How fast would you drive an '83?

[Early_S_Man]

I seem to have heard that there's a very nice secluded airstrip at Groom Lake ...

[svandamme]

it's sarcasme, it's joke
i figure everone can see that getting the cops to tell you how fast you're going is a bad idea...

[chuckr]

I have had my 83SC in the 130mph area a couple of times, she gets a bit light though, I have no spoilers, she's all origional with minor mods,
in the suspension and exhaust. Feels pretty strong between 80 and 120

[masraum]

Yep, I got it. I didn't think you were serious.

[JeremyD]

I'd be more worried about cross breeze. To me that's the only thing that's unsettling at speed. Now even with an airstrip you need to build up to your top speed with several runs. You want to make sure you have enough room to accelerate - then brake.

I would make sure you take some cones so you make sure you know where braking points are.

Give yourself plenty of room - and a margin of error. It would suck to run out of runway braking from a buck 40!

That said - do the DE tech inspection, change your brake fluid, then let her rip. These cars are built for speed (along with a few women I know)
Air the car out - it deserves it - and will run better afterwards.

Oh, and 130 is nothing , even without spoilers. quite a rush!

[Ove]

I wouldn't worry about it. If it feels unstable, don't drive any faster. Plain and simple.
Remember the record set by the 911R in 1967 or 1968?

"One example was taken to the high-banked Monza oval where it was used to set up a number of long distance speed records, including a 10,000 mile mark, which saw the 911R average an amazing 130.67 miles per hour for the distance."

http://www.historicracing.co.za/news/archives/nws_04porsche.htm

[crashmy911]

Maybe I have some screws loose. 89 jeep goes about 110 1975 ford f150 goes about 120, Infinity j30t that would go over 130. 1967 Dodge Dart 115. that was crazy on bias tires. 1978sc 140. Yeah on public high ways. Yeah I'm nutts!

[Emission]

Your private runway had better be long (most private runways are about 5000' - too short for 140+ mph sprints). Maybe, if you have a 10,000' foot run... but that would be nearly Jumbo Jet length (12,000').

I've seen 150 (with a GPS) before I let off the gas. I'd assume your 911 would be safe as fast it would go (assuming everything mechanical is OK).

[GSpreeman]

Going down a straight stretch of Interstate at 3 in the morning, not a car in sight, my pal in the passenger seat suggested we open it up. I got it up to 120 and just didn't want to press it any harder. He bugged me so I gave him an additional thrill by turning off the lights for a few seconds. I figured that was like the equivalent of doing like 300+mph.

[geof33]

As with the rest, make sure you have enough braking room... and nail it. I've had my Targa up to 145 on Kansas roads...er, um, I mean, Driver's events without the current spoiler set-up, just stock. No problem. I've had it up to 125 currently with a 3.8 wing and IROC spoiler... VERY stable.

I'd say you could spike 150+ if the temp and wind are in your favor...

[Harlan Chinn]

Late night/early morning on a straight stretch of I-5 with no U-turns in the median, strong 130+ very stable due to lack of cross winds in a tail less coupe

When my car was completely stock, 15 inch tele dials, no spoilers etc. I had it up to 265 km/h (indicated on speedo) twice. Since then I haven't gone past 230 km/h (mainly because the police don't like it)

Go as fast as you like. Just make sure everything is in good condition before you go. Oh and don't do it if there are strong crosswinds

Put a camera in the car and let us pelicans see the film

[SRISER]

I have only been to 105...umm...around here somewhere. Anyway, in you're case I would say damn it all, go for ludacris speed!

I would try some 0-60 times as well as true top speed runs.

[masraum]

0-60 runs are REALLY hard on the car, because for a 0-60 run you have to launch really really hard if you want to try to get the most out of them. We're talking 4000-5000 rpm clutch drops, and the CV's, diff, and tranny really hate that sort of shock not to mention the shock that wheel hop will put on the system.

[Moses]

Originally posted by masraum
0-60 runs are REALLY hard on the car... the CV's...

BTDT

[Mike Andrew]

Go for it . Isn't one of the reasons that you bought a pcar is that you knew they were fast? I've found a couple of spots on I-90 with a long line of sight, no median u-turns & no ramps & my '80 feels really stable at 135+.
If it feels loose, slow down.

[Moses]

The first 100+ run in my car was scary. Very light in front. I put on a Carrera tail and chin spoiler and it got so much better. I could actually feel the the car "settle" at high speed. Felt glued to the road at 120.

Now I have added a new motor and switched out the stock chin spoiler for a glass IROC bumper with no splitter. I don't know if I'll hold the road as well with this setup.

[304065]

I seem to have heard that there's a very nice secluded airstrip at Groom Lake ...

Yes, VERY private, and I hear you can get free room and board, courtesy of the United States Government, if you land there!

Straight up, Moses, you should check that "the groove" is free of air traffic before you launch on these runs-- when you pull on the end of the runway, look well to the 9 and 3 o'clock position for traffic on "base." It might help to monitor the CTAF (common traffic advisory frequency) with a handheld radio for anyone making an approach while you're out there. Since it sounds like a LONG runway, it could be frequented by Jet traffic. Presumably if it's private your friends prior permission would be required before anyone could land, but you can't be too careful.

What is the surface material? A check of the public database shows only 3 airports in the state of NV with runways longer than 8000 feet-- his probably isn't in the database, but are we talking about a hard-surfaced runway? There will be white paint in the touchdown zone, you can use it to know when to hit the brakes at the end of a pass.

Good luck and let us know the results!

[Moses]

Can't say much, but it just "might" be a military facility. My friend does contract work and he sometimes gets to do a few speed runs. Can't say for sure this will really work out. Hope so.

[SRISER]

okay so 0-60 runs are a bad idea...but it WOULD be nice to know.