[Z06] Top speed questions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
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Top speed questions
1) I have read on a couple of websites that the Z06 has a slower top speed than the regular coupe. Is this due more because of the body style or gearing?
2) What will the top speed be of a Z06 with 400 rwhp?
2) What will the top speed be of a Z06 with 400 rwhp?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Chapin SC
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It's strictly a gearing issue. Both cars reach top speed in 5th gear at the rev-limiter setting. The standard C5 manual 5th gear ratio is .74 the z06 is .84. assuming that you have a stock rev-limiter setting and OEM tires you're looking at a top end of about 172. Additional horsepower will not change your top end in 5th gear without changing the rev-limiter setting. You don't have enough horsepower to pull max rpms in 6th gear.
Last edited by JerryL; Feb 28, 2005 at 06:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 107
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Originally Posted by JerryL
It's strictly a gearing issue. Both cars reach top speed in 5th gear at the rev-limiter setting. The standard C5 manual 5th gear ratio is .74 the z06 is .84. assuming that you have a stock rev-limiter setting and OEM tires you're looking at a top end of about 172. Additional horsepower will not change your top end in 5th gear without changing the rev-limiter setting. You don't have enough horsepower to pull max rpms in 6th gear.
Thank you for the info!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Chapin SC
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StoCK,
with a stock valve train you can't get away with raising the rev-limiter much above the factory setting of 6600. In theory, a 7000 limiter setting with a 26" tire diameter will give you 188 mph but I doubt if 400 rwhp would be enough to get you there. Drag increases with the square of the velocity so it takes a lot of horsepower to go from 175 to 180. Here's a web site to compute this stuff yourself: http://www.smokemup.com/
with a stock valve train you can't get away with raising the rev-limiter much above the factory setting of 6600. In theory, a 7000 limiter setting with a 26" tire diameter will give you 188 mph but I doubt if 400 rwhp would be enough to get you there. Drag increases with the square of the velocity so it takes a lot of horsepower to go from 175 to 180. Here's a web site to compute this stuff yourself: http://www.smokemup.com/
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
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From: Swansea IL
Originally Posted by JerryL
It's strictly a gearing issue. Both cars reach top speed in 5th gear at the rev-limiter setting. The standard C5 manual 5th gear ratio is .74 the z06 is .84. assuming that you have a stock rev-limiter setting and OEM tires you're looking at a top end of about 172. Additional horsepower will not change your top end in 5th gear without changing the rev-limiter setting. You don't have enough horsepower to pull max rpms in 6th gear.
" CF: Given that the C6 and C6 Z06 will be fastbacks, is there any possibility a notchback might be introduced later in the model run as it was with the C5?
Secondly, since an auxiliary hardtop for the convertible offers a similar appearance, is any thought being given to introducing such a piece, either as an orderable option or as part of the Genuine Corvette Accessories program?
DH "The notchback body style was stiff and light, but inferior for aerodynamic drag and therefore, top speed. We have no plans for its return at this time.
"We have evaluated the addition of a removeable hardtop for the convertible and concluded it is not a place we wish to spend our energy at this time. We have improved both the stiffness and quietness of the 2005 convertible, while making the manual top version even lighter than its predecessor. So we don't think the customer gains very much, and those who engage in wheel-to-wheel competition will probably prefer one of the coupe models."
Tom
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Chapin SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
AFVETTE,
Far from me to argue with Dave Hill, however it's a fact that the top speed of a stock Z06 is limited by the factory rev-limiter setting. It's also true that the fixed roof coupe (Z06) aerodynamics are inferior to the standard C5. If you put a MN6 transmission (with the higher gearing) in a Z06 I'd bet good money that the extra 55 horsepower and the higher limiter setting would overcome the slight handicap in drag coefficients. I believe the stock LS1 limiter is set at 6200 rpm.
Far from me to argue with Dave Hill, however it's a fact that the top speed of a stock Z06 is limited by the factory rev-limiter setting. It's also true that the fixed roof coupe (Z06) aerodynamics are inferior to the standard C5. If you put a MN6 transmission (with the higher gearing) in a Z06 I'd bet good money that the extra 55 horsepower and the higher limiter setting would overcome the slight handicap in drag coefficients. I believe the stock LS1 limiter is set at 6200 rpm.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
I think the top speed issue is a moot point. Most ppl cant take a 120 mph run for more then few sec on the road race circuite.
There have been several times I have taken students down a long straight on a circuite and they freak out when the car hits 120-125 and they have to HOLD THAT speed. It takes driving skill and know how to make safe runs at those high speeds.
Be safe guys, dont do these runs on public roads. Take it to a HPDE or track day on a closed circuite for saftey. Then you dont have to worry about someone pulling out in front of you on the cell phone or whatever.
There have been several times I have taken students down a long straight on a circuite and they freak out when the car hits 120-125 and they have to HOLD THAT speed. It takes driving skill and know how to make safe runs at those high speeds.
Be safe guys, dont do these runs on public roads. Take it to a HPDE or track day on a closed circuite for saftey. Then you dont have to worry about someone pulling out in front of you on the cell phone or whatever.
Last edited by AU N EGL; Mar 1, 2005 at 02:42 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
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From: Shiloh Ohio
body style
The reason a coupe has a higher top speed than a Z06 is due to aerodynamics of the body styling. If you put the LS6 in a coupe you would get an even higher top end, not much but a little more.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by shurite44
The reason a coupe has a higher top speed than a Z06 is due to aerodynamics of the body styling. If you put the LS6 in a coupe you would get an even higher top end, not much but a little more.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 1
From: McKinney TX
The comments on the 5th gear ratios are correct. I've had friends hit upper 180s on the bottle. Redline is your limit in 5th gear. I really wish the Z tranny had the coupe's tranny 5th and 6th ratios.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 609
Likes: 36
From: Portland OR
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
I think the top speed issue is a moot point. Most ppl cant take a 120 mph run for more then few sec on the road race circuite.
There have been several times I have taken students down a long straight on a circuite and they freak out when the car hits 120-125 and they have to HOLD THAT speed. It takes driving skill and know how to make safe runs at those high speeds.
Be safe guys, dont do these runs on public roads. Take it to a HPDE or track day on a closed circuite for saftey. Then you dont have to worry about someone pulling out in front of you on the cell phone or whatever.
There have been several times I have taken students down a long straight on a circuite and they freak out when the car hits 120-125 and they have to HOLD THAT speed. It takes driving skill and know how to make safe runs at those high speeds.
Be safe guys, dont do these runs on public roads. Take it to a HPDE or track day on a closed circuite for saftey. Then you dont have to worry about someone pulling out in front of you on the cell phone or whatever.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 37
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From: Wichita KS
Originally Posted by AustinL911
I HIGHLY advise against doing highspeed runs, if that is what you intend to do. It bit me in the ***.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 27
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Originally Posted by SoldmyWS64AC5
I agree with this 100% who cares if the car goes 180. I can cruise at 120 but anything above that things are going ridicously fast. Also on a public road you go to jail providing you don't hit a bump or gravel and kill yourself. Not that I haven't been lucky and had some high speed runs in my WS6 and TA. But I think I've had the vette to 110 on the highway and that was mostly on accident I looked down and was like ohh ****!!!
I topped my Z out last fall on a deserted interstate very early on a sunday morning, I don't recommend anyone doing that on a public road. Then again the only real place you can do it and not go to jail would be Bonneville or something. I don't know of a single Racetrack in the US that would have a long enough straight for these cars to hit top speed (in stock form, and a track normal people can drive on).
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Columbus Ohio
Originally Posted by Delta-V
That looks just like Csaba Csere's Trans Am after he did a pirouette in it at Bonneville. He was going like 210mph, tho, when the car went airborne.
