Well, when you put it like that.....
(';')

 

A critter of almost any specie can run at long periods of open throttle. Well, almost.
But, it is critical as to pre race driving habits. A car that has putted around town will be cokey. And, prolonged high speed will ignite that coke. Preignition does horrendous things. But, like a race horse,athlete or even a race car, warm it up it gently, before "standing on it". And, a good state of tune with healthy components is essential.


Those that blow holes in pistons, drop valves, spin bearings or worse have violated something.


Exception: Older "stove bolt' babbit bearing odd combustion chamber shapes Chevrolet 6's will burn valves or spin bearings or both if pushed over 60 mpoh for sustained periods. Don't ask!!


Oh, an the slick 47 Flat head V8 ford that had been the local Ford dealer's daughters car. Ran great, but a sustained high speed run at my hands... spun the rod bearings!!
Oh, well, afresh warmed up engine made it even better.


Carl

 

my Mazda RX7 rotary turbo, had it at 145-155mph for about 20minutes,racing another one!

these USA interstate freeways are long and straight! and a super adrenline rush.

 

We have cops here! We do a nearly legal run both directions trough the perfect riding road then hammer it through the perused piece of tarmac on the third pass, never been caught out that way except for cattle crossing road when I was doing 265kph on a motorcycle.

 

" We have
1.Mazda 3
2.Honda Jazz
3.KK Cherokee
4.XJ6
5. Vectra
6. Bonneville
7.Camper
8.Box trailer and bike trailer.

I don't need more, I need to offload."

Sounds like you need a fleet manager :-) at least while you are still working.

Ive only got 4 cars and 5 other small yard machines , and I was getting confused about what needed servicing when. Ended up putting them on a spreadsheet so I know where I am at.

 

That's some heavy breathing!

My 81 911 on a long, slightly downhill five mile stretch on the Ohio turnpike read 140mph. 139 is the max per factory. I was bragging up a storm at work. Next time took a GPS. Same 140mph on speedo. 123mph on the GPS.

Heh heh. What you gonna do?

 

I have a log book for every vehicle that lists every bit of work done,down to the last screw or washer replaced.
Guess that makes me Fleet Manager,mechanic,driver and accountant.

Well you just got to brag about indicated speed on speedo and not mention the GPS!

 

Or, determine the rear end ratio and the rolling diameter of the rear tires. read the tach at speed. use all these numbers, do the maths and get real close.


My speedo is nuts. I know why and how to fix. but, other stuff keeps interfering.
I know the error. I compared the speedo reading against one of those little police speed warning radar trailers. Indicated 49 mph is actual 25mph.


On the freeway, just stay under 2000 rpm and it well be at traffic flow speed. usually OK to avoid CHP ire.


Way back when, my company furnished 56 six cylinder Chevvy was good for an indicated 104 mph wide open after a lengthy build time. About the same for the next car, a Ford 6. Same El Paso to Carlsbad highway. But, once into the Guadalupe's, much slower.


Foot weight has lessened with the passing years.


Carl

 

my bragging might seem over the top; but,

my 1982 Camaro big block 7.4L clocked 165mph on the gps, as a Corvette was passing me!

but my all time best was way back in 1965(while in a divorce mess), was in nitro dragster,198mph in a 1/4 mile!

 

It's not bragging if you're merely stating facts relevant to the conversation.

And that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
(';')

 

I love the way this thread has meandered about , starting with Clarkes initial question. Very entertaining :-)

My small addition. I got miffed when my personal car speed record got broken as a passenger in the back of a taxi in Germany (205kph) . I thought this is no good, I wasnt driving. A few weeks later got up at 4AM drove to the german border for legal autobahn access and got it back at 235kph. Nothing amazing but a great day out (pic in my garage).

 

Any good story deserves bragging rights.

 

Ah the old M1... you're not quite in the club yet Clarke www.m1-300club.com

 

Not quite 165 mph, but got clocked at 160 mph on radar at 4:00am ferrying
home a 1973 Firebird 455.

The best part was that the officer had been out the night before clocking a
Firebird track car running the Trans Am series for a buddy and was curious
to see mine.

My reason for going that fast was it was the only way to stay awake after
driving 36 hours. He said, "OK, I know the car can do it, but don't do it again".

That was it.

 

The scarier thing is we have sold the old Jeep and mazda3, loaned the daughters Honda to friends who are moving back to Canada in a couple of weeks so they can get around since they sold their cars and yesterday loaned the new Jeep to eldest(the nieghbours daughter).
She said are you sure you don't need it, ....It still leaves me the bike, XJ6 , and my brothers Vectra to get to work. OF COURSE I NEED MORE CARS.

 

I once had my XJ12C up to 137 mph on a lonely stretch of Interstate 5, it was still pulling, but I caught up to slower traffic.

Dave

 

Doncha just Hate that?!
(';')

 

The fastest I've gone in my XJ12 on public roads was 140KMH while passing as I have enough respect for others not to threaten their lives with needlessly reckless driving whether from lack of sleep, being drunk, or driving too fast.

 

140 kph is about 87 mph. That isn't fast at all!

Speed limits are arbitrarily set with no thought for science and real safety. For most governments, speed limits are just a cash cow.

I ignore them.

 

Almost by definition an arbitrator is the best person to set speed laws. To calculate the correct speed limit they balance the needs of the public with the projected economical and human loss that will occur given a speed limit. Your conjectures are patently false. I do hope you realize that at 87mph one has more than twice the kinetic energy as one traveling at 60mph. After accounting for conflating activities, real life statistics have shown fatalities to increase by 20% when speed limits are raised from 55mph to 65mph. For speeders and drunkards, the distance traveled during one's reaction is increased and their ability to control the situation is decreased. If you want to be one of the 10,000 Americans who die each year due to speeding, getting hit by a speeder, please do it at an empty track.