2003 Lincoln LS vs 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT

Hey guys - I've got a 2003 Lincoln LS Sport [V8], and my buddy has a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT [V6] Convertable...who wins a quarter-mile? He's currently in the hospital recovering from surgery (not related to racing!) so we can't race for a few weeks...I just want to know if I'm correct in my thought that I'd pretty much blow the doors off his Eclipse?

My primary considerations are the following

[b6443f50655]2003 Lincoln LS[/b6443f50655]
[u6443f50655]Engine[/u6443f50655] 3.9-liter DOHC V-8, 280 hp 286 lb-ft torque
[u6443f50655]Drivetrain[/u6443f50655] Five-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive
[u6443f50655]Curb weight[/u6443f50655] 3755 lb

[b6443f50655]2001 Eclipse Spyder GT[/b6443f50655]
[u6443f50655]Engine[/u6443f50655] 3.0-liter V-6, 200 hp 205 lb-ft torque
[u6443f50655]Drivetrain[/u6443f50655] Five-speed manual transmission, front-wheel drive
[u6443f50655]Curb weight[/u6443f50655] 3241 lb

Both cars are completely stock, and will both be coming off fresh tune-ups. Also, I'm unsure if I'll race using SST...should I? If I don't, should I be racing in D4 or D5? I've been driving around in D5 to maximize fuel efficiency.


I'd love to hear any thoughts, as well as any first-hand experiences.

I'd have to guess he'd take you, if he knows anything about racing. 500 less pounds, and a 5-speed manual go a long way towards negating the bigger engine. On a long stretch you might catch and pass him, but in a 1/4 I don't think you'll have the accelleration to take him.

Let us know the results, but don't go and kill yourselves!

Well we'll be racing on a public road, but under the [unofficial] supervision of police...so we should have the not-killing-ourselves part down. Additionally, we're both new owners (within the past 3 months), and he's not the best driver...but he can drive. He lost to a light-to-moderately upgraded Nissan Sentra [V4] a few weeks back.

If you're unaware...SST is Select-Shift Transmission...which isn't exactly manual, but it allows you to shift manually.

I'm familiar with the SST shifter, but in the ones I've seen it's still basically an auto -- you're just "suggesting" when the shift should happen. In the ones I've driven there is still a lag before the tranny actually shifts. If the shift is even a second or two off, it can make a world of difference. So a manual would likely have the edge because it shifts when you tell it too, providing you know the proper timing.

But since you're saying neither of you are experienced racers, it could go either way.

You're right about the SST...you're suggesting when it should shift...if your shift would damage the transmission it will be overridden (which causes the lag) as not to damage the transmission. Nonetheless...if he wins, I'll never hear the end of it...if he loses...he'll want to race again and again until he gets perfect shifts ;)

In the end, even if he does win...it won't be by much...and I drive a luxury sport sedan...he drives a 2-door coupe ;)

I've never seen Lincolns drive, but on paper it looks like you have it.

those lincoln LS's are extremely nice, those new Eclipse GT's are gay. I had a 99 GST spyder at one point and it was pretty fast, that's a hard decision.

i say the eclipse

Make sure to tape it! D

The eclipse will proably smoke you off the line because its a stick but you have him in the long run so I would imagine he would win the 1/4 mile but it will be close.

Found this from MotorTrend

[bc4c7f6a764]TEST DATA 2003 Lincoln LS V8[/bc4c7f6a764]
[ic4c7f6a764]Acceleration[/ic4c7f6a764]
0-30 mph 2.5
0-40 mph 3.6
0-50 mph 4.9
0-60 mph 6.8 ---> Eclipse 7.2
0-70 mph 8.6
0-80 mph 10.6
0-90 mph 13.9
0-100 mph 17.5
[bc4c7f6a764]1/4 mile, sec @ mph 15.02 @ 92.8 ---> Eclipse 15.7 @ 89.2[/bc4c7f6a764]
Braking, 60-0 mph, ft 128
600-ft slalom, mph 60.9
Top-gear rpm @ 60 mph 2000

"Zero-to-60 mph takes 7.2 seconds and the quarter-mile happens in 15.7 seconds at 89.2 mph." - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT (http//www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=47901/pageNumber=4)

The article is speaking of the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT Coupe...not the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT Convertable...but I'd have to imagine the data would be similar, being that the only difference I'm aware of would be the curb weight.

Impressive assuming that's an automatic LS, but you have to note that's barely over a half-second difference on the 1/4, with both probably driven on a track under controlled conditions by people who do that for a living.

With you 2 guys on the street, I still think it could go either way.

But let us know, and tape it! )

Yeah, but then again didn't you say that the guy with the spyder isn't a pro driving stick? If you don't know how to shift right, specially off the line it's curtains.

[quotee48b07e13c="dmorris68"]Impressive assuming that's an automatic LS, but you have to note that's barely over a half-second difference on the 1/4, with both probably driven on a track under controlled conditions by people who do that for a living.

With you 2 guys on the street, I still think it could go either way.

But let us know, and tape it! )[/quotee48b07e13c]

There is no such thing as a manual 2003 Lincoln LS V8 )

[quotee48b07e13c="hairyferry"]Yeah, but then again didn't you say that the guy with the spyder isn't a pro driving stick? If you don't know how to shift right, specially off the line it's curtains.[/quotee48b07e13c]

Yes. He can drive...but he's far from a great driver. It should be noted that my grandfather is in the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame supermodified dirt modified racing...sooooooooo ITS IN MY BLOOD [ ;) ]!

Really though, check him out (unfortunately, the best online summary of his accomplishments is his obituary) http//www.valleynewsonline.com/News/2004/0403/Sports/078.html

well you better make him proud and represent then!!

[quote6c66165bd5="FreeOffersNow"]There is no such thing as a manual 2003 Lincoln LS V8 )[/quote6c66165bd5]
I kinda figured, being a Lincoln. )

So go make Gramps proud!

The eclipse would win, its a 5 speed manual and if he knows how to take off right then he would have the advantage. The LS is one heck of a monster though.

As far as losing to the Sentra, the SE-R is a six speed (spec v) so it could take on the eclipse, especially if it has some modifications done to it even if it was the 4 speed atuo! If it was a 1.8liter then he doesn't know how to drive, lol.

I think it all comes down to if he can get his shift points right, and the driving skills. Personally I'd rather be in the Eclipse.


And how are you getting the police to help out the race?

[quoteeb6f151358="dmorris68"][quoteeb6f151358="FreeOffersNow"]There is no such thing as a manual 2003 Lincoln LS V8 )[/quoteeb6f151358]
I kinda figured, being a Lincoln. )

So go make Gramps proud![/quoteeb6f151358]


Well, if I recall...the manual transmission was originally offered on both the V8 and the V6, then later in only the V6, now in neither. Lack of consumer demand was the explanation provided by Lincoln. I don't mind, though...I'm a pretty lazy driver, so I prefer automatic. Additionally, I've only driven stick about 5 times...so I can get where I'm going without stalling (lol), but I need practice.


[quoteeb6f151358="gafdpc"]I think it all comes down to if he can get his shift points right, and the driving skills. Personally I'd rather be in the Eclipse.


And how are you getting the police to help out the race?[/quoteeb6f151358]


Again, I'll reiterate that while the LS [ieb6f151358]is[/ieb6f151358] a fast car...its a LUXURY sport sedan. Outside of racing my buddy, I doubt it'll ever be raced again...at least not while I've got the keys evil

And the police aren't exactly "helping out" (though, on more than one occassion, an officer has flagged for us)...they are pretty much just looking the other way. We get some really nice cars running, and we've been doing it for a while, so they basically just enjoy the show. They will, though, if given reason, shut us down and issue tickets. It's a fine line.

FINALLY got around to running this. Ran two trials on two different stretches of street, he counted down the first start and I counted down the second (improv street race - no flagger). I ran both in SST with AdvanceTrac OFF. Ran to about 6000RPMs before shifting. First race he lost a lot of rubber and I absolutely murdered him 100% of the race...second race I actually took off later than he did, lagged a little from 1st to 2nd, and still caught him with ease before the 1/4 was up. Because they were improve street races...no times, mph @ finish, or any other data...just know if a [stock] 2001-2003 Eclipse GT (they all share the same 3.0L V6, I believe) pulls up to you rev'n the engine...you've got it )

A little side note, I have a JL 1000/1, JL CleanSweep, and two JL 10W6's in a JL enclosure in the trunk...plus about 40lbs of Dynamat. Without this added weight I'd have beat him even worse ;)

LS FTW! His shifts were clean, too...no matter who was driving the car, it wouldn't have kept up.

That should of not even been a race. Try racing the new Eclipse GT and tell me the outcome of it.

That should be much closer...263 HP SAE @ 5,750 rpm; 260 ft lb , 353 Nm @ 4,500 rpm and 3,472lbs vs 280HP, 286TQ and 3,674lbs. I'm not too concerned, though...likely upgrading to the G37 (330HP and 3,682lbs) in August...as a birthday present, to myself )

Not that I'm getting one, but it's worth noting the new BMW's are twin-turbo, 6-speed BEASTS. I saw a 2007 335i [i1e42419fed]almost[/i1e42419fed] beat a 2007 Audi RS4...(300HP V6 vs 420HP 4.2L V8).

[quote79fab12896="FreeOffersNow"]That should be much closer...263 HP SAE @ 5,750 rpm; 260 ft lb , 353 Nm @ 4,500 rpm and 3,472lbs vs 280HP, 286TQ and 3,674lbs. I'm not too concerned, though...likely upgrading to the G37 (330HP and 3,682lbs) in August...as a birthday present, to myself )

Not that I'm getting one, but it's worth noting the new BMW's are twin-turbo, 6-speed BEASTS. I saw a 2007 335i [i79fab12896]almost[/i79fab12896] beat a 2007 Audi RS4...(300HP V6 vs 420HP 4.2L V8).[/quote79fab12896]

seems to me like yo just know the specs all of these cars nothing else? My car with TT upgrade will walke it out on that BMW and on the G. Now the Audio that shit is Expensive and is V8.

[quote51409cc472="FreeOffersNow"]That should be much closer...263 HP SAE @ 5,750 rpm; 260 ft lb , 353 Nm @ 4,500 rpm and 3,472lbs vs 280HP, 286TQ and 3,674lbs. I'm not too concerned, though...likely upgrading to the G37 (330HP and 3,682lbs) in August...as a birthday present, to myself )

Not that I'm getting one, but it's worth noting the new BMW's are twin-turbo, 6-speed BEASTS. I saw a 2007 335i [i51409cc472]almost[/i51409cc472] beat a 2007 Audi RS4...(300HP V6 vs 420HP 4.2L V8).[/quote51409cc472]

I would go with the slightly used 2007 BMW 335 coupe than the 08 G37. In my opinion, they messed up the look of the G35 coupe. But the new G35 Sedans are killers!

[quotee57d41d51d="gmario"]seems to me like yo just know the specs all of these cars nothing else? My car with TT upgrade will walke it out on that BMW and on the G. Now the Audio that shit is Expensive and is V8.[/quotee57d41d51d]

I see most of them run....as mentioned....I SAW the 335i and RS4 go at it. And your car with the TT upgrade WOULD, but it won't...because you don't have it ;)

I'm a luxury guy, I just like to have the ABILITY to go fast...I could buy a C6 and blow the doors off a 350Z TT...but I don't generally get into a one-upping contest about who can think of a faster car )

[quote8b5e89315f="FreeOffersNow"][quote8b5e89315f="gmario"]seems to me like yo just know the specs all of these cars nothing else? My car with TT upgrade will walke it out on that BMW and on the G. Now the Audio that shit is Expensive and is V8.[/quote8b5e89315f]

I see most of them run....as mentioned....I SAW the 335i and RS4 go at it. And your car with the TT upgrade WOULD, but it won't...because you don't have it ;)

I'm a luxury guy, I just like to have the ABILITY to go fast...I could buy a C6 and blow the doors off a 350Z TT...but I don't generally get into a one-upping contest about who can think of a faster car )[/quote8b5e89315f]

lol

Saw a 350Z get put down by a Cobalt SS today.... lol

[quoteb61af6eb26="FreeOffersNow"]Saw a 350Z get put down by a Cobalt SS today.... lol[/quoteb61af6eb26]

Shame on who ever was driving, bet those two could of walked it out on your car lol lol lol lol

Mario, after I strap on my supercharger, wanna meet somewhere and race? 8)

[quote3a2f83e6b9="Rampage575"]Mario, after I strap on my supercharger, wanna meet somewhere and race? 8)[/quote3a2f83e6b9]

Yes sir. but that pony ain't going nowhere 8) I'll let my 300ZX take on that one 8)






PS. Z fo life twisted twisted twisted twisted twisted twisted