How Fast

[Jack W.]

Re: How Fast

what you want is a Hypertech Power Programmer III - among other things it allows you to remove or reset the speed limiter ('twas how I saw 130 in my '02 Avalanche, factory limited to 98 mph)

you "old guys" taking these cars up to speed - man I am just not worthy. While I am considered a speed kook by many - I have seen 165 on my motorcycle, for instance - I STILL don't have the cohones to get much over 100 in my 65 L76, because things are already starting to feel pretty "light" and spooky at that point, and little voices of reason in my head are trying to negotiate with me.

[Donald M.]

Re: 135 mph in a 67 327/300 HP Convertible

P.S. Yes, the Sting Ray had "Just enough lift to make it a bad airplane" Z.Duntov

[Michael H.]

Re: How Fast

Duke is right on the money on this. One of the biggest problems with a 63-67 coupe, for racing, was the fact that it was, basically, a wing. And it worked! The entire roof section, from the top of the w/shield, back to the rear of the body, was shaped exactly like a wing. This design didn't mean much on short or mid length tracks but at Daytona and other high speed tracks, the rear lift became quite a problem. In 63, if I remember correctly, Guldstrand eventually switched to a conv for the 2nd half of the season for this very reason.

Also, as others have mentioned, the front end of a 63-67 gets quite a bit of lift at high speed and steering becomes slow/lazy. You almost had to anticipate the turn a bit ahead and wait the split second for the front end to actually react to steering inputs. That'll sure get your attention!

Fortunately, MOST of the road courses in this country don't have ultra high speed corners and the front/rear end lift problem isn't a critical issue, but GM did remove the roof on a few of those Grand Sport cars in 64.

[Gerard F.]

Re: 135 mph in a 67 327/300 HP Convertible

I thought the convertible top fabric above my head was going to burst as it stretched so badly. I'll never forget the air flow noise. I guess a coupe would be a little more airworthy, and would have an outward pressure on the rear windows.

I wonder if there is a speed rating for a C2 convertible top?

Jerry Fuccillo

[Everett Ogilvie]

7000rpm in 4th gear...

Think it was geared for 21 or 22 mph/1000 rpm = 147 to 154 mph. This was in a '66 so it was rather unstable - demanded your attention. Oh sorry, this was in my '66 GTO, not a Vette - guess it does not count as a Vette story. Still, it was fun... and by the way, the motor blew, 2 rods went while at 7000 rpm. Old Pontiac motors don't like that many revs (it was a heavily built/clearanced engine, so it really would pull 7K rpm, briefly).

[mike mccagh]

Re: How Fast

135 across texas in a 90 ZR1 was no sweat but 90 mph in our 32 dodge(all stock) got my attention couple weeks ago. mike

[Gerard F.]

Server needs a Frame Off

Your message didn't post Jim.

[mike cobine]

Ken, you are right

but I could have sworn they were 160. I even owned a '69 Dodge Charger SE for awhile and it was a really nice and fast car. Just not a Corvette.

[Jim T.]

Re: Server needs a Frame Off

Gerald how fast have you taken you 67 327/300hp with the 3:08 in first gear? I went to about 60 mph in first in my 64 327/300hp once, never tried to top it out in fourth.

[Gerard F.]

Speed

Jim,

I have never wound it out to redline in first, and probably wouldn't try it now with a 38 year old engine. But I did the +/- 135, when the car was less then 5 years old, on a 3 mile stretch of brand new highway straight as an arrow with very little grade. I wouldn't take it past 100 these days.

I say +/- on the speed as the speedometer indication depends upon it's calibration and tire size. I took it up to 5300 rpm and chickened out when it got light on the front end and about to take off.

I did check the speed using Doc Cobine's Rear End Calculator, and assuming a tire diameter of 26.5" for late 60's vintage Michelin 185X15 radials. If I were to do it today with the Coker radials at the same rpm I'd be at 138 mph (27.11").

You might want to try Doc's program, it's on the net at:

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/procrastination/rear.html

(Hope you don't mind, Doc)

This is a pretty nifty program where all you need is your tire diameter, rear end ratio, and rpm and it calculates your speed. And for each gear!

Have fun.

Jerry Fuccillo

[mike cobine]

Where are all the stories? How fast have YOU gone?

Part of that "history and preservation" that NCRS is supposed to be about should include preserving a few of these old stories.

[mike valliant]

Re: Where are all the stories? How fast have YOU g

143 mph in my dads brand new 66 427 convertible,18 years old at the time and
not the smartest thing to do but it was a real rush.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Where are all the stories? How fast have YOU g

Mike,

Agreed, I think this is really inportant and entertaining information for history. Somebody ought to repost a survey to move it up on the threads, with instuctions to post the speed in the subject and then elaborate in the message.

I posted your Rear Axle Calculator for those of us who go by the tach. Hope you don't mind.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Bill H.]

Re: How Fast

See that right turn signal indicator arrow? The needle covered most of it.

[Patrick H.]

Re: How Fast

Hey Jack,

We've got medication to help you get rid of those voices.

I won't take top honors, but my first ride in a Corvette was a 1970 coupe that went 145 mph with me in the passenger's seat. I've had my own 71 coupe to 135 and climbing but ran out of room. I've had our 70 Olds Cutlass at 115 with room for more. Now THAT is fun, with the top down. In fact, it was stable this afternoon at over 100 - thanks to new suspension and shocks.

Top speed of 85 mph in my old 1976 VW Bug was far worse than anything in my Vettes or Cutlass.

Patrick