How fast has your "Hawk" flown?
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I believe the LS1 is computer limited at 162. There was a post on the old SLP Board about SLP taking a Firehawk (99?) out on a test track in Canada with the limiter turned off and got it up to 170mph. That's where it ran out of horsepower. Maybe some of the members from the old board can remember more of the details. I used to have a video of it that I had downloaded but I can't remember where it is now.
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Others may have had different experiences, but unless you are going downhill, top speed might only be acheived in 5th gear at redline or up against the rev limiter (somewhere up around 163 or so). I always lost speed in 6th on flat ground. Too much wind resistance for 310 hp. Maybe it was the altitude where I was in Montana (about 5,000 feet). My windows were sucked out about 1/4 inch from the seals at 145 making it sound like 200 mph.
Rick Lake
Past Hawk Owner (1997 No. 28) and Member of FAOA since 1997.
Past Hawk Owner (1997 No. 28) and Member of FAOA since 1997.
Check the Tech Forum for the thread with the same title.
I still don't think I've hit triple digits with the top up. So I don't know about all this "wind noise" stuff.
I still don't think I've hit triple digits with the top up. So I don't know about all this "wind noise" stuff.
2002 T/A Firehawk Convertible #0796 BlackEbonyBlack 6-spd, WI Plate "OH2 HAWK"
GM: TCS, Hurst, 12CD, Last of the Breed
SLP: Bilstein, Chromes, Cover, Floor Mats, Rear Deck Mat, Portfolio
SLP After: Skip-shift Eliminator, Customized Rear Deck Mat
GM: TCS, Hurst, 12CD, Last of the Breed
SLP: Bilstein, Chromes, Cover, Floor Mats, Rear Deck Mat, Portfolio
SLP After: Skip-shift Eliminator, Customized Rear Deck Mat
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well ....hmm..fastest i have been in my 99 formy was i think..147..just starting to lean into fifth gear..woulda grabbed sixth..but she floats pretty good at 140+ and i still needed room to slow down as well..since then i have modded a lotta things..but havent felt the urge to play like that again..
Speed Demons
I don't know if some of you guys are yanking our chains but I find it hard to believe that some of you hit speeds over 140 (some of you are talking about 165?!). Not that the cars don't have the power but at those speeds you are in God's hands only! My past 2 f-bodies have been convertibles and that is even scarier. 120 was fast enough for me.
And of course there is a big difference in "fast" and "quick." Fast = top speed and quick=quarter mile. My '02 Bonneville would be "faster" than my Hawk because the Bonny has a lower gear ratio, probably 2.73. My Hawk has an aftermarket set of gears- 4:10 so it won't go as high. Heck, my '87 firebird with a 305 and overdrive could probably hit some high numbers because I know the gear ratio on it was for fuel conservation and not quickness!
And of course there is a big difference in "fast" and "quick." Fast = top speed and quick=quarter mile. My '02 Bonneville would be "faster" than my Hawk because the Bonny has a lower gear ratio, probably 2.73. My Hawk has an aftermarket set of gears- 4:10 so it won't go as high. Heck, my '87 firebird with a 305 and overdrive could probably hit some high numbers because I know the gear ratio on it was for fuel conservation and not quickness!
1995 Red Firehawk Convertible #509, 6 speed, 315 HP version (plus mods).
Re: Speed Demons
I highly doubt anyone is lying. There's really no need to. Not all of us are worried about going that fast.Maxedwell wrote:I don't know if some of you guys are yanking our chains but I find it hard to believe that some of you hit speeds over 140 (some of you are talking about 165?!). Not that the cars don't have the power but at those speeds you are in God's hands only! My past 2 f-bodies have been convertibles and that is even scarier. 120 was fast enough for me.
And of course there is a big difference in "fast" and "quick." Fast = top speed and quick=quarter mile. My '02 Bonneville would be "faster" than my Hawk because the Bonny has a lower gear ratio, probably 2.73. My Hawk has an aftermarket set of gears- 4:10 so it won't go as high. Heck, my '87 firebird with a 305 and overdrive could probably hit some high numbers because I know the gear ratio on it was for fuel conservation and not quickness!
The fastest I went in my old 'Hawk was 128. That's where it redlined in 4th, and I hit traffic and had to get on the brakes. I've done 140 on my bike, and that was the top of 4th for it as well. I ran outta room on that occassion as well. It isn't hard to get up that fast on the bike, because it gets there VERY fast.
Just because you have highway gears in a car doesn't mean it will outrun your 'Hawk on the top end. Most cars don't have the power to push the car at higher speed. Your Bonneville will probably do 130-140. I know you have 4.10's, but double overdrive is much steeper than anything the Bonneville has. There are a lot more factors than just gear ratio when determining top speed
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Re: Speed Demons
I'm not sure if you're yanking our chain, or if something is wrong with your Hawk. I'm not as familiar with the gearing on the LT1's- are they different? On my LS1, the top power gear is 5th, and would "redline" at 6Krpm with stock gearing (?3.73?). If mine is 3.73, and I changed to 4.10s, then there would be more power (torque) applied at the top end, and the 6Krpm would be reached at 155mph - are you saying some lame Bonneville would do better than that? Not to mention, that with front wheel drive on the Bonny, you would be nuts to drive that fast. Anyhow, with the stronger gearing from the 4.10s, you might even be able to power up higher with 6th gear - the wind resistance would be your limiting factor. Maybe something is wrong with your suspension if it doesn't feel right to you at higher speeds, I was with a group of about 60 F-Bods when I first went above 140, and they didn't seem to have any problem, either.Maxedwell wrote:I don't know if some of you guys are yanking our chains but I find it hard to believe that some of you hit speeds over 140 (some of you are talking about 165?!). Not that the cars don't have the power but at those speeds you are in God's hands only! My past 2 f-bodies have been convertibles and that is even scarier. 120 was fast enough for me.
And of course there is a big difference in "fast" and "quick." Fast = top speed and quick=quarter mile. My '02 Bonneville would be "faster" than my Hawk because the Bonny has a lower gear ratio, probably 2.73. My Hawk has an aftermarket set of gears- 4:10 so it won't go as high. Heck, my '87 firebird with a 305 and overdrive could probably hit some high numbers because I know the gear ratio on it was for fuel conservation and not quickness!
When the '82 Firebirds were produced, they had the lowest aerodynamic drag of any American car ever, and they've stayed pretty sleek in following versions - no Bonneville has ever come close in that regard.
Stopping distance for LS1s is rated 60-0 in 111 feet. Even at higher speeds, you're going to stop/slow faster than most other cars you find in the roadway. Race cars drive around 200mph - are you saying that God is just generously allowing them to live on a regular basis?
I just did a quick net search and found: '02 Bonneville SSEi with 3.8L V6 and Roots supercharger, has 240Hp, 280 tq, and 3,800lbs for a top speed of less than 128mph. If you are comparing this to the 3.8L V6 Firebird convertible, that's one thing - but comparing that to 345Hp (underrated), 350tq, 346ci (5.7L), LS1 Hawk vert at 3,600lbs and saying the Bonny has any edge in any category? We end 4th gear at 129mph, with another full power gear remaining, plus overdrive gear.
I have difficulty believing most of what you wrote.
2002 T/A Firehawk Convertible #0796 BlackEbonyBlack 6-spd, WI Plate "OH2 HAWK"
GM: TCS, Hurst, 12CD, Last of the Breed
SLP: Bilstein, Chromes, Cover, Floor Mats, Rear Deck Mat, Portfolio
SLP After: Skip-shift Eliminator, Customized Rear Deck Mat
GM: TCS, Hurst, 12CD, Last of the Breed
SLP: Bilstein, Chromes, Cover, Floor Mats, Rear Deck Mat, Portfolio
SLP After: Skip-shift Eliminator, Customized Rear Deck Mat
Re: Speed Demons
Actually, 5th is an overdrive gear (.7:1 ratio), and 6th is a double overdrive (.5:1 ratio). That's why it's so hard to pull in 6th. Also, factory gears in a 4th gen. 6-speed car are 3.42's.02hawk796 wrote:We end 4th gear at 129mph, with another full power gear remaining, plus overdrive gear.
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'97 Camaro SS - FOR SALE
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'90 Cavalier Z24 - Wicked Beater
Re: Speed Demons
Thanks for the clarification. With 3.42 stock being replaced with 4.10s, this would make 5th gear hit 6Krpm at 142mph, clearly well beyond what the '02 Bonneville can approach.02Hawk502 wrote:Actually, 5th is an overdrive gear (.7:1 ratio), and 6th is a double overdrive (.5:1 ratio). That's why it's so hard to pull in 6th. Also, factory gears in a 4th gen. 6-speed car are 3.42's.02hawk796 wrote:We end 4th gear at 129mph, with another full power gear remaining, plus overdrive gear.
I guess that also makes 6th gear the top speed gear with 4.10s, as well. A stock 3.42 in 5th gear (.7:1) hits 170, and 6th gear (.5:1) can only muster 140, but with 4.10s the 6th gear becomes .6:1 ratio, so it should be able to climb to about 150-155mph with stock Hp. Regardles, 6th gear with 4.10s is clearly going to go faster than the 142 in 5th.
2002 T/A Firehawk Convertible #0796 BlackEbonyBlack 6-spd, WI Plate "OH2 HAWK"
GM: TCS, Hurst, 12CD, Last of the Breed
SLP: Bilstein, Chromes, Cover, Floor Mats, Rear Deck Mat, Portfolio
SLP After: Skip-shift Eliminator, Customized Rear Deck Mat
GM: TCS, Hurst, 12CD, Last of the Breed
SLP: Bilstein, Chromes, Cover, Floor Mats, Rear Deck Mat, Portfolio
SLP After: Skip-shift Eliminator, Customized Rear Deck Mat