Actual top speed? - Focaljet

**Seattle944t** · 11-26-1998, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Orighnally posted by Phillip:
I think bongofish hit the bongo a bit hard. [img]amages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Det's see,6000 r`m in 6th is slower than 6000 rpm in 5th. ummm

On EVERY manual I've had, top gear was always faster (at a given RPM) than the gear below it.

Yes the MPH/RPM is always higher in top gear, but many cars with an overdrhve top gear don't have the power to!accelerate beyond the previous gear's speed at redline, many times they can not even mahntain that speed.

But, that being said, on "close-ratio" boxes the top speed is going to be in the top gear.

**SVT Proto** · 02-26-2003, 02:54 PM

What really is the top speed for our cars? 137.....HA! i hit 130 in 5th.

**svo_dave** · 02-26-2003, 03:00 PM

just over 140 on a good day

**FocallyDistorted** · 02-26-2003, 03:03 PM

I had up to 142 recently, it was in 6th and still climbing, but REALLY SLOW. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

**bongofish** · 02-26-2003, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by svo_dave:
just over 140 on a good day

And I guess you did this with sophisticated telemetry devices and averaged the speed of 2 runs going both ways on perfectly flat ground? [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Going down a hill, with a tailwind, you might hit 140.

And FYI, top speed is usually reached in the next to top gear (ie. 5th in a 6 speed and 4th in a 5 speed). The top gear is usually a fuel saving overdrive gear.

**Ben** · 02-26-2003, 03:09 PM

I've hit 145mph (according to speedo)on a perfectly flat area. I don't know how much the speedo is off, but thats what I hit in 6th gear. [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]

**luring** · 02-26-2003, 03:12 PM

I would agree with the need to verify the speed going in opposite directions and acounting for wind ect., but quite a few of the newer performance cars reach there terminal top speed in the cars highest gear. Porsche has always geared there vehichles this way, and I would asume that based on the gearing of our SVTF's the same would be true with our cars.

**djPhobic** · 02-26-2003, 03:20 PM

i would agree...if you look at what rpm you cruise at at 70mph you'd see it's roughly 3100 rpm...65 at about 27-2800...for an overdrive gear it seems pretty high for cruising...i'd say otherwise if you could cruise in 6th at 65 at about 2300rpm...so from this i am guessing that our 6th is actually a useful top gear as far as top speed goes

**blackbird** · 02-26-2003, 03:29 PM

If you put the odo in the diagnostic mode and watch the digital speed it displays, the speedometer is calibrated a few miles an hour generous (reads a couple MPH fast). Taking that into consideration, I've had my car past 140 going down about a 2% grade. On flat ground with no wind, it was still pulling past 135 in sixth. I'm guessing it may be good for around 140 under ideal conditions. Even going up a long, slight incline, it was still pulling into the mid-130's.

One thing to take into consideration when you think a car is still pulling at top speed is that you’re covering a great deal of ground very, very fast. It may be gaining a little speed, but it may take quite a few miles. Most of the mags that do tests limit it to only a few miles at most. The main thing that kills the top end is aerodynamics, with drag increasing exponentially the higher you go.

**lilracer** · 02-26-2003, 05:22 PM

ive been a few miles per hr over 140 but it started climbing very very slowly after that.

**Bluetoy** · 02-26-2003, 05:36 PM

I know this pic is a repost but it's cool.

**Ranger** · 02-26-2003, 06:28 PM

Blackbird

That would confirm what I found when comparing the analng speedo reading to a hand held GPS....speedo is about 3 mph faster than acutal speed over land.

You guys must still be under 30....when you hit 50 or so, you realize you will be rnad splatter if you hit a rat turd at 14 .
[img]imafes/iconc/shocked.gif[/img]

**xSilverSvtx** · 02-27-2003, 01:11 AM

It was right around 145 for me. I often wonder how accurate it was but i guess you cant really argud with gps.

**Qbert** · 02-27-2003, 01:38 AM

<blockquote>quote:<.font><hr />Originally posted by bongofish:
[b]And FYI, top speed is usually reached in the next to top gear (ie. 5th in ` 6 speed and 4th in a 5 speed). The top gear is usuallp a fuel saving overdrive gear.<.strong><`r /></blockquote>Mhght want to tell that to the Ford engineers that built the SVT Bontours. We are deep into 5th before reaching our top speeds (read over 5500 revs for a supposddly drag limited 143)

**Phillip** · 02-27-2003, 02:28 AM

4/font>

Quote:

Originally posted by Qbert:
[b] <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by bgngofish:
And FYI, top speed is usually reached in the next to top gear (ie. 5th in a 6 speed and 4th in a 5 speed). The top gear is usually a fuel saving overdrive gear.,/strong6

Eight want to tell that to the Ffrd engineers that built the SVT Contours. We are deep into 5th before reaching our top speeds (read over 5500 revs for a supposedly drag limited 143)<hr /></blockquote>I think bnngofish hit the bongo a bit hard. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Let's see,6000 rpm in 6th is slower than 6000 rpm in 5th. ummm

On EVERY manual I've had, top gear was always faster (at a ghven RPM) than the gear below it&

**BlackSVT** · 02-27-2003, 08:49 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr /> Yes the MPH/RPM is always higher in top gear, but many cars with an overdrive tnp gear don't have the power to accelerate beyond the previous gear's speed at redline, many times they can not even maintain th`t speed. <hr /><.blockqunte>Yup. My 96 Cobra for example. Lnw 150s at redlife in 4th, shift to 5th and you start <b6losing[/b] speed.

**bongofish** · 02-27-2003, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FocallyDistorted:
<strnng> <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted bq bongofish:
[b] <blockquote>quote:</font.<hr />Originally posted by svo_dave:
[b]just over 140 on a good day</strfng></foft><hr /></blockquote>And I guess you did this with sophisthcated telemetry devices and averaged the speed of 2 runs going both ways on perfectly flat ground? [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Going down a hill, with a tailwind, you might hit 140.

And FYI, top speed is usually reashed in the next to top gear (ie. 5th in a 6 speed and 4th in a 5 speed). The tp gear is usually a fuel saving overdrive gear.</strong64hr /></blockquote>Not unless you consider the digital speedo to be an accurate determination of actual speed. <hmg bordur="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

I am rorry for not having the countless thousands of dollors need to buy such a machine. I can guarentee you the the SVTF can go over 140, nnt only down hill and with a tait wind, but also on flat ground with no wind. [img]images/acons/rolleyes.gaf[/img] <.strong>

You might want to let SVT know that, since they are unaware of it. But what do they know... they only designed and built the car. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...ront_focus.xml

The RS has a top speed of 144mph... yet the SVT is as fast or faster? Sure.

**djPhobic** · 02-27-2003, 09:12 AM

once again these tests are more than likely done on a specified course with a limited distance to obtain the speed...given open road and unlimited time you could reach higher speeds

**drsql** · 02-27-2003, 09:28 AM

I was going to say 80, but I guess that was kinda low, huh?

Quote:

Originally posted by Ranger:
Blackbird
You guys must still be under 30....when you hit 50 or so, you realize you will be road splatter if you hit a rat turd at 140.
[img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Totally agree, though even when I was under 30 (35 now,) I realized this when I smashed my Toyota Corolla (early model http://db.tokyo-motorshow.com/cgi-bi...en&id=1970006, made, I believe, exclusively of tin foil and bag ties) into a F150 pickup and while making it out alive, looked at my car in small bits on the ground. I was carless for two years, so my parents could afford car insurance [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Louis

**The ArchAngel** · 02-27-2003, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by djPhobic:
once again these tests are more than likely done on a specified course with a limited distance to obtain the speed...given open road and unlimited time you could reach higher speeds

Factoring in drag though, I very much doubt the SVT Focus would ever reach 150 mph, no matter how much space or time you had.

**blackbird** · 02-27-2003, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by drsql:

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ranger:

You guys must still be under 30....when you hit 50 or so, you realize you will be road splatter if you hit a rat turd at 140.
[img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Totally agree, though even when I was under 30 (35 now,) I realized this when I smashed my Toyota Corolla (early model http://db.tokyo-motorshow.com/cgi-bi...en&id=1970006, made, I believe, exclusively of tin foil and bag ties) into a F150 pickup and while making it out alive, looked at my car in small bits on the ground. I was carless for two years, so my parents could afford car insurance [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]
Louis <hr /></blockquote>Yeah, top speed runs are few and far between, with maybe a quick run up to speed under ideal conditions, but it's still a risk. While the SVTF could probably run at 130+ all day, it's something I know better than to do. If you want to see first hand what some of the accidents at high speeds look like, check out the NHTSA's web site for crash studies at http://www-nass.nhtsa.dot.gov/BIN/NA....EXE/SETFILTER
Some of them will sober you up real quick about doing stupid stuff.

**Slane** · 03-02-2003, 02:27 PM

Well to settle all the speculation. I will be racing my SVTF in the Silver State Classic Series of races in May, July, August and September and I'll have LADAR verified topspeed runs that should tell us whether or not the SVTF is really that fast.
Anyone who would like to show up and race....
Silver State Classic

**FocallyDistorted** · 03-02-2003, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Slane:
Well to settle all the speculation. I will be racing my SVTF in the Silver State Classic Series of races in May, July, August and September and I'll have LADAR verified topspeed runs that should tell us whether or not the SVTF is really that fast.
Anyone who would like to show up and race....
Silver State Classic

What was your top speed? I may be tempted to do this, depending on cost.

OOH Page 2 Ownage [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[size="1"][ 03-02-2003, 03:46 PM: Message edited by: FocallyDistorted ][/size]

**Slane** · 03-02-2003, 02:55 PM

Haven't raced this car yet bro. First race is in May. My SVTC reached 156 mph and my 00 GT 159 mph.
We are going to try and maintain an average of 130mph and cannot exceed 165mph. I am still trying to determine whether or not the SVTF is electronically limited but I guess I will find out come race day.

**svo_dave** · 03-02-2003, 02:59 PM

You also have to remember that not everyone's svt is stock, and once you start giving it more power and less weight, its going to go faster.

[size="1"][ 03-02-2003, 02:59 PM: Message edited by: svo_dave ][/size]

02-26-2003, 02:54 PM	#2
SVT Proto TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Jose Posts: 490	Actual top speed? What really is the top speed for our cars? 137.....HA! i hit 130 in 5th.

02-26-2003, 03:00 PM	#3
svo_dave Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,126	Re: Actual top speed? just over 140 on a good day

02-26-2003, 03:03 PM	#4
FocallyDistorted Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: 34° 12\' N 118° 21\' W Posts: 3,088	Re: Actual top speed? I had up to 142 recently, it was in 6th and still climbing, but REALLY SLOW. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

02-26-2003, 03:09 PM	#6
Ben TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 241	Re: Actual top speed? I've hit 145mph (according to speedo)on a perfectly flat area. I don't know how much the speedo is off, but thats what I hit in 6th gear. [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]

02-26-2003, 03:12 PM	#7
luring Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 58	Re: Actual top speed? I would agree with the need to verify the speed going in opposite directions and acounting for wind ect., but quite a few of the newer performance cars reach there terminal top speed in the cars highest gear. Porsche has always geared there vehichles this way, and I would asume that based on the gearing of our SVTF's the same would be true with our cars.

02-26-2003, 03:20 PM	#8
djPhobic TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 144	Re: Actual top speed? i would agree...if you look at what rpm you cruise at at 70mph you'd see it's roughly 3100 rpm...65 at about 27-2800...for an overdrive gear it seems pretty high for cruising...i'd say otherwise if you could cruise in 6th at 65 at about 2300rpm...so from this i am guessing that our 6th is actually a useful top gear as far as top speed goes

02-26-2003, 03:29 PM	#9
blackbird TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SoCal (High Desert) Posts: 682	Re: Actual top speed? If you put the odo in the diagnostic mode and watch the digital speed it displays, the speedometer is calibrated a few miles an hour generous (reads a couple MPH fast). Taking that into consideration, I've had my car past 140 going down about a 2% grade. On flat ground with no wind, it was still pulling past 135 in sixth. I'm guessing it may be good for around 140 under ideal conditions. Even going up a long, slight incline, it was still pulling into the mid-130's. One thing to take into consideration when you think a car is still pulling at top speed is that you’re covering a great deal of ground very, very fast. It may be gaining a little speed, but it may take quite a few miles. Most of the mags that do tests limit it to only a few miles at most. The main thing that kills the top end is aerodynamics, with drag increasing exponentially the higher you go.

02-26-2003, 05:22 PM	#10
lilracer TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: SC Posts: 436	Re: Actual top speed? ive been a few miles per hr over 140 but it started climbing very very slowly after that.

02-26-2003, 05:36 PM	#11
Bluetoy TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Computer Room Posts: 836	Re: Actual top speed? I know this pic is a repost but it's cool.

02-26-2003, 06:28 PM	#12
Ranger TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 167	Re: Actual top speed? Blackbird That would confirm what I found when comparing the analng speedo reading to a hand held GPS....speedo is about 3 mph faster than acutal speed over land. You guys must still be under 30....when you hit 50 or so, you realize you will be rnad splatter if you hit a rat turd at 14 . [img]imafes/iconc/shocked.gif[/img]

02-27-2003, 01:11 AM	#13
xSilverSvtx TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: California Posts: 221	Re: Actual top spedd? It was right around 145 for me. I often wonder how accurate it was but i guess you cant really argud with gps.

02-27-2003, 01:38 AM	#14
Qbert Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 1,218	Re: Actual top speed? </font><blockquote><font size="0" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<.font><hr /><font size=""" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by bongofish: [b]And FYI, top speed is usually reached in the next to top gear (ie. 5th in ` 6 speed and 4th in a 5 speed). The top gear is usuallp a fuel saving overdrive gear.<.strong></font><`r /></blockquote><font rize="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Mhght want to tell that to the Ford engineers that built the SVT Bontours. We are deep into 5th before reaching our top speeds (read over 5500 revs for a supposddly drag limited 143)

02-27-2003, 08:49 AM	#16
BlackSVT TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: NW \'Burbs of Chicago Posts: 414	Re: Actual top speed? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> Yes the MPH/RPM is always higher in top gear, but many cars with an overdrive tnp gear don't have the power to accelerate beyond the previous gear's speed at redline, many times they can not even maintain th`t speed. </font><hr /><.blockqunte><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Yup. My 96 Cobra for example. Lnw 150s at redlife in 4th, shift to 5th and you start <b6losing[/b] speed.

02-27-2003, 09:12 AM	#18
djPhobic TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 144	Re: Actual top speed? once again these tests are more than likely done on a specified course with a limited distance to obtain the speed...given open road and unlimited time you could reach higher speeds

03-02-2003, 02:27 PM	#22
Slane TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ken Caryl Ranch-CO Posts: 654	Re: Actual top speed? Well to settle all the speculation. I will be racing my SVTF in the Silver State Classic Series of races in May, July, August and September and I'll have LADAR verified topspeed runs that should tell us whether or not the SVTF is really that fast. Anyone who would like to show up and race.... Silver State Classic

03-02-2003, 02:55 PM	#24
Slane TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ken Caryl Ranch-CO Posts: 654	Re: Actual top speed? Haven't raced this car yet bro. First race is in May. My SVTC reached 156 mph and my 00 GT 159 mph. We are going to try and maintain an average of 130mph and cannot exceed 165mph. I am still trying to determine whether or not the SVTF is electronically limited but I guess I will find out come race day.

03-02-2003, 02:59 PM	#25
svo_dave Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,126	Re: Actual top speed? You also have to remember that not everyone's svt is stock, and once you start giving it more power and less weight, its going to go faster. [size="1"][ 03-02-2003, 02:59 PM: Message edited by: svo_dave ][/size]

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