Top speed testing
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 797
Likes: 634
From: Orlando FL
Top speed testing
I will hopefully have the opportunity to do some max speed testing in the next couple months on a very long runway.
I know there are more than several owners on the forum who have enjoyed that experience and am looking forward to it.
For those of you with first hand knowledge a couple of questions...
First - what kind of fuel consumption rate did you see at sustained full throttle. I've heard the number 1.5 gallons a minute kicked around.
Next... Since the top end speed is ECM limited does removing the BAW really make a difference in the speed you will see after over 2 miles of full throttle operation?
Did you do other stuff like fold back the side view mirrors to reduce drag? If you did what other items did you find on the car that were "high drag" and what did you do to mitigate the issue.
Did you have the do a high-drama launch or could you launch spirited until about 70 before you put the pedal to the metal.
What was your VP fuel of choice?
Any other special prep other than emptying your bladder first?
I will be wearing my Ron Fellows "Life begins at 200" ZR-1 T-shirt.
Thanks in advance
I know there are more than several owners on the forum who have enjoyed that experience and am looking forward to it.
For those of you with first hand knowledge a couple of questions...
First - what kind of fuel consumption rate did you see at sustained full throttle. I've heard the number 1.5 gallons a minute kicked around.
Next... Since the top end speed is ECM limited does removing the BAW really make a difference in the speed you will see after over 2 miles of full throttle operation?
Did you do other stuff like fold back the side view mirrors to reduce drag? If you did what other items did you find on the car that were "high drag" and what did you do to mitigate the issue.
Did you have the do a high-drama launch or could you launch spirited until about 70 before you put the pedal to the metal.
What was your VP fuel of choice?
Any other special prep other than emptying your bladder first?
I will be wearing my Ron Fellows "Life begins at 200" ZR-1 T-shirt.
Thanks in advance
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I spent a day at the Kennedy space center runway with Johnny Bohmer proving grounds. I presume this is where you are talking about. I made my runs in a stock C7 GS. I'm not sure how much I can help you here since I likely have different aero and less horsepower, but here is my experience;
I did not fold my mirrors in, neither did any of the 20 other cars. I made all of my runs in track mode. These included three standing 1 mile runs and two standing 2.7 mile runs. Total mileage for the day was under 20 miles. I did not do any prior fuel consumption calculations, but I showed up with a full tank of gas and left with 3/4. Had I known 20 other cars would be there I would have came with perhaps a half tank. I took off the stage 2 rear spoiler wings. I ran with a stage 2 ACS front splitter since removing it would have been a pain in the ***. I did 180 mph in both 2.7 mile runs. You will be incredibly faster, obviously. Cars with less HP than than a C7 ZR1 did over 200 mph in the standing 2.7, including a C6 Z06. There was a Bugatti that did 261 mph.
This was by far the most I have ever paid for a track day, considerably more than multiple days at Daytona, but it sure was worth it to have the runway all to yourself when it's your turn to make the runs. By all means do this if you can!
I did not fold my mirrors in, neither did any of the 20 other cars. I made all of my runs in track mode. These included three standing 1 mile runs and two standing 2.7 mile runs. Total mileage for the day was under 20 miles. I did not do any prior fuel consumption calculations, but I showed up with a full tank of gas and left with 3/4. Had I known 20 other cars would be there I would have came with perhaps a half tank. I took off the stage 2 rear spoiler wings. I ran with a stage 2 ACS front splitter since removing it would have been a pain in the ***. I did 180 mph in both 2.7 mile runs. You will be incredibly faster, obviously. Cars with less HP than than a C7 ZR1 did over 200 mph in the standing 2.7, including a C6 Z06. There was a Bugatti that did 261 mph.
This was by far the most I have ever paid for a track day, considerably more than multiple days at Daytona, but it sure was worth it to have the runway all to yourself when it's your turn to make the runs. By all means do this if you can!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: North Haven, CT
I know the car GM hit 212mph in was a low wing car. I also read somewhere that the high wing car topped out at 202. If you can bring the tool to remove the wing it would be interesting to get 2.7 mile runs both with and without it. Would be super cool data to have. Good luck! 
Le Mans Master
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I will hopefully have the opportunity to do some max speed testing in the next couple months on a very long runway.
I know there are more than several owners on the forum who have enjoyed that experience and am looking forward to it.
For those of you with first hand knowledge a couple of questions...
First - what kind of fuel consumption rate did you see at sustained full throttle. I've heard the number 1.5 gallons a minute kicked around.
Next... Since the top end speed is ECM limited does removing the BAW really make a difference in the speed you will see after over 2 miles of full throttle operation?
Did you do other stuff like fold back the side view mirrors to reduce drag? If you did what other items did you find on the car that were "high drag" and what did you do to mitigate the issue.
Did you have the do a high-drama launch or could you launch spirited until about 70 before you put the pedal to the metal.
What was your VP fuel of choice?
Any other special prep other than emptying your bladder first?
I will be wearing my Ron Fellows "Life begins at 200" ZR-1 T-shirt.
Thanks in advance
I know there are more than several owners on the forum who have enjoyed that experience and am looking forward to it.
For those of you with first hand knowledge a couple of questions...
First - what kind of fuel consumption rate did you see at sustained full throttle. I've heard the number 1.5 gallons a minute kicked around.
Next... Since the top end speed is ECM limited does removing the BAW really make a difference in the speed you will see after over 2 miles of full throttle operation?
Did you do other stuff like fold back the side view mirrors to reduce drag? If you did what other items did you find on the car that were "high drag" and what did you do to mitigate the issue.
Did you have the do a high-drama launch or could you launch spirited until about 70 before you put the pedal to the metal.
What was your VP fuel of choice?
Any other special prep other than emptying your bladder first?
I will be wearing my Ron Fellows "Life begins at 200" ZR-1 T-shirt.
Thanks in advance
I cannot give you an exact number but I was using a little under an 1/8 of a tank on the 2.7 mile top speed runs, so about 1.8-2 gallons.
I am not aware of this restriction on my car, so no comment here.
I tried folding my mirrors on one of the Mile runs and my drivers mirror snapped back into place at about 170mph, so I left them both open the rest of the day.
My launches were all at about 3500 RPM, and on the Top Speed runs I came out normal but then accelerated at full throttle.
I use VP MS109REG, my car is tuned for it.
Check your valve stems before you run and during, I had one loosen on me at the end of the session.
Hope some of this helps.
Last edited by Too-Fast; Mar 30, 2020 at 12:10 PM.
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From: Carlsbad Ca
2 miles isn't anywhere near the road length you'll need for "top speed."
Now, if you want to see what your car can do in 2 miles, then have at it.
A better figure would be 12-15 miles, if that. Then another 2 miles for shutdown.
Now, if you want to see what your car can do in 2 miles, then have at it.
A better figure would be 12-15 miles, if that. Then another 2 miles for shutdown.
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At the Bohmer Proving Grounds, every car there, including the Bugatti reached its top speed possible within 2.7 miles.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
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From: Orlando FL
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 797
Likes: 634
From: Orlando FL
That was my thought - but that turns into a pretty big track day project and I was telling myself as long as you aren't running in a crosswind and going straight in the car it should not create a big balance / safety problem,
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 797
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From: Orlando FL
I don't own a C7 ZR1, however I am a JB veteran, from last March. I can answer some of your questions, my car is a HCI Z07, 553/501:
I cannot give you an exact number but I was using a little under an 1/8 of a tank on the 2.7 mile top speed runs, so about 1.8-2 gallons.
I tried folding my mirrors on one of the Mile runs and my drivers mirror snapped back into place at about 170mph, so I left them both open the rest of the day.
Check your valve stems before you run and during, I had one loosen on me at the end of the session.
I use VP MS109REG, my car is tuned for it.
I cannot give you an exact number but I was using a little under an 1/8 of a tank on the 2.7 mile top speed runs, so about 1.8-2 gallons.
I tried folding my mirrors on one of the Mile runs and my drivers mirror snapped back into place at about 170mph, so I left them both open the rest of the day.
Check your valve stems before you run and during, I had one loosen on me at the end of the session.
I use VP MS109REG, my car is tuned for it.
Did JB have VP fuel on site or did you bring it in?
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Last edited by BearZ06; Mar 31, 2020 at 12:38 AM.
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Had to bring it in, there is no fuel there to my knowledge and bring your own food and drinks, there are restroom facilities. You will start with half miles, then mile runs and then the 2.7 mile Top Speed runs.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
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From: Orlando FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Chester County Pennsylvania
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
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From: Orlando FL
Thanks again
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
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From: Orlando FL
May Event Cancelled
I just got a call from the organizers.
Unfortunately because of all the uncertainties with the Flu situation the event scheduled for May 16 has been cancelled.
They are hoping to reschedule it for early June. Once I have the dates I will post them once again.
PM me if you would like the Event Organizer's telephone number.
Unfortunately because of all the uncertainties with the Flu situation the event scheduled for May 16 has been cancelled.
They are hoping to reschedule it for early June. Once I have the dates I will post them once again.
PM me if you would like the Event Organizer's telephone number.