Top speed of this car, 108mph?

[Catnip]

So I was reading some specs on my datsun and just found this odd.

The car weighs 1980 pounds with a SOHC 2.0 liter. The engine has 135hp and 132 foot pounds of torque with a rear dif gear ratio of 3.70:1 matched to a 5 speed manual. Anyways, they said the top speed was 108mph. Now, there was a 1.6 liter model of the same car with a 4 speed manual tranny, and it wouldn't surprise me if their top speed was 108mph because I hear they're gutless.

My dad and grandfather both had roadster 2000's (the car i'm talking about) and they both said theirs would bury the speedometer without a problem. True, the speedometers probably aren't that accurate, but 108mph?! My dad said his read out to 130mph in 4th gear and it still had a LOT left in it, he just got scared from the 'lifting' sensation on the front of the car.

Anyone agree 108mph seems low?

[JDMGRNAV6]

yes,btw i like the camaro, i got a restored 65k 81 z28, hehe, well i get it when my dad dies, thats fu.cked up

[Catnip]

lol. thanks man. I hope I get my dad's 8 second 79 Camaro... street legal, stock suspension...

[Atlblkz06]

There are rags out there that report on a car's top speed based on the speedo readout - how crazy is that!

My 1994 Ford Taurus had a terminal velocity of 116mph and thats out of a 140hp V6.

Weight really doesn't play a big role with top speed, but the coefficient of drag and frontal area most certainly do!

[Catnip]

Weight really doesn't play a big role with top speed, but the coefficient of drag and frontal area most certainly do!


True, but I don't see the drag being so great that 135hp/tq couldn't go faster than 108mph. My stock 2g GST was wrapping the tach around in 5th gear with no problem, I know that's apples and oranges, but still. 108? lol

[Cool Cat Racing]

My saturn has about the same power and it will hit the speed cut at 124 easily. If its hitting the rev limiter at 108 that's different as it will all have to do with gearing.

[Catnip]

My saturn has about the same power and it will hit the speed cut at 124 easily. If its hitting the rev limiter at 108 that's different as it will all have to do with gearing.

That's the thing, I highly doubt the gearing won't allow it past 108, just from the stories I've been told.

[Sport1.3]

My MR2 was pretty close to that (2400lbs, 115hp, stock N/A gearing) and would hit 125 without too much work.

[Motivation]

well Evan, there is only one way to find out for sure... :ninja: :goodjob:

[Catnip]

well Evan, there is only one way to find out for sure... :ninja: :goodjob:

I'm gonna have to wait that long?!

:ninja:
speedo is broke, so I gotta use my bro's GPS!

[DeeAOne]

ill pull it with the teg, you can just read the speedo in my car. lmao

[Catnip]

but then when btec (yeah, i said it) hit, the tow strap would break and leave my car behind =(

[DeeAOne]

lol damn i forgot about that. ill just keep the revs down going through the gears, then just lay into it in 5th.

on a side note, i kinda miss the b series sound because the exhaust is so damn loud now. i might have to get a muffler.. :( lol

[Catnip]

I have 2 mufflers, flowmaster and megan, which one you wanna buy ho? :ninja:

[DeeAOne]

i seriously might consider the flowmaster. i want to keep the stock tip look, like i have now. i like the straight pipe. its sounds ok...sometimes. lol thats why i might look into to something a little quieter.

fuk pt, he says the flowmaster will sound like ass. lol

[Kaiser]

I'm trying to look up your car, but I cannot for the life of me figure out exactly what it is. What's the model, body style and engine code? I can give you a good idea of it's real top-end.

[Catnip]

1969 Datsun Roadster 2000 SRL311 2.0 liter U20 SU carbs
VIN- SRL311-09731
convertible, 2 door

[Logan]

Keep in mind:

As speed doubles, drag squares.

[Alan®]

Might have something to do with the gearing

[Atlblkz06]

The GPS units are actually quite precise - The 2 gps units in my care are always agree with the digital readout in my car's "calibrated" speedo. They're never off by more than 1mph - gps update time. (9500i if you're wonderng :) )

Bottom line, trust the GPS!

[Catnip]

Yeah, my brother has a Garmin 3, from back in the day. We usually use that to see what vehicles are actually traveling at.
anyways, I guess when I get her in the condition to run her out a little, I'll just carry the GPS and set it to record the highest speed.
Although, I haven't even ran out my current car, kinda doubt I'll abuse the datsun, lol.

[speedminded]

So I was reading some specs on my datsun and just found this odd.

The car weighs 1980 pounds with a SOHC 2.0 liter. The engine has 135hp and 132 foot pounds of torque with a rear dif gear ratio of 3.70:1 matched to a 5 speed manual. Anyways, they said the top speed was 108mph. Now, there was a 1.6 liter model of the same car with a 4 speed manual tranny, and it wouldn't surprise me if their top speed was 108mph because I hear they're gutless.

My dad and grandfather both had roadster 2000's (the car i'm talking about) and they both said theirs would bury the speedometer without a problem. True, the speedometers probably aren't that accurate, but 108mph?! My dad said his read out to 130mph in 4th gear and it still had a LOT left in it, he just got scared from the 'lifting' sensation on the front of the car.

Anyone agree 108mph seems low?Power doesn't mean anything, torque doesn't mean anything, and weight doesn't matter when it comes to top speed...it only effects how fast it gets there.

The rear end is extremely low, what are the gear ratios?

[Motivation]

The GPS units are actually quite precise - The 2 gps units in my care are always agree with the digital readout in my car's "calibrated" speedo. They're never off by more than 1mph - gps update time. (9500i if you're wonderng :) )

Bottom line, trust the GPS!


How come you need more than one GPS in your car?

[Catnip]

Power doesn't mean anything, torque doesn't mean anything, and weight doesn't matter when it comes to top speed...it only effects how fast it gets there.

The rear end is extremely low, what are the gear ratios?


The first sentence pretty much let me know, you know little.

[Motivation]

Power doesn't mean anything, torque doesn't mean anything, and weight doesn't matter when it comes to top speed...it only effects how fast it gets there.

The rear end is extremely low, what are the gear ratios?


so are you saying something that had 5whp/5TQ and weighed five thousand pounds could hit 150 if it had the right gearing?

Yes, gearing has a lot to do with it. But it is also in relation to other factors as well...

[FlipKing]

The cav would hit 108. The legend would hit up above 130. Lol. I'm sure it'll go over 108 if it's geared right.

[Motivation]

heck, my 94 ej hit 129... and that thing is... well... was a snail...


Now, it's a freaking brick... stupid rod bearings... Oh well evan, don't drive it fast. Car looks good so just drive it slow and let people stare. lol

[xdavidscenex]

Power doesn't mean anything, torque doesn't mean anything, and weight doesn't matter when it comes to top speed...it only effects how fast it gets there.

The rear end is extremely low, what are the gear ratios?

are you serious?

[speedminded]

The first sentence pretty much let me know, you know little.LOL, please explain!

I just found the gear ratio's and as soon as I figure out how to convert 5.60 x 14" to a normal tire size i'll have the top speed. I know the formula works because i've tested it to 160mph...in 4th gear. ;)


are you serious?yeah sure, i'm serious...a 120hp car with the same gear ratio, gear end, and RPM's will have the exact same top speed as the same car with 300hp. Prove to me I'm wrong.

[FlipKing]

Oh yes, he was serious,lol

[FlipKing]

I can have the longest gears in the world and not hit about 100 with out power man. Just FYI

[Motivation]

Hey speed, wouldn't ya need the redline RPM to throw in that equation? jw

[Catnip]

LOL, please explain!

I just found the gear ratio's and as soon as I figure out how to convert 5.60 x 14" to a normal tire size i'll have the top speed. I know the formula works because i've tested it to 160mph...in 4th gear. ;)

yeah sure, i'm serious...a 120hp car with the same gear ratio, gear end, and RPM's will have the exact same top speed as the same car with 300hp. Prove to me I'm wrong.

you just said if two cars are shaped like a brick, one has 100whp and 100 ft/lbs of torque, and the other has 600whp and 600 ft/lbs, they will top out at the same speed. Bull fucking shit. You are familiar with drag and it takes a certain amount of power to over come the drag, right? It's not all about theoretically what a car can spin the wheels to... we call that dyno testing.

[xdavidscenex]

so your saying my ls can hit 200mph with the right gear ratio?

[redrumracer]

LOL, please explain!

I just found the gear ratio's and as soon as I figure out how to convert 5.60 x 14" to a normal tire size i'll have the top speed. I know the formula works because i've tested it to 160mph...in 4th gear. ;)

yeah sure, i'm serious...a 120hp car with the same gear ratio, gear end, and RPM's will have the exact same top speed as the same car with 300hp. Prove to me I'm wrong.
maybe on a dyno, but lets take those 2 cars out into the real world where they have to deal with drag and see how good it does.

[speedminded]

Hey speed, wouldn't ya need the redline RPM to throw in that equation? jwThat was easy to look up, it's in the general specs but gear ratio's are generally more difficult to find on older cars and i already mentioned a few posts above about the rpm's...


you just said if two cars are shaped like a brick, one has 100whp and 100 ft/lbs of torque, and the other has 600whp and 600 ft/lbs, they will top out at the same speed. Bull fucking shit. You are familiar with drag and it takes a certain amount of power to over come the drag, right? It's not all about theoretically what a car can spin the wheels to... we call that dyno testing.With both the same RPM and gearing then it is very possible.

If the top speed of that 100hp/lbs of torque car tachs out 5th gear at 120mph and then you make it 600whp w/ 600 ft-lbs torque with the exact same redline, transmission, and rear end then there is no way it will go over 120mph...it will just get there a hell of a lot quicker.


so your saying my ls can hit 200mph with the right gear ratio?There's been a stock body integra hit well over 200mph on the saltflats, can't remember the power or gear ratios though...?!

[Catnip]

If the top speed of that 100hp/lbs of torque car tachs out 5th gear at 120mph and then you make it 600whp w/ 600 ft-lbs torque with the exact same redline, transmission, and rear end then there is no way it will go over 120mph...it will just get there a hell of a lot quicker.

Then we move the top speed of the 600hp car to 215mph, the 100hp car would NEVER be able to reach that. There's a reason the salt flat cars have motor work of some kind done, otherwise everyone would be running around with salt flat cars capable of 200+mph.

[speedminded]

Then we move the top speed of the 600hp car to 215mph, the 100hp car would NEVER be able to reach that. There's a reason the salt flat cars have motor work of some kind done, otherwise everyone would be running around with salt flat cars capable of 200+mph.1) We're not talking about 200mph, not even talking about 150mph. You asked for top speed of a stock Datsun Roadster because you think 108 seems low.

2) You think the Datsun Roadster is drag limited at 108mph with stock power? lol...

I have an 87hp Tracker that will run 100mph all day long...now that's a box. It may weigh 2,200lbs but it's still less aerodynamic than a u-haul truck yet it's capable of triple digits before it redlines 5th gear.

Put a different rear end on the roadster and it will go way faster with stock power.

[Atlblkz06]

Power(HP) has EVERYTHING to do with top speed.
You need power to negate the drag on the car.

My car has 6 speeds, yet it hits tops speed on 5th and not on 6th. There, I proved you wrong.

Motivation: I have a GPS navigator installed and an Escort 9500i which also has GPS.
It uses the GPS to detect speed to switch between City and Highway modes.
It also uses GPS coordinates to lock-out "fake" signals like that pesky CVS Pharmacy.
Pretty nifty :)