I like this thread. Since I've had my STR I've had a few fun runs against Camaro SSs, a few BMWs and other performance sedans. It is fun to match their acceleration, then depending on the speed we are going, floor it and pass or accelerate up to the car.

But, I was surprised recently when at a stop light, a Kia Amanti was able to pull away from me at first, then when I hit close to 50 mph I was able to catch up to him, then we hit the 60 limit and backed off.
I am still wondering what the owner has done to make a 7.5 second 0-60 car so fast off the line.

 

I will admit I lost today. I was going to a vw show in Louisville with some friends, and I was able to race APR's development mule for the Mk V platform. I had 2 other people in my car and I really didn't stand a change as he just kinda left me on the highway. In good news I did beat a brand new 135i with BMW tune and exhaust on it (with 2 extra people in mine and none in his).

 

Mike, as your already aware: 3 adults in your car = 4900 lbs. empty + 200 lbs./adult X 3 = 600 lbs. Your poor STR's motor was pushing 5400 lbs.! Empty the car...and you'll roast the MK V Platform.

Later post corrects STR's empty weight from 4900 lbs. to 3900 lbs.

 

I wouldn't be too overconfident. I have a couple friends with MK IV VWs putting down the same hp I am at the wheels with their little 4 bangers; they would walk away from me easily. If the MK Vs are built just as well, they should be able to do the same.

 

Oops! Wow, I did some bad math: Empty STR = 3900 lbs. + 600 lbs. (3 adults @ 200 lbs.) = 4500 lbs.

 

What the heck is a Mark IV and V? I was thinking about the late model Lincolns Mark IV? LOL!

 

I think you're off about 1,000lbs, an STR tips the scales at a little over 4,000lbs; driver and 2 passengers makes it a portly 4,500lbs-ish...

An STR would beat up all over a stock or even lightly modded MKV GTI, however, those APR tuned ones, particularly with the GT30 turbo upgrade (stage 3?) will easily go into the 11's @ 120mph+

which is probably the sort of spec michael star described racing, so no surprises there, you would need an avos TS kit to even consider hanging with one of those,

 

Thanks for clearing up the Mark V. So it's a VW. The new little buggers with dual exhaust? My STR is 3950 lbs. This with my mostly protien diet to shed 15 lbs. from my present 179 lbs....this auta let me stick with a Mark IV or V.

 

Ya sorry, this wasn't just an APR tuned VW, this was APR's VW I wish I would have made a video :/

 

No one has mentioned that our STRs have tall 2.89 gears in back. If we had 3:31 or even higher 3:55s, a STR would accelerate even faster off the line.
Cars in general have better power to weight ratios these days. Along with new 8 speed automatics and lower under-drived top gears (less than 1:1 trans gear ratio), manufactures can put numerically higher rear ends in the the car, get faster acceleration and still get good gas mileage.

For a relatively heavy sports sedan, our STRs are quick, but not fast by today's standards.

 

Avos's soon to be released 2.4L twin screw Kenne Bell blower (200 chp) and a Qauif LSD will cure all that ails the STR.

 

Yes it would help but that's also a 7-10k mod you're talking about...

 

Yea, but that's about what it would cost to do the 'apr stage 3' and all its supporting mods to make that STR-beating <500whp in the GTI michael star mentioned... point is, big gains can cost big bucks,