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Simple mods for top end speed

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Old Feb 20, 2015 | 02:25 AM
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Default Simple mods for top end speed

Been considering on running a few One mile courses this year.
04Z is stock with a Blackwing. Nothing else.
I'm guessing in the current form 165-170?

To squeek a few more MPH I was thinking maybe axle-back straight pipes?
A zero wheel alignment?

Just some inexpensive mods for the fun of it.

Ideas? Lets hear 'em

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Old Feb 20, 2015 | 05:15 PM
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exhaust will just give you noise wont increase hp if anything over your TI's. Other then that the basics. Headers intake,exhaust, ported tb , tune, pulley, gear change. After that you will have to crack into the motor if you really want to have some fun. This has been beaten to death a million times just fyi
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Old Feb 20, 2015 | 10:07 PM
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Lower the car about an inch in the back. You don't want to go lower because that will mess up the handling, but lower it a bit more in the front to give it a bit more rake. That will reduce drag as well as improve the high speed stability.

Get a set of skinny front tires, and if you want to spend a few bucks get some narrower front wheels for them Getting the air around the front tires is a big deal for aero drag. Pulling in the front tires so that they are tucked back into the fenders will improve the front end aerodynamics a good bit.

Check and make sure the front spoiler is in good shape and tape it up or do something to make sure it doesn't fold back at speed.
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Old Feb 20, 2015 | 11:03 PM
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Thanks Solofast,
The nose is already as low as stocks bolts will allow, so I'll crank up the rear for about a one inch rake?
I planned on running a full tank of fuel. any real advantage to racing fuel?
Blue tape all the lights and lenses and windshield joints.
Might reinforce the lower spoilers a bit to keep them from folding.
Definitely be lookin for a set of narrows...
And a set of pulleys
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Old Feb 22, 2015 | 10:15 PM
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Don't forget tire pressure. I would talk to some guys who have done the mile. As much as you can safely run to reduce rolling resistance.
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Old Feb 23, 2015 | 01:42 AM
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Thanks Marty
The Salt calls for 40psi minimum
Mojave has a 25psi min.
I'm sure a few more psi isn't going to cause a problem on one year old tires

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Old Feb 23, 2015 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
Been considering on running a few One mile courses this year.
04Z is stock with a Blackwing. Nothing else.
I'm guessing in the current form 165-170?

To squeek a few more MPH I was thinking maybe axle-back straight pipes?
A zero wheel alignment?

Just some inexpensive mods for the fun of it.

Ideas? Lets hear 'em

Aerodynamics enhancements such as duct tape all unnecessary openings and seams. Removing your outside mirrors, and taping the opening closed. Just a few things you can do to squeeze out a few more MPH. Hope you are only going dead straight during your high speed runs, the C5 does get its rear end light at high speed, having a huge rear wing will aid in pressing the rear end down but that increases drag and will take away maximum top end speed.
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Old Feb 23, 2015 | 11:37 PM
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I was planning on folding the mirrors back.
With a bit of added rake and a full tank think that will help?
Or add an extra two hundred pounds in the trunk.
Might not help on the mile though.
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Old Feb 24, 2015 | 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
I was planning on folding the mirrors back.
With a bit of added rake and a full tank think that will help?
Or add an extra two hundred pounds in the trunk.
Might not help on the mile though.
Let me get this right, you want to ADD 200 LBS into the trunk to make the car go faster?

I would suggest you get a full cage roll bar, with a racing seat and five point harness installed before you begin experimenting with high speed runs. Otherwise, if something happens, you will definitely be road kill.
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 07:26 AM
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Get a coupe.......LOL.

Kidding aside, the coupe is capable of a few more MPH due to the rear glass aerodynamics.

Good luck on your quest. Keep us updated on your progress. I love top speed challenges.
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 10:01 AM
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The various road tests of the '97 C5 coupe all came up with top speeds in the 170-175 range with the 345 bhp engine. So that should be your "out of the box" goal - the Z06 is a bit less slippery but has more power.

Fyi, Lingenfelter's C5 twin turbo coupe could hit 220+ but it took 650 bhp to get it there.
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 12:00 PM
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Please ensure your tires are speed rated for the speed you plan on going. A blow-out @ 160 could be ugly.
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 12:44 PM
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The drag coefficient on a c5 is already really good. a mile for a stock car isn't much. keep your tire pressure at 30-35 cold and run it like it is. Then tape all the seams and fold the mirrors back. See if it gets you anything. Probably won't.
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 01:35 PM
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I seem to recall Lingenfelter had to tape around the windows as well to stop them bowing out at really high speeds.

And I absolutely echo the previous poster - worry about your tires. A blow out at those kinds of speeds would pretty much guarantee you a rollover - at best.
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 02:40 PM
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Please post the results.

Good luck.

Bill
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:22 PM
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I'm very careful about tires and safety. These NT-05's are 18 months old and have yet to be plugged/patched. And SO that's good. My plan for April is to pull all four off and spend as much time as needed to do a good cleaning. visual inspection and retorque all the suspension and drivetrain hardware I can reach.

The windows is a really big deal and yes I'll tape those shut. A trick will be to pull the trunk panel water seal off to let the cabin air escape.

Of course Bill
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 09:20 PM
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I had a tire let go at 178mph in my Porsche. Aside from the sound, I could even tell until I slowed to 80-90mph. Then it felt horrible. Valve stem tore off and the tire came off the wheel.

Decent tires will be fine. Be relaxed and confident. Being nervous and scared is when stuff gets sticky.
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Old Feb 25, 2015 | 11:15 PM
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Valve stem tore OFF!

Glad I run steelies then....
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Old Feb 26, 2015 | 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
Valve stem tore OFF!

Glad I run steelies then....
Yup. Was a rubber one. Switched to billet ones shortly after that. Lol
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Old Feb 26, 2015 | 01:48 PM
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I have read a few guys running a slightly taller tire in the rear helps gain MPH.. basically changes your rear FDR and is much easier then changing the rear diff.

S
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