What would be required to attain 160 mph, mid-high 12 second 1/4's as a daily driver with 16+ mpg? Staying with fuel injection (and away from LT1) would TPI be a must? This would also be with a 6-speed transmission and 3.08 rear end gear. If anyone has dyno graphs of their TPI motors I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks
-Rippin

 

I would say your best bet would be to go not only to TPI but to a stealth ram. Its tunnel ram design would give you the upper RPMS you need to reach 160.

 

Darth: I was thinking the Stealth Ram as well. I'm curious how much it would take to achieve speeds in excess of around 150. Do the aerodynamics of 3rd gens "restrict" the top speed. Say if you put a motor in a 4th gen TA and did 170, then put the motor in a 3rd gen would it only do 155? Is there a big difference between 3rd and 4th gen drag coefficients?

My reasoning is if I do keep my 3rd gen, I'd like to be able to keep up with my friend's 4th Gen if/when we go racing (at a track, not on the street of course).

 

I have an edelbrock catalog around here somewhere that has a pic of a 3rd gen on the salt flats with the land speed record for its class at something like 230 mph. So I dont think it would be that much or a problem. And in general parts for the Gen I sbc will be cheaper than a 4th gen motor would.

 

Firebirds are a little sleeker first off...

Not sure if it's better or not for a thirdgen to have the ground effects on them but I'd assume it's better. Either way their drag coefficients are very good considering the shape was designed in the early 80's. 300rear wheel HP would be enough to reach 160MPH if you're not towing a camper Lowering the car would help aero overall. Goodluck! New wheel bearings wouldn't hurt either. Make sure your brakes work good, your tires should be fairly new and speed rated accordingly...once again, goodluck.

Oh yeah 3.08 gears will definately help MPH but with a 6 speed i doubt you'd need them. 3.42s or 3.73's could easily be done and you probably wouldn't lose any gas mileage. 6th gear would be more useable. Those gears would help you get into the 12's a little easier also I would think.

Oh yeah... There is a "stock bodied" thirdgen firebird that holds a record of 300+ MPH 1400hp...twin turbo 368cube SBC, 2.52 gears, manual trans..hehe and plenty more thidgens NEAR 300mph already.

 

what in the hell are you going to do with a 160mph car?

If you intend to do those speeds and survive, plan on spending some mega bucks on aerodynamic work and some very big brakes.

 

Jim...Honestly..He needs a cage harnesses and helmet! hahahaha

Dude...You know how fragile you are at anything over 30 MPH? Driveshaft loop, helmet, 10-14 point chrome moly rollcage, maybe more...Check SCCA boards and stuff to see what's safest. Fluid coolers, extreme tires...Goodluck like I said.

 

Third Gen aerodynamics are great and are still better than most cars. 4th Gens are practically the same. An IROC gets .34 Cd and most Firebirds get .32 Cd. Lamborghini's get similar coefficiant drag. They are great cars for doing what you want but I don't see why when top speed is never used. I could care less what my top speed is, what I do care about is how fast I can get to it, whatever it might be. If you know what I mean.

If you put an engine that did 170MPH in a 4th then put it in a Third, the chances are that the Third would be even faster because of its reduced weight and similar Cd.