Hmmmm......... I'm running genuine 528 hp with a 3.08 & 4 speed and its a ***** cat to drive (still not too happy about going into upper three figures though)

 

seriously... remember what it took to get the sledgehammer to 200?

 

I have that same problem, in a STOCK (mostly) 76.



I just chalked it up to the differences between FI and Carbed.

 

My 74 has 3:55 rears and 325 rwtq @4100 rpm.
Lets assume that I have taken off the side mirrors, lowered front 2.0" and have the PC aero kit.
If the car is turning 3,000 @ 70 mph, and an .70-.68 overdrive would reduce rpms to about 2,000 rpm, that should = 140 mph @4,000 rpm.

Q: Will 325 rwtq make 140 mph?
I don't want to run much faster than that and I do not want to rev any higher. I'm thinking about the Silver State. Where am I wrong? TIA

Ricisan

 

I tell you guys it isnt the hp that gets you its the body and air deflection.I had plenty of hp 500+,i could have gone faster easier,but at 150 this body style will not let you go faster.It wants to lift you off the ground,im telling you ,my hood lifted up about 2 inches from the air pressure underneath the car,maybe its my cars body style being a 69 ,maybe the newer c3s are a little better. I think you should be happy at 140 mph
Besides you can only beat a newer vette in a quarter mile,or short run,thats what i shoot for.

 

my motion scoop bulged up on the blast,and alittle over 130 my headlights came up,and open on their own.
it's all in fun,until I loose my liscense.

 

Probably, but I might suggest (not knowing your torque curve) gearing to reach 140 at an rpm a bit nearer your redline would make it an easier target.

My view of the Silver State is that it's nothing to take lightly. Even tho my shark is fairly well prepared I wouldn't think of running it without a considerable amount of further development, especially in the area of safety equipment, despite (or perhaps due to) my RR experience. Of course, nothing says you have to actually compete with the likes of Big Red to take part, but that's a difficult concept to grasp for some of us. As many others have already pointed out, you'd best pay a lot of attention to aero issues (a little rake ain't enough) if you plan on going truly fast.

 

SW: For an event like the SS, I would extend the stock air dam a few inches. What else can I do?
My engine is all forged internals and HR cam w/RRs. I am confident that it will hold together at 4,000, anything higher for an extended period scares me.
The fastest Touring Car class is 125 mph. After that I would need extra safety equip. I plan on 4 pt bar w/harness and Recaros eventually.
Ricisan

 

Myself, if I didn't feel pretty comfortable with running beyond 4000 rpm for 90 miles I'd be having second thoughts about doing the SS, as I believe the engine should be the least of your concerns; but that's a call I can't make for anyone else. That said...

Other than meeting event requirements, whatever else you might do in preparation one thing you need IMO is a radiator/cooling system with a capacity at least equal to, if not greater than, your max HP output. It's possible to get away with less rad at the strip or for the occasional short bursts of speed on your favorite stretch of road, but not over an extended period. And, don't overlook the balance of any and all other plumbing, as it only takes one tiny leak to put you off in a big way. (Hwy 318 doesn't exactly have FIA certified run-offs.)

Another thing, just how well sorted is your suspension? Whether you intend on pressing limits in the curves or not, the better handling is your car the more margin you'll have when (not if) something unplanned happens. Next, since after the green waves isn't the time to discover such issues, how do you plan on verifying aero balance and that lift has been adequately countered?

Bottom line: my philosophy is that one ought to KNOW if and how their machine is going to perform before heading out to any "speed event". FWIW, I consider it a healthy sign if all of this makes you at least a little nervous; brave not being the word coming to mind in describing anyone who wouldn't be. If you go for it, here's wishing all the best.

 

SW: My 74 isn't close to being ready for the SS. I have upgraded some systems to whats needed "11" dual Spals and 140 amp alt", engine needs headers and ex. My suspension and brakes are not even close, wheels and tires are down the road.
I have finally gotten things to run w/o drama. Like many project cars it has taken more time/money than expected. I have lurked the threads of you fast guys for a long time. Since I don't drive it much, I would feel real bad blowing the engine before I really got to enjoy it.
I wouldn't dream of doing anything real fast w/o pro inspection.
I just want to drive fast w/o going to jail.

Ricisan

 

I just want to drive fast w/o going to jail.

Amen to that!!!!!

 

 

OR having a tire blow, and getting painfully DEAD over it...

at that point, screw the damn tickets......

 

I agree with SkunkWorks. I overbuild everything to give me the margin of safety of "what if's". And patience is the difference b/w a safe run and regret. Don't put your car or you life on the line unless you are 110% certain both are ready for the task. Safety first! then its all fun. Good luck

 

Well my stock 72 was floaty @ 120 MPH. My 63 is rock solid @ 146 MPH. That was all it had. Maybe the body kit side vents and chin spoiler help with high speed stability.

 

HOLY CRAP ! That '63 of yours might well be the most beautiful car I've ever seen. And apparently it handles way better than the C3 as well. Alas it is a bit more expensive then my '77

Anyway, getting back to the original question: how fast will a C3 go? : my personal experience says it will do 120 mph at least. But at that speed my car already becomes very 'light' and you get scared ****less when you think about what will happen if a bump in the road would occur...

So I never got it up over that. My car has a '74 , 454 ci BB with .06 overbore, edelbrock performer carb, hooker headers and some more. 700r4 tranny, stock ratio diff. 275r15 rear, 235r15 front.

I seriously doubt I could reach the top speed of this car and live to tell about it.

My dad in my car

 

For those of you that don't understand ONE MILE Drag racing. It is a MPH event not a number of seconds. With one of my 383 ci motors i was able to attain nearly 165 mph in the standing start one mile. For comparison at the same event mildy modded C-5 Z-06's (chip, cold air, exhaust) were generally in the low to mid 150's.

The 700-800 hp cars with power adders (supercharger or N2O) were 175-190 mph 1000 hp and turbo bikes were over 200MPH

I at the time had a 4.11 rear and 700R4 that had the ability to run wide open throttle in 4th gear OD. Your 3.08 rear is going to suck.

I also went out and practiced a bunch of times on my local roads. most freeways have mile marker posts. I would just come to a stop on the freeway at a mile marker post bring up the rpm against the brake, let off the brake and floor it just like for a 1/4 mile drag race

Go out there at your home and see what you can do. If your car feels unstable over 150 mph, just add stiffer springs/body rake/aerodynamic mods.

5 speed manual OD's with a 4.11 like mine work much better than automatic cars.

You can look up at the one mile sites online and they post what mph what cars are getting.

 

My 82 w/2:78 rear and .78 OD cruises 80mph at 2000rpm. With good low end grunt I can get it to 3800 -4000rpm. Than just like you said it doesn't have the power to push it through the air but I'll bet I'm doing a good 140+ with 200hp and 285tq at 2800rpm

 

 

How fast? All I'm going to add to this thread is how my steering felt..

Very light & uncomfortable..........