How fast will a C3 go?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
I'd say, if it was on the speedo, it could!
I had my 69 up to 125 last weekend, and there was plenty left. I'd never had it that fast before, it was smooth thanks to all the new suspension parts I installed last year. The wife was with me and even she commented on how smooth it still was at that speed.
Unless you're very familiar with all sides of your car, I wouldn't advise it though.
I had my 69 up to 125 last weekend, and there was plenty left. I'd never had it that fast before, it was smooth thanks to all the new suspension parts I installed last year. The wife was with me and even she commented on how smooth it still was at that speed.
Unless you're very familiar with all sides of your car, I wouldn't advise it though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
believe in GPS/Garmin....all else is
CASE CLOSED.....
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Easy. On the dyno mine pulls 140mph easily. I've never driven it past 115 though - that's fast enough for me. Never had the front end feel light like the other post suggested though - not that a chin spoiler is such a bad idea. I just never liked the look of 'em.
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Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
Driver / Year / Car Make / Model / Target Average / Variance / High Trap
Tomaszewski, Michael / 1971 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 143.7177 / -6.2823
Weeks, Jim / 1974 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 148.4500 / -1.5500 / 164
Walker, Douglas / 1979 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 150.9172 / 0.9172
These are the results I found for C3's running the silver state classic challenge back through 1998 I think. I just looked at the High ones (over 140) and this is what I found.
Tomaszewski, Michael / 1971 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 143.7177 / -6.2823
Weeks, Jim / 1974 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 148.4500 / -1.5500 / 164
Walker, Douglas / 1979 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 150.9172 / 0.9172
These are the results I found for C3's running the silver state classic challenge back through 1998 I think. I just looked at the High ones (over 140) and this is what I found.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
Driver / Year / Car Make / Model / Target Average / Variance / High Trap
Tomaszewski, Michael / 1971 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 143.7177 / -6.2823
Weeks, Jim / 1974 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 148.4500 / -1.5500 / 164
Walker, Douglas / 1979 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 150.9172 / 0.9172
These are the results I found for C3's running the silver state classic challenge back through 1998 I think. I just looked at the High ones (over 140) and this is what I found.
Tomaszewski, Michael / 1971 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 143.7177 / -6.2823
Weeks, Jim / 1974 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 148.4500 / -1.5500 / 164
Walker, Douglas / 1979 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 150.9172 / 0.9172
These are the results I found for C3's running the silver state classic challenge back through 1998 I think. I just looked at the High ones (over 140) and this is what I found.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
Most all cars are modified at the silver state however you would be surprised at how few mods are done to a lot of them. I ran my C3 there in 1993. There is one person who has run it in His 96 Grand sport (OK its a C4) and He runs the 160 MPH class and has motified his engine with a diffrent Air Cleaner and thats it. Although Vettes are probably the most dominate Car there they are a handful at top speed. If I was to do it again I'd take a new Cadilac with 550Hp and just set the Cruise Control. A long wheelbase car with more suspension travel and skiny Tires would be the Hot setup. A really quik car is great for the first 15 seconds but the race lasts about 30 minutes depending on what class your in.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
My car when new, 1970 LS5 4 spd
Engine redline: 5600 rpm
4th gear ratio: 1:1
Output shaft rate: 5600 rpm
Rear End ratio: 3.08:1
Half Shaft rate: 5600/3.08=1818.2 rpm
Original Tire diameter: 26.2 in
Speed: 26.2*3.1416*1818.2/12=12,471 ft/min *mile/5280ft*60min/hr=141.7 mph
That would be the theoretical top speed of the equipment, there is no guarantee that the engine would get you there, but I bet it would. I definitely do not have the cajones to find out for sure myself.
Now you did say "68-72", and the 68 and 69 solid-lifter engines did rev higher. With a 3.08 rear, you would bust 160 mph just after 6300 rpm, so for those engines, I would say that yes, they had the capability. If the car had a 3.36 though, you would have to wind her out to 6900, so I think that would be borderline. Any lower of a rear end, and I think the answer would be "no".
Engine redline: 5600 rpm
4th gear ratio: 1:1
Output shaft rate: 5600 rpm
Rear End ratio: 3.08:1
Half Shaft rate: 5600/3.08=1818.2 rpm
Original Tire diameter: 26.2 in
Speed: 26.2*3.1416*1818.2/12=12,471 ft/min *mile/5280ft*60min/hr=141.7 mph
That would be the theoretical top speed of the equipment, there is no guarantee that the engine would get you there, but I bet it would. I definitely do not have the cajones to find out for sure myself.
Now you did say "68-72", and the 68 and 69 solid-lifter engines did rev higher. With a 3.08 rear, you would bust 160 mph just after 6300 rpm, so for those engines, I would say that yes, they had the capability. If the car had a 3.36 though, you would have to wind her out to 6900, so I think that would be borderline. Any lower of a rear end, and I think the answer would be "no".
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Most all cars are modified at the silver state however you would be surprised at how few mods are done to a lot of them. I ran my C3 there in 1993. There is one person who has run it in His 96 Grand sport (OK its a C4) and He runs the 160 MPH class and has motified his engine with a diffrent Air Cleaner and thats it. Although Vettes are probably the most dominate Car there they are a handful at top speed. If I was to do it again I'd take a new Cadilac with 550Hp and just set the Cruise Control. A long wheelbase car with more suspension travel and skiny Tires would be the Hot setup. A really quik car is great for the first 15 seconds but the race lasts about 30 minutes depending on what class your in.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 374
Likes: 4
From: decatur ga
c3
My bb c-3 does not feel good past 125.My c-4 and c-6 feel much better at those speeds.I also have enough hp to push my c-3 much faster but it does not feel good above 125 and I do have front and rear spoilers.Do this on your own
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
When I ran the Silver State Classic in 1993 Highway 318 was in Poor shape. The Trucks had been useing it for a long Time and had worn Ditch's in the Asphalt. (just like Seattle freeways today) I was running 275x40x17 Tires on 9.5 rims with stock A-Arms and Stock ball joint Location. When I left the Starting Line I forgot to Roll The Drivers Window up tight and at 110 it Sucked out so the wind roar was a distraction. Once I got up to speed My headlights opened due to lack of vacume for another distraction and the car just didn't feel right at all. When I passed the first Radar Sign I found out what was wrong I was doing 168 MPH! I was running the 135 Class wich was as fast as my safety Gear at the Time would allow. When I got to the 13 Mile Straight it all came to an end when a Fan belt let go and yes that has a lot to do with why I have the Vintage Air Frontrunner now.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Driver / Year / Car Make / Model / Target Average / Variance / High Trap
Tomaszewski, Michael / 1971 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 143.7177 / -6.2823
Weeks, Jim / 1974 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 148.4500 / -1.5500 / 164
Walker, Douglas / 1979 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 150.9172 / 0.9172
These are the results I found for C3's running the silver state classic challenge back through 1998 I think. I just looked at the High ones (over 140) and this is what I found.
Tomaszewski, Michael / 1971 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 143.7177 / -6.2823
Weeks, Jim / 1974 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 148.4500 / -1.5500 / 164
Walker, Douglas / 1979 / Chevrolet / Corvette / 150 / 150.9172 / 0.9172
These are the results I found for C3's running the silver state classic challenge back through 1998 I think. I just looked at the High ones (over 140) and this is what I found.
The target average - The winner of the 150 mph class is the person closest to, but not going over 150 average. So the winner is Weeks, Jim and his highest radar speed was 164 mph. To average 150 you have to drive way over 150 where you can because you might be down to 45 mph in the slowest parts
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
I don't think that you understand what this information is telling you.
The target average - The winner of the 150 mph class is the person closest to, but not going over 150 average. So the winner is Weeks, Jim and his highest radar speed was 164 mph. To average 150 you have to drive way over 150 where you can because you might be down to 45 mph in the slowest parts
The target average - The winner of the 150 mph class is the person closest to, but not going over 150 average. So the winner is Weeks, Jim and his highest radar speed was 164 mph. To average 150 you have to drive way over 150 where you can because you might be down to 45 mph in the slowest parts
Maybe when I said "high ones" you thought I meant high speeds, instead of cars in high classes? I couldve been clearer. I didnt look at any classes below 140.Like I said, I'm just posting info I found to spur the discussion. I was disappointed when there wasnt a High Trap speed for each car, but they didnt list it for every years' results.
Last edited by dp9; Oct 7, 2009 at 06:54 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
So when I did not enter the next year and being from Nevada they contacted me about working at the race. So I said no problem it's just a 260 mile drive over from my house. Well then it came up that it was a no comp deal. No free meals or hotel bills.
I told them to find other suckers!They did not have trap speed per say. They did have strategically placed radar guns as disqualification devices. Every class was allowed a max speed. So the 150 mph class had a disquall for exceeding 175 mph.
To the Gale Banks 80 Why would you have your windows up? Wasn't it hot out when you ran? I just use ear plugs and a full face racing helmet and it is quiet out racing.