Poll: Should an HO be force-fed? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

zetecr · 02-09-2003, 03:53

I've been getting a bit worried at hearing of various reports and possibilities for a GTHO, regarding super/turbocharging.

I'm not a hater of forced induction (done right, as in XR6T, Nissan GTR, etc they can be fabulous), but I do cringe a bit at the thought of a GTHO resorting to such measures.

I believe a GTHO should, nay, MUST, produce brute horsepower the "pure" way, using capacity and revs. My ideal HO motor would be the current 5.4 litre Boss tuned and strengthened to rev to at least 7000 RPM or even 7500RPM. Wouldn't that sound glorious?

What do you guys think?

Cobra · 02-09-2003, 04:05

I would prefer it stay N/A but the reality is that foced induction is a cheap way to make alot of horsepower and manufacturers are in the business to make money. If they could make a 5.4 with lets say 350kw and 600nm N/A, then I say go for it. I want Ford to release a beast with this amount of power, but If it can't be done naturally aspirated then I don't think they should not proceed just because they have to use forced induction.

ChuBBz · 02-09-2003, 14:03

i look at it this way............
IF the GTHO does come out Naturally Aspirated.. people can just bolt a supercharger on and already you got a GTHO-eater, then the fastest sedan in the world wouldn't seem as fast anymore.
I would prefer it to be forced-fed straight from the factory because like cobra said, its the cheaper alternative (instead of going 7.0Lt V10, etc) and also.. you can't go past forced induction these days for performance.

ChuBBz

edit: I also want to see quad exhausts (2 each side).. and also flared arches (wide-body design)... 19 inch wheels a must!!

Luke Plaizier · 02-09-2003, 14:19

The top of the line BM's, Mercs and Porsche's all have forced induction of some sort.

Sticking to some sort of idealistic perception of an HO is one sure way to increase costs for very little or no gain over a forced induction approach.

This is a New Millenium. I think we need a New Millenium Falcon.

Lukeyson

threefiftyone8 · 02-09-2003, 15:28

ChuBBz is right. It would be great to have a huge N/A engine. If FPV can come up with a great car that has forced induction and it feels and goes great then that won�t be too bad.

Mr Sparkle · 02-09-2003, 15:33

This isn't the 60's, manufacturers can't produce lumpy growling thirsty beasts any more. Forced induction is the only answer, for a number of reasons:

(1) There is no way that a highly tuned N/A Boss would be streetable for everyday driving, and in this market segment, there has to be plenty of refinement as well as outright grunt

(2) A highly tuned N/A Boss would never pass ADR & emissions regulations

(3) Can you seriously see Ford offering a 3 year warranty on an "at the limit" N/A engine?

(4) A larger capacity engine (think V10) will not fit into BA engine bay, let alone survive the beancounters for R&D expenses!

(5) A low-mid boosted engine will provide a superior torque curve, more refined power delivery, arguably better economy, and less mechanical stress, than a N/A engine with the same power/torque figures.

(6) You can't beat forced induction for easy power gains and a value-for-money upgrade path!

JEM · 02-09-2003, 17:05

Nothing wrong with it all... go for it i say.

Now i don't know why some people think this is the easy way out, or it's the cheap way out... by no means this is a "cheap" way around making horse power.

Just ask David Flint and the engineers at FPV regarding costs for validating, evaluating and developing such an engine. Obviously these costs would follow onto other components of the car, such as gearbox durability, as force fed engines characteristicly produce power/torque lower in the rev range, so gearbox validation and testing would have to be carried out on such a configuration.

And as Sparkles has already said, there would undoubtably be benefits in economy, drivability etc...

If it was good enough for mad max, it's good enough for any of us!

ianmcginley · 02-09-2003, 17:08

Force feed the beast.

The figures should be similar to the 2003 Ford GT (aka GT40) as the engine is similar. Note these figures are similar to the F150 SVT Lightning

Power 372.9 kw @ 5250 rpm
Torque 677.91 nm @ 3250 rpm

In my opinion, the GT-HO should also be 19" wheels with 285 on the rear and 245 on the front, and be based on the GT-P. Have the brembo's, have the climate control.

Oh i'd LOVE to see twin pipes out the rear like this:
http://www.supercars.net/Pic?s=1&id=...=SL%2055%20AMG

hmmm i'd buy one for $85,000-90,000 :)))

61sg · 02-09-2003, 17:34

yes force feed.

i dont see a problem with supercharging it

TurboDOHC · 02-09-2003, 18:29

i belive becuase Ford have made such a ripper in the XR6T that the car buying public would accept a supercharged GTHO in the belief it WILL be just as good as a xr6T. The XR6 has begun a psyche change in australians car buying minds i believe........

Also, to get the required power fit for a GTHO, forced induction is the way to go in terms of what Jem and Mr. Sparkle said