How fast?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 498
Likes: 100
From: New Jersey
Frankly it sounds like three things are going on here:
1. He's a douche
2. He's jealous
3. He doesn't know anything about cars
I had my 3600 pound 260 hp Eclipse up to 126mph back when I had it. Only had the Vette to 120 and still pulling VERY hard. More than capable of speeds over 130 and thats a given... all you have to do is compare the hp to the power rating and then throw in the drag coefficient. Its not rocket science.
Next time show him whats what. Just don't go to crazy, I hear after 140 or 150 the front end can get a little light.
1. He's a douche
2. He's jealous
3. He doesn't know anything about cars
I had my 3600 pound 260 hp Eclipse up to 126mph back when I had it. Only had the Vette to 120 and still pulling VERY hard. More than capable of speeds over 130 and thats a given... all you have to do is compare the hp to the power rating and then throw in the drag coefficient. Its not rocket science.
Next time show him whats what. Just don't go to crazy, I hear after 140 or 150 the front end can get a little light.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 904
Likes: 296
From: Sacramento, California
I've only had my 02Z up to 130, but backed off as the wife said "that's enough", lol, but I had my 96 Impala SS up to 160 which was surprising, so I have no doubt the Z could do 170. 
Steve
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,671
Likes: 4,621
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
The C5 coupe official top speed was reported at 175 mph back in 1997 and at 172 mph for the FRC body style in 1999. I have read results of top speeds in excess of 175. Anyone can easily find this info on the internet. The new 2019 Corvette ZR1 is reported to have an official top speed of 212 mph. Tell your BIL to pound salt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
I'll never know what my 03 vert will do! I'm old and don't really care anymore.
I do know however, that it will move on out when you hit passing gear!! Had it up to 125 and around two eighteen wheelers in a matter of seconds. Wife was chewing me out the whole time. I am used to that though.
I do know however, that it will move on out when you hit passing gear!! Had it up to 125 and around two eighteen wheelers in a matter of seconds. Wife was chewing me out the whole time. I am used to that though.
That is one reason wifee does not want to go with me in Vette.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
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Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 303
So my brother in law came over for Thanksgiving. Got to show him my first Vette for the first time. He liked it alright, but when he saw the 200 mph speedometer he said there no way these cars can do over 130 (yeah, that brother in law). So to enhance my discussion - and hopefully bragging rights - next time I see him, what is an expected top end for a 2003 fully stock Vette? I know I could take on the track and find out myself, but I'm not quite ready for that. What do you guys know?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 205
From: Westerville Ohio
Most of them will get up to 150 easily before they start to slow their pace. The final 20mph or so will draw out over an exponentially longer span of road.
Quoting 165 will be a safe number that can't be wrong. However, above that, factors like altitude, elevation and even humidity will make a difference in the final few digits. Drag is absolutely everything at those numbers.
Quoting 165 will be a safe number that can't be wrong. However, above that, factors like altitude, elevation and even humidity will make a difference in the final few digits. Drag is absolutely everything at those numbers.
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,985
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Frankly it sounds like three things are going on here:
1. He's a douche
2. He's jealous
3. He doesn't know anything about cars
I had my 3600 pound 260 hp Eclipse up to 126mph back when I had it. Only had the Vette to 120 and still pulling VERY hard. More than capable of speeds over 130 and thats a given... all you have to do is compare the hp to the power rating and then throw in the drag coefficient. Its not rocket science.
Next time show him whats what. Just don't go to crazy, I hear after 140 or 150 the front end can get a little light.
1. He's a douche
2. He's jealous
3. He doesn't know anything about cars
I had my 3600 pound 260 hp Eclipse up to 126mph back when I had it. Only had the Vette to 120 and still pulling VERY hard. More than capable of speeds over 130 and thats a given... all you have to do is compare the hp to the power rating and then throw in the drag coefficient. Its not rocket science.
Next time show him whats what. Just don't go to crazy, I hear after 140 or 150 the front end can get a little light.
Douche, jealous, and stupid My 1991 Talon TsiAWD (older Eclipse's twin) speedometer pegs at 145 mph and I've had it buried MANY times.
I can also attest to the front end of a C5 getting light but I didn't feel it until the 160's. I backed off at 167 mph. Damn near stock 02 manual, 5th gear.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 200
From: Atlanta GA
I have had my 00 Coupe up to 151 and my 03 Z06 to a tad over 150. I shut them down, not that they had run out of room or hit the limit.
These cars are easily capable of 165-175 MPH in stock form.
These cars are easily capable of 165-175 MPH in stock form.
Last edited by bikeriderga; Nov 24, 2018 at 10:14 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 387
From: Port Charlotte Florida
So my brother in law came over for Thanksgiving. Got to show him my first Vette for the first time. He liked it alright, but when he saw the 200 mph speedometer he said there no way these cars can do over 130 (yeah, that brother in law). So to enhance my discussion - and hopefully bragging rights - next time I see him, what is an expected top end for a 2003 fully stock Vette? I know I could take on the track and find out myself, but I'm not quite ready for that. What do you guys know?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 387
From: Port Charlotte Florida
Douche, jealous, and stupid My 1991 Talon TsiAWD (older Eclipse's twin) speedometer pegs at 145 mph and I've had it buried MANY times.
I can also attest to the front end of a C5 getting light but I didn't feel it until the 160's. I backed off at 167 mph. Damn near stock 02 manual, 5th gear.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 602
Likes: 496
From: Stockton, CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
"In the day" road tests showed C5 coupes at 175 mph. C6's up to 185.
Lingenfelter twin turbo C5 (back in 1998 or so) exceeded 200 mph at the Ohio TRC - 226 in fact.
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/chev...-lingenfelter/
Lingenfelter twin turbo C5 (back in 1998 or so) exceeded 200 mph at the Ohio TRC - 226 in fact.
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/chev...-lingenfelter/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,429
Likes: 973
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
I was at 135 coming out of turn 3(?) at Pocono and had to brake hard to get into the infield safely. It was an HPDE.
I also go by the official GM numbers.
My friend Striper, on this forum did 160+ in the Texas Mile a few years ago, stock Z06.
I also go by the official GM numbers.
My friend Striper, on this forum did 160+ in the Texas Mile a few years ago, stock Z06.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,429
Likes: 973
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Pro
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 611
Likes: 184
From: Atlanta GA
