How fast would you drive an '83?

[banjomike]

ooooh! I wanna go to! I say wring her out. Just leave yourself room to stop.

I've seen 130 on the speedo with no wing, no spoiler, and no problem.

I'm also a bay area resident.

[Superman]

If something is wrong with your car, then I understand your hesitation. but if the shocks are relatively new, and relatively new tires with proper speed rating, and you have inspected everything.....CV bolts are tight, wheel bearings feel good, etc.....then I would expect a smooth secure feeling at 145, which is probably your top speed assuming your gear box is stock.

According to my belief, these cars are made for this kind of abuse, and would be happy to cruise at 140 mph all day long. The trophy case at the Porsche factory contains evidence to support this position.

[juanbenae]

just wear a helmet and cup..

[nestorjw]

Ive done 135+ in mine and it was fairly stable. It was done in the proper way, not public roads.

[masraum]

When normal cruising speeds on some highways are 70-90 mph and our cars will wring 4th out at 120-125, there is no excuse (other than a car that's not in good shape) for not hitting 130 from time to time. I'm not "Crazy" 130 on the road by yourself in a 911 is good shape is probably safer than 70 on a crouded road full of the general public.

And if your car is in good enough shape to go 60-70, then it is in good enough shape to go 130+

From 70-80 on the freeway you are a downshift, a few seconds, and a 1/4 mile away from 130.

[svandamme]

a stock car , in reasonable shape will take it's own top speed without any problem. Porsche didn't build cars with big engines without thinking if the chassis would be able to handle it

they are german, they go like

wvat vould be better? ze zuspenzion vrom ze tractor or ze suspenzion wvee build dzat can go as fast as ze engine? i tzink i vill go for ze fast one.. jawohl ! itiz better enzineering

[dickster]

take it up there, and see how it feels, as long as it continues to feel solid keep pushing.

i have been 145mph in an '82 targa (my first ride in a 911) and was amazed at how solid it felt (as passenger) compared with a ford cosworth doin similar speeds.......

[carmaneddy]

I'd go as fast as you feel comfortable, Be sure to inspect all steering and suspension components, tires and tire air pressure. Also I agree a helmet and harness are a good idea, as would a roll bar.
From the perspective of the engine hitting the rev limiter in second is probably no different than hitting it in fifth, but having a tire go at 45 is a lot less hairy than at 145

[vash]

Originally posted by k911sc
just wear a helmet and cup..

and depends...

[jerrykrug]

Where is the private airstrip? I live 30 min from Reno, Nv anywhere neer here

[B D]

I have taken my '68 up to 120, nothing to scary and the car is 35 years old. I would just go as fast as you are comfortable, overtime I kept increasing the speed up to the 120 MPH mark.

[Moses]

Originally posted by jerrykrug
Where is the private airstrip? I live 30 min from Reno, Nv anywhere neer here

Never been there. Supposed to be near some place called Railroad Valley.

[RickM]

If possible bring a GPS unit to verify your speed. 145 in an '82 Targa seems high to me.

[svandamme]

that's the advantage of public road speeding:
you don't need no stinking GPS

if you drive fast enough , the cops will gladly give you a speed measurement, and mail it to your home adress, and that's certified legally correct. on top of that, if they chase you, you will have a good incentive to push yourself beyond normal driving and you will achieve a true automotive orgasm like peak experience... do it ... now

[dd74]

Speaking from the voice of reason (or whatever), you should take it up as high and hard as you can. You didn't do the 3.6 swap to sit in rush-hour traffic or be called "the little old man from Pasadena."

Besides, you need a benchmark of your cars capabilities. What could fail at 145 might also fail at 90 or 60, so "danger" is sort of a wash. When I did my swap, I drove the daylights out of my car to see how it would behave in certain circumstances. If I were you, I would try a top speed run...several times.

In the least, it'll give you peace of mind.

[masraum]

Hmm, svandamme's last bit of advice seems a tad ill-advised.

[RickM]

Shoot, forgot about the swap. Woof, that should be interesting.

Just make sure no planes are taking off or landing....well, better yet race one.

[dd74]

Originally posted by masraum
Hmm, that last bit of advice seems a tad ill-advised.

Why's that?

[masraum]

Sorry, you replied between my reply and svandamme's, I guess I didn't type fast enough.

There, fixed now!

[dd74]

No problem. And you're right: that is ill-advised.