top speed
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
No.
Every car is unique, and anyone who tells you what the top speed of your car is.....is guessing.
Your car should be able to top about 160 if all its systems are functioning properly.
But that's just a guess.
Car & Driver tested the LT4, back in '96. It reached an observed 169mph in fifth gear (observed top speed in sixth was considerably less).
Unless that particular example was a dog, the LT1 should be a few mph down from that.
Larry
code5coupe
__________
Often wrong, never in doubt....
Every car is unique, and anyone who tells you what the top speed of your car is.....is guessing.
Your car should be able to top about 160 if all its systems are functioning properly.
But that's just a guess.
Car & Driver tested the LT4, back in '96. It reached an observed 169mph in fifth gear (observed top speed in sixth was considerably less).
Unless that particular example was a dog, the LT1 should be a few mph down from that.
Larry
code5coupe
__________
Often wrong, never in doubt....
Last edited by rocco16; Jul 13, 2007 at 01:21 PM.
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Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Burlington Kentucky
IF you are near a track or oval, test it , it can be fun. I had mine up to 147 on the Ky speedway and then chickened out on going faster becasue of the wall bank but it felt like it had a lot left to me. Now I have to live with "knowing and not knowing" until I get braver and have some time and want to pony up another $175. to drive around the speedway. (3 laps =$175) PS, your insurance will not cover any damage if you do try it on a race track and hit a wall or anything.
( Thats what kept making me back off,,no insurance-no insurance -no-insurance). Good Luck if you try.
( Thats what kept making me back off,,no insurance-no insurance -no-insurance). Good Luck if you try.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
IF you are near a track or oval, test it , it can be fun. I had mine up to 147 on the Ky speedway and then chickened out on going faster becasue of the wall bank but it felt like it had a lot left to me. Now I have to live with "knowing and not knowing" until I get braver and have some time and want to pony up another $175. to drive around the speedway. (3 laps =$175) PS, your insurance will not cover any damage if you do try it on a race track and hit a wall or anything.
( Thats what kept making me back off,,no insurance-no insurance -no-insurance). Good Luck if you try.
( Thats what kept making me back off,,no insurance-no insurance -no-insurance). Good Luck if you try.
Just another reason stay off of the track!
Last edited by aboatguy; Jul 14, 2007 at 09:46 AM. Reason: street racing bad
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
It's the highest speed you hit before the engine blows, or when you let off the gas pedal. I would luv to take mine on a 2 mile straightaway track/road or a Daytona 500 type oval. I'd wear a helmet and a flame retardant ascot. 
Google "ascot" if you're under 35...
I would luv to take mine on a 2 mile straightaway track/road or a Daytona 500 type oval. I'd wear a helmet and a flame retardant ascot. Google "ascot" if you're under 35...
Last edited by RetroGuy; Feb 26, 2020 at 09:05 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 55
Likes: 7
From: Toms River, NJ
The fastest I hit in my 96 LT1 was 163 on Route 72 in South Jersey.
I'd highly not recommend doing this on a public road just because God forbid something happens, you're basically screwed
All I do now is maybe a to 100 on the on-ramps to the freeway, that's it.
I'd highly not recommend doing this on a public road just because God forbid something happens, you're basically screwed
All I do now is maybe a to 100 on the on-ramps to the freeway, that's it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 891
Likes: 175
From: PA
There are places you can go and run higher speeds where the roads are long and straight. You can also go to Bonneville and run your car like The Corvette Kid did. He spun out at around 184 mph. My son and I met him at Corvettes at Carlisle this past August. I will include a link to the video.
Corvette Kid
ZR1 high speed pass.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 891
Likes: 175
From: PA
Here is a short video of running up to 156 mph on the way to Bowling Green.
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...w0NnB1LWE1Um1B
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...w0NnB1LWE1Um1B
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
In good conditions I would guess 160+ MPH. The advertised top speed of the stock LT1 C4 Corvette was 172 but that's in test (perfect) conditions.
I wouldn't even think about doing anything above 120 MPH unless your tires are less than 4 years old.
I wouldn't even think about doing anything above 120 MPH unless your tires are less than 4 years old.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 86
There are places you can go and run higher speeds where the roads are long and straight. You can also go to Bonneville and run your car like The Corvette Kid did. He spun out at around 184 mph. My son and I met him at Corvettes at Carlisle this past August. I will include a link to the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPdvMuUPCzc
Corvette Kid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVtmCmN4038
ZR1 high speed pass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPdvMuUPCzc
Corvette Kid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVtmCmN4038
ZR1 high speed pass.
Great videos. Thanks for posting
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Texas
Lt1 Corvette auto with 3:07 will go 172mph, I've tested myself and it cost me 3rd and 4th because my dumbass put my hand on the gear select and dropped it down a gear at 172mph, engine was fine though.
I believe 3:45 will get you around 155-160mph depending on auto or manual
I believe 3:45 will get you around 155-160mph depending on auto or manual