar" only comes up when somebody gets beat and there lookin for an excuse as to why they lost the race.

i say so the fuck what if its a purpose built 12 sec car OR a 9 sec tagged daily driver......why dont we look at the craftmanship that goes into these cars instead of putting a just putting a label on it??......like i said before ..every car is different and shows everyones individuality.

i gotta disagree with the "it takes money" comment.....to make a race car fast aint all money....and to get a 9 sec car through inspection aint all money either.......its being smart about it building a combo that suits your needs.

sorry to ramble but the streetcar/race car thing is a lose lose proposition in my eyes....

respect the cars for what they are and the work and time that have gone into building them........lotsa sweat and blood if ya look really good. :2cent:

[FastAOD]

I agree with Bills definition for sure....

My car has never seen a trailor, i can drive it wherever,whenever, and it runs 10's, passes emissions.....Ive put about 20k miles on it in the past year....Been on a couple 2-3 hr trips..


But its got no a/c, and a dinky cd player..LOL....Damn ! Is it still a street car?

:D

[fast88]

who cares? 8)

[RdRunnr]

I agree with Bills definition for sure....

My car has never seen a trailor, i can drive it wherever,whenever, and it runs 10's, passes emissions.....Ive put about 20k miles on it in the past year....Been on a couple 2-3 hr trips..


But its got no a/c, and a dinky cd player..LOL....Damn ! Is it still a street car?

:D

That's pretty damn impressive considering the AZ heat!! 20k miles in a year sounds like a street car to me!

[RadialX]

So what would I have to do, to make mine a street car again? I bet there is no answer.

you wanna know what a street car is, this is a street car, 67 chevelle on pump gas and NOS with a freakin 4 speed...........also won the hot rod pump gas shootout........this vid was taken at Cecil last saturday night, thats my engine builder Dave lining him up, notice the tail pipes out the back? this is a SICK Street car, or maybe not according to some.

Rob's Chevelle (http://www.mag-ba.com/harold/ROB.WMV)

FWIW, I could care less whether your car is a street car or race car, if its nice, fast and catches my eye, thats all that matters to me

[nj91pony]

:D don,t get me wrong, i have the ut most respect for the guy that has a 700 hp stang out there . hell thats what i think we all would love to have, a nasty street legal street/strip mustang. i also know what it must take in blood sweat and tears to get a car to that level of performance and reliability . i myself was on a cold garage floor for the better part of the winter doing all the instalation (moter/trans) my self.
my piont is it takes some people longer than others to achieve what they want due to other things that may come up (kids-house and understanding wives).i am happy for now with what i have, it just gets frustrating sometimes and find out you went in a couple of the wrong directions with some of the parts.
P.S. didn't want to offend anyone. and that 67 ijust read about in the pump gas drags is probably one of the sickest street cars i have ever seen. simply auwsome!

[RadialX]

I think the ppl that get offended are the ppl that get belittled because they chose to build a car for the track that is majorly worthy of the road but choose not to drive it on the road. or belittled becuase they run fast with a pro shifted trans, or 1 seat, or no carpet, who cares, you build the car for YOURSELF, if somebody dont like what you did........FARQEM. They deserve as much congradulations for there accomplishments in ET, MPH, 60ft or whatever, just like anybody else deserves what they did in street trim, or race trim.

hell all these guys bragging about street cars, since when was it legal to run slicks on the street, yeah big bad street car, and they tow it to the track........hehe, it just doesnt matter, its all in what you want, it shouldnt be done to impress anybody but yourself. but we all know thats hard to do.

my point is, if the car is fast, clean and built legal for the ET its running, whether its tagged for the street or not, nobody should be belittled like some have been lately.

[nj91pony]

:D thanks radial x it does feel good to get a lot of valuable info from guys that are going so fast on the street/strip considering i just broke into the 13 second range myself, thanks guys

[RdRunnr]

hell all these guys bragging about street cars, since when was it legal to run slicks on the street, yeah big bad street car, and they tow it to the track........hehe, it just doesnt matter, its all in what you want, it shouldnt be done to impress anybody but yourself. but we all know thats hard to do.

my point is, if the car is fast, clean and built legal for the ET its running, whether its tagged for the street or not, nobody should be belittled like some have been lately.

AMEN!!! Those guys bragging don't just trailer them to the track...they trailer them to the shop, to the shore, and where ever else they want to take their beloved "street cars".

[RdRunnr]

So what would I have to do, to make mine a street car again? I bet there is no answer.



I bet your car would be fun to take out on the street just as it sits :)

[frdfandc]

Spence, your car would be sick if it was a "street" car again. I'd pay to see that. lol

[blown1989saleen]

So what would I have to do, to make mine a street car again? I bet there is no answer.



I bet your car would be fun to take out on the street just as it sits :)id buy a ticket to see that :wink:


Scott

[my95GTHO]

damn if that wouldn't be a sick thing to watch do a burnout or a launch on the street lol...................me has wood lol!

[fatchick1o9]

Street car:
-Passes emissions (yes I do)
-radio, optional (yes I do)
-atleast 1 winshield wiper (only 1 here)
-interior, optional (carpet & dash only here)
-spare tire & jack, optional (yes I do)
-has atleast 1 seat.Yes a milk crate or 5 gallon bucket counts. (mine has only 1. Procar Rally 1000)
-can be driven indefinitely without cooling or charging issues.

Race car:
-engine
-transmission
-tires
-seat
-steering wheel

[slowstang]

A street car is what you can put up with. Spence or Rich could take their cars to the market if they wanted to...why waste the wear and tear when its built for the track.

People just want to say that they have a street car when there is set in stone definition of one.

I personally dont care. My car has manual steering, no a/c, drag tires, radio that doesnt work, no emissions equipment, blah blah blah. I'll still drive it to Jersey, Md, De, and all around Pa to put an ass whoopin on someone lol.

To some a street car...to some a race car. Either way it puts a smile on my face.

[fatchick1o9]

Well since I live in California. Passing emissions is not an option.

Getting tested every other year really sucks. But I only pay $42 for my registration. It was awesome when the "Pre-Arnold" governor tripled the registration fee.

People with new cars that were paying $400 for registration now had to pay $1200. And that was just registration for 1 year. And I was laughing. I think that is why he got recalled/impeached.

But once I move out of California I see a new car as my daily driver.

My '86 5.0L will get a 331 stroker and a Kenne Belle S/C. I just have to decide on which S/C. I know I DON'T want the quiet S/C. That Kenne Belle whine is like angels singing to me.

Or more like the Sirens of Greek mythology that lead men to their demise.

[itslegal]

My car = STREET CAR :)

[2MUCHBOOST]

Tags, ins, working lights, full int, stock susp, thats a street car. But Im a street racer so your asking the wrong person......lol

[stangfreek94]

Tags, ins, working lights, full int, stock susp, thats a street car.

I put @ 12K a year on mine. It also sports 2 car seats (for my young ones) most of the time. So, I would qualify mine as street car.

Man this thread is old.

[orange408]

Plain and simple.

Street car drives home from the track. Race car gets towed home!

[Power Ranger]

Well my trucks tagged and insured and has 2 big azz side view mirrors on it. Shit i can go 2 Lowes and buy some lumber or sakrete and throw it in the back but i do have a Nitrous bottle sitting in the cab with me between my seats.Oh yea, i have a lexan back window. W.t.f. do i have? A hybrid??

[rel3rd]

I think some people only call it a race car if it whoops their street cars. :-D

[tstang90]

Then Im a race car! PERIOD :hulk:
AC
PS
FULL INT
ALL POWER
WELDS-----this is the deal breaker...
interesting topic though

[sixtyninemercury]

Two considerations:

#1 - what is the torque converter stalling at?
#2 - what is the motor's operating RPM range?

Over 3500RPM to me doesn't sound too streetable going from light to light and driving in stop-go traffic. . .

Of course I'm talking N/A!

[rel3rd]

Plain and simple.

Street car drives home from the track. Race car gets towed home!

Not quite that simple....

I've had to get towed home from the track before with a high 13 second car...lol. Hardly a race car. :-(

Fast forward two years to when that same car was a low 10 second car it was trailered solely because of after spending $600 the previous summer getting rollbacked home 4 different times, it was the smartest thing to do.

Ironically, in two+ years of being trailered to and from the track, it only needed to be towed home twice....Once for a ET Street's bead ripping loose from the rim and trashing the tire, and once for a blown head gasket due to a fuel pump failure.

I'd have to agree with slowstang's opinion that it is whatever the owner/driver can deal with...Hell, the guy who one the 2007 Hot Rod Pump Gas Drags (with a 9.30 I believe) has been 8.80's and drives it to and from the track regularly. The girl who won the Hot Rod's "Most Legit 9 second car" award at the same event also drives her car to school and around town all the time...The place that tuned my car (and both cars I just mentioned) has a saying, although I don't quite agree with it, lol...

Street Cars run 9's, Race cars run 8's....

I guess I own a VERY SLOW Street car....:-(

[skip]

I honestly think if you drive it on the street other than 5 miles at a time or just enough to say it was on the street it is more of a race car. I personally have driven mine over 100 miles only stopping when I got there and when I got home. 50 miles each way. I would say that is a street car to me. If you wanted it to be a race car you wouldn't drive it on the street. But I'm sure some have gone there working out some bugs. I agree alot with Bob L. and slowstang.

[Cal 87]

Street cars make turns above 20 mph...........race cars dont. 8)

What about a car racing in American Iron? They can turn WELL over 20 mph lol