[geeks] Re: Cop Cars

[alex j avriette]

> my other truck had a Banks turbo (that I had put on NEW, so wear isn't
> an issue) along with the Banks intercooler (replacing the factory one),

The intercooler can make a big difference. Do you know its flow 
characteristics and volume compared to the OEM unit? OEM intercoolers 
are sometimes pretty bad (take the Starion, Subaru, and RX-7 
intercoolers for example) both in flow and efficiency.

> and their larger exhaust system. When I had the work done to my old
> truck it made an apparent difference, the truck felt more powerful (it
> still had a top end of 75) than it had before. The question is this: My
> new truck feels like it has more power than my old one, even though it's
> stock, could this be due to a weight difference between a 2wd & 4wd,
> and/or the diff between a regular cab, and an extended cab? Or could my

well first it sounds like the old truck has the potential to be a lot 
more powerful than the new truck. i know (for example) my dad's audi 90 
has an additional 800lbs of equipment in the quattro package. 
furthermore, my 88 blazer had 1100lbs of 4x4 equipment on it. you dont 
mention which was the 4x and which was the 2x though. I would think the 
extended cab would add more weight as well. One additional thing is the 
4x gearing is going to be different than the 2x gearing.

> other truck's engine just been more worn out? When my old truck got
> crunched it had 170k miles on it, my new one has 237k now. (had 233k
> when I bought it)

The wear on a motor, while sort of dependent on the mileage, is really 
due more to the 'internal damage' done to it. i.e., frequent oil 
changes, air cleaner changes, type of duty...

> Also, I agree with you that you're probably more qualified than I to
> talk about actual power issues, but what I'm talking about is the feel
> of the vehicle. To me at least, the police versions FEEL like they have

this is what sucks about the automotive industry. its tough to change 
the 'feel' of a car so that a consumer will like it more than another 
(often more "qualified" car) because its such a nebulous and subjective 
meaning. you might be surprised how many people think their car is 
faster when they can hear the intake tract more clearly. i used to get 
pulled over all the time because cops thought i was going speeding. what 
i would say is "did you even hear me shift out of first gear? there is 
no way i even exceeded 27mph!" often, just the sound of a car winding 
higher or being louder will make people think its going faster or is 
more powerful.

> more power than the civie versions. And I CAN attest to the fact that a
> police car will take a lot more abuse (cab drivers can really abuse a
> vehicle) than the civie version.

heh. when i was a kid i drove pizza for a couple years. *that* is some 
kinda abuse on a car!

alex