Posts by Cape Sling

Quote from Cape Sling

Am I blocked on my own thread?

The block is gone - sorry brothers

Am I blocked on my own thread?

Quote from Tripod

They didn't respond because you never 'tagged' them - you have have to use their user name. Example: @Cape Sling

Also, you keep using "Alfa" (when their actual business name is Alpha Powersports) so they wouldn't probably even recognize the call out.

Just sayin'...

I never wanted to discredit Alfa they were always strait up and trustworthy with me! I really do not intend to continue this thread but you are correct Larry. Alfa would stand up. But on the other hand, they read these posts all the time...

I'm putting my panties on and going to the MX-5 forums. (really did miss air conditioning)

Oh yeah, Alfa never responded. I don't blame them, there was no way to enhance business. After all. this is all about the $$. Over there this post would not last minutes. On the Corvette forums one mention of a "Corvette Tax" will get you sent to "time out".

Quote from Live-a-Little!

Another example of "fifth grade jackassery" by the dark side...SMH

There are many I like over there but I really don't appreciate being spanked for calling BS. I will not be back again.

Quote from Flybuddy

You may not like me anymore because I made a mistake in calculating the front area whereas I left out the windscreen which adds anywhere from 5 to 7 square feet. It's more like 728 hp needed for 180 mph.

Flybuddy, I was the naysayer. I fully agree with you. And, one gust of cross wind at that speed will send the SS into a death spin. Add a top (required here in Florida) and you are much better off going a different route.

They deleted my post over at the other forum. I mentioned RAB's monster machine. I guess you guys are stuck with me. I knew there was a reason that I was one of the first to jump ship!

Quote from Flybuddy

In aviation there are several model aircraft that have a wide variety of engine options. Although the higher hp versions on the same airframe will climb faster, carry more and accelerate better, there's very little difference in top speed.
At the speeds suggested here it's worth pointing out that parasitic drag increases exponentially. Double the speed and you quadruple the drag. 180 would have 9 times the drag over 60 causing the need for excessive HP to overcome the drag and rolling resistance.
You can plug in numbers on the site below. I used a high drag coefficient of 1, 11 sq feet of frontal area, 1900 lbs and 180 mph. Chart shows the need for 450 hp making this theoretically possible.
Calculate HP For Speed

I always knew why I liked you.

Mr Clean - you are one of the reasons I want another SS!

Gents, the Hero go cam is turned on at the start, includes the speedo and the GPS. Anything less is embarassing in Germany.

You guys are old - I'm not. Race you!

I'm just tired of BS and have no problem calling it out.

Gulf wars - I get lost sometimes

Quote from Slingrazor

I started out working F-111s. Another sled with a gazillion pounds of thrust.

Loved the F-111s one of the best delivery aircraft ever. The drivers were also very experienced and never faultered. I was the lead targeting officer and talked directly to each pilot every night. Guided weapons were unknown. And lucky me went from SAC to Korea to Saudi. Glad I'm retired.

Quote from Slingrazor

We have been around in these forums together for a while. Aerodynamics play a major role, the USAF proved you could push a brick through the air with enough power with the F-4.One could believe the Slinshot is not capable in theory with out trying to do it themselves or one could listen to those who have pushed them.
I for one have about 330 HP at the rear wheel and have accelerated through 140 more times than I should have. It happens really fast with 10.5 inches of boost.
Don't get me wrong, I don't believe 180 is attainable with our set ups. Especially considering on a dyno at max rpm 184 was made without an airload.

We used to say that the F-4 scared the earth away in order to fly. You are dating me friend.

Quote from Tripod

Back in your corner!

Well, RAB has near 700hp (I lost track) and HP does not translate to speed. Mix that in with aerodynamics that are worthy (to quote at fellow member) of a barn door and this is not a combination that leads to 180MPH. Not that I would ever challenge anyone but speedos are only accurate to 60 mph. GPS speed is the reference used in Europe.

Quote from rabtech

I'll let yall set the speed record. I have the power under the hood but not nearly enough man parts.

RAB has enough "Man Parts" but even he can't beat physics. I still maintain that if you want a fast vehicle, buy one! One of the only ones I trust is RAB when it comes to performance. I followed him to this forum because I trusted him.

Quote from jorgebri60

@JoeF. Thanks for stepping up and posting that. I had a couple of PM's with @rabtech about this a few months ago. I was curious as to how fast he's gotten it. As he mentioned here, he'd only been to 135 with that monster of his. I mentioned to him that I'd been to 142 when the wind gods were with me. That was with the Turbo at the low setting that Alpha set it at. I've since done the headbolts and cranked the pressure up on the turbo and hitting the 140's is pretty easy now and have even crept into the 150's but again, that's on long ass straight aways with little or no headwind. I have several of those roads/highways at my disposal here. Some of them very Isolated. That being said, there's a few things that I'd like to mention:
1 - These things may look mean and fast, but we're basically pushing a barn through the wind so we need lots of power to push them beyond the 120's or so that the NA's can reach. With the Turbo 120's, even the higher 120's, comes really fast. I'm sure it's the same with the SC machines.
2 - While things get loud and shit's moving really fast, I've never felt that the sling is anymore "unstable" and "wanting to take flight", as I've been told by more than one person, than any other vehicle I've had at those speeds (and beyond). Any vehicle is going to feel "different" at those higher speeds simply because of the physics involved. You just need to pay more attention and stay focused at those speeds or even better, If you're not comfortable at those speeds then you probably shouldn't be going there .
3 - The speeds I'm getting are with the Bullet Speed top and a +5 windshield so I fully believe @JoeF. when he says he's been 152. I've never tried it without the top and the shorter windshield, but again, 150's is very attainable with aspirated engines, even non-built ones. Conditions need to be ideal for it, but it's very doable.
4 - Lastly, There is a HUGE difference in top speed performance when it's just me vs me and a passenger. I can't reach the higher speeds with a passenger. Seems to top out in the 130's or so. Either that or I haven't had the ideal conditions to reach the higher speeds with a passenger.

All that being said, there's a huge caveat to this whole top speed thing. These speeds we mention (at least in my case) have been based off the speedo. I've noticed that the faster I go, the further off it is in actual speed. Glancing at my GPS speed when the speedo is reading 140ish is actually in the mid to 130s on the GPS. I don't have specifics nor am I going to try and take a picture while I'm doing those speeds. My hands are on the wheel...period.

So... the original post was can we do 180.... perhaps... I'd like to give it a try . I have not been able to get any additional speed out of 5th gear although I can now maintain the higher speeds with the power I have. Just can't get it going faster. Perhaps Rab's can... only he can tell you. So for all you Technical folks out there. Lets keep this game going .
Let's say that hypothetically, we could get 5th gear to pull with as much power as 4th gear does. What RPM's would we be pulling at 180? Would we reach redline before then ...

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Quote from WOLF

Top speed, stock, is 130mph. I have done it 2-3 times on both Slings. Sorry, no tach in video, but if you listen to the engine it goes into a holding pattern. It was floored the whole time. Something stops it from going faster, and I don't know what it is. As @MiM stated, 4th gear is the only way to see top speed when stock.

I started this thread but I'll never enhance this banter again. It was a simple question. 180 or no?

Quote from MiM

Yup... I hit 120 in stock form... All 4th gear. 5th is for cruise control only... And drops to 80mph! So SC... Or turbocharged... I believe it can and should get past 120mph... How much more? I personally don't know... But when I have one, I'll find out...

120 with the wind is on the edge but possible. I sure would not want anyone I loved on the ride.

There is a truck at the farm that needs more manure.