F250 does 160mph..
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Long Island, NY
At 4,125 RPMs the engine would need to be belting out 833 ft-lbs of torque, assuming Ian's calculator is correct.
So has anyone here seen a PSD, however modded, make that much power above 4,100 RPMs?
The power can be made easy enough, but at a lower RPM which would require a much lower ratio rear end gear to get up to 160 MPH. A Spartan-ized 6.4L truck running the 310 tune with a 2.73:1 ratio rear end would hit 160 at 3,100 RPMs.
So has anyone here seen a PSD, however modded, make that much power above 4,100 RPMs?
The power can be made easy enough, but at a lower RPM which would require a much lower ratio rear end gear to get up to 160 MPH. A Spartan-ized 6.4L truck running the 310 tune with a 2.73:1 ratio rear end would hit 160 at 3,100 RPMs.
I personally don't think that is the route to go to hit 160. There are a few things that need to be addressed first. First use a F250 with the short cab and the short bed. The huge issue that needs to be dealt with is aerodynamics. The truck definitely needs a front and rear spoiler to push this thing to the floor and help cut through the air. Drop that truck to the floor and add a solid suspension. Then I would lose the heavy stock wheels for lighter ones and add some racing tires. Then you need to lighten the internals to allow it to rev out more. I think if the truck could reach 6000rpm and still be making power it will hit some seriously fast speeds. And I think this could be accomplished! I also think the gearing wouldn't be less than 3.73... at least not by much.
New User
Joined: Apr 2010
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but lets all remember one thing, speed kills. as a emt i have been to many of accidents and no one wins, the family pays in the long run. the only place this is safe is on a track,not the road. 60 or 160 u hit some one in a rig this big it's all over. we have are rigs to work and enjoy, and make money. lets all be safe. sorry for rant here, but just my .02
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
I personally don't think that is the route to go to hit 160. There are a few things that need to be addressed first. First use a F250 with the short cab and the short bed. The huge issue that needs to be dealt with is aerodynamics. The truck definitely needs a front and rear spoiler to push this thing to the floor and help cut through the air. Drop that truck to the floor and add a solid suspension. Then I would lose the heavy stock wheels for lighter ones and add some racing tires. Then you need to lighten the internals to allow it to rev out more. I think if the truck could reach 6000rpm and still be making power it will hit some seriously fast speeds. And I think this could be accomplished! I also think the gearing wouldn't be less than 3.73... at least not by much.
And I'm no engineer but doubling the peak power RPM while going over redline by over 50% simply doesn't seem possible. Those heavy rotating components don't like going fast. I remember reading about a 6.0L user who destroyed his heavily modded engine at well less than 6,000 RPMs. On edit: Look HERE
You wouldn't loose anything by really tall gears. Producing that much more power than stock you'd never see any real disadvantage. Plus you'd be able to keep the engine mostly stock!
New User
Joined: Jul 2009
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but lets all remember one thing, speed kills. as a emt i have been to many of accidents and no one wins, the family pays in the long run. the only place this is safe is on a track,not the road. 60 or 160 u hit some one in a rig this big it's all over. we have are rigs to work and enjoy, and make money. lets all be safe. sorry for rant here, but just my .02
Hey dont short-change yourself, that was .04 cents, I counted
I do agree, a feat like this should be conducted as safely as possible, roll cage, 5pt harness, helmet, etc. etc. , and also should probably take place at the salt flats or vacant runway. (put a chute on the back also)...If I had the money this would be all mine, but I can barely afford to replace my 5r110 with a used one so I guess Ill have to stand by and wait for some results....Its fun to bicker about tho, thats for sure 
New User
Joined: Jul 2009
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Very good points about aerodynamics. I was simply thinking of putting the power to the ground at the right RPM.
And I'm no engineer but doubling the peak power RPM while going over redline by over 50% simply doesn't seem possible. Those heavy rotating components don't like going fast. I remember reading about a 6.0L user who destroyed his heavily modded engine at well less than 6,000 RPMs. On edit: Look HERE
You wouldn't loose anything by really tall gears. Producing that much more power than stock you'd never see any real disadvantage. Plus you'd be able to keep the engine mostly stock!
And I'm no engineer but doubling the peak power RPM while going over redline by over 50% simply doesn't seem possible. Those heavy rotating components don't like going fast. I remember reading about a 6.0L user who destroyed his heavily modded engine at well less than 6,000 RPMs. On edit: Look HERE
You wouldn't loose anything by really tall gears. Producing that much more power than stock you'd never see any real disadvantage. Plus you'd be able to keep the engine mostly stock!
...
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Long Island, NY
I understand why everyone thinks that but the difference between 100 and 160 is tremendous!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Long Island, NY
About 60% of the power required to cruise at highway speeds is taken up overcoming air drag, and this increases very quickly at high speed.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Long Island, NY
I know how difficult it is for a motorcycle to reach speeds of 170+ and they have all the power and rpm in the world. They just can't overcome wind resistance. Also, our trucks let soo much air underneath them... That translates into lift!
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Tucson
calculations are easy, formulae simple
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 67
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From: Tucson
not lift, drag
Lax, the more air going under the truck the less lift, sorry. Lift doesn't come from underneath, lift is a function of the airspeed going over the truck. More air over and less underneath creates lift. the more air under decreases the speed relative difference in the velocity between the air going over and thereby reduces lift. However your thinking is correct in the speed reduction by increasing drag, for the more air under = more laminar flow broken up into turbulent by those nice 20in tires, the exhaust and all the other components down there creating lots of drag increasing the Cd (drag coefficient).
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Long Island, NY
Lax, the more air going under the truck the less lift, sorry. Lift doesn't come from underneath, lift is a function of the airspeed going over the truck. More air over and less underneath creates lift. the more air under decreases the speed relative difference in the velocity between the air going over and thereby reduces lift. However your thinking is correct in the speed reduction by increasing drag, for the more air under = more laminar flow broken up into turbulent by those nice 20in tires, the exhaust and all the other components down there creating lots of drag increasing the Cd (drag coefficient).
You are 100% right.
Master of Strokes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,808
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From: CA
If I was a little younger and a little dumber I would put this to rest and give it a try and shoot the video while doing it, haha. I've had my bike up to 180mph and I agree that is crazy fast and the thought of getting close to that in an F350 is insanity. However, I will stand by my original statement and I do believe 160mph is possible on a good stretch of highway. Any takers?