top end speed
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8
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Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
The issue here is that you don't have an overdrive transmission. You're probably a young guy who is used to cars having overdrive, and may have a tough time understanding a car that doesn't have it, but that's how it was back in the before time........in the long, long ago. 1:1 in high gear was pretty much it. Cars with high top speeds had to either rev really high, or have a low numerical diff gear. Really fast cars had to have both, not a great combo for launching the car. Now, we have overdrive transmissions, and can enjoy the best of both worlds!
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Yep, with a good run out of The Downhill you can see some real speed by the time you cross start/finish. If you do this sort of thing very often, you really might want to think about converting to an manual OD 5-speed. That said, aero is going to become a factor of the first order to get going very much faster, which will start requiring some real power, and if you don't already have them I'd seriously consider a front dam and rear spoiler to keep your shark grounded. My $.02
TSW
TSW
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 67
From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
These are the Road & Track numbers:
1978
Engine L48
Transmission 3-Speed Auto.
Final Drive Ratio 3.08:1
0-30 mph (sec) 2.9
0-40 mph (sec) 4.2
0-50 mph (sec) 5.8
0-60 mph (sec) 7.8
0-70 mph (sec) 10.2
0-80 mph (sec) 13.3
0-90 mph (sec) 17.5
0-100 mph (sec) 33.1
1/4 Mile (sec/mph) 16.1 / 88.3
Top Speed(mph) 123
1979
0-60 mph (sec) 6.6
0-70 mph (sec) 8.6
0-80 mph (sec) 10.9
0-90 mph (sec) 13.7
0-100 mph (sec) 17.5
1/4 Mile (sec/mph) 15.3 / 95.0
Top Speed(mph) 127
1978
Engine L48
Transmission 3-Speed Auto.
Final Drive Ratio 3.08:1
0-30 mph (sec) 2.9
0-40 mph (sec) 4.2
0-50 mph (sec) 5.8
0-60 mph (sec) 7.8
0-70 mph (sec) 10.2
0-80 mph (sec) 13.3
0-90 mph (sec) 17.5
0-100 mph (sec) 33.1
1/4 Mile (sec/mph) 16.1 / 88.3
Top Speed(mph) 123
1979
0-60 mph (sec) 6.6
0-70 mph (sec) 8.6
0-80 mph (sec) 10.9
0-90 mph (sec) 13.7
0-100 mph (sec) 17.5
1/4 Mile (sec/mph) 15.3 / 95.0
Top Speed(mph) 127
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
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From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
L82 should handle 6000 rpm with no problem for short bursts. Factory ratio with an auto was 3.55
Last edited by 63mako; Apr 16, 2012 at 11:40 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
gkull..
If you are going to 'pick' at what another poster says, at least have the courage to put in the whole quote. Otherwise, I'll just lump you in along with the swill of 'rag' newspaper people that editorialize and misstate what's been said by others.
You have a race car. It is set up for handling and high speeds. The OP probably has a 40 year old car, engine and suspension; and who knows what for tires. I care enough about his wellfare to offer a concern...and you chide him on to "go for it".
If you are going to 'pick' at what another poster says, at least have the courage to put in the whole quote. Otherwise, I'll just lump you in along with the swill of 'rag' newspaper people that editorialize and misstate what's been said by others.
You have a race car. It is set up for handling and high speeds. The OP probably has a 40 year old car, engine and suspension; and who knows what for tires. I care enough about his wellfare to offer a concern...and you chide him on to "go for it".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
ajrothm jumps on his hayabusa runs a for real timed 227 mph in the texas mile on a friggen motorcycle and folks are worried a little over a 100 mph in there car lol.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Apr 17, 2012 at 02:52 AM.
Race Director
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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Team Owner
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
gkull..
If you are going to 'pick' at what another poster says, at least have the courage to put in the whole quote. Otherwise, I'll just lump you in along with the swill of 'rag' newspaper people that editorialize and misstate what's been said by others.
You have a race car. It is set up for handling and high speeds. The OP probably has a 40 year old car, engine and suspension; and who knows what for tires. I care enough about his wellfare to offer a concern...and you chide him on to "go for it".
If you are going to 'pick' at what another poster says, at least have the courage to put in the whole quote. Otherwise, I'll just lump you in along with the swill of 'rag' newspaper people that editorialize and misstate what's been said by others.
You have a race car. It is set up for handling and high speeds. The OP probably has a 40 year old car, engine and suspension; and who knows what for tires. I care enough about his wellfare to offer a concern...and you chide him on to "go for it".
Even take it another step. they have to complete some series of driving school classes before being allowed out on the full blown road racing track.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,665
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
In 5th gear I will hit 110mph @ 2700rpm 
What scares me and I did this too many years ago when I first got mine. Is I buy the car and the first thing I did was take it out on the highway and floor it, probably up to 100mph or so without taking it home first and checking everything. I found loose bolts etc all over the place I could have killed myself
What scares me and I did this too many years ago when I first got mine. Is I buy the car and the first thing I did was take it out on the highway and floor it, probably up to 100mph or so without taking it home first and checking everything. I found loose bolts etc all over the place I could have killed myself
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,084
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
If you're doing 140 mph with 3.70 gears, your engine is at 6,500 rpm (assuming 27 inch tire dia.) Running at that rpm level long enough to reach top speed is quite a challenge.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,503
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From: Butler Pa
Running at that rpm level with a stock L46 is probably not possible. At least not for more than a couple seconds.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
When my 79 L-82 was stock I could reach near 130.. When built 140 was easy but ran out of RPM....
Got my tko600 in a week ago.... Had her up to 165mph and still had room to go... But the front end was getting light...... Next step is to put on 2 vents in the hood like Beejay did... He told me it really brought the front end down above 120...
Wanted to add... 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th make no strain on the engine, will rev to 6500 fast and effortlessly, 5th.... thats another story, ..... .64..... that get up and go,,,, just not like 1234... much slower acceleration.
Got my tko600 in a week ago.... Had her up to 165mph and still had room to go... But the front end was getting light...... Next step is to put on 2 vents in the hood like Beejay did... He told me it really brought the front end down above 120...
Wanted to add... 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th make no strain on the engine, will rev to 6500 fast and effortlessly, 5th.... thats another story, ..... .64..... that get up and go,,,, just not like 1234... much slower acceleration.
Last edited by pauldana; Apr 17, 2012 at 06:39 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Holding it at 6500 and above for an extended period with stock HYD lifters and springs is not likely..
I would have probably hit 140mph (gps) at 6400 IF my valve train, fuel system and everything else would have help up... I know I was either running out of fuel pressure or getting the beginning stages of valve float at 6200 in 3rd/hi gear. I'd need a solid roller and big fuel system to go any faster...And that is with only 3.36 gears and 28" tires. I do get a LOT of front end lift though so that's probably slowing me down some.
I have a hard time believing stock C3s are running 140+...a TRUE 140 anyway..
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Lol.. Good point...
But going fast in 40yr old cars with 40 year old technology is a bit "interesting..".
I have been in the 180s in my Z06 and that was much scarier to me then going 225 on the bike..
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
No.. I thought about taking the Busa but it's $300 for track entry..that's pretty steep for only 1/2 mile racing. I think the Busa would run 210 in a half mile with the right gearing and boost control..
I am building my Z06 as we speak and it's costing a fortune. I can't afford to tear up any of the other toys..
I will be spectating at the Houston mile though.
I am building my Z06 as we speak and it's costing a fortune. I can't afford to tear up any of the other toys..
I will be spectating at the Houston mile though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 5
From: N.Richland Hills Texas
I added a front spoiler on mine after the first time over 100mph...http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/f...8new/aero3.jpg
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From: Lowell MA
BKbroiler, bashcraft, ajthrom,
Ever drive a 1969 L46 stock and see what it can do. I own one and am the original owner. Yes, I'm 67 and purchased the car in February of 1970 brand new when I turned 25. The car did 139 mph back then with a passenger on board and it was at about 6000 rpms. Give a little maybe. Maybe the speedo lied a bit and maybe it didn't. Would cruise at 100 MPH with ease. Driving from Montreal to NYC on beautiful 87 got radar ed by a trooper. Ask how fast I was going and told him the truth. 100 mph. Gave me the ticket and thanked me for being honest for he just had his radar gizmo calibrated.
Like to hear from someone who owns or owned one like mine and not from those who have never driven one. It was a muscle car. Stock.
Ever drive a 1969 L46 stock and see what it can do. I own one and am the original owner. Yes, I'm 67 and purchased the car in February of 1970 brand new when I turned 25. The car did 139 mph back then with a passenger on board and it was at about 6000 rpms. Give a little maybe. Maybe the speedo lied a bit and maybe it didn't. Would cruise at 100 MPH with ease. Driving from Montreal to NYC on beautiful 87 got radar ed by a trooper. Ask how fast I was going and told him the truth. 100 mph. Gave me the ticket and thanked me for being honest for he just had his radar gizmo calibrated.
Like to hear from someone who owns or owned one like mine and not from those who have never driven one. It was a muscle car. Stock.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,084
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Lemans Blue 69,
I'm 61 years old and I remember all about the muscle car era, back when they were new. Simple mathematics haven't changed over the decades and 140 mph is 6,500 rpm. The only "guess" in that is tire diameter. I was being generous when I used 27 inch, your tires might actually be (or have been) smaller. I will assume speedometer error accounts for the discrepancy. The trooper's radar probably wasn't too accurate back then either.
I'm 61 years old and I remember all about the muscle car era, back when they were new. Simple mathematics haven't changed over the decades and 140 mph is 6,500 rpm. The only "guess" in that is tire diameter. I was being generous when I used 27 inch, your tires might actually be (or have been) smaller. I will assume speedometer error accounts for the discrepancy. The trooper's radar probably wasn't too accurate back then either.