Maximum Speed

[trm0002]

Originally Posted by spd98

Minus the limiter the SS should max out 5th.

I could do 92 in 3rd in the GTO... You won't max out 5th to get to 155.

[SilverTurtle]

let me clear something up for everyone... the 118 mph speed limiter on the LS is because of the tires... the P-Zeros on the SS model are capable of higher sustained speed than 155mph... the reason the SS is limited from the factory to 155mph is because the VSS are rated for 155mph accuracy... so, basically, the car could go faster than that, but the VSS wouldn't be able to keep up... this would cause stability management to kick in and slow you down.

the electronic speed limiter is easily bumped up with a computer reflash... as always, this is NOT RECOMMENDED unless you modify the car to handle the higher speeds (e.g.: better tires, suspension upgrades, safety upgrades, driving skills upgrade)

[trudawg660]

I think we all know that the Governor is so your car doesn’t go pass the speed that components can handle i.e. tires. its not the top speed of the engine.

[liquidfire350]

Originally Posted by kdbolt70

I think its simply because of the tires. Aren't Z-rated tires 155mph max?

its 149+
they never really gave it a max speed, W-rated is 168

[trm0002]

Originally Posted by liquidfire350

its 149+
they never really gave it a max speed, W-rated is 168

Beginning in 1991, the speed symbol denoting a fixed maximum speed capability of new tires must be shown only in the speed rating portion of the tire's service description, such as 225/50R16 89S. The most common tire speed rating symbols, maximum speeds and typical applications are shown below:
M 81 mph 130 km/h
N 87 mph 140km/h Temporary Spare Tires
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.
W 168 mph 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
Y 186 mph 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of these tires, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire's 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.
225/50ZR16 in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h
205/45ZR17 88W 168 mph, 270 km/h
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h

Most recently, when the Y-speed rating indicated in a service description is enclosed in parentheses, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h indicated by the service description as shown below:
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h
285/35ZR19 (99Y) in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h

[SilverTurtle]

Originally Posted by trm0002

Beginning in 1991, the speed symbol denoting a fixed maximum speed capability of new tires must be shown only in the speed rating portion of the tire's service description, such as 225/50R16 89S. The most common tire speed rating symbols, maximum speeds and typical applications are shown below:
M 81 mph 130 km/h
N 87 mph 140km/h Temporary Spare Tires
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.
W 168 mph 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
Y 186 mph 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of these tires, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire's 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.
225/50ZR16 in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h
205/45ZR17 88W 168 mph, 270 km/h
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h

Most recently, when the Y-speed rating indicated in a service description is enclosed in parentheses, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h indicated by the service description as shown below:
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h
285/35ZR19 (99Y) in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h

quoted for truth

[Rodrunner]

And I guess the tires is why the LT only gets a skidpad of >.75g?

[spd98]

Originally Posted by trm0002

I could do 92 in 3rd in the GTO... You won't max out 5th to get to 155.

Thats not what I said. Minus ( meaning if you remove it) the car should pull all the way through fifth. Meaning the top speed on flat ground would be in the 170 range IIRC from the gearing.

[trm0002]

Originally Posted by spd98

Thats not what I said. Minus ( meaning if you remove it) the car should pull all the way through fifth. Meaning the top speed on flat ground would be in the 170 range IIRC from the gearing.

My bad... You are correct. If you could peg 6000 rpm in 5th gear, you'd be doing 177 mph.

[benrubsih]

If you aren't going to drive it fast then why buy it? You only live once after all. I live 5 miles from the Bonneville salt flats. A man recently took a stock duplicate of my SS with the governor disabled and hit 172. If anyone has any useful info as to how to disable the governor please share. If you want to complain about the dangers of excessive speed then go buy a Hyundai. By the way what are you talking about being pegged in 5th? I am pretty sure my automatic has 6 gears does the manual only have 5? I wanted a manual but I didn't want to wait on ordering one. Either way that top gear is a monster, I was not even close to red line when I snapped this photo. The torque is definitely there in this car. A little weight balancing of the motor or installing a higher ratio gear is all you would need to break 200. I am pretty sure the torque and H.P are sufficient to pull it off.

[PoorMansCamaro]

wow...great bump

[CamaroCowboy]

actually someone just did this test not to long ago. They took a 2SS stock and removed teh speed limiter and took it to the salt flats. Their testing stated that the car would not give any more past 164 MPH Stock.

[benrubsih]

Well thanks, I like to go fast:P I wont own a car that does under 140. It can be a pain in the butt sometimes took me a while to get my 68 firebird going that fast with the tuff but unfriendly gear ratio of a th-400 tranny.

[benrubsih]

That is absolutely not correct.