"SPEED COSTS, how fast do you want to go?" It's an adage that rings true if performance is your goal. Keep in mind, though that going fast might cost more than money. It could cost lives.

Modifying cars to achieve greater speed is relatively easy nowadays, with fuel injection/ computer-controlled engines. Some factory-tuned cars, like the Mitsubishi Evolution or Subaru WRX/Sti come already in a high state of tune and only need someone with experience, a laptop and a rolling road to take an already high-strung car to levels that were unheard of a few years ago, even in full-on race cars.

Thirty years ago, The Ford Cosworth DFV Formula 1 engine produced roughly 430 brake horsepower (bhp) after folks with doctorates in mechanical engineering went through it. A few months ago, Automotives drove the Nissan Skyline GTR, a street car with 480hp.

To put this in perspective, there are modified R33 bodied Skyline street cars in the US that boast over 1,000 wheel horsepower. These are truly heady times to live in, from an automotive enthusiast point of view.

The extremes

Then there are the extremes. Claims of mad horsepower are resplendent on the 'Net, but 'Youtube' tends to sift the true purveyours from the charlatans, as horse-power behaves as only horse-power can. Turbos are the great equaliser; properly plumbed and tuned, the spinning pinwheel makes unholy power available.

How much is too much? There are Ford Mustangs on Youtube that claim 2000hp. And that's the low side of normal.

At this level, though, speed gets real expensive. Running with the big boys means that boost and nitrous have to be a part of the recipe.

Turbos' need boost control that ties into engine management, and nitrous needs to be phased in as the button is pressed, or you turn your motor into so much melted metal.

The computer that does all of this at once? Haltech systems with this capability can exceed $10,000. And that isn't Jamaican money, no sir. A correctly sized turbo for the above Mustang can deplete the wallet to the tune of $2500 worth of Benjamin Franklins, and NOS Pro Fogger nitrous system goes out the door for eight bills. The motor underneath all of this plumbing has to be built to a hilt, and costs can swing over six grand in a heartbeat.

The transmissions that can cope with all this urge, like a Hewland sequential 'box, can cost £40,000.

If you've got the go, stopping really, really quickly becomes necessary. Brembo brakes are the rage now. Pads for this set-up cost J$20,000 a pair. Your average hot rod uses two pair. Do the math.

Coil-overs and suspension gimickery aren't that expensive, but need someone with experience to set up properly. For a properly built street project, kiss another two grand goodbye for the engineer's time, room and board.

Such 'projects' can, when used within the confines of a race track or on a closed-off street course (as is the case with the New Kingston leg of the upcoming Petcom Jamaica '08 Rally) provide a basis for the foundation of discipline for youths in the sport, and has entertainment value.

Plain insanity

But driving these machines on our roads is plain insanity. Real racers running in race conditions calculate the risks of every manoeuvre. At the upper echelons of the sport manoeuvres are never based on emotions, but are played out like a chess game with the driver being aware of consequences every twitch of the wheel.

There are just too many unknowns on the streets to function at the levels that these high horsepower chariots mandate. Sinking US$30,000 into a thinly disguised race car for the street might feel good and will impress the fellows at the country club, but that aura of accomplishment quickly fades into the doldrums of regret when a life is taken.

And for those who think that a radar detector can save them from the long arm of the law, legislation is currently being enacted that will make these devices illegal, and their owners prosecutable.

Pedestrians and other road users have the right to life. There is too much downside to driving fast on public roads. Take it to Dover or Jamwest; keep it legal, and keep it safe.

Racing on our roads? It is just not worth it.

mario.james@gleanerjm.com