C5 top speed
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
I pushed my very first C5, a 97, a long time ago to 140 and backed off. Never done it again at that speed or more.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
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From: jefferson texas
As with other posters above I have heard, maybe read of the 175 top for a manual C5. I've had my lightly modded car to 130 and it was still pulling pretty well. At about that 130 mark my now enhanced awareness of my mortality kicked in (that awareness becomes more acute with age and experience) and I got off it. I much more enjoy short bursts of acceleration at lower speeds these days. Mostly now one of those old cruising dudes. Best wishes to all.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Hickory NC
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St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
Was that because she wanted to drive? 
Sounds like you were having the same kinds of troubles as in the song, "Beep, Beep....The Little Nash Rambler". 
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
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I’ve done 145 twice in stock auto 3.15rear coupe . Steady ride , plenty left . I think it’s rated 160 - 170 and I don’t doubt it . I time I was following zr1 and it took off ! Met him later at Captree . The road to captree is straight for miles . I know there are cars that have gone way faster on that road !
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Somewhere in the middle of Kansas
I had my C4 coupe up to 140 mph and still climbing once and it started to get a little scary and I backed out of it. I have yet to stretch the legs of my "Maggnified" Z06 but would like to on a closed flat somewhere. It sure feels like it would push the 200 mph neighborhood.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: not far enough from Chicago
I think a rev limiter is a good idea. When you start to go past it, the engine
starts to sputter and won’t allow you to pass it. How much over redline do you want to go and blow the engine?
starts to sputter and won’t allow you to pass it. How much over redline do you want to go and blow the engine?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 800
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From: San Diego CA
A stock NON Z06 car actually has a higher top speed. This is due to the close ratio gears in the M12 that's in the Z. My buddy had his bone stock 2003 Z hit around 165. He said it felt topped out.
Last edited by EVLGTO; Jun 25, 2018 at 09:45 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 462
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From: Ozark Alabama
There are also Mile Runs at Cape Canaveral every once in a while. I have a cousin that runs his Viper and Demon down there. I know they have been over 200 in both of them, they also go out to over 2 miles. I think Johnny Bohmer sets up the events.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Granbury Texas
This record holder is not my car. The Z06 is a better initial platform for any type of performance build. The stock C5 is supposedly a little faster than the (FRC) coupe, but only because of the rear axle ratio. The Stock C5 have a "limiter" in 1st thru 4th gear, and a "fuel shutoff" in 5th gear. All are set at 6600rpm. My bone stock 04 Z06 ran 163.0mph in a standing mile at the Texas Mile. It also ran 177mph at fuel shutoff in 5th gear. Your results may vary.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: not far enough from Chicago
Back in the day, I owned a stock 75 with a four speed.
I’m not sure, but I think that baby was cranking out around 150 or 200 RWHP.
From a dead start, if I nailed it I got an eek from those massive 8” baby’s.
My brother and I were on our way to California.
We decided to take a back road for the scenery. One of those roads that has a sine, NEXT GAS STOP 50 MILES OR SOMETHING. It was beautiful with mountains way off in the distance. I may have remembered some of this wrong, that was 4 lifetimes ago. I slammed that go pedal to the floor and I think we topped out at almost 120. OH, for the good old days.
I’m not sure, but I think that baby was cranking out around 150 or 200 RWHP.
From a dead start, if I nailed it I got an eek from those massive 8” baby’s.
My brother and I were on our way to California.
We decided to take a back road for the scenery. One of those roads that has a sine, NEXT GAS STOP 50 MILES OR SOMETHING. It was beautiful with mountains way off in the distance. I may have remembered some of this wrong, that was 4 lifetimes ago. I slammed that go pedal to the floor and I think we topped out at almost 120. OH, for the good old days.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
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This record holder is not my car. The Z06 is a better initial platform for any type of performance build. The stock C5 is supposedly a little faster than the (FRC) coupe, but only because of the rear axle ratio. The Stock C5 have a "limiter" in 1st thru 4th gear, and a "fuel shutoff" in 5th gear. All are set at 6600rpm. My bone stock 04 Z06 ran 163.0mph in a standing mile at the Texas Mile. It also ran 177mph at fuel shutoff in 5th gear. Your results may vary.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,023
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From: Port Charlotte Florida
Awhile ago, I was browsing one of the many top speed websites, and I came across some information reporting a top speed of 182 for the C5 coupe and 179 for the fixed roof coupe (FRC). Supposedly, the coupe's sloped rear hatch is more aerodynamic than the FRC's vertical rear glass. No top speed was listed for the convertible.
In addition, the top speed of a C6 was listed as 190.
This info was supposedly based on tests by one or more car magazines either here or overseas.
In addition, the top speed of a C6 was listed as 190.
This info was supposedly based on tests by one or more car magazines either here or overseas.