Top Speed
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Top Speed Has anyone hit 200mph in their conversion. We have a lot of light, slippery cars here with big motors....
If not 200 how high?
Mines' a brick so I don't expect to get any farther than 150 or so.
If not 200 how high?
Mines' a brick so I don't expect to get any farther than 150 or so.
at around where the needle starts hitting the trip meter, my windshield starts to lean back...... so id say im limited to around 150 unless i want to eat glass....
i doubt im ever going to try to reach that fast in my vert.... i might get my initial open road racing qualifications with it, but id probably build a different car for actual 200mph competition
i doubt im ever going to try to reach that fast in my vert.... i might get my initial open road racing qualifications with it, but id probably build a different car for actual 200mph competition
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Originally Posted by redmist
Mines' a brick so I don't expect to get any farther than 150 or so.
I've seen cars with power levels not far off of mine hit right at 200 mph. Hot Rod magazine had a guy with ~600 RWHP in a 2nd Gen RX7 hitting 201 on nitrous, so that's not exorbitantly beyond my current build. I'd need more gear to get there though, as is, I'm sure 170+ is possible. Hell, I've been 155+ in my Grand Prix GTP before.
I've had mine up to 135 and there was still plenty of power and another gear to go. Problem is that at speeds over 150, there is NO margin of error. Too risky for this 'ol boy. I want to live.
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From: Norn Iron
You probably wouldnt be familiar with my car. Its a 1980 UK Ford Granada. It would be rather brick like, not unlike your BMW.
I was recently clocked at 183mph from a standing start of 1.25 miles. I think I was topped out around the mile mark though as top speed didng change much for the last 3 seconds or so, from viewing my datalogs.
My own datalog speed shows I just hit 301kmh, which is about 187mph, although the timing gear showed 183mph.
That was with 3.27 rear end, just shy of 6000rpm in 5th with 245/50x16 tyres.
Im pulling 133mph over the 1/4, 3700lbs racewieght.
Pic of car.
http://gallery112848.fotopic.net/p8887024.html
It actually felt quite stable, although the slam panel that holds the hood down, did bend a bit. Ive since fitted extra pins to secure it down. Not that I do those speeds very often. I was amazed it even went that fast !! I was hoping for 160+
I was recently clocked at 183mph from a standing start of 1.25 miles. I think I was topped out around the mile mark though as top speed didng change much for the last 3 seconds or so, from viewing my datalogs.
My own datalog speed shows I just hit 301kmh, which is about 187mph, although the timing gear showed 183mph.
That was with 3.27 rear end, just shy of 6000rpm in 5th with 245/50x16 tyres.
Im pulling 133mph over the 1/4, 3700lbs racewieght.
Pic of car.
http://gallery112848.fotopic.net/p8887024.html
It actually felt quite stable, although the slam panel that holds the hood down, did bend a bit. Ive since fitted extra pins to secure it down. Not that I do those speeds very often. I was amazed it even went that fast !! I was hoping for 160+
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I've ran about 160ish, and it woulda kept going, but I needed to let up. To fast for me. I verified the speed useing a gear calculator and RPMs, so i know it was right, not just a speedometer indicated number. The truck actually felt very stable, but I wouldn't have attempted ANY change in direction. It feels like it got a little looser when I added the cowl hood, then again, I'm still on the same shocks which are only getting older.
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130 mph 4th gear and pull'n strong.....but I need to work on adding a front air dam to keep the front end from lifting. But it should pull to 170 plus I would imagine. 5th gear is the top gear for acceleration....and specs. out at 188 at 6300 rpm. I am not sure this little red miata would not enjoy going that fast. Hmmmmm! 
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Wow when you said Ford Granada I thought of the peice of crap we got here in the states. Yours looks almost identical to a 5 series BMW, looks great! 187, that is awesome performance.
Comments from other posters echo my own concerns, stability, my fiberglass hood and windsheid caving in, as the front end lifting off the ground. I would love to do 200mph before I die but I don't want the events to be similtaneous!
Comments from other posters echo my own concerns, stability, my fiberglass hood and windsheid caving in, as the front end lifting off the ground. I would love to do 200mph before I die but I don't want the events to be similtaneous!
thats sig material right there.... 9 Second Club
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From: Norn Iron
I'm now aiming for 190mph. I dont think 200 is possible, with my aerodynamics. Thats not to say I wont try though....
I do think Ive hit my "brick wall" at the speed i achieved. So more power is now needed. 382 will be here over the winter, and I'll sart using alky too.
I might even consider nitrous, if the above get me beyond 190mph.
Im also seriously considering having a go at the World record for towing a caravan, which is I think about 128mph. Doesnt sound that difficult, but I guess it must be hard enough.
I do think Ive hit my "brick wall" at the speed i achieved. So more power is now needed. 382 will be here over the winter, and I'll sart using alky too.
I might even consider nitrous, if the above get me beyond 190mph.
Im also seriously considering having a go at the World record for towing a caravan, which is I think about 128mph. Doesnt sound that difficult, but I guess it must be hard enough.
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For world speed records I would check the timing assoc website for the Bonneville salt flats ( I don't remember what it is) or the Guiness site.
For you non-eurpoean folks a caravan isn't a mopar minivan it's a towed RV trailer. Hate to be in one while going 120mph, I might turn into Spam in a Can.
For you non-eurpoean folks a caravan isn't a mopar minivan it's a towed RV trailer. Hate to be in one while going 120mph, I might turn into Spam in a Can.
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From: Norn Iron
The record is held by Martin Hadland in his Escort Cosworth. It had around 550-600bhp.
Simon Norris had an attempt in his Evo 7, but he blew his engine up.
Though I imagine it would be scary towing that behind you. But being in the Guiness book of records would be cool
Simon Norris had an attempt in his Evo 7, but he blew his engine up.
Though I imagine it would be scary towing that behind you. But being in the Guiness book of records would be cool
I think I'll have the potential in my 93 RX7, but there is no way I have the testicular fortitude to try it...
A shop RX7 went nose up at 210 on the saltflats...
Ill stick to 200mph 50' above the ground in one of our airplanes.
A shop RX7 went nose up at 210 on the saltflats...
Ill stick to 200mph 50' above the ground in one of our airplanes.
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From: Norn Iron
Originally Posted by stevieturbo
The record is held by Martin Hadland in his Escort Cosworth. It had around 550-600bhp.
Simon Norris had an attempt in his Evo 7, but he blew his engine up.
Though I imagine it would be scary towing that behind you. But being in the Guiness book of records would be cool
Simon Norris had an attempt in his Evo 7, but he blew his engine up.
Though I imagine it would be scary towing that behind you. But being in the Guiness book of records would be cool
Fastest Caravan tow
A Mercedes Benz S600 driven by Eugene Herbert (South Africa) reached a speed of 223.881 km/h (139.113 mph) towing a standard caravan at Hoedspruit Air Force Base, South Africa, on October 24, 2003. The record attempt was arranged by Risk Administrative Consultants.
Getting a bit scarier..
7,000rpmish in 5th.... 174mph as calculated and didn't care to dip into 6th.... still pulling nicely.
'93 RX-7/LS1/T56 in sig. 3:90 gear's and 285/30/18's. The car has a very slippery .29cd
'93 RX-7/LS1/T56 in sig. 3:90 gear's and 285/30/18's. The car has a very slippery .29cd
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If top spped were my goal, I'd be better off stuffing the "good" motor into the 'Vette...I've seen the far side of 170, and she was still rock solid. But,
I've got a weak spot for AWD traction, so the 'clone is getting the good stuff...too bad 15 year old pick-'em-up trucks aren't more top end friendly.
I've got a weak spot for AWD traction, so the 'clone is getting the good stuff...too bad 15 year old pick-'em-up trucks aren't more top end friendly.