top up or down for high speeds

mack6820 · 07-16-2006, 04:59 AM

Hey guys. Ive had my 83sc up to 130mph with the top down. Do ya'll think it makes a difference if the top is up or down at high speeds? Would I get better wind resistance?

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

The rear spoiler...if you have one relies on the roof/top being up.

So, yes it probably doesn't matter for top speed, but stability suffers...

mack6820 · 07-16-2006, 05:07 AM

I have a whaletail. The stabilility seems fine, its a bit noisy though, hehe. the car seems to loose breathe at 120 and slowly rises to 130, havent tried to push it more due to traffic, cops, etc..

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Might want to take it to a track....no tickets and you can learn how it reacts at that speed.....

Funny thing....same subject came up at another website......here's my tongue in cheek repsonse...
>>>>>>>
if you were in CA...I would quote the famous James Dean flubbed commercial...."The life you save might be mine...."

mack6820 · 07-16-2006, 05:15 AM

haha. i get the picture. Its not an everyday thing of course. I go to an abandoned airfield here sometimes and run it there. Its awesome running on an airfield runway, just like on Topgun. hehe
Im a airplane mechanic in the Navy and we had a plane that broke down on the airfield once, when we fixed it, I got to race it down the runway untill it got airborne. i actually kept up with it untill it lifted off, I had to hit the brakes. I have a cool picture if you want to see. Its my car sitting next to the airplane. mack6820@aol.com

Joeaksa · 07-16-2006, 05:16 AM

Mike,

I have ridden with you and when you are on the road in the 3.6, almost everyone's life is in danger!!!

The question is, why did I get back in the car for a second ride?

Joe A

Joeaksa · 07-16-2006, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mack6820
haha. i get the picture. Its not an everyday thing of course. I go to an abandoned airfield here sometimes and run it there. Its awesome running on an airfield runway, just like on Topgun. hehe
Im a airplane mechanic in the Navy and we had a plane that broke down on the airfield once, when we fixed it, I got to race it down the runway untill it got airborne. i actually kept up with it untill it lifted off, I had to hit the brakes. I have a cool picture if you want to see. Its my car sitting next to the airplane. mack6820@aol.com

You mean something like this?

Yea I know its a bike, but had both a BMW bike and 911 at that time. Still do in fact! Post your photo!

mack6820 · 07-16-2006, 05:24 AM

mack6820 · 07-16-2006, 05:24 AM

cool, it worked

charleskieffner · 07-16-2006, 05:25 AM

running my car at PIR w/the top down really is the ONLY way to go. your vision racing is greatly impaired with top up. as for noise.........the only thing i hear is the engine rpms. as per PCA/SCCA you must have your windows down when on the track. if your top is up all you are going to do is scrub speed by air rush thru open windows. now the test would be and im all up for it............top up top end speed or top down top end speed. i think i know the answer but that would be an entertaining afternoon somewhere.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

That's not a plane,,,,that's a truck with wings.....

Nice looking ride......cabs rule, others drool....

mack6820 · 07-16-2006, 05:26 AM

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

BTW....Haven't picked it up yet, but I have a hard top coming for my cab....interested to see what the diff is...if any.

mack6820 · 07-16-2006, 05:27 AM

i guess I'll have to test the theory sometime.

MattAlpha · MattAlpha's Garage

Mack,

I just moved from the Norfolk/VA Beach area.
Where in the world were you able to hit those speeds? I wouldn't dare even going over a hundred on any part of 64, 264 or any of the local roads. The roads mostly are unsafe for speed due to design and garbage not to mention the traffic.
Every now and then most people like to push there car. I can understand it, I just wouldn't sustain that speed. Now bringing it up to speed on a runway at NIB or Oceana is another story completely

Stay safe,
Matt

Joeaksa · 07-16-2006, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikez
BTW....Haven't picked it up yet, but I have a hard top coming for my cab....interested to see what the diff is...if any.

Is this one of Thom's new carbon fiber units? Pls let us know how it works!

mack6820 · 07-16-2006, 05:38 AM

I ran on I95 and at Fentriss. hit 120 on the HOV once, but it got too bumpy. I thought I was going to go airborne myself.

charleskieffner · 07-16-2006, 05:41 AM

at PIR since im showroom stock the way the track is setup i never hit 5th gear. on the front straight from turns 4 to 1 before you do your straight line braking im guessing im doing around 120mph. thats only a guess as im scared to death to take my eyes off of the track. turn 1 has claimed quite a few vehicles. you get real good at hearing your shift points thru a full face helmet! would love to go around the full oval someday at speed.

wholberg · wholberg's Garage

I think that the additional turbulence generated by having the top down would greatly increase drag at high speed, thereby slowing down your acceleration. On the other hand, if the airflow going over the rear end is not a smooth flow, but turbulent, a smaller negative pressure area develops, and you will get reduced upwards lift, spoiler or not. This may be why the car does not feel really squirrely at high speed.

charleskieffner · 07-16-2006, 05:48 AM

another thing i remembered. with your top down and tonnau cover on be sure you tie the front flaps down secure. i take mini bungie cords and tie them off. otherwise wind gets up underneath and makes alot of noise.