How fast is a 308?

I would think the shape of the 308, the "Aero Wall" would be very high. A 1953 Studebaker Coupe regularly did/does over 200 on Bonneville, they were considered aerodynamic in their time, but a 308 driver looks up at their door handles and has a windshield that slopes way back.

It just has to go faster than the guy with the red & blue lights!

Doug

 

Again, the car here has higher rear than stock. Still, it seems after 135 mph or so the climb slows up a bit. Again, not sure the 'real' top speed but will know more at Watkins Glen in September via GPS logging. Of course could just be the wonderful Italian odo...

 

Steve,
You're not going to find top speed at Watkins Glen or any other track other than an oval maybe. You will run out of road before you truly top out. The Glen isn't what it used to be with the addition of the inner loop in the mid 90s. You need miles of flat traffic free road to get it all.

Spang

 

Hey Spang!

Have you ever had a chance to top your 308 out on a stretch of open road? I haven't had mine over 85 (yet) because I haven't wanted a speeding ticket. I've had my 1964 vette over 100 but I whimped out since the vette felt like it was about to fall apart! LOL!! The Ferrari instills alot more confidence and most of my driving has been on very windy roads which is a blast. It handles like a dream!

Paul

 

I've got 17" wheels on my 308, so, I think that might mess with my spedo, but last weekend I had her at 140 and then backed off. I think she would have hit 145 no problem. Hey TurboQV what rpm are you turning at 155, it must be 7.5k? (By the way, at 140mph in 90 degree heat, the water temp stayed at 195 but the oil jumped up to about 220). And Paul, the funny thing is that as you keep reving the car up, it doesn't want to stop....it doesn't seem to have a red line. My old Mustang GT 5.0 would also do about 145, but, it seemed like a real bad idea. Also, my car is now 100% more stable above 120 since I put in my QA-1 shocks and lowered the car.

 

Spang, alas, in the USA and considering what is 'local' to me, the Glen is the best i got. You see, learned my lesson about doing things on public roadways so guess i may never know what her true potential is. The more i track, the more i realize public roads are NOT the place.

 

Those were indeed dark days for car enthusists regardless of brand.
Ferrari and others also changed the gearing in an attempt to offset the lowered HP and extra weight that resulted from meeting the requirements of the US government.

 

At flat out, I hit 144mph indicated in my 85 308QV on 101 north of Santa Barbara- it made me nervous, the front end felt really light. But it SURE WAS FUN!

My new favorite phrase - a good friend will bail you out of jail, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "damn that was fun"

Mark

 

Paul,
The Sting Ray (as in '63-'67) comes up SIX INCHES on its front springs at 120mph. It is an aerodynamic flaw of the car, which is ironic, since when the car debuted, the coupe was named the Aero Coupe in marketing lit.

Even the GrandSport racers are nasty to drive. One of the original GSs is owned by a collector here in the northwest, and he told me it was scary at the end of the straights -- no feeling in the steering.

My '69 Stingray felt better at 110mph than 30...but nothing close to a really nice sports car.

Ferraris, on the other hand are much tighter and communicative. I wouldn't have any trouble pressing my 328 if given the appropriate closed course opportunity to do so. I believe the factory specs say 155mph is tops, limited by gearing.

My '02 Corvette is 168 limited by aerodynamics (with the top up -- top down I think someone once got 162 or so.)

 

That sounds about right. I had some left to redline but not very much! It goes in the been there done that category.

Paul

 

Absolutely, and actually fairly regularly. At the track I've had mine THROUGH redline several times. No issues.

 

What wheels are you using? There's no picture in your profile...

 

I have some OZ wheels on my car. I bought them off Ebay. Not sure of the model. Here's a pic.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Steve,

Next year, come out to Pocono for the Festival of Speed and Design. They run the long course at Pocono Raceway (usually on Memorial Day weekend). On the back straight, I was regularly hitting 145 - 150 with the Corvette. You have the front straight, NASCAR turn one, and the back straight to build speed, and a nice straight runoff in case your brakes fail you before Devil's elbow. That's the place to see what kind of speed you can get up to. While you can build pretty good on the esses at WG, the back straight is shorter than Pocono before you have to brake for the bus stop.

See you in a few weeks up at the Glen!

Regards,
Steve

p.s. Consider joining us at Pocono on Oct. 4 for the Empire Region FCA session finale. I think we are running the long course that day as well.

 

Many thanks for the info, MUCH appreciated! Not sure if i can squeeze in yet another track day for 2006, but will try. Will be at NHIS Thursday and already have a few others penned in months ago before the 2006 closeout.

Look forward to seeing you at WG in Sept

 

Acceleration in 5th gear from 60 mph in my 79 is pretty good, no bogging. It just picks right up. I think 5th Gear seems to be geared a little too low, I'm pulling a little over 3k rpm at 60 mph. I've had it up to 125 and it rock solid at that speed.