[Hammerli]

Originally Posted by 17CamaroZL1

M6 topped out at 173 according to Hennessy.

I know there are varying opinions of him, but I don't trust him or his numbers. I admit to not knowing if they share ratios, but if a 2010 M6 SS ran 174.4, I'm calling BS on the snake charmers number.

[762CAT]

Hmmm I wonder if they pulled speeds of the speedometer/perf data recorder of if they used calibrated test equipment? There is a chance the actual speed may be higher if they are going only off of the speedometer. At extreme speeds tires actually grow and can throw of the speed due to all the heat and centrifugal force.

I was at a High Speed Aerodynamic Testing Session aboard the Kennedy Space Center last weekend and saw some decent speedo error going both ways. I ran the standing 2 mile in my stock 2016 challenger Hellcat at 195.244mph but my speedo read 192. In the standing mile it was only off by 1 mph reading 174 with and actual speed of 175.237. A Lamborghini Aventador did 208mph but it's Speedo actually read consistently 10mph high even at lower speeds.

Interesting the Camaro is in 8th gear as it still has two left which I assume means it met it's aerodynamic limit based on available power. Hellcat shifted into 7th right at 195mph and crossing the 2 mile trap. It should still pull in 7th but interestingly in the time it took to shift lost 1mph then immediately recovered. 8th gear I'm sure would lose speed.

I learned the winds matter at very high speeds a lot and I like that Chevy accounted for that variable. I did a standing 2 mile with a verified 21mph headwind and only hit 186.069. The 195 was with a very light tailwind. The previous day with a 10mph headwind I did a standing 1.5 mile at 186.613mph. A McClaren 650S was consistently 180mph or about 5mph faster than me in the mile with a headwind largely due to it's better aero. IN the 2 mile with no wind I beat it by 0.2 mph. Very interesting stuff and very fun.

I would say based on all that though you can easily claim the A10 ZL1 is a legit 200mph car. Cannot wait for them to hit the streets and see what they can do in a standing mile and beyond. For fun and before people cry BS link to youtube video of 195mph run is below.

[762CAT]

^^^ answered my own question...well one of them. The G meter on the car is perfectly centered indicating it is in a static state of acceleration and therefore at its limit.

[MoreSpeed]

This all makes my wait for my A10 near unbearable. It also helps me justify the added cost verses the manual (which is way more than the $1,595 option cost). The way I see it, the A10 means a longer wait, MSRP verses some pretty discounted manual ZL1's sitting on dealer lots, and a bigger gas guzzler penalty cost. I also don't get the manual engagement that I so love in my GT3 and WRX. What I do get is a beast of a car which should be a blast to race. Since racing is my primary purpose for the ZL1, I am like a little kid who wants a pony. These kinds of threads just increase the want. Somebody call a doctor!

[OminouSS]

I would not have wanted to experience the power steering malfunction that I had at the track over the weekend at speeds these guys were pulling off. Good lord!

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Hammerli

I know there are varying opinions of him, but I don't trust him or his numbers. I admit to not knowing if they share ratios, but if a 2010 M6 SS ran 174.4, I'm calling BS on the snake charmers number.

Regardless of what Hennessey got...mathematically, the ZL1 M6 will top out at 174 mph in 5th gear...if you shift into 6th at that speed, rpms drop to ~4300. I don't think the car will be able to push past the high 170s...and that's with a LOT of room to do it.

[OminouSS]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

Regardless of what Hennessey got...mathematically, the ZL1 M6 will top out at 174 mph in 5th gear...if you shift into 6th at that speed, rpms drop to ~4300. I don't think the car will be able to push past the high 170s...and that's with a LOT of room to do it.

These are fun academic discussions but if there is even 1% of the market who will reach 170+ I would be floored (no pun intended). Hitting the rained out turn 1 straight at Laguna Seca Saturday I was happy to reach 118 before byproduct lift occurred at the dogleg left. There are other tracks that will allow higher top speed but not anywhere close to 170. It's great to know the car is capable (in stock trim no less) but that's just bragging rights, not practical application. A fun conversation non-the-less

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by OminouSS

These are fun academic discussions but if there is even 1% of the market who will reach 170+ I would be floored (no pun intended). Hitting the rained out turn 1 straight at Laguna Seca Saturday I was happy to reach 118 before byproduct lift occurred at the dogleg left. There are other tracks that will allow higher top speed but not anywhere close to 170. It's great to know the car is capable (in stock trim no less) but that's just bragging rights, not practical application. A fun conversation non-the-less

Agreed 100%.

Fastest I've been on a track was 150 at VIR...but perhaps this year at the Camaro Fest track day @ National Corvette Museum...I might be able to push the new car a bit faster (all with safety in mind)...we'll see. Certainly not 170+.

[MoreSpeed]

Originally Posted by OminouSS

These are fun academic discussions but if there is even 1% of the market who will reach 170+ I would be floored (no pun intended). Hitting the rained out turn 1 straight at Laguna Seca Saturday I was happy to reach 118 before byproduct lift occurred at the dogleg left. There are other tracks that will allow higher top speed but not anywhere close to 170. It's great to know the car is capable (in stock trim no less) but that's just bragging rights, not practical application. A fun conversation non-the-less

Its been a few years, but if you caught turn 11 right at Watkins Glenn, you can get into the 160's, 170's before the sharp 90 degree right hander at turn 1. Big pucker factor though for that turn. When I first did the track, the car felt like it was getting dangerously light at those speeds. Came back with aero and those speeds felt much better. Real pucker when my wheel threw one of those small balancing weights at that speed. I thought my car was coming apart at the seams. A few ounces off balance had a huge impact.

I don't disagree. Most will never see these speeds, nor should they. With lift, even the best cars have only hundreds of pounds holding them to earth at those speeds. A small bump or a split second of inattention can be a big problem.

[OminouSS]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

Agreed 100%.

Fastest I've been on a track was 150 at VIR...but perhaps this year at the Camaro Fest track day @ National Corvette Museum...I might be able to push the new car a bit faster (all with safety in mind)...we'll see. Certainly not 170+.

I want to go to that SOOOO bad this year! I'm running out of years AND excuses. Maybe...

Originally Posted by MoreSpeed

Its been a few years, but if you caught turn 11 right at Watkins Glenn, you can get into the 160's, 170's before the sharp 90 degree right hander at turn 1. Big pucker factor though for that turn. When I first did the track, the car felt like it was getting dangerously light at those speeds. Came back with aero and those speeds felt much better. Real pucker when my wheel threw one of those small balancing weights at that speed. I thought my car was coming apart at the seams. A few ounces off balance had a huge impact.

I don't disagree. Most will never see these speeds, nor should they. With lift, even the best cars have only hundreds of pounds holding them to earth at those speeds. A small bump or a split second of inattention can be a big problem.

I don't think I'd ever get within 15 mph of the M6 top speed. In watching the Nurburgring video run down the straight, the driver got the car to 180 in the A10. It was insane watching earthly matter flash past that dude at blurring speeds. I just don't think I'd do it on a road course. Ever. Give me some salt flats then, yeah I've always wanted to be part of the 200 club but, knowing there is a turn pending on a 3-car wide asphalt patch? huh uh.

[speedyman]

Who here feels competent to drive a car at 200MPH?

[Naturday13]

Originally Posted by speedyman

Who here feels competent to drive a car at 200MPH?

This guy!

[TheRealJA105]

I asked 762Cat about the safety precautions for his event on the Hellcat forums and I was surprised there weren't way more for approaching 200mph.

[speedyman]

Originally Posted by Naturday13

This guy!

Good for you. Very, very, few of us have those skills. Have you ever noticed how the NASCAR guys have real tough time when they get loose at those speeds? Where exactly does an amateur gain the skills and experience at 200 MPH?