How fast will a C3 go?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you turn 8 second quarter mile times, you have LOTS more power than a 'stock' late-70's Corvette. That much power would easily allow you to do 150+ at top end. And, if you installed a much larger ratio rear gear [numerically speaking], you could probably get up to 170 or so before the car became aerodynamically unstable and 'flew' off the road.
What the rest of us were talking about is the dubious proposition that a late-70's C3 Corvette with any stock engine could reach 153 mph. Now, being a drag strip 'expert', what top speed do you think such a vehicle might be able to achieve {even if it was skiing down Mt. Everest}? He!!, it could only achieve nearly 150 mph if it was dropped out of an airplane [terminal velocity at normal altitudes]!
Get real...
What the rest of us were talking about is the dubious proposition that a late-70's C3 Corvette with any stock engine could reach 153 mph. Now, being a drag strip 'expert', what top speed do you think such a vehicle might be able to achieve {even if it was skiing down Mt. Everest}? He!!, it could only achieve nearly 150 mph if it was dropped out of an airplane [terminal velocity at normal altitudes]!
Get real...
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
I don't have any road racing experience (lots of motocross though lol) so I won't have anything useful to add :
My '81 with 355, ghymkhana, 17's, all fresh brakes, 700R, etc etc, felt fine at about 95, never had it over that, and I felt really worried for some reason? Maybe paranoid who knows, but my '73 914 with a 2056 and GT flares, lowered, 911 suspension etc, actually begged to go fast - I had it to 120 on the thruway, and it could have kept climbing (albeit slowly lol). It actually handled better at that speed, and full of confidence.
I really baby the vette for some reason, and thrashed the little 'teener. Very strange...
My '81 with 355, ghymkhana, 17's, all fresh brakes, 700R, etc etc, felt fine at about 95, never had it over that, and I felt really worried for some reason? Maybe paranoid who knows, but my '73 914 with a 2056 and GT flares, lowered, 911 suspension etc, actually begged to go fast - I had it to 120 on the thruway, and it could have kept climbing (albeit slowly lol). It actually handled better at that speed, and full of confidence.
I really baby the vette for some reason, and thrashed the little 'teener. Very strange...
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
I don't have any road racing experience (lots of motocross though lol) so I won't have anything useful to add :
My '81 with 355, ghymkhana, 17's, all fresh brakes, 700R, etc etc, felt fine at about 95, never had it over that, and I felt really worried for some reason? Maybe paranoid who knows, but my '73 914 with a 2056 and GT flares, lowered, 911 suspension etc, actually begged to go fast - I had it to 120 on the thruway, and it could have kept climbing (albeit slowly lol). It actually handled better at that speed, and full of confidence.
I really baby the vette for some reason, and thrashed the little 'teener. Very strange...
My '81 with 355, ghymkhana, 17's, all fresh brakes, 700R, etc etc, felt fine at about 95, never had it over that, and I felt really worried for some reason? Maybe paranoid who knows, but my '73 914 with a 2056 and GT flares, lowered, 911 suspension etc, actually begged to go fast - I had it to 120 on the thruway, and it could have kept climbing (albeit slowly lol). It actually handled better at that speed, and full of confidence.
I really baby the vette for some reason, and thrashed the little 'teener. Very strange...
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 7
From: Batavia IL
If you turn 8 second quarter mile times, you have LOTS more power than a 'stock' late-70's Corvette. That much power would easily allow you to do 150+ at top end. And, if you installed a much larger ratio rear gear [numerically speaking], you could probably get up to 170 or so before the car became aerodynamically unstable and 'flew' off the road.
What the rest of us were talking about is the dubious proposition that a late-70's C3 Corvette with any stock engine could reach 153 mph. Now, being a drag strip 'expert', what top speed do you think such a vehicle might be able to achieve {even if it was skiing down Mt. Everest}? He!!, it could only achieve nearly 150 mph if it was dropped out of an airplane [terminal velocity at normal altitudes]! Get real...
What the rest of us were talking about is the dubious proposition that a late-70's C3 Corvette with any stock engine could reach 153 mph. Now, being a drag strip 'expert', what top speed do you think such a vehicle might be able to achieve {even if it was skiing down Mt. Everest}? He!!, it could only achieve nearly 150 mph if it was dropped out of an airplane [terminal velocity at normal altitudes]!
Get real...I was arguing for that person saying the 77 vette with 300 or so hp with a manual trans and tall gear can do 150 mph. I called bs on the "MATH" cause I know what it takes to do those speeds. Sure he wont do it in 8 seconds, but he could do it in about 20 seconds.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 840
Likes: 4
From: Syracuse IN
I don't really care how fast they can go, the comfortable cruising is what I like. I love being able to cruise around with the tops off, most everyone turning to look. Longer road trips are what I have in mind now. I love to drive. 30,000 miles + per year, not all in the Vette, obviously. The limiting factor I feel is no overdrive, so i am installing a 5th gear
.063 overdrive. I like to drive around 75 to 80 on the interstate but would like the RPM's to be realistic. Good luck trying to find out the max speed of a C3 and be carefull. Go to Bonniville and test. Oh if anyone who was clocked doing over 150 mph, prove it with your sentinceing papers, really be safe and keep it straight. Al
.063 overdrive. I like to drive around 75 to 80 on the interstate but would like the RPM's to be realistic. Good luck trying to find out the max speed of a C3 and be carefull. Go to Bonniville and test. Oh if anyone who was clocked doing over 150 mph, prove it with your sentinceing papers, really be safe and keep it straight. Al
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
Not a hijack but BJ I remember now that you have a 914 - way cool!
I wish I still had mine, I really miss it a lot - it had to go to finance the vette and an engagement ring lol...
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Sorry, back to topic
I wish I still had mine, I really miss it a lot - it had to go to finance the vette and an engagement ring lol...
[IMG]
[/IMG]Sorry, back to topic
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Az
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
Surprised this one is still going....... In 1993 I went threw Radar at 168 mph at the Silver State Cilassic. The 80-82's are a little bit better in Aero than the rest of the C3's but with C4 Tires 275x17 its got to be way worse that the posted Numbers. It made 496 Hp and 504 Torque at the Flywheel. 3.07 Gear and 26.2 Tires and about 6500 Rpm. I just went to Randys Ring and Pinion's web site Calculator and it shows that these Numbers arn't to far off.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Az
Surprised this one is still going....... In 1993 I went threw Radar at 168 mph at the Silver State Cilassic. The 80-82's are a little bit better in Aero than the rest of the C3's but with C4 Tires 275x17 its got to be way worse that the posted Numbers. It made 496 Hp and 504 Torque at the Flywheel. 3.07 Gear and 26.2 Tires and about 6500 Rpm. I just went to Randys Ring and Pinion's web site Calculator and it shows that these Numbers arn't to far off.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
Ah... Corvette and porsche... i have them both : 500hp 69 427 and porsche Boxster (daily driver). went max 120mph with both, not that much ... but sincerely don't feel that safe in both cars at speed higher than that. Also the Boxster ( even if really nice enginneered car ) is not that safe at speed if the road is not more than perfect and nose up above 100mph. so same issues of the Vette even if more tech.
the difference is that my Vette gets to 120mph in a heartbeat , the Boxster not...
I think that more than 120mph is dangerous with any car on public roads
the difference is that my Vette gets to 120mph in a heartbeat , the Boxster not...
I think that more than 120mph is dangerous with any car on public roads
Last edited by elle88; Mar 2, 2011 at 03:01 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Az
Dangerous is a relative term...Reasonable and prudent are also relative terms. I understand that speed limits are put in place for a reason. Some public roads in certain areas do not have speed limits, Montana comes to mind...
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
Likes: 3
From: Pennington NJ
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
Back in about 1991 or so Hot Rod Magazine had a write up on what at the time was the Worlds fastest Speeding Ticket and they showed a Copy of it. I'll have to admit it was one of the reasons I went to the Nevada Classic 100 in 1993. It was done in a 69' Camaro Body wich I would asume has worse Aero than our Vettes. They were pre running the Race a week ahead of time, somewhat frowned apon by the Nevada State Patrol. So what was it? How about 222mph in a 55, caught on Radar. In the Race He did 197mph average a record wich held for a least a decade and might still hold today. Keep in mind that this is all on a two lane pubic road, and one that was in bad shape at the time with Truck groves that were like ditchs. Only in Nevada could You get a Ticket like this and be Raceing the same road a week later! I'm going to say He still holds at least one record.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Az
"In ’80, he obliterated that record with the ‘Sundowner’ Corvette piloted by Dwayne McKinney. Banks’ 430 inch, liquid CO2-intercooled twin turbo big block pushed the ‘Vette into the 240s. This was a quantum leap for speed science when others in the class were struggling to hit 200".
And unlike this shark... it didn't fly
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I'm sure the 'Salt Flats' car was far from stock configuration. I'd ask you if you would be willing to drive a stock configuration (68-73) C3 over 170mph....but you might just say "Yes". A sane person would want to upgrade the suspension and improve the aerodynamics a bit {as, I'm certain, your drag car has had done to it}.