C6 at Bonneville
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
C6 at Bonneville
Two years ago I took my C5 out to the flats for some top speed runs and got 175. It was stock at the time, mn6. With my C6 now 3 weeks old and 1200 miles I figured it was time to see what it would do. The C6 has 50 more horses but it's an automatic. How would it compare?
The temp. was 55. The salt was flooded, looked like a shallow lake so (like last time) I used the 3 mile long access road that dead ends at the raceway. I went up and down the road twice looking for debris, pot holes etc. Some people were there and I had to wait for them to leave. I started at the entrance to the road so I'd be heading toward the dead end ( no chance of surprises). I made two runs. The first run topped out at 168. The second run was 170. It took about a mile to get to 160 and another mile to reach 170. I kept the pedal on the floor but the HUD showed 170,169,170,169 etc.
Now to do some mods.
The temp. was 55. The salt was flooded, looked like a shallow lake so (like last time) I used the 3 mile long access road that dead ends at the raceway. I went up and down the road twice looking for debris, pot holes etc. Some people were there and I had to wait for them to leave. I started at the entrance to the road so I'd be heading toward the dead end ( no chance of surprises). I made two runs. The first run topped out at 168. The second run was 170. It took about a mile to get to 160 and another mile to reach 170. I kept the pedal on the floor but the HUD showed 170,169,170,169 etc.
Now to do some mods.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 760
Likes: 27
From: Farmersville Texas
Originally Posted by aaaaa
No, I had room but it wasn't accelerating. 170 is tops. I guess the auto has a lower top end. 
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Originally Posted by Miaugi
Were you in D or OD?
I did try 3 but redlined at about 150 and shifted up to D. I didn't notice where the tach. was at 170.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Originally Posted by robvuk
Top speed runs are usually the average of both directions to eliminate wind speed as a factor. A 3 mph breeze at 170 is exponentially against you. 
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Originally Posted by bj33813
With all the noise GM has made , tv and in print, about 186...I'm kind of disappointed in 170. I would have thought at least 180.
Next time try folding in both door mirrors as well.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Originally Posted by LS1LT1
Nah that is not bad at all for an auto with so few miles on it, the autos might even be speed limited to only 170 possibly....a well broken in 6 speed will hit 180+ every time I bet.
Next time try folding in both door mirrors as well.
Next time try folding in both door mirrors as well.
BTW it got a little light in the front but never did anything bad and I felt completely in control.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by aaaaa
Well maybe. I could have increased the pressure in the tires, lowered the car, had less fuel, removed the air filter, disconnected the power steering and alternator etc. but the point was to find the top speed of my stock C6.
BTW it got a little light in the front but never did anything bad and I felt completely in control.
BTW it got a little light in the front but never did anything bad and I felt completely in control.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland Florida
I'm surprised you didnt pump up the tires as per the manual tho..what did they say...40psi or so....esp at bonneville. And maybe with the stock gearing instead of 3.15 it might have done more too ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Originally Posted by CSICKS
what kind of trouble could one get into for doing this?
) Aside from that I can't imagine anything going wrong
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: San Jose California
I reached 180... 183MPH a couple of weeks ago, I am positive that I could have gotten higher had my wife not started screaming next to me .
.
Last edited by C6_NITPICKER; Oct 11, 2005 at 03:05 PM.