89 911 top speed per factory?

[PDACPA]

Some kid asked me at 7 11 today how fast it can go....I thought geez I dont know but thought I read 159 which is what I quoted.

Its been bugging me all day....what did the factory say the 3.2 911 1989 Carrera Coupe topped out at?

HP was 217.

Does chip, exhaust, air flow affect top speed?

[Superman]

My official position is that it goes 60. On rural interstate highways, speed increases to 70, of course.

[speeder]

"Official" top speed of 3.2 carreras according to factory literature was 150mph. If any of the mods you listed significantly increased your HP, yours might have jumped a couple of mph. Remember, the amount of HP needed for each additional mph at high speeds is on an exponential curve, (because of aerodynamic restriction). RUF makes their massively powerful turbo-R, (and the CTR before it), on the narrow-body platform just to gain a few (worthless) top end mph and win the "fastest production car" award every year.

[jwetering]

whenever I tap out my 1978-911 I'm right at red line in 5th gear (good for about 142 mph indicated). I don't understand how increasing the hp can increase my top speed, although I can understand that I might get there sooner.

Unless I exceed my redline, my top speed appears to be limited by the gears.

Am I missing something, or can all 911's not make redline in top gear. I know that none of my other cars have ever been able to.

[PDACPA]

The 150 number was what I was looking to find. For some reason 159 was in my mind.


Overcourse all this and the neighbor buys a 1999 996 Cab with 300hp stock. I think my P Car is rubbing off. The other neighbor, after a test ride said he is going to have to trade in the Bimmer for a Boxter S. Now my P Car is gonna feel old and slow!

[Superman]

I once heard (on this Board) that I would not be able to achieve my mathematical top speed, because I would run out of power. Others posted opinions that I would be able to red-line the engine in fifth gear, given a long enough straight.

I have not tested these opinions, but there is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that my car will go faster than 140 mph. I recently passed three cars that were playing games, and when I looked down, Mr Speedo said 120. There was PLENTY of steam left.

[jwetering]

I tell ya supe....find a piece of road and stick your foot into it deep. Leave it there for a while. You'll hit red-line in 5th. I've done this a few times. I expect the ducktail I'm installing will help keep the seats drier.

[88911coupe]

I would not have a clue about my own car but the guy who bought my 87 Cab said he hit 150 (indicated) several times taking the car back to LA from Dallas. This was in the CA deserts.
Later,

[Moses]

Years ago, in my college roommates '83 SC on a remote freeway outside Las Vegas we were cruising at a steady 125. There appeared to be LOADS of power left. I remember being amazed that my foot seemed only halfway down on the accelerator. Yahoo!

That was the when my P-car fascination started.

[Neilk]

I am sure that all recent all 1983 and newer 911s will do an indicated 150, but let's not forget how optimistic their speedometers are. My mother's '87 911 turbo look targa would do an indicated 160+. I serously doubt that 214hp would reach 160 with all the drap created by the turbo bodied targa.

Somebody please go out there and do a test with a hand held GPS.

[kepperly]

my 87 cab's owners manual say 149 !!! now its been modified to wide body slant nose and i,ve only seen 130 for a breif blast!
one day but only after new tires and fresh oil change.
keith
3.2 chip
free flow air filter
cat baypass
mobil-1 15w50
redline 75/90ns

[pjv911]

My 69` with its 901 transaxle is geared pretty low. Fastest I`ve gone was 120mph and there wasnt much rpm left. I would say 130-135mph max@6500rpm. Does this seem correct ?

My 68` 912 went 110mph at about 7000rpm downhill in 30 deg temp.

Kurt Williams

[stone43]

According my original sales literature (85 911 cab) this little beast is capable "of a top track speed of 146 mph" ref: page 25.

Downhill with a good tailwind, I can get up to a buck and a quarter.

Maybe the little beast needs a tuneup. Or maybe it is just getting old (119K miles).

[Milu]

"What'll she do, mister?" is always a fun question - what the factory quotes is the safe answer, what you've seen on the speedo is cool as is quoting speed when redlined in 5th.

With the exception of a 69 I had years ago I've seen 150+ on every 911 I've owned. Great!

Then I started questioning speedo accuracy big time when I got the chance to really try my toy. Some work had been done to the car and it runs great, I thought it might see 160 despite running on original gearing. Red line 5th and went to end of speedo - the car is good but not that good. Rears tyres were 245/45 16 9J which is what it came from the factory with so I don't think it's because of running an oversize tyre. That speedo is WILDLY optimistic! But it would have made a great photo!

Now we all know speedos can be optimistic and it's fun to quote the BIG number but we all seem to trust our rev-counters. WHY? Who is to say they're not as inaccurate?

[5axis]

I would love to know where Bruce M. is running. I think he and our HP maniac Juan are probably packing enough go power to be able to break the 200 mph zone. That is pretty damn cool for a street car. My lightly modded turbo cab is very fun and stable at a indicated 150 mph top down. Yes, there was more to go, but I ran out of road. Someday i will run the silver state open road race.
Pick and choose your moments. please choose wisely

david 89 turbo cab

5axis

Where on earth do you find your avatars?

Das Grosse Porsche 911 Buch states the following:

Carrera 3,2 with

207 HP: 235 km/h (146 mph)
217 HP: 240 km/h (150 mph)
231 HP: 247 km/h (154 mph) (My owners manual says 245 km/h)

Still I've had my (at that time) stock Carrera 3,2 231 HP up to 265 km/h on the speedo twice. I don't know how much it misreads, but the 245-247 km/h seems realistic to me.

[PDACPA]

At Sebring and on a quiet highway late one night I easily saw 140 with room to go. With my new 17" I am sure the speedo is off now. Trying to find time for my sheriff brother to clock me with is radar gun so I can figure out the true reading.

[glickster]

My recollection is the manual says 149 for the 3.2 ('87), turbo was 155, I believe.