[Z06] Top Speed
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 1
From: Douglasville Ga
Top Speed
One of the major factors in the top speed of a C5 is the wall of air that the car ends up pushing when it gets up to ~175 mph, and I am sure that the same air reduces acceleration to some extent all the way up. Anyone have any ideas of how to reduce the air build up in front of the car.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
You could try taping over the brake vents and partially over the intake with some 200 mph tape. The NASCAR guys do this. It may be worth one or two m.p.h.
Last edited by KBRVETTE93; Jun 4, 2007 at 01:21 PM. Reason: wrong
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
One of the major factors in the top speed of a C5 is the wall of air that the car ends up pushing when it gets up to ~175 mph, and I am sure that the same air reduces acceleration to some extent all the way up. Anyone have any ideas of how to reduce the air build up in front of the car.
Reducing drag would help the car reach its top speed sooner, but it is a long slog to 170+ mph, and I'm not aware of many places you can LEGALLY get the car to that speed. Most race courses just don't have enough straightaway to get anywhere near the car's top speed.
Maybe if you join something like the Silver State Classic you can reach the car's top speed .... http://www.sscc.us/
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 1
From: Douglasville Ga
You are correct that there is not too many places that have enough room to get the car up to max speed. However, i grew up in the back woods of Elberta, Al and when I had the car down there for my wedding in April, i had the car up to 160 and still had about 2 miles of straight road before I had to start stopping. But thanks for the link. Sounds like a lot of fun.
Last edited by Bigstik; Jun 4, 2007 at 02:32 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
"Race cars capable of going 200 mph usually have at least 650 hp, about 350 of which goes into overcoming air resistance. It is probably possible to go 200 mph with a car in the 450-500 hp range, but such a car would have very good aerodynamics; expensive, low-friction internal parts; and low rolling resistance tires, which are designed to have the smallest possible contact patch like high performance bicycle tires, and are therefore not good for handling."
Physics of Racing - Speed and Horsepower
Physics of Racing - Speed and Horsepower
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
If you haven't already, lowering the car with the front lower than the rear will help by keeping air from going under the car. You could also cover any holes such as the brake ducts and front grill areas. These ideas will also increase stability at such speeds.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
One of the major factors in the top speed of a C5 is the wall of air that the car ends up pushing when it gets up to ~175 mph, and I am sure that the same air reduces acceleration to some extent all the way up. Anyone have any ideas of how to reduce the air build up in front of the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 117
186 mph is a top speed we did more than once, recorded on GPS and in Computer with HPTuner logger.
Never tested that speed with a stock ZO6, but that actual aero config seems to be pretty stable at those speed.
The most bothering is the bumpy road.
Here is a vid of a 185mph top speed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYhRh7XZ8Gw
Never tested that speed with a stock ZO6, but that actual aero config seems to be pretty stable at those speed.
The most bothering is the bumpy road.
Here is a vid of a 185mph top speed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYhRh7XZ8Gw
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
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Germany
very impressive video. I am in Germany and my wife and I coming home from work both hit 175MPH, easily, hers is an 02 Z06 and mine an 01 with 04 LS6 long block. My fastest is 187 in a nice down 7 kilometer downward slope after hitting 183 or so in 5th first and then 6th.
The biggest problem is I hit that damn fuel cutoff like a brick wall at 183 in 5th, I still have pedal to go. 60-75mph seems like I am riding a bike to me now. I also track my car at Hockenheim and well it all looks like a giant race track to me on the autobahn.
ciao,
californiakid
The biggest problem is I hit that damn fuel cutoff like a brick wall at 183 in 5th, I still have pedal to go. 60-75mph seems like I am riding a bike to me now. I also track my car at Hockenheim and well it all looks like a giant race track to me on the autobahn.
ciao,
californiakid
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,937
Likes: 1,925
From: NC
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
One of the major factors in the top speed of a C5 is the wall of air that the car ends up pushing when it gets up to ~175 mph, and I am sure that the same air reduces acceleration to some extent all the way up. Anyone have any ideas of how to reduce the air build up in front of the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville Georgia
Just go F/I & utilize that 6th gear! 
All you would have to worry about is the lift at 200+ mph. One time I got my speedo up to that speed and it still felt like it could have kept going but I let off because the car was starting to slightly sway left and right...almost like it was rocking side to side slightly. I know these cars weren't designed for these kind of speeds like the new ones, so for my own saftey I happily let off 
I just wanted to hit that 200 mark once in my life, now I did so I'm satisfied and have no desire to do it again.
All you would have to worry about is the lift at 200+ mph. One time I got my speedo up to that speed and it still felt like it could have kept going but I let off because the car was starting to slightly sway left and right...almost like it was rocking side to side slightly. I know these cars weren't designed for these kind of speeds like the new ones, so for my own saftey I happily let off I just wanted to hit that 200 mark once in my life, now I did so I'm satisfied and have no desire to do it again.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Germany
I will be adding a magnasun blower in the next few months with random tech high flow cats and random X pipe with GM CNC LS6 heads to replace the Katech heads. I will use stock boost. I hope to at least get some pull in 6th gear.
I heard some people are modding the 5th gear tranny by changing the gear to that of the C5 to get better top speed.
Ciao,
Californiakid
I heard some people are modding the 5th gear tranny by changing the gear to that of the C5 to get better top speed.
Ciao,
Californiakid
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
been there done that
200mph is a major feat. It is harder then most people think. 206 is the best in the blue C4 (see sig). Also it is one thing to go up and touch the deuce and another to go distance at that speed. Just be safe, 200mph is not some thing you just go out and do. Check tires, inflation, all fluids (last thing you need is something locking up at speed), course pre-drive multiple time looking for hazards. this is what can happen when a tire goes away at 204:
http://www.boomspeed.com/jeffyvette/Blowout.jpg
All the damage is from the explosion, I never impacted anything.
These speeds were also done at Open Road Races, the Silver state is one group see above. Another is:
www.openroadracing.com
There are races June(this weekend), July and Aug.
Jeffy'
http://www.boomspeed.com/jeffyvette/Blowout.jpg
All the damage is from the explosion, I never impacted anything.
These speeds were also done at Open Road Races, the Silver state is one group see above. Another is:
www.openroadracing.com
There are races June(this weekend), July and Aug.
Jeffy'
Last edited by Jeffyvette; Jun 6, 2007 at 07:44 AM. Reason: more info
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville Georgia
The new Z06 has 0.31 Cd (Drag) 500 Crank HP...Top Speed=198 mph.
My Z06 has 0.31 Cd & dyno'd 539 on a Mustang Dyno which is about 550++ on the Dynojet. That's about 120 more HP at the wheels and the same aerodynamics as the new 198mph Z06. When I went over 200 mph the rpm's were still climbing and absolutely could have kept going.
It really felt like it could have hit 210, and without wind I bet it probably could. I wouldn't want to try it though for fear of the car coming off the ground.
As stated above...If your gonna try this just be careful & try to do it on a private airforce base or large track somewhere lol
My Z06 has 0.31 Cd & dyno'd 539 on a Mustang Dyno which is about 550++ on the Dynojet. That's about 120 more HP at the wheels and the same aerodynamics as the new 198mph Z06. When I went over 200 mph the rpm's were still climbing and absolutely could have kept going.
It really felt like it could have hit 210, and without wind I bet it probably could. I wouldn't want to try it though for fear of the car coming off the ground.
As stated above...If your gonna try this just be careful & try to do it on a private airforce base or large track somewhere lol
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville Georgia
Here's a link to some Supercharged & Turbocharged Z06 Corvettes and some other cool cars HP/TQ 1/4 Mile & Top Speed runs. www.jeff.com/lingenfelter.htm *My car has about 550RWHP & Ran 11.2 129 on street tires. These cars are rated at the Crank I believe. Most of these guys have no problem hitting the 200+ Mark. Check out this site. Very cool stuff Later guys 
**Sorry I just tried it and now it's not working!! I'll get back to you on this.
Later guys **Sorry I just tried it and now it's not working!! I'll get back to you on this.
Last edited by Vetteoholic; Jun 6, 2007 at 10:26 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
