topspeed

Theoretically, 377 HP would do it with the TC. That's if you were crazy enough to try it without adding spoilers/wings to create enough down force to keep the car from lifting. That is just working backwards from the factory specs of 190 HP and a 142 MPH top speed. A TC would be a better choice than a Merkur because of its length and lower drag coefficient. I don't really know why Rick Byrnes chose the Merkur as his platform.

Hawk

Originally posted by Dan S:

Originally posted by Jeff K:
[b] The quoted top speed of 142-143 mph for a stock 87-88 is air drag limited. Gearing wise, a 5 speed 87-88 has a theoretical top speed in the mid 160 mph range.

Jeff,

Were the computers advanced enough in the 87-88 time frame to limit speed by limiting fuel delivery? [/b]

Dan, our EECs werent programmed to have a fuel cut speed limiter like newer vehicles have. I bet some programming with an EEC tuner, etc could put in a speed limiter if you really wanted one I have hit the fuel cut speed limiter in a newer car, and it feels really weird. Engine starts to shake (I am guessing it kills injector pulse to half the cyls) until you slow down a few MPH.

Originally posted by Hawk:
Theoretically, 377 HP would do it with the TC. That's if you were crazy enough to try it without adding spoilers/wings to create enough down force to keep the car from lifting. That is just working backwards from the factory specs of 190 HP and a 142 MPH top speed. A TC would be a better choice than a Merkur because of its length and lower drag coefficient. I don't really know why Rick Byrnes chose the Merkur as his platform.


Hawk

I could ask him next time I talk to him, but I think he told me it was because it was the most aerodynamically efficient 2.3L Turbo car Ford had at the time.
Just before he sold the Merkur, he and his son made some runs in it with a naturally aspirated 2.3L and if I remember right, it went in the 170's.
Currently he is working on a Lakester project that will be initially powered by a naturally aspirated 2.3L and then later a turbocharged version.
http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/00000129/rb.jpg
http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/00000129/rb1.jpg http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/00000129/rb2.jpg

Brent

Any guesses to what a 350hp 88'tc would run in a standing mile??

Just a guess, but I'd say 160-170mph.
Hold on tight Bob and let us know.
Darrell

Didn't the ECU limit boost in third and higher gears to 9 psi on the 87 TC? I think most of the mags back then tested 87 cars. So with 15 psi all the way into fifth an 88 should be quite a bit faster. I thought I remembered reading 148 as a top speed somwhere.

I don't think the TC had a better coefficient than an XR4TI

I think the XR had a .32 the 83-86 TC had a .34 and the 87-88 had a .35 . Just from looking the 87-88 have the best front end drag but the higher trunk line makes for a bit more drag but better downforce. Also I think the XR has a smaller frontal area witch means even with the same coefficient and the same amount of power it would be faster.

The faster you go the harder it is to go faster. It is not a linear curve. Take a look at this link (pretty cool too). I forget the exacts but it takes like 300HP for this car to go 160MHP and about another 700HP for it to go 253MPH. Check it out.

Bugatti Veyron (V12 1000 hp) Test Drive - 250 mph

http://www.whoisthemonkey.com/videos/06/...speed-test