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[Z06] Top End

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Old Jul 4, 2003 | 09:01 AM
  #1  
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Default Top End

OK fellow Z owners let's spill it. Chevy alleges a top end on the car of 175 ( I doubt this). How many of us have found their top end, what was it, and where was it done? Knowing we observe the speed limit all the time, it will be difficult for some to "come across", LOL!

As for me, I haven't done it yet, prolly won't, and don't know where around here to try anyway. In the not so distant past, I took another make to it's 160 top end west of Ft. Worth a few times. Out there, the highways are straight, the visibility is unlimited and the traffic is nil. Lectures only from Buick drivers please.... Let's have fun with this thread... :cheers:
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Old Jul 4, 2003 | 10:07 AM
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Default Re: Top End (Roadfrog)

Well, I would never try to run top end anywhere EXCEPT at the track, too much that can go wrong from cops to debris in the road. That said MANY Z06 owners have had their cars over 170, and Justin Bell did it over and over again in the recent MT article. So the car will do the number.

Les :yesnod: :cheers:
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Old Jul 4, 2003 | 10:20 AM
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Default Re: Top End

The car is gear limited to the low to mid 170s depending on aerodynamic forces. Not that I have any personal experience :D , but I would imagine you should be able to do 174 on a slight uphill on a day with mild wind. I would also imagine that the windows start pulling out at about 130-140mph, and that the front end starts getting just a tad light around 160mph. But this is all just theoretical of course. :yesnod: :lol: :D
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Old Jul 4, 2003 | 11:41 AM
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Default Re: Top End (EvanZ06)

The car is gear limited to the low to mid 170s depending on aerodynamic forces. Not that I have any personal experience :D , but I would imagine you should be able to do 174 on a slight uphill on a day with mild wind.
If the car is gear limited what do aerodynamic forces have to do with anything?
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Old Jul 4, 2003 | 12:36 PM
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Default Re: Top End (96VIPERGTS)

The car is gear limited to the low to mid 170s depending on aerodynamic forces. Not that I have any personal experience :D , but I would imagine you should be able to do 174 on a slight uphill on a day with mild wind.

If the car is gear limited what do aerodynamic forces have to do with anything?
Gearing math will give you your theoretical top speed, aerodynamics will give you the real top end. If a car is geared very low, obviously changing the gears to get the highest top speed possible, is possible. But in the end it's HP vs. air. In a Road&Track top speed test they took a car that was 10mph slower by itself, but could stay with the faster car when closely following it.

Me 179mph on a slight down hill on autobahn 60, and it was legal!!!!!!! :eek:
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Old Jul 4, 2003 | 12:38 PM
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Default Re: Top End (EvanZ06)

I would also imagine that the windows start pulling out at about 130-140mph, and that the front end starts getting just a tad light around 160mph. But this is all just theoretical of course. :yesnod: :lol: :D
Windows stay in and mine doesn't get light, she's lowered and I've done a LOT of miles between 130 and 150mph. I'm gonna hate living in the states again :sad:
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Old Jul 4, 2003 | 01:37 PM
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Default Re: Top End (Roadfrog)

Well, I'm never taking mine anywhere close to it's top end!

I can tell you that while having my cobra dyno'd, there was a TR 02' Z06 that did his pull right before me......the speedo read 177mph in 5th. So, I would think slightly several mph lower than that due to no wind drag/aerodynamics sitting on the dyno.

A little road flaw or debris at that speed might cause for an early "check out"
on your life.

Personally, I like the twisties and switch backs myself!


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Old Jul 4, 2003 | 06:24 PM
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Default Re: Top End (Roadfrog)

177 mph on the dyno
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Old Jul 5, 2003 | 03:59 PM
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Default Re: Top End (GaryZ06)

177 mph on the dyno
Driving that fast on a dyno and still not moving, sounds like the Twilight Zone. :lolg:
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Old Jul 5, 2003 | 04:28 PM
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Default Re: Top End (EvanZ06)

nope
its not gear limited
at last not much.
5th gear is pretty close to optimized for hitting the top speed the car can hit given its powerband and aerodynamics.


The car is gear limited to the low to mid 170s depending on aerodynamic forces. Not that I have any personal experience :D , but I would imagine you should be able to do 174 on a slight uphill on a day with mild wind. I would also imagine that the windows start pulling out at about 130-140mph, and that the front end starts getting just a tad light around 160mph. But this is all just theoretical of course. :yesnod: :lol: :D
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Old Jul 6, 2003 | 12:41 AM
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Default Re: Top End (jackmott)

I cant seem to break 175 MPH.
I keep hitting the FCO.
Did it with a GPS about 5 times. :D
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Old Jul 6, 2003 | 12:47 AM
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Default Re: Top End (Roadfrog)

I've never topped out the Z, but based on how fast it rips past 140, I don't doubt it at all. Only concern I have is the hood on the Z seems to float a little at high speed.

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Old Jul 6, 2003 | 02:34 AM
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Default Re: Top End (427CPE)

I've never topped out the Z, but based on how fast it rips past 140, I don't doubt it at all. Only concern I have is the hood on the Z seems to float a little at high speed.
Remove the rear hood seal, the one that runs from left to right just under the wipers. It allows under hood air to escape eliminating hood jump at speed and keeping the engine bay cooler.
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Old Jul 6, 2003 | 12:45 PM
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Default Re: Top End (CPT Z06)

Remove the rear hood seal, the one that runs from left to right just under the wipers. It allows under hood air to escape eliminating hood jump at speed and keeping the engine bay cooler.
Wouldn't this allow for hot air to be sucked into the outside air intake for the HVAC system?

Or are you just saying to remove the seal during high speed runs and leave it in place for the rest of the time?
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Old Jul 6, 2003 | 01:56 PM
  #15  
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Default Re: Top End (lt4vette)

Remove the rear hood seal, the one that runs from left to right just under the wipers. It allows under hood air to escape eliminating hood jump at speed and keeping the engine bay cooler.

Wouldn't this allow for hot air to be sucked into the outside air intake for the HVAC system?

Or are you just saying to remove the seal during high speed runs and leave it in place for the rest of the time?
Maybe a little, but I did not notice an increase in inside temps. Germany is cooler than FL, but I do have a black car.
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Old Jul 6, 2003 | 09:40 PM
  #16  
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Default Re: Top End (Roadfrog)

About 172 is all mine will do. I have tried going slightly down hill and it is still about 172?? The car seems to get a little light at about 130-140 then it feels a little more stable. It would not be wise to say where!
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