U.K VIPERS TRY FOR THE U.K 200 MPH CLUB

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

From what I understand the biggest limiting factor at those speeds is aerodynamics. Maybe duct taping the lights and edges would help.

 

[Joel]

I'm really looking forward to this one although I think we might have a distance problem even though it's one of the longest runways. Your viper I think has a different axle ratio so it'll be interesting to see the effect there. Hope we get good weather for it and I hope the snakes have the chance to shut down some exotica and show major 488 muscle. EVO magazine had my viper indicating 175 on Italian public roads when they tested it so with the mods I've done I'm hoping for a little more but I'm sure there will be a radar gun there so we will see. It's definitely one to look forward to.

 

[Neil - UK]

i recall just folding in the mirrors saved about 3mph when the viper broke the world record caravan pull and that was at a much slower speed, they put more air in the tyres to reduce rolling resistance and even went to the extremes of removing the air filters

 

[Snakester]

My understanding of most high speed testing has drag as the greatest element is running high speeds. Weight is not too much of a factor except in getting to a higher speed a bit quicker.

Because of the factors of drag it takes much more power to go just a bit faster, so the greatest high speed gains would be made with aerodynamics.

I'd say a front air dam, and rear diffuser would do the best good (along with removing the mirrors and taping the nose and gaps in the car's body).

-Dean.

 

[Joel]

Interesting figures Jason, I think 200 is going to be hard for any of us to achieve but we're prepared to have a go. I have to confess I've never been close to 200 in any vehicle apart from a 747 so I'm looking forward to the blast

 

[Dave Golder]

Your gear change is going to hurt you. My Venom 650 which I have had over 200 mph many times with almost 585 RWHP would not not even begin to pull in 6th. The best way to do it is stick with the 3.07 and try to find a tire that is about 1 inch taller than stock. Then use 5th gear. That will net you around a 3.0 gear and redline in 5th and you will be there.

 

[Afy]

How about removing the passenger seat? that should save some weight as well..

 

[MtHam ACR]

Maybe there is something worthwhile here:

http://www.200mphracing.com

Though the site covers another make, this guy is very knowledgeable about going really fast -- he ran the silverstate classic and other unlimited open road races here in the US at a semi-professional level. John Buscama is his name, real nice guy.

Good luck,

Eric

 

[Mark F]

I kept an on-line version of the test results from the overly optimistic road testers at "Motor Trend" (May 1998 issue). The results are pasted below. They posted a top speed run of 192.6 mph in a stock GTS before they had a coolant leak. The test did not include the best of the best production models, however (ie, no upper end cars from Ferrari, Lambo, Porsche)

TOP SPEED
Dodge Viper GTS 192.6 mph
Lotus Esprit V-8 Turbo 179.4 mph
Ferrari F355 F1 177.6 mph
Porsche 911 Carrera 174.8 mph
Chevrolet Corvette 173.9 mph
Aston Martin DB7 163.5 mph
BMW M 139.7 mph
Panoz AIV Roadster 134.0 mph

0-60
Dodge Viper GTS 4.1 sec
Lotus Esprit 4.4 sec
Ferrari 355 4.6 sec
Panoz AIV 4.6 sec
Chevrolet Corvette 4.8 sec
Porsche 911 4.9 sec
BMW M 5.1 sec
Aston Martin DB7 5.7 sec

1/4 MILE
Dodge Viper GTS 12.2 sec/118.6 mph
Lotus Esprit 12.8 sec/111.8 mph
Ferrari F355 13.0 sec/109.7 mph
Chevrolet Corvette 13.2 sec/109.3 mph
Panoz AIV 13.3 sec/101.5 mph
Porsche 911 13.4 sec/105.2 mph
BMW M 13.7 sec/101.4 mph
Aston Martin DB7 14.3 sec/98.1 mph

1 MILE
Dodge Viper GTS 30.1 sec/173.3 mph
Lotus Esprit 32.1 sec/158.4 mph
Ferrari F355 32.6 sec/154.1 mph
Chevrolet Corvette 32.9 sec/150.4 mph
Porsche 911 33.0 sec/150.3 mph