How fast will a C3 go?
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
From: Commerce Twp. Michigan
Now you guys have me thinking.....I was able to do a 10.78 @ 123.8 mph in the 1/4 and you know it felt good... on the open road Ive gone 120+ for miles (read as 50 miles+ this was years ago.) The one point I have here is that would the roadster windshield collaspe due to the air pressue on it in stock form? On paper the car should go 145 mph at 6400 rpm, the power is there (620 hp). I remember reading years ago that the 69 L88 Rdstr by Owens had the windshield cut down 4 inches and reinforced. They also used various gears from 3.70 (like mine) to 3.36 and could get up to around 170+. Note that this is the same basic power but the profile of the car is changed. The stock windshield would surely collapse with-out mods. Your Thoughts
Many race cars run Plexiglas wind shields and backlights. These do require reinforcements. SCTA (Bonneville) requires reinforcements above a certain speed. Sorry, I can't remember the speed.
Back to your question; the curvature of the windshield and its frame provide a great deal of strength. Now if the base of your a-pillars are rusted through...
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
For what it's worth, Back in 1968 I buried the needle of my 68 427 390 HP automatic on the New York state thruway at 2 am in the morning. The only reason I tried this is because I had a friend on the NYPD sitting in the passenger seat.
Those broken lines became one solid line and she kept pulling like a freight train.
Those broken lines became one solid line and she kept pulling like a freight train.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 1
From: Winston-Salem NC
about aerodynamics......
I found a place that does make them for C-3's, but I gotta search for it and get back to you.They had front air dams,rear spoilers,everything. I used to run some SCCA at Holloman on weekends.Will get look for that info and get back to you guys. Keep reminding me.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
From: Peoplez Republik (communist portland) Orygun
With 26 inch tires an a .67 overdrive your looking at 200 mph @5400 rpm. Here"s your calculator
http://www.wallaceracing.com/gear-speed.php
http://www.wallaceracing.com/gear-speed.php
when I did this calculator, it says my top speed is 49 MPH.
You mean, this whole time, I've only been driving at 49mph tops!?!?!
Anybody want to let me know how to correctly do the calculator?
I have a 5 speed Tremec, 3:08 rear, 27.1" tire diameter.
Thanks
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: boulogne buenos aires
I had it between 130-140 as the needle bounces, also tosses or (i think some ign tunning required), its a 73 l-82 3.70 RE m21 close ratio tranny.
But i really don't think my speedo readings are acurate, as i get to the 100 range very easily and still other cars would pass me standing (or modern cars and drivers are faster).
Also i`m not that confident with the steering a that speed....
and the last, the last time i hit the pedal to the bottom i ran out of fuel in the highway ( i was thinking i'll stop in the next) didn`t make, and i had to walk to get fuel in a container.... really funny story!!!!
But i really don't think my speedo readings are acurate, as i get to the 100 range very easily and still other cars would pass me standing (or modern cars and drivers are faster).
Also i`m not that confident with the steering a that speed....
and the last, the last time i hit the pedal to the bottom i ran out of fuel in the highway ( i was thinking i'll stop in the next) didn`t make, and i had to walk to get fuel in a container.... really funny story!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Had my '69 up to 125-130ish once. The speedometer said 145 but I knew that was wrong. M20 trans, 7200 rpm with 4.56 gears. It was still pulling but the front end started wandering around so I said enough.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
The fastest that I've every driven my blue/white '68 was 165 mph. (on a 200 mph speedo). That was with about 465 HP and a Tremec TKO 5-speed with .68 overdrive. Right now, my top speed should be somewhere around 160 mph as I'll hit my rev limiter at 7400 RPM.. Right now, it takes me about a 1/4 mile to get close to 150 mph.. With the full shot of nitrous, I should make it to 155 mph or so when reaching the 1/4 mile mark 
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: wilmington nc
Okay... Um, idiot alert here. But,
when I did this calculator, it says my top speed is 49 MPH.
You mean, this whole time, I've only been driving at 49mph tops!?!?!
Anybody want to let me know how to correctly do the calculator?
I have a 5 speed Tremec, 3:08 rear, 27.1" tire diameter.
Thanks
Enter Vehicle Tire Diameter: 27.1
Enter Vehicle Transmission Gear: .68
Enter Vehicle Rear Gear Ratio: 3.08
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Lower front end 1-3/4" Indy spoiler in front. Turbo wing on the back. Steeroids R/P spreader bar holding the top of the front end together. ZZ4 385 FB, Keisler 5 speed, 308's in the rear. My GPS reading 130 mph. And she handle like I was driving at 80 mph. I still had peddle but ran out of road. 
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Cmon guys. A C3 running 200 mph. You are going to need a good amount of HP and good aero. The C3 is not very sleek, as much as we think it is. The difference between running 140-150 and 200 is huge. You think the Nascar guys are spending millions to get that extra few mph and you are going to take a stock bodied C3 with some extra HP and run 200. I would love to see this done but it is going to take some heavy mods to do it.
Yea I have had mine at 140 with what seems like a lot left but to get another 50or so mph out of it, I seriously doubt it. I don't know how "built up" your 427 is but you have better be packing some serious HP to get to 200. Lokk at all the Bonneville racers and see what it takes to go 200.
Yea I have had mine at 140 with what seems like a lot left but to get another 50or so mph out of it, I seriously doubt it. I don't know how "built up" your 427 is but you have better be packing some serious HP to get to 200. Lokk at all the Bonneville racers and see what it takes to go 200.
put a big emphasis on handling also, at 128-130 these cars start getting real hairy even with good tires and suspension parts....as Gordon says you'll need more HP to get to that speed..
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim California
I agree about a C3 going 200mph. Not easy. If you look at the film of Bonneville and see what these racers have to do to go 200 it is amazing that the new stock Z-06 gets close and the ZR-1 makes it past 200. Lets face it these old Corvettes are not as fast as we would like to remember or believe in any stock form. I still love them but you have to have prospective.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
From: Peoplez Republik (communist portland) Orygun
True,During a HPDE day last summer (see my avatar), my 1980 would get near 135 (almost 140) at the end of the straightaway. You are definitely paying attention to surroundings!
It felt like a floating sponge. Scary as **** at times. Plus, getting passed by a few brand new Z06's & a couple of Porsches during all of it just adds to the intensity!It's not stock either. It's lowered, I have all brand new upgraded & upper end supsension & brakes too. BTW... I have a Tremec 5 speed .68 and 3:08 rear. There is definitely still pedal to go but... where?
This is on a 1980 with the front fascia & rear spoiler. I cannot fathom what a chrome bumper or mid year C3 would be like. I'd be fearful of it just drifting right off the track
Last edited by Vette80regon; Jan 8, 2009 at 05:21 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
okay... Um, idiot alert here. But,
when i did this calculator, it says my top speed is 49 mph.
You mean, this whole time, i've only been driving at 49mph tops!?!?!
Anybody want to let me know how to correctly do the calculator?
I have a 5 speed tremec, 3:08 rear, 27.1" tire diameter.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
Well, I'm just gonna say this.
There are STOCK BODY honda civics from the mid 90s that were doing 200mph runs on the salt flats.
So, I'm gonna go on a limb and say that with enough planning, care, and expertise, and vette, even an old one, should be able to do it as well.
There are STOCK BODY honda civics from the mid 90s that were doing 200mph runs on the salt flats.
So, I'm gonna go on a limb and say that with enough planning, care, and expertise, and vette, even an old one, should be able to do it as well.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
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