Really confused about my car's horsepower

BriteBlue

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https://jalopnik.com/porsche-918-proves-0-60-times-are-total-bullshit-1558177494

[while starting from a stop] "High power delivery to the gearbox and driven wheels cannot easily be managed even by the most skilled drivers." [Wikipedia]
On a related note, I came across this article some time ago comparing 0-60 mph times to rolling start 5-60 mph times. They do list a 2016 Civic 1.5L at 6.8 secs for 0-60 and 7.5 secs for 5-60 mph.
https://insideevs.com/news/328457/the-rolling-start-a-better-ev-performance-metric/

Here’s another explanation why 5-60 is typically slower than 0-60.
https://physics.stackexchange.com/q...wer-than-a-0-60-mph-time-for-some-automobiles
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BriteBlue

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I you have

The truth is 0-60 really isn't the true end all measure of a car's real world performance. In some ways it's similar to why I think the obsession with mpg comparison threads is a bit useless. Too many real world environmental differences.

All I know is my 1.5T was fairly quick stock for an econobox. Tuned, it's not only faster; it's genuinely impressive to drive.
I agree, the 1.5T is fairly quick and I have no complaints about the car. Many years ago you needed a real performance car in order to do 0-60 in less than 6 seconds. Now a 4 cyl, 1.5T sedan is closing in on that time.
 

dsegel

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The 2020 Owners Manual in the US states:

Models with 18 or 20 inch wheels
Unleaded gasoline with a Pump Octane Number (PON) of 91 or higher is recommended.

I believe this is the Sport and Touring models, including the Sport Touring.
 
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Gruber

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The 2020 Owners Manual in the US states:

Models with 18 or 20 inch wheels
Unleaded gasoline with a Pump Octane Number (PON) of 91 or higher is recommended.

I believe this is the Sport and Touring models, including the Sport Touring.
No, according to website specs for the sedan Touring or coupe Touring, Honda only asks for regular gas. Both have regular 174hp-rated 1.5T engines. The same with 2.0L Sport models, which have the same power as the base engine.

The only civicx with Premium Recommended are: HB S, HB ST, Si, and Type R.
 

Charlie

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I see you live in Brazil.

On the 1.5T KTuner product page, they mention that Honda detuned the engine for the Brazilian market. And like others have said, running 87 octane will minimize your power gains.

Plus, being 3,000 ft. above sea level doesn't help either.

Screenshot_20200220-211212-01.jpeg
Was thinking the same thing. Less HP at higher altitudes
 


Charlie

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All I've been doing is dragging since I installed the piggy back. So I guess I'm doomed.

Any way I can check the integrity of my engine? We have a very warm market for used cars here, so I'm planning on trading it for a newer one - maybe an Accord, in 2 - 3 years.

Brazilian gasoline contains 25% ethanol by default.
I know ethanol is an acceptable fuel but I avoid it. I have found in prior cars I’ve owned that I get less kms on it and the car ran rougher and had slower acceleration. Now I’m too scared to use it in my current car.
 

Gruber

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Was thinking the same thing. Less HP at higher altitudes
3000 ft = almost 1 km may reduce the atmospheric pressure by about 1.5 psi at intake. I'm sorry for the folks in Denver which of course is mile high. They could be loosing about 2.5 psi.

Btw. There are corrections to 0-60 times by location that need to be used by those publishing 0-60 timings. These corrections are substantial.
 

PowerPerLiter

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3000 ft = almost 1 km may reduce the atmospheric pressure by about 1.5 psi at intake. I'm sorry for the folks in Denver which of course is mile high. They could be loosing about 2.5 psi.

Btw. There are corrections to 0-60 times by location that need to be used by those publishing 0-60 timings. These corrections are substantial.
You shouldn't feel sorry. Their cars are making the same or similar power as anybody else with a factory car. In fact they may see MORE boost to compensate for the loss on atmospheric density.
Torque request is the same for us all. The car will do what's required to get there regardless of elevation.
 

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No, according to website specs for the sedan Touring or coupe Touring, Honda only asks for regular gas. Both have regular 174hp-rated 1.5T engines. The same with 2.0L Sport models, which have the same power as the base engine.

The only civicx with Premium Recommended are: HB S, HB ST, Si, and Type R.
I'm actually curious about what fuel they pumped into my sport touring hatch when I picked it up on Saturday. They said they filled it up. Which is appreciated but I suspect they may have given me the cheap stuff.
 

Gruber

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I'm actually curious about what fuel they pumped into my sport touring hatch when I picked it up on Saturday. They said they filled it up. Which is appreciated but I suspect they may have given me the cheap stuff.
I doubt they would fill up with premium without letting you know how nice they were. My sales guy was not even aware Honda recommends premium for Sport Touring. I asked him why on the window sticker the yearly cost of fuel was significantly higher than other trims while the gas mileage was about the same. Either he really had no idea or he thought it could break the deal. But there was no problem getting a premium fill after I asked for it.
 


Gruber

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You shouldn't feel sorry. Their cars are making the same or similar power as anybody else with a factory car. In fact they may see MORE boost to compensate for the loss on atmospheric density.
Torque request is the same for us all. The car will do what's required to get there regardless of elevation.
Of course they will make enough power for everyday driving. They will just need to rev a small percentage higher or spool the turbo a bit faster to climb the same grade at the same speed. The turbo can compensate, but if the turbo produces a good boost at high altitude, it will always make a bit more at sea level....
The maximum power will be less. 0-60 and 1/4 mike times will be longer, no way around it. Compression will drop at high altitude, and that's why you can use lower octane gas. That's physics. In Denver 87 octane is premium (mid grade).
 
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Sev

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I have filled my tank with additived Shell V Power and now it is most of the times dropping rpm to 600 rpm on standstill instead of the 700 it used to. Wouldn't make me worried, but the car is sometimes dropping to 500 momentarily (only once upon stopping at the red light, for instance), causing it to vibrate for a second.

I'm pretty sure the fuel is not bad. Got it from a Shell gas station.

Is this normal? Should I be worried?

EDIT: I figured that by coincidence I was not using air conditioner when I noticed the decrease in rpms. That surely explains the reduction from 700 to 600 when idle. But what about the somewhat "rare" 500?
 
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Gruber

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Is this with your chip active? Or regardless? In my 100% stock car the idle is rock steady at just above 700 at idle with no AC and on Shell V Power Nitro+ 93. Or Costco 93.
I hope you gave it some time to relearn the idle without manipulating/changing anything for some time. I would be curious what your long term fuel trim is when going fast for some time.
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