How fast will a C3 go?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
If I remember it was early enough in the Am that it wasn't hot yet. Besides running the Windows down would create a lot of Drag. No I wasn't one of those guys who was tapeing the hood Shut and all to body seams to reduce Drag but roll the Windows up Yes.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
It is right on parr with class drag bracket racing and throttle stops.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Silver state race video - in Japanese, but you'll get the idea that you should always run real race tires if you go over 200 MPH. don't let a blow out ruin your day.
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/S...350Z_57095.htm
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/S...350Z_57095.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Silver state race video - in Japanese, but you'll get the idea that you should always run real race tires if you go over 200 MPH. don't let a blow out ruin your day.
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/S...350Z_57095.htm
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/S...350Z_57095.htm
none of my tires are Z rated or whatever is now affordable....
gotta pay attention to that over anything else....
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
The in car carmera shows the driver changing gears a couple times after the initial bang from tire starting to separate. rear tire blow outs are not a big deal. you are supposed to foot off the gas and slow down to a reasonable controllable speed before applying the brakes.
I would tend to think that he caused the car to go sideways?
I would tend to think that he caused the car to go sideways?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
By the time I came to a stop the tread whipping around beat the heck out of the wheel well and fender and of course the rim was ruined.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
I understand that. The guy next to me was reading 130 at the line. I was just saying, if not for the "line", it would go faster.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: No longer in Heaven
Another piece of interesting data from the C6 Z06 Forum. This chart shows the necessary amount of RWHP in order for a Z06 to attain these speeds. Clearly, a stock C3 would not have reached the 200 mph mark. Interesting stuff, though...
Speed Required HP
100 59.87
125 116.93
150 202.06
175 320.86
180 349.16
185 379.07
190 410.65
195 443.93
198 464.73
200 478.96
202 493.47
205 515.79
210 554.45
215 595.01
219 628.84
220 637.49
Speed Required HP
100 59.87
125 116.93
150 202.06
175 320.86
180 349.16
185 379.07
190 410.65
195 443.93
198 464.73
200 478.96
202 493.47
205 515.79
210 554.45
215 595.01
219 628.84
220 637.49
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Corvette engineering data:
65 C2 155HP at 120 mph w/ Front rising 2 1/4 inches & rear 1/2".
C3 Mako Shark II fenders early design 210 hp @ 120 w/ Front rising 2 3/4 inches & rear down 1/4".
Vent front fenders, 175 hp @ 120 mph.
Cut front fenders down, cut rear spoiler way down to a lip, add small nose spoiler under, 105 HP @ 120 mph. front rise 5/8".
PS The Indy front spoiler designed for our Vettes w/ wind tunnel scoops up air for cooling, cleans up airflow underneath & sweeps the airflow around the front tires.
65 C2 155HP at 120 mph w/ Front rising 2 1/4 inches & rear 1/2".
C3 Mako Shark II fenders early design 210 hp @ 120 w/ Front rising 2 3/4 inches & rear down 1/4".
Vent front fenders, 175 hp @ 120 mph.
Cut front fenders down, cut rear spoiler way down to a lip, add small nose spoiler under, 105 HP @ 120 mph. front rise 5/8".
PS The Indy front spoiler designed for our Vettes w/ wind tunnel scoops up air for cooling, cleans up airflow underneath & sweeps the airflow around the front tires.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
C3 Top Speeds
C3 Top Speeds
Top speed depends on HP, drag & gearing so trans. & rear gears should also be included.
71s Timed at same time by C&D :
L-48 Auto. 3.08 132 mph
LT-1 4spd. 3.70 137 mph
LS-5 Auto. 3.08 141 mph
LS-6 4spd. 3.36 152 mph
Corvette engineering
L-88 4spd. (3.70) 185 MPH @ Milford track
Remember sto*k is just a baseline.
Suggest Increase Power
Top speed depends on HP, drag & gearing so trans. & rear gears should also be included.
71s Timed at same time by C&D :
L-48 Auto. 3.08 132 mph
LT-1 4spd. 3.70 137 mph
LS-5 Auto. 3.08 141 mph
LS-6 4spd. 3.36 152 mph
Corvette engineering
L-88 4spd. (3.70) 185 MPH @ Milford track
Remember sto*k is just a baseline.
Suggest Increase Power
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
Almost all sedan type race cars just have a drivers window net. You are not at these open road races driving on the edge of max speed where every earo hp counts unless you are in the unlimited or over 180 mph classes. You are just out there driving and trying not to exceed your class max MPH limit. You are talking to your buddy in the passenger seat with a stop watch counting off the time to make sure you are on schedule. You pull up to a stop before the finish line and wait for the clock to tick down and then drive across the line.
It is right on parr with class drag bracket racing and throttle stops.
It is right on parr with class drag bracket racing and throttle stops.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
I can tell you that a 1973 Roadster with the stock 400 tranny and a RamJet will go over 140 easily.. I can also tell you that "gkull" is correct about tires, I suffered a left rear failure that punished the quarter panel a bit.. The C3 gets a bit light over 140, so lower it down and stiffen the corners if you plan 150 or more.. Sincerely, Hopper
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Way back when the part of the course called the narrows was so bad that it was sub 50 mph. Repaving and curve radius now makes it much faster. But I wasn't the only car coming in way ahead of time and we would slow down for the last few miles or so like a Sunday drive looking at the stop watch, to not cross the line too soon. Maybe 20-30 mph which feels like you are crawling across the line. How do you think that all these guys are nearly perfect on the time?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
I don't even remember what my speedometer has on it? It has been covered up so long. I do remember before I rebuilt the motor last year I had got it to it a little and it seemed to want to float at a higher rate of speed. Realistically though I am happy with it running the speed limit, even though I know it will do much , much more than the speedometer reads. Before I would really crank it up it would have to have the suspension throughly corrected to handle the 3 digit numbers. My wife said I was nuts when I let go of the handle bars on my motorcycle at 130, it had a lot more to go too.
I feel safer on the bike than I do in the car at high speeds anyway.
Have a blessed day !
Ray/aka/Pa
I feel safer on the bike than I do in the car at high speeds anyway.Have a blessed day !
Ray/aka/Pa
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
This auction discription says this C3 LeMans Racer was clocked at 191 MPH down the Mulsanne Straight. That was a L88 with a 2:56 rear. http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails...3&Currency=USD
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
C&D ram a stock '76 180 (net) HP to 121 but it was PAST the power peak turning 5150 rpm while rated power was at 4000 rpm. Their test of a '71 LS-6 325 (net) HP (425 gross) to 152, but it was limited by gearing and the 6500rpm redline.
So stock 435/425 gross HP C3s geared for top speed (geared to hit peak power rpm at the drag limit) would certainly run in the 180s.
It was common for fully stock high (350 gross) and special high (LT-1s) gross) small blocks with 3.55 and 3.70 gears to bump redline in high gear in the 130-140 mph range.
C1's could make a wild 150 mph run with the top stock small blocks. I own a '61 and a '69 and can tell the '69 is a LOT slicker!!
So stock 435/425 gross HP C3s geared for top speed (geared to hit peak power rpm at the drag limit) would certainly run in the 180s.
It was common for fully stock high (350 gross) and special high (LT-1s) gross) small blocks with 3.55 and 3.70 gears to bump redline in high gear in the 130-140 mph range.
C1's could make a wild 150 mph run with the top stock small blocks. I own a '61 and a '69 and can tell the '69 is a LOT slicker!!