160 mph?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
160 mph?
Chasing a 12 sec quarter sounds like hard on the car.
How much rwhp to make a C3 w/2" drop and an Indy spoiler.
Do and honest 160, with a 5 sp.
I'm guessing 325 but 350 wouldn't surprise me.
R
How much rwhp to make a C3 w/2" drop and an Indy spoiler.
Do and honest 160, with a 5 sp.
I'm guessing 325 but 350 wouldn't surprise me.
R
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,227
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
That's a lot of top speed in a very un-aerodynamic car pulling a rather tall gear.
An awful lot of variables here. Including rear gear ratio, etc.
I'm thinking your HP estimates are woefully low.
An awful lot of variables here. Including rear gear ratio, etc.
I'm thinking your HP estimates are woefully low.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
If you are aiming for a 12 second quarter mile you won't be anywhere near 160 mph. So I guess you want a car that does a 12 second quarter mile but is capable of 160 on a longer stretch of road. If that is the case you might be a bit short. I would think it takes about 500 HP to go 200 mph so that should give you an idea.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,716
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From: New York
Never did a qtr mile in my car. But I can tell you I had a 350/350 with 370 gears and a Bridgehamption Raceway (I miss that track) on the main straight I hit 150 MPH and had more to go, but ran out of track.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,948
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From: Virginia
Have you seen this thread?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...safely-go.html
Some older posts by @gkull might have the info you need. IIRC, he modified his 79 to do what you want to do, including the Daytona front end.
FWIW, the 160mph comes at the end of a Texas Mile, not a 1/4 mile.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...safely-go.html
Some older posts by @gkull might have the info you need. IIRC, he modified his 79 to do what you want to do, including the Daytona front end.
FWIW, the 160mph comes at the end of a Texas Mile, not a 1/4 mile.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 597
Just a thought
Many drag strips' partners offer drag race "school" at levels from beginner through advanced.
As a reality check for the uninitiated, a basic beginner session might pay dividends; just sayin'
(gkull RIP)
Many drag strips' partners offer drag race "school" at levels from beginner through advanced.
As a reality check for the uninitiated, a basic beginner session might pay dividends; just sayin'
(gkull RIP)
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12 sec 1/4 mile doesn't take much power as long as weight is decent. 160 mph is a different thing.
I'll use my old dead stock C4 with 300 (new style) HP and a 6 speed. It ran 13-teens@105 MPH in 98* temps on stock tires. Would certainly go 12's with cooler temps and traction.
I got it to show 170 MPH twice.....but it took a LOOOONNNGGG time on some deserted highways. It got to 140 pretty easily...but after that it was clicking 1-2 MPH after covering what seemed like football fields at a time. It had to be done in 5th...no way it would accelerate at all in 6th.
Relatively light car and a LOT more aerodynamic and efficient than a C3.
My C2 did 200 MPH at the TX Mile. Traction was the hardest part...literally couldn't get my foot all the way in it with the relatively hard speed rated tires I used until 180 MPH. It was pulling like a freight train at the end of the mile though...lots left in it. Very un-aerodynamic car.....just a lot of HP. I had it turned down on boost but when not cut back it makes 1240 RWHP. I was able to manage 177 MPH at a 1/2 mile event using drag radials and same engine settings....they let me go WOT at 140 MPH. The trick with the really fast guys at these events is HP AND all wheel drive traction, downforce aero for traction etc.
JIM
I'll use my old dead stock C4 with 300 (new style) HP and a 6 speed. It ran 13-teens@105 MPH in 98* temps on stock tires. Would certainly go 12's with cooler temps and traction.
I got it to show 170 MPH twice.....but it took a LOOOONNNGGG time on some deserted highways. It got to 140 pretty easily...but after that it was clicking 1-2 MPH after covering what seemed like football fields at a time. It had to be done in 5th...no way it would accelerate at all in 6th.
Relatively light car and a LOT more aerodynamic and efficient than a C3.
My C2 did 200 MPH at the TX Mile. Traction was the hardest part...literally couldn't get my foot all the way in it with the relatively hard speed rated tires I used until 180 MPH. It was pulling like a freight train at the end of the mile though...lots left in it. Very un-aerodynamic car.....just a lot of HP. I had it turned down on boost but when not cut back it makes 1240 RWHP. I was able to manage 177 MPH at a 1/2 mile event using drag radials and same engine settings....they let me go WOT at 140 MPH. The trick with the really fast guys at these events is HP AND all wheel drive traction, downforce aero for traction etc.
JIM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,291
Likes: 492
From: Salmon Arm, BC
@BKbroiler does 12's all day long in his car, I'm sure he will have solid info. We'll see if he chimes in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
As OMF pointed out, I've made hundreds of 12 second passes while bracket racing my 77. To easily run mid to high 12s (depending on weather conditions), a real 375 flywheel HP engine would do it, along with drag radials and 3.73 gears. Traction and gearing are extremely critical. If the car has auto trans, a converter with 2,500 to 3,000 rpm stall speed is also required. A four speed car could do the same performance.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
My Combo
I have 300 rwhp at 5600.
330 rwtq at 4K.
350, TFS heads, 218-224 HR, 1.6 RRS, AG, 2.5 Rams Horn ex, 2.5 w/X pipe.
M21 w/3:55 gears people I respect say 13.2 quarter.
A Silver Sport 5 sp is coming soon.
When things need refreshing.
I'm thinking CNC the heads, headers and a hole in the hood for proper breathing.
The dyno tech told me I was losing 20 hp w/choked up intake.
Hard launches is hard on a car.
I think a top speed run shouldn't be as hard?
Thanks for responding!
R
330 rwtq at 4K.
350, TFS heads, 218-224 HR, 1.6 RRS, AG, 2.5 Rams Horn ex, 2.5 w/X pipe.
M21 w/3:55 gears people I respect say 13.2 quarter.
A Silver Sport 5 sp is coming soon.
When things need refreshing.
I'm thinking CNC the heads, headers and a hole in the hood for proper breathing.
The dyno tech told me I was losing 20 hp w/choked up intake.
Hard launches is hard on a car.
I think a top speed run shouldn't be as hard?
Thanks for responding!
R
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
I have 300 rwhp at 5600.
330 rwtq at 4K.
350, TFS heads, 218-224 HR, 1.6 RRS, AG, 2.5 Rams Horn ex, 2.5 w/X pipe.
M21 w/3:55 gears people I respect say 13.2 quarter.
A Silver Sport 5 sp is coming soon.
When things need refreshing.
I'm thinking CNC the heads, headers and a hole in the hood for proper breathing.
The dyno tech told me I was losing 20 hp w/choked up intake.
Hard launches is hard on a car.
I think a top speed run shouldn't be as hard?
Thanks for responding!
R
330 rwtq at 4K.
350, TFS heads, 218-224 HR, 1.6 RRS, AG, 2.5 Rams Horn ex, 2.5 w/X pipe.
M21 w/3:55 gears people I respect say 13.2 quarter.
A Silver Sport 5 sp is coming soon.
When things need refreshing.
I'm thinking CNC the heads, headers and a hole in the hood for proper breathing.
The dyno tech told me I was losing 20 hp w/choked up intake.
Hard launches is hard on a car.
I think a top speed run shouldn't be as hard?
Thanks for responding!
R
There is no need to cut a hole in your hood.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
Very Strong!
I did my research first, it pays off.
An rpm Air gap is a bit too tall for the hood.
I have to use a drop base and there is not much room between carb and lid.
As long as I need a hole, might as well get a carb spacer in there.
Not to mention reduced engine bay temps.
Going from 2" to 2.5 " was worth 20 rwhp and 15 rwtq.
I calculate headers should be another 20 for my engine.
The CNC porting should be another 20.
That should get me 30 rwhp?
So how fast is 330 rwhp and 350 rwtq going to go?
R
An rpm Air gap is a bit too tall for the hood.
I have to use a drop base and there is not much room between carb and lid.
As long as I need a hole, might as well get a carb spacer in there.
Not to mention reduced engine bay temps.
Going from 2" to 2.5 " was worth 20 rwhp and 15 rwtq.
I calculate headers should be another 20 for my engine.
The CNC porting should be another 20.
That should get me 30 rwhp?
So how fast is 330 rwhp and 350 rwtq going to go?
R
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
Mine fits barely, but chokes off airflow.
So says the dyno operator?
They do some serious cars so I'm inclined to believe him.
Other forum member agreed, I hope they chime in.
I'm always thinking about optimising my combo.
Isn't 10* worth 1%?
That should be worth 30*-40*
I'd like to do a track day, I hear overheating is a problem.
I had my 3 core rad modded to a 4 core, no overheating.
Getting AC , that really heats thing up.
R
So says the dyno operator?
They do some serious cars so I'm inclined to believe him.
Other forum member agreed, I hope they chime in.
I'm always thinking about optimising my combo.
Isn't 10* worth 1%?
That should be worth 30*-40*
I'd like to do a track day, I hear overheating is a problem.
I had my 3 core rad modded to a 4 core, no overheating.
Getting AC , that really heats thing up.
R
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 358
From: Dayton, OH
Whatever formulae they use seems to be thrown off a bit when calculating for a lighter car but it will get you in the ballpark. Especially if you have actual speed/times and are hypothesizing for more HP.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,731
Likes: 2,582
I participated in EMRA time trials at Bridgehampton in the mid 70's to early 80's. Also ran a 69 350/350 with 3.55 gears and on main straight hit about 135, didn't pay much attention to speedometer due to the downhill right hand at the end. Incredible track and definitely miss it.