Top Speed with Roof down?

[BLKSNAKE]

I had the opportunity to run my Viper a little this afternoon.

With the top and windows down I hit between 170 and 175 in fifth- it really seemed to creep after about 165.

Temp was about 65 degrees.

Seems about right given that I was imatating one large air brake but I wondered about other non-moded Vipers' top speed.

BlkSnake

 

[turbodoc]

Did you vaporize any bugs on the windshield?

 

[GraphiteGTS]

Good numbers, Rich. Congrats.

 

[SnakeEye]

Whoa...170-175mph with the top and windows down, could you still hear yourself think? lol
Awesome to have a local track at your disposal for such runs. Nice report - congrats to ya!

 

[KaiPL]

I've done 188 with the top and windows up, and the car was still pulling. Could have gone faster, but I blew past a cop and had to slow down (quickly.) I think that the claimed top end of 195 is easily achievable with the top and windows up.

The faster you go, the bigger effect that drag is going to have on your speed. At those speeds, having the top down would have a pretty serious effect on the car. I'm surprised you could break 170.

I think I've read somewhere that the car is only supposed to be driven at under 140 with the top down, as the latch and stowage of the top isn't designed to stay closed at higher speeds.

Kai

 

[ROCKET62]

With the top and windows down I hit between 170 and 175 in fifth- it really seemed to creep after about 165.

Temp was about 65 degrees.
BlkSnake

Private Race Track - Of course!

 

[BLKSNAKE]

With the top and windows down I hit between 170 and 175 in fifth- it really seemed to creep after about 165.

Temp was about 65 degrees.
BlkSnake

Private Race Track - Of course!

Of Course!!

 

[Y2K5SRT]

Did 165 with the top down on my '03 last year. I would also guess that is what Jerry Nadeau (NASCAR driver) did on my '05 down at TMS - also with the top down. Excellent way of cleaning the car out! I wouldn't worry too much about the top assembly staying in place at that speed, as it has a very large (and heavy) trunk holding it in place. While I don't know the exact aerodynamics, I suspect it can't move unless the trunk is open.

Oh yeah, and I have it from a VERY reliable source that they had one of the original 2003 test mules clocked at 202 with the top up...

 

[SylvanSRT]

167 top down(closed course, of course) the world flying by like Star Wars hyper-drive.

 

[VIPERMIKE]

190+ top up.

 

[BLKSNAKE]

190+ top up.

ViperMike

Was that with the 3.55's ??

 

[quick2tr]

My observation: Non-modded (3.07 geared) pulls cleanly to top of 4th (~157mph) and crawls in 5th (both top up and down). I usually give up by 165 as it just isn't climbing fast enough for the amount of yardage its chewing up.

My impression: Pretty close drag coefficient ratings (.42 for top down and .40 for top up) does not contribute much to the 160mph slowdown. Its that worthless 5th gear ratio because it's not close enough to 4th.

 

[VIPERMIKE]

190+ top up.

ViperMike

Was that with the 3.55's ??

Sorry, My Gen 1.

Gen 1 has, headers/cats/smooth tubs/heads.

 

[Ooomph]

Top-down, I hit 160 just after shifting into 5th and my half-empty venti starbucks cup was violently removed from the change-holder otherwise referred to as a cup holder. For about a half-second, I had thought that maybe a bird or something else flew into the car. Weird thing was, is that it flew towards the windshield, I suppose it's pressure-difference related.. Major pucker-action nonetheless. I had some good non-caffeine related shakes and twitches after that.

 

[HiYoSilver]

Ooomph that cup was propelled by the high "Back-draft turbulence" that your high velocity generated. You need a Wind-blocker (Baffle)! Then you and your Starbuck's cup will both enjoy the ride.

<You will also get a higher top speed!! >