How fast will a C3 go?
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Az
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}.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 955
Likes: 50
From: Jersey Shore
Just because you cant see the aero mods, doesnt mean they arent there. I believe that car had a complete belly pan, and the entire front end blocked off. Not practical for a street car or even a street driven race car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 12
From: Kalispell MT
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
I have been 155 in my first 67 coupe with 427/435 and 3.55 gears...scary
70 LT-1 with 3.70 gears went 140+ (maxed at redline)
2003zo6 140 in 5th and ran out of road (6th weak and won't pull car)...friends have been 172 or so in c5 vette.
several other 70 cars (both BB & SB) over 130 with ease (front does lift alot over 125)
you have never lived until you go over 150 in c2 with front end lifting like an aircraft on take-off and steering that feels so light you would swear you could turn it with a feather
70 LT-1 with 3.70 gears went 140+ (maxed at redline)
2003zo6 140 in 5th and ran out of road (6th weak and won't pull car)...friends have been 172 or so in c5 vette.
several other 70 cars (both BB & SB) over 130 with ease (front does lift alot over 125)
you have never lived until you go over 150 in c2 with front end lifting like an aircraft on take-off and steering that feels so light you would swear you could turn it with a feather
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Az
I have been 155 in my first 67 coupe with 427/435 and 3.55 gears...scary
70 LT-1 with 3.70 gears went 140+ (maxed at redline)
2003zo6 140 in 5th and ran out of road (6th weak and won't pull car)...friends have been 172 or so in c5 vette.
several other 70 cars (both BB & SB) over 130 with ease (front does lift alot over 125)
you have never lived until you go over 150 in c2 with front end lifting like an aircraft on take-off and steering that feels so light you would swear you could turn it with a feather
70 LT-1 with 3.70 gears went 140+ (maxed at redline)
2003zo6 140 in 5th and ran out of road (6th weak and won't pull car)...friends have been 172 or so in c5 vette.
several other 70 cars (both BB & SB) over 130 with ease (front does lift alot over 125)
you have never lived until you go over 150 in c2 with front end lifting like an aircraft on take-off and steering that feels so light you would swear you could turn it with a feather
Edited for lack of spelling skills
Last edited by Cactus Dave; Mar 6, 2011 at 03:28 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 6
From: Chester Virginia
question
Maybe I don't understand but I thought the rear end ratio was the number of rpms of the engine to generate one turn of the wheels.
Please correct me if I'm wrong as I'm trying to understand this stuff.
Lance
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Isn't that the opposite? If he has a 3:08 now and going to a 3.73 or more wouldn't at the same rpm's his top speed be lower not faster? It might get to a given speed with more torque and faster but doesn't that limit the top speed to a lower top speed given the rpm max being the same?
Maybe I don't understand but I thought the rear end ratio was the number of rpms of the engine to generate one turn of the wheels.
Please correct me if I'm wrong as I'm trying to understand this stuff.
Lance
Maybe I don't understand but I thought the rear end ratio was the number of rpms of the engine to generate one turn of the wheels.
Please correct me if I'm wrong as I'm trying to understand this stuff.
Lance
Pete
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 6
From: Chester Virginia
Now I know why guys who wanted to drag to the next stop light wanted 4:11 rear ends...high rpms turned the rear wheels small amounts but with very, very high torque or power but at 100 miles an hour the car was maxed out due to rpms well below what a different rear end gear would have given them. Conversely, a more moderate rear end like a 3:08 or a 3:55 with a reasonably powerful engine could get a higher top end. Lots of trade offs for specific uses.
Seems like with the high mpg ratings of the relatively high horsepower ZO6, etc. that they have combined a high horsepower and torque engine with a reasonable rear end and then put five and six speeds in them with fifth or sixth gears below 1:0 so that the rear wheel will turn more than one time per x revolutions of the engine through the differential. A combination.
Don't ask me to identify the parts of a rear end though unless it's Halle Berry's!
Thanks.
Lance
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,910
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
The pictures look like it's got a stock front grillwork in it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Here is a photo I took of Sundowner at Bonneville in 2003.
The car has seen a lot of high speed miles on the salt. Definitely worth the effort if you can get there and watch the cars and bikes run. It is a very friendly atmosphere.
Pete
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Az
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 555
From: Seattle Washington
Well, back when I was getting ready for the Nevada 100 I took my Car to a Speedo Shop and had then dial it in for 140 mph wich was my Class in the Race. Yes it was way off but they made it right. Now its way off everywhere else and I have never changed it back. Besides it was great Fun runing the Car on there Rollers doing 140 mph sitting still !!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: hillsboro oregon
DROVE A DRAGSTER SEVERAL YEARS, TOOK MY 81 388 STROKER TO 155, SCARED THE SH** OUT OF ME . FRONT END LIFED, TIRE WASH, FRONT END WANT TO GO EVERYWHERE, MORE WORK BEFORE i'LL TRY THAT AGAIN, IF EVER.... 155 by radar+ $3000 & 30days
Last edited by 81 toy; May 2, 2011 at 03:38 AM. Reason: additional comment
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Really really really fast???
Yup!...........But us Old Farts are having fun. Mine will do 120 plus but I cant!! Trouble seeing that far ahead these days. More fun to cruise and talk to the Young chicky babes........A real traffic stopper here in Aus, and the girls love these old C3s.