C5 Top Speed Run Question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 136
From: SoCal CA
C5 Top Speed Run Question, with video
Hey guys, Im planning a trip to a dry lake bed for a top speed run in my C5. Ive read many threads and it seems that a C5 needs about 420-440rwhp to achieve 200mph. I have 500rwhp with an a4/3.42's, according to that info I should hit 200 in 4th, of course, around 6300rpm. Question is though, if I have enough power, how much distance will be needed to achieve 200mph? I believe the lake bed Im going to is about 3mi across. Im thinking 1.5mi to accelerate and 1.5 to decel? Thanks.
From post #27
Here is the vid where i shut her down at 180mph.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQX2vD6V2X4
From post #27
Here is the vid where i shut her down at 180mph.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQX2vD6V2X4
Last edited by C5Natie; Oct 13, 2011 at 07:49 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,356
Likes: 2,893
From: Fort Worth, Texas
It took me ~3 miles to hit 195mph. I can get to 175 in the first mile, but at that point you're covering a almost a football field a second and acceleration is much slower. You only need a half mile to safely slow down though, so it will be real close for you. I hope your trans is built and has a good cooler as overdrive at those speeds will put a lot of strain on it, good luck!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 136
From: SoCal CA
It took me ~3 miles to hit 195mph. I can get to 175 in the first mile, but at that point you're covering a almost a football field a second and acceleration is much slower. You only need a half mile to safely slow down though, so it will be real close for you. I hope your trans is built and has a good cooler as overdrive at those speeds will put a lot of strain on it, good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,356
Likes: 2,893
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Maybe I can push it to 2-2.5mi for accel. Thanks and yeah the trans is fully built and I run a large plate style cooler. Ive tracked and dragged the car and the trans rarely saw temps above 190 after some really hard driving. Ive been 180mph before without the car breaking a sweat so I really want to at least say ive been 200mph.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 136
From: SoCal CA
Yeah i thought about that too though the racing association that uses that lake says the dirt is as hard as pavement there. I only heard that it is 3mi long but that may have been just that area that person was at. I looked on google earth and it is way bigger than 3mi. Some private planes have used it as a runway before too. If I get a nice 4 maybe even 5mi straight I think I can do it, just to be safe.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 136
From: SoCal CA
Looks like Im going for it this Thursday. I'll get some video for sure. Gonna put the car on the lift tomorrow and do a full safety inspection, make sure everything is nice and tight.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Hey guys, Im planning a trip to a dry lake bed for a top speed run in my C5. Ive read many threads and it seems that a C5 needs about 420-440rwhp to achieve 200mph. I have 500rwhp with an a4/3.42's, according to that info I should hit 200 in 4th, of course, around 6300rpm. Question is though, if I have enough power, how much distance will be needed to achieve 200mph? I believe the lake bed Im going to is about 3mi across. Im thinking 1.5mi to accelerate and 1.5 to decel? Thanks.
most cars need close to 900 hp to hit 200 mph, from a dead stop in one mile to hit 200.
1.5 miles and 500 hp, close to 180 would be my guess.
Good Luck
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,356
Likes: 2,893
From: Fort Worth, Texas
He's talking top speed, not mile run. A C6Z with much more rolling resistance and drag can do 198mph with ~440rwhp, so he's not too far off. A well set up 750hp car should get to 200mph in a mile as some 650rwhp cars have in good conditions.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 136
From: SoCal CA
Yeah its not a mile run. Looks like the lake is 6mi long with the lakebed itself being about 4mi all of which can be used to reach 200mph, and brake safely of course.
Looks like due to some rain last week tomorrows run will be rescheduled. Probably for late october or early november now. I'll post results and vid for sure.
Looks like due to some rain last week tomorrows run will be rescheduled. Probably for late october or early november now. I'll post results and vid for sure.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
I hit 178 MPH with my 400 RWHP A4 at an old closed airport-- (4 miles) and we had to drive the whole track with a quad to clear any debris and check for potholes--AND leave before we got caught !!!
I think at the dry lake beds specifically used for speed efforts with a santioning body ambulance etc--require many safety mods in order to go beyond 150 MPH--I would check 1st before you make the trip--
I think at the dry lake beds specifically used for speed efforts with a santioning body ambulance etc--require many safety mods in order to go beyond 150 MPH--I would check 1st before you make the trip--
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
I hit 178 MPH with my 400 RWHP A4 at an old closed airport-- (4 miles) and we had to drive the whole track with a quad to clear any debris and check for potholes--AND leave before we got caught !!!
I think at the dry lake beds specifically used for speed efforts with a santioning body ambulance etc--require many safety mods in order to go beyond 150 MPH--I would check 1st before you make the trip--
I think at the dry lake beds specifically used for speed efforts with a santioning body ambulance etc--require many safety mods in order to go beyond 150 MPH--I would check 1st before you make the trip--
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 136
From: SoCal CA
I hit 178 MPH with my 400 RWHP A4 at an old closed airport-- (4 miles) and we had to drive the whole track with a quad to clear any debris and check for potholes--AND leave before we got caught !!!
I think at the dry lake beds specifically used for speed efforts with a santioning body ambulance etc--require many safety mods in order to go beyond 150 MPH--I would check 1st before you make the trip--
I think at the dry lake beds specifically used for speed efforts with a santioning body ambulance etc--require many safety mods in order to go beyond 150 MPH--I would check 1st before you make the trip--
This lakebed is used for land speed racing but we arent doing it thru a sanctioning body. Theres no speed limit on the lake bed and top speed runs are perfectly legal. Safety is up to us and we dont take it lightly. I dont have a cage but i will be wearing my helmet and equipment along with a full safety check on the car.
Seems the phone recording was wrong and the lakebed is dry and ready to go for tomorrow.
Last edited by C5Natie; Oct 12, 2011 at 01:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 136
From: SoCal CA
Here's what im talking about. In the second vid, that guy held 169mph for a while. Looks like he had a lot more room to keep going but he wasnt on the smoothest part of the lakebed either.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hUYz...e_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnR_V...e_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hUYz...e_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnR_V...e_gdata_player
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 136
From: SoCal CA
In the second video the guy wasnt very smart. If you notice towards the end there was a bike that flew by him head on. It was too close for my comfort. We drive down the full length to make sure it flat clear of motorist and safe and a spotter on a walkie. Thats why we are going during the week, less people.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
I dont think 650 in is gonna get it done in that short of a distance. assuming you aren't gutting it and turing it into a race car. I would love to do the mile and hit 200 in it someday after my tr6060 conversion. I wonder how much power I will need.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
In the second video the guy wasnt very smart. If you notice towards the end there was a bike that flew by him head on. It was too close for my comfort. We drive down the full length to make sure it flat clear of motorist and safe and a spotter on a walkie. Thats why we are going during the week, less people.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 941
Likes: 3
From: Grand Rapids MI
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 136
From: SoCal CA
Yes there are park rangers that will work with you and clear the area. Its some people that show up and just go for it with no warning that's scary. If you at least take binoculars you can look around for miles. That's why I won't go on the weekend.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
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From: SoCal CA