Top speed concern???
Thread Starter
Too Much Fun
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 205
From: Florence, AL
Top speed concern???
This past weekend on a CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC road, I wanted to see what top end was on my car---BOY WAS I SURPRISED....SEE MODS IN SIG Below---I got to 146 MPH and car would go no faster! With my mods and 3.42 gears should this be correct on my 2002 Corvette? I must say I was a little shocked, don't know why, but would have thought top end would be a little faster than this?!?!?!?!?!?! 
If this doesn't seem right, where should I look first (I know my gears would impact it a little---or a lot).....
If this doesn't seem right, where should I look first (I know my gears would impact it a little---or a lot).....
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 1
From: N.GA
Dude, I remember watching a magazine do top speed runs with a ferrari, corvette, viper, and something else, and in 1998 the Torch Red Coupe went either 184, 185, or 186. Might wanna look into your car man, something is whacky
Much Luck
Much Luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 0
From: I have to return some videotapes
Down hill?ZR1 tops out at 180-182, which is faster than any factory C5.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 0
From: I have to return some videotapes
I don't know as much about top speed in autos, but...Jamey- I assume you were at full throttle. Was the car in third at redline at that speed. In fact, that must be it. You've got a 3.42, so your third is the same as our fourth. 146 is right about redline in fourth for me. Your car probably won't pull in OD, so it looks like you lost some top end with the gear swap.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
I could be wrong, but that larger torq converter maybe a factor.
My car with lower gears (3:15) feels like it tops out around 155mph, but I know it has more and I am running 2800 TC.
Also, in my Z28 with a 3:42 rear-end I really had a hard time pulling over 155mph, but that probably had something to do with drag.
Micah
My car with lower gears (3:15) feels like it tops out around 155mph, but I know it has more and I am running 2800 TC.
Also, in my Z28 with a 3:42 rear-end I really had a hard time pulling over 155mph, but that probably had something to do with drag.
Micah
Last edited by mph1972; Feb 27, 2007 at 08:56 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 2
From: Valdosta GA
Remembering from my factory tours, they stated that the top speed of a factory coupe at 176 and the Z06 at 171.
However, you have probably given up some top speed due to the change in gearing (with your automatic it came with either 2.73 or 3.15 gears so going to the 3.42 would lose a little on the top end for better acceleration). But I have a hard time believing that you would lose that much from the gearing change. Sounds like something isn't just right. But I'm no expert either.
Good luck with it.
However, you have probably given up some top speed due to the change in gearing (with your automatic it came with either 2.73 or 3.15 gears so going to the 3.42 would lose a little on the top end for better acceleration). But I have a hard time believing that you would lose that much from the gearing change. Sounds like something isn't just right. But I'm no expert either.
Good luck with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
I just saw that video on youtube. Its on there if anybody can find it.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Something is not right. I have an A4, 3.42 rear with 3200 stall TC. Although I am running a little more RWHP, it should not make that much of a difference. I typically hit the mid 170's on the back straght-away at Road Atlanta. The car is still accelerating...I just run out of 'straight' track before I run out of power.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 0
From: I have to return some videotapes
Something is not right. I have an A4, 3.42 rear with 3200 stall TC. Although I am running a little more RWHP, it should not make that much of a difference. I typically hit the mid 170's on the back straght-away at Road Atlanta. The car is still accelerating...I just run out of 'straight' track before I run out of power.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
I agree, it almost sounds like a tranny problem, but if it is not shifting, he would be hitting the rev limiter in 3rd.
Last edited by Sully C5; Feb 27, 2007 at 09:49 AM.