How fast will a C3 go?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
question....
When they do the official timing at Bonneville Salt flats during speedweek, do they take an average speed over a full 1 mile, or is it just the terminal speed at the end of each mile?
Never been there, only seen it on the movies
("World's Fastest Indian" was a great 2005 production with Anthony Hopkins)
When they do the official timing at Bonneville Salt flats during speedweek, do they take an average speed over a full 1 mile, or is it just the terminal speed at the end of each mile?
Never been there, only seen it on the movies
("World's Fastest Indian" was a great 2005 production with Anthony Hopkins)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
I believe they time you over a full mile. On the short course you have 2 miles to get up to speed and 1 timed mile. You get info on what you did at 2 1/4 miles and at 3 miles.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Tampa by way of MIAMI! FL
Another reason to upgrade to modern suspension and binders with decent rolling stock. The guy to ask would be 78Vette-SA He should have the power, suspension, brakes and a frame that can handle the work. It'll at least tell us what the body is capable of, but nobody really argues if the stock suspension/brakes/rolling stock are up to the task we are wondering about, because they are not.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim California
I am not picking on Corvettes and have owned them new and used sense 1959. The Chrysler is the only one I was young and stupid enough to push to the near limit but it was better prepared to go fast than the early Corvettes with proper with factory standard heavy duty suspension and Goodyear Blue Streal tires from the factory. 5% is almost a 10 mph error at 150 mph.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
just saw the UK based Top Gear show which test drove the C6 ZR1, along with the retro Dodge Challenger and a Caddy.
They finished up at Bonneville and went onto the salt flats in full stock trim to achieve quickest speeds.
Challenger did 150mph, Cadillac went 162mph and the ZR1 went 176mph. Not bad for off the showroom floor.
Note that the LS9 puts out over 600hp, so lets be realistic about top speeds in our "street" C3's.
They finished up at Bonneville and went onto the salt flats in full stock trim to achieve quickest speeds.
Challenger did 150mph, Cadillac went 162mph and the ZR1 went 176mph. Not bad for off the showroom floor.
Note that the LS9 puts out over 600hp, so lets be realistic about top speeds in our "street" C3's.
You misunderstood what they were saying. I just saw the show.
These posted speeds were from a dead stop to 176 mph in the one mile marker. I have entered a one mile drag races and only got 165 mph. With one of my smaller motors. Vettes with super chargers or Spray with 800+ hp were up in the 180 mph. So the ZR1 is an outstanding car.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,528
Likes: 148
From: East London/SW Essex UK
Another reason to upgrade to modern suspension and binders with decent rolling stock. The guy to ask would be 78Vette-SA He should have the power, suspension, brakes and a frame that can handle the work. It'll at least tell us what the body is capable of, but nobody really argues if the stock suspension/brakes/rolling stock are up to the task we are wondering about, because they are not.
All these things deteriate over the years - I would guess that an early C3 with slalom suspension and the best tyres that were available back then would still be better that the same re-built to stock spec car now (except perhaps for tyres & shockers)
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,528
Likes: 148
From: East London/SW Essex UK
You misunderstood what they were saying. I just saw the show.
These posted speeds were from a dead stop to 176 mph in the one mile marker. I have entered a one mile drag races and only got 165 mph. With one of my smaller motors. Vettes with super chargers or Spray with 800+ hp were up in the 180 mph. So the ZR1 is an outstanding car.
No one has mentioned the fact that duct tape was used on at least one of these cars to help aerodynamics
Last edited by roscobbc; Jan 18, 2009 at 03:38 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Saint Leonard Maryland
Hello from a newbie to this forum. I have spent the day reading through these threads and find them very interesting. I am 65 now and retired from IT- Software. In the early 70's I had a 68 L71 427/435 Coupe, and I64 our of Richmond had recently opened to the public. My 68 was bone stock. It ran 155 until the piston cracked from a loose plug. GM Warranty put in a new piston.
We were young and foolish then, some things never change........ This was the same vette John Zagos (Yellow ZL1) put beside me, the Thursday before the initial engine let go (that Friday night). i pulled second, and all he did was mash the gas in 4th and after the ties cleared, he was gone. Go Figure .....
Richard
We were young and foolish then, some things never change........ This was the same vette John Zagos (Yellow ZL1) put beside me, the Thursday before the initial engine let go (that Friday night). i pulled second, and all he did was mash the gas in 4th and after the ties cleared, he was gone. Go Figure .....
Richard
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
Cmon guys. A C3 running 200 mph. You are going to need a good amount of HP and good aero. The C3 is not very sleek, as much as we think it is. The difference between running 140-150 and 200 is huge. You think the Nascar guys are spending millions to get that extra few mph and you are going to take a stock bodied C3 with some extra HP and run 200. I would love to see this done but it is going to take some heavy mods to do it.
Yea I have had mine at 140 with what seems like a lot left but to get another 50or so mph out of it, I seriously doubt it. I don't know how "built up" your 427 is but you have better be packing some serious HP to get to 200. Lokk at all the Bonneville racers and see what it takes to go 200.
Yea I have had mine at 140 with what seems like a lot left but to get another 50or so mph out of it, I seriously doubt it. I don't know how "built up" your 427 is but you have better be packing some serious HP to get to 200. Lokk at all the Bonneville racers and see what it takes to go 200.
Huge dfference between 150 and 200 mph. You'll need BIG power, EXCELLENT aero and suspension (not stock C3) and very high gears. Researching the hotrods that run at Bonneville is a good suggestion.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 719
Likes: 2
From: Lawson Missouri
I have seen some great videos of the siver state classic.Some day I would like sneak out that way and have a go at it.I know that mine is rock solid over 130mph now,but it was not always that way.200mph would be another story.
(keeping the nose on my car would be a challenge!)The C-3 packs alot of air under it in stock form.The aerodynamics of the MakoII were changed before the production of the C-3 because of it being unstable at high speeds.(The humps on the front fenders were reduced ect.)It's a great design but I feel that it is incomplete in stock form for EXTREME speeds.Just a few changes needed.The pix of the Flats cars tell the tale.
(keeping the nose on my car would be a challenge!)The C-3 packs alot of air under it in stock form.The aerodynamics of the MakoII were changed before the production of the C-3 because of it being unstable at high speeds.(The humps on the front fenders were reduced ect.)It's a great design but I feel that it is incomplete in stock form for EXTREME speeds.Just a few changes needed.The pix of the Flats cars tell the tale.
Last edited by SHOWME; Feb 12, 2009 at 08:03 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim California
I just read a post on the C-3 Registery of a Sports Car World Magazine article from May 1971 on a test of a 71 LT-1 with a 3.70 rearend. The top speed test was at the GM Milford test track and was recorded by GM engineers and driven by the writer. The top speed was 137.7 at 6600 rpm with the speedometer reading 150. Ed
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Go'n 2 Surf City.. it's 2 to 1
Cmon guys. A C3 running 200 mph. You are going to need a good amount of HP and good aero. The C3 is not very sleek, as much as we think it is. The difference between running 140-150 and 200 is huge. You think the Nascar guys are spending millions to get that extra few mph and you are going to take a stock bodied C3 with some extra HP and run 200. I would love to see this done but it is going to take some heavy mods to do it.
Yea I have had mine at 140 with what seems like a lot left but to get another 50or so mph out of it, I seriously doubt it. I don't know how "built up" your 427 is but you have better be packing some serious HP to get to 200. Lokk at all the Bonneville racers and see what it takes to go 200.
Yea I have had mine at 140 with what seems like a lot left but to get another 50or so mph out of it, I seriously doubt it. I don't know how "built up" your 427 is but you have better be packing some serious HP to get to 200. Lokk at all the Bonneville racers and see what it takes to go 200.
Damn Skippy... this easy to 200mph is really funny...
take those comments to a Bonneville Forum and prepare for impact.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
I learned today that a 383-powered 80 with a 700 R4 can hit 131 pretty easily. There was plenty of room left in the motor to go faster, but man I can't imagine what that wind resistance would be like. C3 steering is so touchy one false move and it would be a bad roll.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1
From: Forsyth Illinois
I saw right under 140 today.I have had the car to 147 before,but this was the first blast on the new head/cam combo,and got the 6 dueces back on.I was coming up on semis in both lanes ahead,and had to come out of it.
302 zero decked,w/350 crank,40 over flat tops,o-rods,Brodix IK 180s w/some work,286 solid Erson,Harlandsharp 1.6 rollers,Edelbrock X1,and 6 custom Holley 2 barrels.
302 zero decked,w/350 crank,40 over flat tops,o-rods,Brodix IK 180s w/some work,286 solid Erson,Harlandsharp 1.6 rollers,Edelbrock X1,and 6 custom Holley 2 barrels.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
I saw right under 140 today.I have had the car to 147 before,but this was the first blast on the new head/cam combo,and got the 6 dueces back on.I was coming up on semis in both lanes ahead,and had to come out of it.
302 zero decked,w/350 crank,40 over flat tops,o-rods,Brodix IK 180s w/some work,286 solid Erson,Harlandsharp 1.6 rollers,Edelbrock X1,and 6 custom Holley 2 barrels.
302 zero decked,w/350 crank,40 over flat tops,o-rods,Brodix IK 180s w/some work,286 solid Erson,Harlandsharp 1.6 rollers,Edelbrock X1,and 6 custom Holley 2 barrels.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1
From: Forsyth Illinois
Not so much.
It IS sorted under power,and hard acceleration,but running,or rather trying to run at a constant speed on the highway....I have to keep feathering the pedal to keep it at speed.
If I am running around 78mph,or more,then she is fine,but below that....
It took me about 200 stops in parking lots w/small screw driver,and allen wrench to get the car sorted out before where it was streetable,then I went,and changed the engine up,and I'm not pulling alot of vacuum at idle,and tuning is a B@%ch!!!!!But...I am persistant,and coming off that exit ramp onto the interstate,and climbing up....pretty fun,and pulls great.
It IS sorted under power,and hard acceleration,but running,or rather trying to run at a constant speed on the highway....I have to keep feathering the pedal to keep it at speed.If I am running around 78mph,or more,then she is fine,but below that....It took me about 200 stops in parking lots w/small screw driver,and allen wrench to get the car sorted out before where it was streetable,then I went,and changed the engine up,and I'm not pulling alot of vacuum at idle,and tuning is a B@%ch!!!!!But...I am persistant,and coming off that exit ramp onto the interstate,and climbing up....pretty fun,and pulls great.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
I saw right under 140 today.I have had the car to 147 before,but this was the first blast on the new head/cam combo,and got the 6 dueces back on.I was coming up on semis in both lanes ahead,and had to come out of it.
302 zero decked,w/350 crank,40 over flat tops,o-rods,Brodix IK 180s w/some work,286 solid Erson,Harlandsharp 1.6 rollers,Edelbrock X1,and 6 custom Holley 2 barrels.
302 zero decked,w/350 crank,40 over flat tops,o-rods,Brodix IK 180s w/some work,286 solid Erson,Harlandsharp 1.6 rollers,Edelbrock X1,and 6 custom Holley 2 barrels.
Well lets see with almost 40% more cubic inches, somewhere near 550 horsepower, and a final drive gear below 3.00 do I really want you road testing my car? 
Are you crazy? 
You better be carefull! Or you know what could happen............
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1
From: Forsyth Illinois
Your car is going to be very fun,and eat my little roadster alive!!!!!Hey Jack...a guy here got approval from GM to call this new place the "Chevrolet Hall of Fame",and the 63 SWC I did is going in there,and wants to put the 68 in there when I get paint on her.
That kinda made me feel good.Christi is working today,so I will be over in the shop after church....give me a call if you get a chance.