..WW
running flat out
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
The C4 concept design was a "clean sheet" design that went through considerable wind tunnel testing in its development to fix the previous issues with "3 digit" stability before it went into production.
In any case, I can personally attest to the fact the C4 becomes very settled when venturing into 3 digits; hugs the road up to 155 for my 95/M6 (test track). I'm guessing the 160-165 (depending on atmospheric DA) would be about tops for my 95.
But far as stability goes, for what its worth, the stock ZR-1 averaged over 173 for 24 hours at a test oval in Stockton OK; setting speed and endurance records for a production car that stand yet today. Considering fuel and tire stops, and a stop to fix a coolant hose leak, that C4 reached speeds considerably higher than the average of 173.x.
Anywayz...I don't believe there is any comparison between a late C1 and a C4 when it comes to stability - if nothing else!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,315
Likes: 15
From: Richmond Virginia
I did a lot of research on the C4's last year when I was doing a project for my engineering class. Of course there is no citations or links to who made the chart/did the study, but I still find it interesting.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,392
Likes: 218
From: Merritt Island, FL
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I have a copy of Car & Driver magazine, March 1995. They test the LT1 coupe, 6-speed with 3:45 gears. Top speed (redline limited, in fifth gear) was 161mph.
In 1996, Car & Driver tested the Grand Sport (LT4 engine).... also with 3:45 gears. They reported that top speed was, once again, rpm-limited; it hit redline in fifth at 169mph.
In 1996, Car & Driver tested the Grand Sport (LT4 engine).... also with 3:45 gears. They reported that top speed was, once again, rpm-limited; it hit redline in fifth at 169mph.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,772
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Redline (6300 RPM) in 5th gear would be 186 mph.
Highly unlikely a stock LT4 engine would reach that due to lack of HP.
3.45 rear gearing, using the factory 315/35-17 rear tires, and the 5th gear being 0.75 ratio.
Top speed might have been 169, but it wasn't because it hit red line.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 413
From: WV
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 36
From: Coldville
While on my weekly cruise down I 95 this week I wondered how it feel to just stand on the gas pedal and push flat out WFO to see what my 92 LT1 would do. Now I know that in reality I would probably end up in jail especially since I wouldnt make it through McIntosh County with out picking up at least a half dozen cops in their Dodge charger/challenger or whatever those things are they drive.
What would a stock LT1 be capable of doing? This is my first real hi perf sports car that I have ever owned and I'm not really sure what this car can or was supposed to do.I also just enjoy looking at the car from different angles just sitting in the garage or parked in the drive way.
What would a stock LT1 be capable of doing? This is my first real hi perf sports car that I have ever owned and I'm not really sure what this car can or was supposed to do.I also just enjoy looking at the car from different angles just sitting in the garage or parked in the drive way.
You run what you bring for 10 miles or so I believe it was, not sure.
They had Vettes from the 80's and allot of exotics.
Many different classes, anyway I remember there were 2 black C4's from the late 80's and they ran in the 160's.
I have to find that video but here’s the link : http://www.silverstateclassic.com/
Last edited by rad928music; Feb 20, 2014 at 05:49 PM. Reason: change
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 628
Likes: 13
From: Indiana
163mph on a track in Northern PA in my 96' automatic with 3.07 rear gears. Took a while to get there. Car felt incredibly solid and very stable. Not that it ever floats badly but it is at its worst between 100 and 115 after that it squats down and gets real stiff. I felt very comfortable doing that speed on that track.
Last edited by Klyde; Feb 17, 2014 at 06:14 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Utah
I have a copy of Car & Driver magazine, March 1995. They test the LT1 coupe, 6-speed with 3:45 gears. Top speed (redline limited, in fifth gear) was 161mph.
In 1996, Car & Driver tested the Grand Sport (LT4 engine).... also with 3:45 gears. They reported that top speed was, once again, rpm-limited; it hit redline in fifth at 169mph.
In 1996, Car & Driver tested the Grand Sport (LT4 engine).... also with 3:45 gears. They reported that top speed was, once again, rpm-limited; it hit redline in fifth at 169mph.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
making fun of someone is the sign of a weak argument or a **** poor response. Yes, we were topping out at top speed when the cluth started getting over powered and smoke started coming thru the shifter boot,,thats when we let off..actually, my big brother was driving so its when he let off. The only way the two are connected was both happened at very high speed..gauge said near 145mph. Now if you know it alls can handle that and digest that..things do happen out there where strange comes about. The next day I was racing the 61 and the clutch went..was a 100 dollar bill to fix back then, parts and labor inclusive. Speaking of a 100 bucks, we wer out playing around, flipped the car on its side..took it to Bill Herd in Columbus,Georgiato be repaired and paid the 100 extra to have the black paint changed to white. 1966.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Man, ya got made fun of b/c of what you said.
will float all over the road at very high speed..fast enough to where the clutch starts burning
It makes no sense. The way that you wrote it, implies that when you go really fast, your clutch will "start burning"...which just ain't true. Unless you have a clutch that is already beyond it's service life anyway....then your issue isn't speed...it's that you're trying to ask a toasted clutch to do what it can no longer do.
Anyway. It makes more sense now that you explained that the clutch took a dump the next day; you simply had a worn out clutch.
will float all over the road at very high speed..fast enough to where the clutch starts burning
It makes no sense. The way that you wrote it, implies that when you go really fast, your clutch will "start burning"...which just ain't true. Unless you have a clutch that is already beyond it's service life anyway....then your issue isn't speed...it's that you're trying to ask a toasted clutch to do what it can no longer do.
Anyway. It makes more sense now that you explained that the clutch took a dump the next day; you simply had a worn out clutch.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 628
Likes: 13
From: Indiana
It takes a lot of torque to push against the wind at that speed. His car reached a point where instead of going faster it started to slip the clutch instead. This is why 6th gear is not used for top end. You need 5th gears torque to counter the wind resistance. There is just not enough get up and go in 6th gears.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,772
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
See what I posted below. You won't even get to 186 mph in 5th with a stock engine.
Even going 150, if you shifted into 6th you would stop accelerating and being losing speed.
Redline (6300 RPM) in 5th gear would be 186 mph.
Highly unlikely a stock LT4 engine would reach that due to lack of HP.
3.45 rear gearing, using the factory 315/35-17 rear tires, and the 5th gear being 0.75 ratio.
Top speed might have been 169, but it wasn't because it hit red line.
Highly unlikely a stock LT4 engine would reach that due to lack of HP.
3.45 rear gearing, using the factory 315/35-17 rear tires, and the 5th gear being 0.75 ratio.
Top speed might have been 169, but it wasn't because it hit red line.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,965
Likes: 2
From: North side of Houston Texas
I've not gotten either of my LT1 equipped cars up to top speed. I have a '92 vert and a '94 coupe. I did get the coupe up to an indicated 138 before my exit came up though.
I did get my first C4, a '84 coupe up as fast as she'd go once on I35 from Oklahoma City down to Dallas once, and it showed me 145.
I really don't like going that fast in the C4's though cuz they really get light at that speed. To me they feel like they're floating on a cloud and the ground moves under ya pretty quickly so I really don't feel very safe in them.
So to me, these cars aren't so much about top speed. They're more about getting up to whatever speed I want as quickly as they'll get there, hard braking, and hard cornering.
I did get my first C4, a '84 coupe up as fast as she'd go once on I35 from Oklahoma City down to Dallas once, and it showed me 145.
I really don't like going that fast in the C4's though cuz they really get light at that speed. To me they feel like they're floating on a cloud and the ground moves under ya pretty quickly so I really don't feel very safe in them.
So to me, these cars aren't so much about top speed. They're more about getting up to whatever speed I want as quickly as they'll get there, hard braking, and hard cornering.
Last edited by Wendell Allen; Feb 18, 2014 at 12:00 AM. Reason: Corrected the year of one of the cars
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Something isn't right there.
Redline (6300 RPM) in 5th gear would be 186 mph.
Highly unlikely a stock LT4 engine would reach that due to lack of HP.
3.45 rear gearing, using the factory 315/35-17 rear tires, and the 5th gear being 0.75 ratio.
Top speed might have been 169, but it wasn't because it hit red line.
Redline (6300 RPM) in 5th gear would be 186 mph.
Highly unlikely a stock LT4 engine would reach that due to lack of HP.
3.45 rear gearing, using the factory 315/35-17 rear tires, and the 5th gear being 0.75 ratio.
Top speed might have been 169, but it wasn't because it hit red line.
Good catch.
Larry
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
If anyone is actually serious about the Salt Flats in north west Utah far side of Salt Lake City you can go and just top it out. Things to be considered are breaking down or getting caught by a park ranger. A sanctioned event has different class runs. Various speeds I don't recall exactly ? 135mph, 150mph, 180+mph. The 150mph class requires a roll cage in the car. I lost interest after learning that fact. A seat belt inspection, fire extinguisher and a look over of the suspension and brakes. Helmet required for abd run. You get 2 miles. The plus side is a valid time a certificate proving the time and you won't be stranded if you have a mechanical failure. The suggestion was made to just go run at my own risk of getting stuck out there just to see what my top speed in a safe environment. No thanks. The other is to find a long open stretch of desert road and have several friends give the green light. Not 100% fool proof by any means.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Could you please what FX3 is? I have a 6 speed but I have no idea about FX3.