What's the fastest you've ever been going in your E-body?

[Born_Fast]

Alright guys, i'm curious about that one:

:: What is the usual topspeed you are driving with your classic E-body?

:: What was the fastest you have ever been going in it?

:: Longest distance you have been driving at high speeds?

:: What engine / transmission do you have and what car / year?

:: Any other modifications you did to it that affect speed and/or handling?

When travelling on highways with my 70' 383, i usually drive between 60 - 80 mph.

The factory 3-speed automatic transmission requires between 4300 and 4500 rpm to go 80mph, so it feels a bit like the car is missing one or two additional gears.

Honestly 4500 rpm for 80 miles seems like a huge waste of capacity (and fuel), because the engine could easily do that speed with 1500 - 2000 rpm.

On the other hand when going faster - like 90 - 100 mph the car starts wandering heavily left and right so travelling beyond that speed doesn't feel safe.

[Carlwalski]

:: What is the usual topspeed you are driving with your classic E-body?

The New Zealand speed limit is (100kph/62mph), I sit at 110kph and cruise at 120kph/75mph on the open highway when it is safe to do so. Most of the time I sit at 70mph....just cruising along nicely.


:: What was the fastest you have ever been going in it?

Around 125-130MPH (210kph) once or twice. Not a big fan of going fast, doesn't prove much in terms of "skill". 12 year olds can do it and down here 40kph over the limit means your car gets confiscated for 28 days and a big fine. You have to pay for them to hold it too. I think 60+kph over the limit is a big fine and or jail time.


:: Longest distance you have been driving at high speeds?

I only sit at my "high" speeds for a couple of minutes, again, doesn't prove much.
In the USA I can see how or why people do it, LONG straight roads for thousands of miles.


:: What engine / transmission do you have and what car / year?

440ci Magnum est around 400hp/500lb-ft and TorqueFlite-727 with Gear Vendors OD
The car, 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T.


:: Any other modifications you did to it that affect speed and/or handling?

With GV it allows me to run 3.91 in the rear and cruise like a 3.05 geared car. 60mph @ 2,200rpm


Driving for 80mph at 4,500rpm is just crazy. Those rpms are just killing your engine.

[Bullitt-]

        My answers are from 25+ years ago when my '73 Ralley 340 was my daily driver.
:: What is the usual topspeed you are driving with your classic E-body?
        Whatever the speed limit + a little, so 60-65
:: What was the fastest you have ever been going in it?
        If the speedo can be believed 125MPH with 3:55 rear gears
:: Longest distance you have been driving at high speeds?
        Not more than a mile or two
:: What engine / transmission do you have and what car / year?
         340 727 '73
:: Any other modifications you did to it that affect speed and/or handling?
          Other than wider tires none/ currently adding Energy suspension bushings, .96 torsion bars & 17" wheels   
 

[Born_Fast]

Driving for 80mph at 4,500rpm is just crazy. Those rpms are just killing your engine.

Thought so too.

But what's the highest rpm you can do with a 383 over long distances without hurting it? Like 3000?

That would make about 55-60 mph with my 3-speed auto. Not so fast actually.

With my tranny taking 4500 rpms for 80 mph, i doubt that i can even reach the speedos maximum of 120 mph without blowing up the engine.

[Bullitt-]

Sounds like time for a 6-speed conversion

[Carlwalski]

Thought so too.

But what's the highest rpm you can do with a 383 over long distances without hurting it? Like 3000?

That would make about 55-60 mph with my 3-speed auto. Not so fast actually.

With my tranny taking 4500 rpms for 80 mph, i doubt that i can even reach the speedos maximum of 120 mph without blowing up the engine.

@ 3,000rpm I wouldn't drive for 10 miles! lol Seriously. Why not change your rear ratio to 3.23 gears?
What gears are you actually running? 4,500rpm sounds very high, even for 80mph. Sounds like 4.50:1+

[dwbiggs]

I don't care about fast...i like acceleration and handling.  4 cylinder Hondas can do over 100+mph.

[Carlwalski]

I don't care about fast...i like acceleration and handling.  4 cylinder Hondas can do over 100+mph.

Totally agree.


I know it's not what you're asking though Dreamcruiser, just while this topic is at hand. I prefer to speed up to 75mph as fast as my car will go then ease off the gas and coast back down to just on or just over the legal limit. That's usually about the time you get the flybys.....I just smile and keep my eyes ahead, nothing to prove, they can do what they please. Play time finished at the lights. Cornering is also very pleasurable.

[Born_Fast]

Thanks guys, i totally agree that there's nothing to prove if you have five times the displacement and horsepower of some modern day economy can.

However some classic car meetings are rather far away from my home and travelling there can be a real pain in the ass at low speeds.

Last week i came back from a 1000+ miles trip through Austria and just going in one direction took me over 10 hours on the highway.

I'll probably take my Challenger there by train next time to go easy on it, but nevertheless i'm thinking about a new transmission to enable at least 80 mph at moderate rpm.

[71bigblock]

:: What is the usual topspeed you are driving with your classic E-body?
        Same as Bullit, I wont go above 60 on the highway.  75 on the freeway.
:: What was the fastest you have ever been going in it?
    I've only gone 80 something.  I never really have had the urge to go fast. 
:: Longest distance you have been driving at high speeds?
        I've driven to St. Paul on the freeway, no more than 15 minutes going about 70. 
:: What engine / transmission do you have and what car / year?
         383 2bbl/727 '71 Challenger
:: Any other modifications you did to it that affect speed and/or handling?
       Nope.  37 year old technology in action.   

I have 2.76 gears, so I technically should be able to fly pretty good over 100 mph unlike most that would be screaming, but why bother?  To lose your license for 6 months and probably jail time?   

[DAYTONA]

...I've had numerous ones over 100mph....probably no faster than 115-120 for a few miles at a time

...most were 340 SIX PAKS and one HEMI I stretched out on the way home from a show.....

[craigsmytcudas]

i want in on this ,i ran 133 at texas motor speedways back straight for three laps two years in a row at good guys .the car 440 -6 cuda 4 speed 4.10 .i have seen 155 in a customers challenger a few years back 340 auto 323 gear .i would not recomend this im a seasoned racer on a closed track .as for the point made about speed not important lets lump that in with size and ugly chicks 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Alright guys, i'm curious about that one:

:: What is the usual topspeed you are driving with your classic E-body?

usually stay stead 65mph on the highway

:: What was the fastest you have ever been going in it?

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 120mph with the old old 2.76s. Has hit 107mph according to the GPS with the 3.91s.

:: Longest distance you have been driving at high speeds?

Very short bursts

:: What engine / transmission do you have and what car / year?

1972 Barracuda, 318 (lightly worked), 904, 3.91, 28.5 ring and pinion

:: Any other modifications you did to it that affect speed and/or handling?

ZR rated tires, adjustable summit shocks all around, lowered stance, lower profile tires, 11 3/4" brakes w/aluminum master cyl...Thats about it. Someday it'll really get some work to it.

Car feels very stable at high speeds. AAR chin spoiler and a ducktail would help out enough on the top end. Overdrive would help a lot

[Moparal]

There's like a 15 page post on this already.  I was young and foolish when I was finding top end speed. Hp is MPH  Most of my engines were between 600 and 800 hp .  I drive the speed limit now.  Not worth the danger or fines involved. I do know an e body over 160 is not as fun to drive as a big b body. The front ends just get to loose and light.

I did drive my 72 cuda every where for endless miles at 3k with 355 gears years ago. If the engine is right, it will spin as long as you need it to.

Now adays, I do the speed limit and 5 mph over that's about it.   But at the track, 172 @ 7.97 is my goal next spring.  If it stays in the low 8's I will be happy

[craigsmytcudas]

moparal you under state loose and light ,e bodys are evil at speed and yet fun in a sadistic kind of way .i agree as much fun as  racing is i keep it on the track ,al if ya ever visit dallas come on over and make some laps in my sprinter 670 hp at the wheels and 1400 lbs you will love it .