Speed / Stability
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Wilmington Ca.
Speed / Stability
Does anyone have experience or knowledge on the maximum stable straight line speed for a C5 Vert running with the top down? Let's assume this is on a straight line closed course. Also let's assume the car has unlimited HP and all mechanicals / tires are high speed capable. We know the C5 coupe is the best aerodynamic design of the three models and capable of safe speeds of 200 MPH. So would the C5 topless design exclude it from the 200 MPH club?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
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From: Flagstaff Az.
Your post says unlimited horsepower, so, yes you could achieve 200 if the car could stay straight. I think the turbulence would be such that I wouldn't want to be driving it. I ran my 56 vette at Murdock a long time ago with the top off and a full tonneau cover and it ran 172 with 620 HP. I ran out of gears. That was in 1958.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,178
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From: N. County/San Diego
Does anyone have experience or knowledge on the maximum stable straight line speed for a C5 Vert running with the top down? Let's assume this is on a straight line closed course. Also let's assume the car has unlimited HP and all mechanicals / tires are high speed capable. We know the C5 coupe is the best aerodynamic design of the three models and capable of safe speeds of 200 MPH. So would the C5 topless design exclude it from the 200 MPH club?
Kinda sounds like a car owned by someone we all know!
That being said, we can assume that a person driving a " a Supercharged/Topless C5" at the speeds noted above " AIN`T RIGHT!"
Anything above 110mph the buffeting will beat the crap out of you...... on a closed course mind you!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Given unlimited HP, the car could be capable of some very high speeds. You could build a motor that would crank out 1000HP and the car might do 250 or more. Brute force in terms of HP and torque will push the car to high speeds but it's possible that aerodynamic drag with no top may make the car unstable or even dangerous ast extreme speeds.
I would think that even if you could stand the turbulance inside the car, it could hit 200 assuming the car had the necessary HP. It would probably take less HP if the top was up or if you used a coupe. There would have to be a fair amount of drag due to the loss of the top surface for airflow over the car.
I had read an article about the C6 Z06 where it was mentioned that it can hit 200MPH with the stock motor IF you remove the outside mirrors. Otherwise, the car would only do 195 or so. So if that small amout of drag makes a few MPH difference with the same motor, you may need a considerable increase in HP to get a top-down vert to hit 200 compared to the top being up or a coupe body.
I would think that even if you could stand the turbulance inside the car, it could hit 200 assuming the car had the necessary HP. It would probably take less HP if the top was up or if you used a coupe. There would have to be a fair amount of drag due to the loss of the top surface for airflow over the car.
I had read an article about the C6 Z06 where it was mentioned that it can hit 200MPH with the stock motor IF you remove the outside mirrors. Otherwise, the car would only do 195 or so. So if that small amout of drag makes a few MPH difference with the same motor, you may need a considerable increase in HP to get a top-down vert to hit 200 compared to the top being up or a coupe body.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
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From: SoCal
Does anyone have experience or knowledge on the maximum stable straight line speed for a C5 Vert running with the top down? Let's assume this is on a straight line closed course. Also let's assume the car has unlimited HP and all mechanicals / tires are high speed capable. We know the C5 coupe is the best aerodynamic design of the three models and capable of safe speeds of 200 MPH. So would the C5 topless design exclude it from the 200 MPH club?
DH
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
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From: San Rafael CA
Given unlimited HP .... well the theoretical top speed would be limited to your engine redline in top gear .... and to figure out that top speed ...
Put the car in top gear (6th) and cruise at say 2000 RPM. If your speed is 80 MPH at 2000 RPM and your red line is 6000 RPM, then your top speed would be 3 times faster than your current speed (3 times 2000 = 6000 .... so 3 times 80 = 240 MPH!!!)
Whether the mirrors would rip off ... the front end lifts ... well ... LET US KNOW !!! 
Put the car in top gear (6th) and cruise at say 2000 RPM. If your speed is 80 MPH at 2000 RPM and your red line is 6000 RPM, then your top speed would be 3 times faster than your current speed (3 times 2000 = 6000 .... so 3 times 80 = 240 MPH!!!)
Whether the mirrors would rip off ... the front end lifts ... well ... LET US KNOW !!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Wilmington Ca.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,507
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From: Wilmington Ca.
Assume?
Kinda sounds like a car owned by someone we all know!
That being said, we can assume that a person driving a " a Supercharged/Topless C5" at the speeds noted above " AIN`T RIGHT!"
Anything above 110mph the buffeting will beat the crap out of you...... on a closed course mind you!
Kinda sounds like a car owned by someone we all know!
That being said, we can assume that a person driving a " a Supercharged/Topless C5" at the speeds noted above " AIN`T RIGHT!"
Anything above 110mph the buffeting will beat the crap out of you...... on a closed course mind you!
but I do Know 170 MPH with top down is one stimulating ride. But what I need to know is what comes after 170 mph.
Last edited by frank dupuy; Jan 5, 2007 at 10:43 PM.
Pro
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From: Prescott Valley Arizona
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,507
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From: Wilmington Ca.
Don't think I haven't thought about that. And that is one of many good reason to use a closed course rather than exceed the posted speed limit on public roads.