Automotive Forums  Where Car Enthusiasts Go to Discuss Cars Online

Hello everyone.

I've been recently doing a little research on car performance, and comparing the different characteristics of several cars.

The main characteristics I have been comparing are:

Fuel System
Valves per Cylinder
Cylinder Alignment
Engine Displacement
Bore
Stroke
Compression Ratio
Transmission Gear Ratio
Final Drive Ratio
Drag Coefficient
Vehicle Curb Weight

Examples:

2012 Ford Mustang GT:
Fuel System...........................Indirect Injection
Valves per Cylinder...................4
Cylinder Alignment....................V-8
Engine Displacement...................4.9L
Bore..................................3.63"
Stroke................................3.65"
Compression Ratio.....................11.0
Transmission Gears....................6
Final Drive Ratio.....................3.15
Drag Coefficient......................0.35
Vehicle Curb Weight...................3651

Max Horsepower........................412 @ 6500
Max Torque............................390 @4250
Acceleration 0-60.....................4.5 sec
Top Speed.............................175 mph
Power to Weight Ratio.................8.862

Compared to a

[bold]2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8:[/bold]
Fuel System...........................Indirect Injection
Valves per Cylinder...................2
Cylinder Alignment....................V-8
Engine Displacement...................6.4L
Bore..................................4.09"
Stroke................................3.72"
Compression Ratio.....................10.9
Transmission Gears....................8
Final Drive Ratio.....................3.91
Drag Coefficient......................0.35
Vehicle Curb Weight...................4171

Max Horsepower........................470 @ 6000
Max Torque............................470 @4200
Acceleration 0-60.....................4.1 sec
Top Speed.............................180 mph
Power to Weight Ratio.................8.874

These two cars have very similar characteristics in terms of performance. Horsepower, torque, acceleration, speed, and power to weight ratio are both very close.

However, some characteristics such as engine displacement, bore, stroke, transmission, final drive ratio, and curb weight are quite different.

My question is, which of these characteristics has a greater influence on a cars performance?

Obviously all play a contributing factor, but say for example, if the final drive ratio for the Challenger was the same as the Mustang, would one greatly out perform the other?

Which of these characteristics has a greater contributing factor in your opinion?

Thank you very much for your help.