"Miata" Horsepower for Karts

1

I was curious to compare how various kart classes compare to a spec miata adjusted for power/weight. It was interesting and lower than I expected… Could be my math as well.

Taking a Miata to be 2400 lbs (putting a 200lb driver in there) developing 125HP

Briggs 206 at 360lbs = Equivilant to a SM with 73HP
World Formula at 360 = Equivilant to a SM with 100hp
KT100 at 360lbs = Equivilant to a SM with 120 HP
TaG at 360lbs = Equivalent to a SM with 187hp
Shifter at 385 = Equivalent to a SM with 280HP
Superkart at 450lbs = Equivalent to a SM with 480HP

2

But then you start talking about lateral G than a kart can hold, and then everything is out of the window :stuck_out_tongue: lol

3

A 1.6L NA Spec Miata can be as low as 2040 lbs without a driver.

4

Isn’t the Elise 200hp @ 2000lbs? Or is that English lbs which are not the same as US lbs?

5

Well yeah, and the rate that turns “attack” you on a kart track.

lbs are the same both side of the pond. Tons/Tonnes and Gallons are different though. Often when karting is compared to spec miata (or vice versa), so I thought it would be interesting to through some numbers at it.

6

Briggs 206 (8.8hp) at 360lbs = 40.9 lbs/hp
World Formula (12hp) at 360 = 30 lbs/hp
KT100 can (15hp) at 360lbs = 24 lbs/hp
KT100 pipe (18hp) at 360lbs = 20 lbs/hp
TaG Leopard (27hp) at 360lbs = 13.3 lbs/hp
TaG X30 (30hp) at 360lbs = 12 lbs/hp
TaG Super X30 (43hp) at 360lbs = 8.37 lbs/hp
CR125 Shifter (40hp) at 385 = 9.6 lbs/hp
TM KZ10C Shifter (48hp) at 385 = 8.02 lbs/hp
Superkart (100hp?) at 450lbs = 4.5 lbs/hp

7

Yes but what’s all that in “Miata HP”

8

FINE.

Briggs 206 (8.8hp) at 360 lbs - 40.9 lbs/hp
World Formula (12hp) at 360 - 30 lbs/hp
KT100 can (15hp) at 360 lbs - 24 lbs/hp
KT100 pipe (18hp) at 360 lbs - 20 lbs/hp
Mazda Miata 1.6L SM NA (116 hp) – 19.8 lbs/hp
Mazda Miata 1.8L SM NB1 (123 hp) – 19.5 lbs/hp
TaG Leopard (27hp) at 360 lbs - 13.3 lbs/hp
TaG X30 (30hp) at 360 lbs - 12 lbs/hp
ICA (28 hp) at 310 lbs – 11.0 lbs/hp
Focus RS (350 hp) – 10.5
FSA (32 hp) at 310lbs – 9.7 lbs/hp
CR125 Shifter (40hp) at 385 lbs - 9.6 lbs/hp
TaG Super X30 (43hp) at 360 lbs - 8.37 lbs/hp
TM KZ10C Shifter (48hp) at 385 lbs - 8.02 lbs/hp
Mustang GT350 (526 hp) – 7.5 lbs/hp
Ferrari F40 (471 hp) – 6.8 lbs/hp
Ferrari F430 Scuderia (503 hp) – 6.7 lbs/hp
Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 (505 hp) – 6.6 lbs/hp
Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 (638 hp) – 5.6 lbs/hp
Superkart (90hp) at 450 lbs - 5.0 lbs/hp
C-Open Vintage (76 hp) at 350 lbs – 4.6 lbs/hp
McLaren F1 (618 hp) – 4.4 lbs/hp
Bugatti Veyron (1001 hp) – 4.35 lbs/hp

All street car numbers were calculated using a 200 lb. driver added to the published curb weight.
All street car horsepower number are published, non-dynamometer values.

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9

Crap, my son runs Briggs animal road at 305 12hp 25 lb/hp

10

Your Miata equivalent HP is 94

11

I think your Superkart HP is high. I’d guess it’s closer to 65-70hp

12

I’d agree that 100 is high, but 65ish is what singles make. Twins are closer to 80-90, especially the likes of the 250GP based ones, PVP and so on…

13

PVP, BRC, and Gas-Gas twins are often reported north of 100 hp. Rotax and others are around 90, So anywhere in between. I’ll revise it to 90hp just in case.

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14

That’s where the fun and debate starts with dynos… I think 100HP or anything north of it is #FakeNews to be honest. Like the 36HP formula super A motors :laughing:
Dynos vary so much, as well as operators and of course there’s always our friend the “trophy pull” where a motor makes great peak numbers and either would blow up, or be useless on the track.

Riley Will would be a good guy to ask. I trust his methods and judgement.

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