Good stuff in here, its been a while since I have seen actual thought and math go into a 5.0 talk thread
I can also report that after a certain speed the relative lack of aerodynamics of the fox body were increasingly showing their effects. The air pushing back against the car was massive, but it always pushed down on the front end, rather than up. Some cars seem like the front end wants to come up when going fast, here it felt like a huge hand pushing down on the hood/and front as bursts of air would rush against the car. I have no doubt that if this car had better aerodynamics, it could definitely go faster and do so easier.
The fox wasn't ever designed for super high speeds. I like it because I am 6 foot 5 and its boxy look appeals to me cosmetically and practically - I can fit very comfortably in the car (which is more that I can say for many other sports cars, especially older ones).
In aerodynamics, they do have a theoretical body shape called a "smooth brick" -- a smooth square cylinder. It has a Cd of 2.10 . Parachutes have a Cd that's typically between 0.80 to 1.20 .What exactly is the drag cooeficient of a brick anyway???
In aerodynamics, they do have a theoretical body shape called a "smooth brick" -- a smooth square cylinder. It has a Cd of 2.10 . Parachutes have a Cd that's typically between 0.80 to 1.20 .
I hit over 160 mph in my 5-speed manual 86 GT convertible (with roof down) back in 1995 racing a Porsche 944 Turbo from 80 mph on the freeway. My car has an A-trim Vortech blower (8 pound pulley) on a otherwise stock motor with 3.55 gears and a BBK 170 mph speedometer (car also has equal length shorty headers, off-road h-pipe and MSD 6AL). The speed was still climbing when I got out of it when slower traffic ended the race (8 car lengths ahead). The car was very stable at that speed (not lowered at that time, but had a Dugan racing spoiler on the trunk), but the side mirrors were shaking violently. Very stupid on my part, with no roll bar, or helmet on a public road (marked for air surveillance) on a Saturday afternoon. A very similar equipped (but with stock 2.73 gears) 86 Mustang averaged 190 mph in the Silver State Challenge that same year.