A few months ago I posted a question about concerns with the windshield and hood latch on my 48 f1 at higher speeds. I was anticipating a top speed of about 130 mph. I got lots of replies including one that said the only way a 48 f1 would go 130 was to push it off a cliff. I have a lot of respect for this commenters knowledge of the old trucks, but not his grasp of physics.

The truck has a new 347 Stroker engine from ZSR Racing Engines (zsrengines.com) coupled to a T5 manual transmission. The engine is just a shade under 500hp. If you go to ZSR's website, the maroon red block engine featured in the picture is actually my engine.

On the way to a streetrod car show last weekend my grown Son and I decided to let it stretch it's legs a little. He let off of it as it crossed 140mph, and still climbing (verified by GPS). So you can push an f1 to 130 and beyond if enough power is applied with the right gearing.

As far as doing 130 after being pushed off a cliff, Ax is wrong about that too. Terminal velocity in freefall would be in the 100 to 120mph range.

These speeds are not for everyone or every f1, but if you still have any doubts stop by for a white knuckle ride.

 

Well you just explained who that know it all was...lol

 

[QUOTE=rswhitmore;16586737]

As far as doing 130 after being pushed off a cliff, Ax is wrong about that too. Terminal velocity in freefall would be in the 100 to 120mph range.

QUOTE]

LOL....that's not the first time ol' AX let his mouth overload his backside....


140 would be a heck of a ride. All I can say is Good for you!!! You must have done a great job with setting up the chassis and drivetrain. I've had my 500ci Caddy powered 49 up to 95 MPH. Its not something I'd want to do on a regular basis but then again, I didn't build it for that either.


Can you share some pics of your truck?
Bobby

 

I think a effie would do a lot better than 100 to 120mph in a free fall. Lets see, my physics is a little rusty but in a free fall it will have the equivalent of about 3000 lbs tractive force. To match that on the highway with a T5 in 4th gear, 3.73 rear gears, and 29 inch dia tires your engine will need to be making about 1000 lb-ft of torque.

130 mph sounds about right for your 500 hp engine (assume about 400 lb-ft of torque).

400 lb-ft x 1.0 (assuming your engine will hit 130 in 4th gear) x 3.73 rear gear x 12 inches / 15 inches (tire radius) = 1193 lbs tractive force. Using a drag coefficient of 1.0 and a frontal area of 25 sq ft you get a calculated speed of 136 mph at sea level.

still 130 is very fast. I've done it a couple of times but at maybe 300 hp my truck will not get there.

 

I believe many times our "off the cuff comments" are taken as factual when they were only meant to be that, a comment.

 

Nothing wrong with applying a metaphor occasionally.
met·a·phor
ˈmedəˌfôr,ˈmedəˌfər/
noun
noun: metaphor; plural noun: metaphors

1. a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. hehe.
   
   
   
   

 

Ax sure made a lot of comments and if you disagreed out came all the BS of him building hot rods for 50 plus years and when asked to see some of his projects he worked on he stated that he only did work on his panel Gracie because for 35 years he has too busy being the best jeweler in the country. Look it up, it's in the archives ..

 

LOL...I tried giving you some reps for that but I guess I have to spread the love around a bit before I can do it......so...consider yourself repped

 

The truck has a 4.11 rear end, 245 45R18 tires, and pulls top speed in 5th gear overdrive. I have attempted to attach some pictures below.

 

Beautiful truck!!

What paint is that? I love the color! Looks candied?

John

 

I posted a couple pictures of the truck earlier in the "Gearing" post. Here are a couple more of the engine and one of the interior.

 

The paint is PPG Harley Davison Candy Red Sunglow #917827 over Aztec Gold #5509 My Son and I wanted something unique. The picture of us holding the "trophy" was the award we won for Best Paint at the local streetrod show last weekend. There were a little over 150 streetrods entered, Quite a show.

 

Wow, gorgeous truck. Cool.

 

That is engine **** if I have ever seen it. Amazing truck!

 

Gorgeous truck