I've found a great stretch of pavement for taking the Z to the upper end of the speed range. Long stretches of good pavement through farming country.
No driveways or cross roads and flat where you can see cars approaching well down the road.

I've had the car up to 130 or so & understand the handling characteristics.

Question: Anything change over 130 that I need to be aware of?


For example, I used to ride bikes; last was a Honda 900 F. Up to about 120 MPH the bike handled fine. But over 120, it would, sometimes, develope a wobble...............not fun at high speeds. I had learned that wobbles on bikes should be handled by staying off the brakes & bringing the speed down slowly. Saved my butt.

I'm not seasoned in running cars over 110 or so & am looking for any tips or things to watch for. I have taking the Z higher in 5 MPH increments; 100, 105, 110 etc. When comfortable at one speed I step it up to next level.

Also, at what speed do I have to go to 6th gear?


I'm running on Toyo T 1Rs with 35 psi

 

Using the following scale:
1st-35
2nd-60
3rd-90

I'm guessing that each gear is roughly 30 mph (could be wrong). That would give you:
4th-120
5th-150
6th-180

So, you would be shifting into 6th around 150 mph. I have only had mine up to around 115, so I cant comment on what its like over 130. I know at 115, it is ALOT more stable than my previous Camaro. The Z inspired a great deal of confidence. I would just make sure that your tires are up to the challenge before attempting any high speed runs.

 

ok just switch gears when at redline but the car handles like a dream at 150

 

You're a lot smarter than most. Above 130 things do start to change. While the Z is considered a sports car it's still a mass produced sports car that rolls of an assembly line, not a hand built exotic.

Just keep it safe is the main thing, sounds like you stay within your limits. Guess you're off to a good start. Only thing I'd strongly watch out for are animals out in the country...if you jerk the wheel to swerve around nutty the squirrel...better hope it's nothing but a corn field past the shoulder.

I'm not a speed freak and have only seen triple digits a few times so I'm probably not the best to give advice...just stay safe.

 

I have taken it up too about 135 on an empty freeway. I switched lanes, seems really planted to the ground. At those speeds I just worry about tires, a blow out and you’re done for. FYI I was in 5th gear at those speeds.

 

Rollin' on 30 series tires in the back and the car handles perfectly at 130mph. I have only been there once and probably won't do 130 again, or atleast until I get newer tires. Believe I was still in 5th gear.

 

The fastest I've been is 140 and it really is extremely tight at higher speeds. Just, of course, be careful. Faster you're going the longer it takes to stop, .

 

never had any problem on comming out of philly on i95.. theres a great place right next to the eagles field to let loose for miles

 

the Z handels great at high speeds, I took mine up to 155 and it was no problem at all, you cant really tell a difference 130+, Just keep it floored, it takes a really long time to stop though

 

buddy of mine tried to scare the hell out of me hitting 135mph with his 69 camero SS coming down the canyon near magic mountain once....i'd never forget that.

 

the z's heavy weight balances out during high rate of speed

 

Brief story. I'm 63 & my wife is 59. I've been taking her on some of the speed runs. Turns out she loves it & is quite comfortable. Last weekend I'm up to 125 or so on the above referenced road which has a number of different crops planted on each side. She's telling me about the crops we are whizzing by and says 'Oh, look at how healthly that green bean (or whatever) crop is". I responded, "Love I'm a little busy right now, tell me later!" LOL!

I only hope her confidence remains justified!

 

I got up to 144. Handled the same from about 105 - 144.(then i started running out of road, so i had to back off)

As far as your bike..I had my gsxr 750 ( well bored to a 907) up to 160 without any wobble.

 

I've had the car up to the limiter in 6th. Very stable, no problem

 

Double post, I'm an idiot

 

the OP is my favorite car person in the world. very smart and very cautious

your wife sounds awesome, hope i can find someone like that in the future

i can't answer ur question since i dont drive a Z, but in my old 2000 intergra GSR it was pretty stable at 135mph..i had springs and dropped 1.5'' that's it...was doing lane changes and it was pretty easy.

if the teggy could handle that speed, i have no doubt that the Z would be much more stable. at 150+ it shouldn't be too bad i'd imagine....

like other said, just watch out for animals (my friend totalled his M3 during a high speed run because a deer freakin popped outta nowhere), and tire pressures and road imperfections, and u should be fine

if only i could think like you back when i was 18....i thank God everyday for keeping me alive through all the crazy **** i used to do with my cars....

 

Just go a little bit faster each time, just like what you mentioned. Check your tires before too. Like someone just said, you really dont want a blow out at 130mph!!! The fastest Ive gone in the Z is about 125, and its very stable and planted. I got an LT1 Z28 to just under 160 a few years ago (it was a blast), and beleive it or not it felt great (minus the horrible wind noise, could hear and feel the air creeping into the cabin from the window seals). But I would guess the Z would feel MUCH better than the Z28. Just be carefull!!

 

My .02

Drive fast on a track versus on the street.

Think about your wife and children too.








Boring, but safe.

 

I got mine up to 150 and it was grate

 

From a g35 owner:

I strongly suggest you don't press the brakes after 100+ unless it's an emergency. After you feel you've gone "fast" enough, then you should definately just let off the accelerator and then if so, gently apply the brakes. It's better to let the engine cool down, and your brakes will go out quickly if you do so at those speeds. Besides that, just keep your foot on the throttle and hold on. It's a pretty smooth ride, and stable enough to go with one hand.

My advice is limited because I've only gone up to 145 (definately more then once) but still only there. For some reason my car stops there, instead of at the 155 it should go to. I don't know why.