Quote:
Originally Posted by Deslock
According to the spreadsheets at http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=541682, the FT has plenty of power to overcome air and rolling drag at 136-144 MPH after upshifting to 6th. I guesstimated 5800 RPM/135 HP at the wheels after the upshift, CoD = 0.27, frontal area approx 19.5-20.5 ft^2, sea level, and 65 F.
Even if you drop down to a slightly lower RPM, or if those spreadsheets aren't quite accurate (because they ignore increased losses due to internal friction or other factors), it seems there is enough of a margin to continue accelerating in 6th.
However, I have no experience calculating top speed and I've not driven more than 135 MPH, so I'm far from an authority on this. And I don't care about top speed anyway... I'm just curious because of the comments that it's limited by redline rather than the computer (perhaps it was a mistranslation). |
I did a quick scan of the RX7 post and didn't see anything on wheel or tire friction losses.
I guess it will depend on how much of a fuel-economy gear they want 6th to be.
I did a gearing spreadsheet using the GenCoupe V6's transmission gear ratios (all I had handy) and a 4.10:1 final drive (GenCoupe's is 3.54:1) giving the 86 a theoretical top speed of ~167mph in 6th with 215/45R17 tires and the 5-6 shift putting the car at 5800rpm. Redline top speed in 5th would be ~132mph. From that it looks like it could break 132mph in 6th, especially if it's as slippery drag-wise as they claim.
(More real data on this car would be nice...)