200mph?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 399
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
Originally Posted by LPDesRoche
Well high speed stability should not be a factor. I read an article with a quote from John Lingenfelter that said " The C4 is the most stable production car I have ever driven over 200 MPH alot more so than the C5."
I figure he has more high speed runs in vettes than I do so I figure he can be trusted..
I figure he has more high speed runs in vettes than I do so I figure he can be trusted..
In the Callaway Sledgehammer documentary video, Reeves says the same thing about these cars...the back end likes to move around during high speed straight line runs...the nose squats and the back end lifts at high speed. Does that sound like a stable high speed car?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by C4DC
There wasn't any jackstands involved in that run, were there??? Lets see, jack up the rear, tcs off, 6th gear run up to redline = 200+++ on the speedo.
BTW cf member ericcer has the dual a/o caliper setup and loves it.
BTW cf member ericcer has the dual a/o caliper setup and loves it.
Mate, thats a 1990, they dont have TCS/ASR !!! So that will make it easier...
Last edited by Casethecorvetteman; Jul 16, 2005 at 01:59 AM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
Originally Posted by vette_tweak
My C4 feels unstable at over 150MPH..the back of the car feels very light..almost as if it wants to come around. Ever driven a car with a set of tall rear race slicks and radials on the front down a heavily travelled road? You'd swear the back end of the car is bobbing side to side as you drive down the street. My C4 at high speed feels like a milder version of that.
In the Callaway Sledgehammer documentary video, Reeves says the same thing about these cars...the back end likes to move around during high speed straight line runs...the nose squats and the back end lifts at high speed. Does that sound like a stable high speed car?
In the Callaway Sledgehammer documentary video, Reeves says the same thing about these cars...the back end likes to move around during high speed straight line runs...the nose squats and the back end lifts at high speed. Does that sound like a stable high speed car?
Additionally, it should be noted that the window seals on these cars are pretty much worthless above 150mph too. The negative outside air pressure at these speeds tends to pull the windows outward and away from the seals reducing the generally clean aerodynamic profile of the car, and making for one noisey f*ing ride.
Regardless though, I do wish you the best of luck in getting your car over the 200mph threshold. You've certainly got your work cut out for you.
Oh, and for the record, Sledgehammer produced 898bhp at it's low boost setting. When it made it's record-setting 254.76mph run at TRC, the boost was turned up to produce some 1200bhp.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 3
St. Jude Donor '14
Originally Posted by TheCorvetteKid
I totally agree. Everything I've read says that the rear-end of a stock-bodied C4 has a tendancy to get loose above 150mph.
Sorry, but I must disagree. Been well over 150 too many times with no problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by TheCorvetteKid
I totally agree. Everything I've read says that the rear-end of a stock-bodied C4 has a tendancy to get loose above 150mph. That's ultimately why Callaway had Deutchman develop the Aerobody package for the Sledghammer (it certainly wasn't done for cosmetic purposes, althought it does look awesome).
Additionally, it should be noted that the window seals on these cars are pretty much worthless above 150mph too. The negative outside air pressure at these speeds tends to pull the windows outward and away from the seals reducing the generally clean aerodynamic profile of the car, and making for one noisey f*ing ride.
Regardless though, I do wish you the best of luck in getting your car over the 200mph threshold. You've certainly got your work cut out for you.
Oh, and for the record, Sledgehammer produced 898bhp at it's low boost setting. When it made it's record-setting 254.76mph run at TRC, the boost was turned up to produce some 1200bhp.
Additionally, it should be noted that the window seals on these cars are pretty much worthless above 150mph too. The negative outside air pressure at these speeds tends to pull the windows outward and away from the seals reducing the generally clean aerodynamic profile of the car, and making for one noisey f*ing ride.
Regardless though, I do wish you the best of luck in getting your car over the 200mph threshold. You've certainly got your work cut out for you.
Oh, and for the record, Sledgehammer produced 898bhp at it's low boost setting. When it made it's record-setting 254.76mph run at TRC, the boost was turned up to produce some 1200bhp.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by 8388
Sorry, but I must disagree. Been well over 150 too many times with no problems.
If my other corvette was solid as a rock at 245 klm/hr on a not so perfect strech of road, with worn front shocks, i dont see what the issue is. I have only had my 94 up to about 175 klm/hr (about 109 MPH) and it felt more stable at that speed than it did at 60 MPH. So yes, i reckon the C4 with a stock body is a very stable car. So im with you 8388 
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,638
Likes: 3
Kilometers? so he was topping out in 5th at under 120 MPH? somethings wrong here!
Carl Johansson
Carl Johansson
Originally Posted by SupaVette
A mate of mine, could only get 196km/h in 5th when he hit his rev limiter, he could get no more, and the speed was recorded with gps. If he changed into 6th, then he just started loosing speed
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 399
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
I totally disagree too. I had my 87 up to 245klms/hr (about 152 MPH) and it was dead stable....If your C4 gets unstable at speed you must have a bad wheel alignment or bugered wheel bearings or suspension bushings.
Ya someone should tell those uneducated backyard hacks at Callaway to check their " wheel alignment or bugered wheel bearings or suspension bushings" before they run their $400,000 car at 254 MPH <rolling eyes emoticon>
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 3
St. Jude Donor '14
Originally Posted by vette_tweak
Sure the car is stable AT 150MPH or 152MPH...try 170, 190, 210MPH (if you have the HP)... the thread is about going 200MPH++
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 0
From: Largo Florida
Originally Posted by SurfnSun
Bruce,
...
If i was going to push 200mph, I would certainly want a bigger/meatier than stock rotor to help get me slowed down, regardless of how many calipers I had on it.
...
If i was going to push 200mph, I would certainly want a bigger/meatier than stock rotor to help get me slowed down, regardless of how many calipers I had on it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by vette_tweak
Sure the car is stable AT 150MPH or 152MPH...try 170, 190, 210MPH (if you have the HP)... the thread is about going 200MPH++
Ya someone should tell those uneducated backyard hacks at Callaway to check their " wheel alignment or bugered wheel bearings or suspension bushings" before they run their $400,000 car at 254 MPH <rolling eyes emoticon>
Ya someone should tell those uneducated backyard hacks at Callaway to check their " wheel alignment or bugered wheel bearings or suspension bushings" before they run their $400,000 car at 254 MPH <rolling eyes emoticon>
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by aboatguy
At 150 my car feels rock solid, the only downside is the wind noise with the soft top!
MAAATTEEE!!!! you should have the top down at that speed!!! That will give you the true wind in your hair feel!!
I did 200 Klm/hr with the targa panel off, and that was so loud it was months before i had the nerve to take it off again...
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,638
Likes: 3
Go take a look at the carter family C-4Bonneville racer. It holds it'ss class record at about 224 (I'm working off of memory) The thing has a huge "box" sticking out the hood - but other than that It is the stock body - no wings extended airdams etc. Calloway is going to talk about "unstability" because it sells body kits!
At 161 MPH my 86 coupe is rock solid - since I'm wearing a helmet the noise isn't an issue. (they won't let me go any faster till I get a parachute - so I guess I need to take it to silverstate to get some straight line big speed numbers!
Oh yah - whoever was asking - it looks like you can make 200mph with about 500 HP - I'll let you know in a few weeks!
Carl "I'll take experience over theory and marketting hype anyday" Johansson
At 161 MPH my 86 coupe is rock solid - since I'm wearing a helmet the noise isn't an issue. (they won't let me go any faster till I get a parachute - so I guess I need to take it to silverstate to get some straight line big speed numbers!
Oh yah - whoever was asking - it looks like you can make 200mph with about 500 HP - I'll let you know in a few weeks!
Carl "I'll take experience over theory and marketting hype anyday" Johansson
Originally Posted by vette_tweak
Sure the car is stable AT 150MPH or 152MPH...try 170, 190, 210MPH (if you have the HP)... the thread is about going 200MPH++
Ya someone should tell those uneducated backyard hacks at Callaway to check their " wheel alignment or bugered wheel bearings or suspension bushings" before they run their $400,000 car at 254 MPH <rolling eyes emoticon>
Ya someone should tell those uneducated backyard hacks at Callaway to check their " wheel alignment or bugered wheel bearings or suspension bushings" before they run their $400,000 car at 254 MPH <rolling eyes emoticon>
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 399
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
Mate i gotta ask, what brand/type/size tires do you have on your unstable C4? Solid as a rock at 152 MPH with 255/50/ZR16 Kelly Chargers on stock 87 wheels on my last car, and just as stable with Sumitomo 275/40/ZR17 on the rear, Federal supersteel 595 275/40/ZR17 on the front,all on stock 17x9.5 sawblades. BUT, if i put those Federals on the rear, it did feel a little less stable in the rear at 60-70 MPH, and improved again at around 80-85 MPH. So like the other 2 have said there should be no reason for it to be unstable, and i cant see how you would all of a sudden lose that stability between 150 and 170 MPH.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 2
From: Parker, Colorado, USofA
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
Tire size plays a role too. If you're running stock 275/40/17's you can't do 200 in 5th at 6500 RPM's.
If you have something that can open a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet you might want to take a look at this, you should find it very interesting.
http://www.wku.edu/~nathan.plemons/calc.xls
If you have something that can open a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet you might want to take a look at this, you should find it very interesting.
http://www.wku.edu/~nathan.plemons/calc.xls
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by vette_tweak
I have GY GSC 275/40/ZR17s (17x9.5" rim) on the front and Bridgestone RE71 315/35/ZR17s (17x11" rim) on the back...maybe my high speed instability is tire related...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 3
St. Jude Donor '14
Originally Posted by vette_tweak
I have GY GSC 275/40/ZR17s (17x9.5" rim) on the front and Bridgestone RE71 315/35/ZR17s (17x11" rim) on the back...maybe my high speed instability is tire related...
Also check the rear height. Some C4's left the factory with excessive height in the rear, which would cause a small amount of instability on high speed curves. But this is easy to correct.