High speed driving

[Zam]

Just a quick question. I'm 90% certain that I will be replacing my wife's 2000 4Runner with an 05 V8(this week). Our 2000 is a fine vehicle for the U.S., but it is way underpowered for driving here in Europe (esp Germany).

What I'm interested in is your driving impression of the V8 in the 90-110 mph range. Can the V8 even top 100mph? Is it possible to pull out and overpass cars with any type of authority?

What about towing a race car (~3000lbs) while driving in this range?

Currently our SR5 V6 can barely hit 95mph & this is with the throttle pegged.

Thanks!

 

[carina71]

The newer 4Rs have a speed regulator on them (100 MPH, I think). But driving that fast for any distance scares the carp out of me. And while towing another car too! YIKES--don't care what your driving....:bugeye:

 

[Zam]

I guess once you are used to it(& have roads that can safely allow it) then it isn't that big a deal.

Hell, I hit 170mph (indicated) yesterday on the autobahn coming back from the racetrack. :awais: First time I've ever done that, which was a little scary...

 

[Loki]

< jealous of people living in countries with no speed limits.

 

[2005 SPT V6]

I wish I can try out my mustang on the autobahn. I spent alot of money on my suspension and brake system, pretty my whole car.
I wanna see if I could hit 180mph. I know if I replaced my rearend gears back to the factory 2:73 ratio it might hit 200mph, but the aerodymics might not allow that.

 

[EDGE]

Yes Zam the V8 is exceptional at high speeds, 90-110 is normal for it.

The power this thing has is impressive, it can cruise all day at 90, I gotta watch the speed cause I passed a Maryland State Trooper doing about 90 but I just backed off from doing 110, it's been up to 130 but I never hit any speed limiter yet.

It does great passing, it has no M3 passing power but it gets up and goes, towing at that speed have you done that before, I don't know the laws in Germany but here in NY Im pretty sure or it may be the US that your not suppost to exceed 65 with objects in tow.

If I had the autobahn at my disposal I would hit 100 every day: at those speeds you may want to invest in some gas stock, it like their is a hole in the gas tank.

Another thing, I and many members here run regular 87 but for added performance it says to use higher, in the states premium is 91/93 but at those speeds I wonder if the premium would be an added benefit

 

[EDGE]

Currently our SR5 V6 can barely hit 95mph & this is with the throttle pegged.

Thanks!

The V8 passes 95 like it was going from 45-75:

 

[carina71]

Re: Re: High speed driving

The V8 passes 95 like it was going from 45-75:

Will he have to over-ride the "governor" to be able to do that?

 

[EDGE]

Question for you Zam, last I checked the German spec M3 had slightly more HP and bigger brakes, US M3 probably never see the speeds they where intended to cause of the damn cops I mean state speed limits

Do the German cars have the same gear ratio, US cars hover around 45-75 on the US highways but the autobahn, I would rather have highways gears, higher gears, do they spec them differently knowing they are constantly driving faster

 

[EDGE]

Re: Re: Re: High speed driving

Will he have to over-ride the "governor" to be able to do that?

The V8 governor kicks in at 124mph but I've ran out of speedo and nothing, he'll be fine, if he wants 150mph then he's gotta do something

 

[carina71]

Still gives me goosebumps thinking about "losing it" at those speeds with a 3000lb car in tow.

Might want to look into higher speed tires than those typically used.

 

[Northof49]

Re: Re: Re: Re: High speed driving

The V8 governor kicks in at 124mph but I've ran out of speedo and nothing, he'll be fine, if he wants 150mph then he's gotta do something

That's what I was thinking. I've pegged my speedo without hitting the limiter. I find the V8's power at higher speeds to be great (for an SUV), and passing isn't an issue.

As for towing, the 4Runner is very stable, however, I've never towed at over about 110km/h as the roads around here would never permit it. Not sure how good the (generally crappy) trailer tires would fair at those speeds tho....

Nice M3 too BTW!

 

[Loki]

The V8 passes 95 like it was going from 45-75:

zam's got a 3rd gen..not a 4th gen v6. does the 4th gen v6 have a limiter?

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

I dont have a 4th gen, but i would worry about that kinda speed with those tires for long periods of time. Disregard this if youre changing the tires to a higher speed rating, but i know those tires are not meant for those speeds especially for longer periods of time.

 

[EDGE]

zam's got a 3rd gen..not a 4th gen v6. does the 4th gen v6 have a limiter?

he said he's looking to get an 05 V8 thisweek, to replace the 3rd gen, as for the 4th Gen V6 might have a limiter around 112 or 115

 

[digital0ne]

Question for you Zam, last I checked the German spec M3 had slightly more HP and bigger brakes, US M3 probably never see the speeds they where intended to cause of the damn cops I mean state speed limits

"The speedometer tops out at 300 km/h and the tachometer redlines at 8000 revolutions per minute (r.p.m.). The car's top speed is a limited 250 km/h"

The 2003 M3 Coupe (US) has speed limit capped at 155 or so. Friend has one, we we're pissed to find that out in fourth, finding that we didn't even get to touch 5th and 6th limits (SMG was bitch'n though, sports mode it will match engine rev's, double clutch when shifting, the works)



Worse comes to worse; chip the beast.


On a secondary note, maybe some upgrades in the seatbelts are in order... 5 point with the cam locks is not unheard of when one travels @ 145 in a 4500lb vehicle towing 2/3rd 's as much...


Best of luck

 

[Zam]

Yes Zam the V8 is exceptional at high speeds, 90-110 is normal for it.

The power this thing has is impressive, it can cruise all day at 90, I gotta watch the speed cause I passed a Maryland State Trooper doing about 90 but I just backed off from doing 110, it's been up to 130 but I never hit any speed limiter yet.

It does great passing, it has no M3 passing power but it gets up and goes, towing at that speed have you done that before, I don't know the laws in Germany but here in NY Im pretty sure or it may be the US that your not suppost to exceed 65 with objects in tow.

If I had the autobahn at my disposal I would hit 100 every day: at those speeds you may want to invest in some gas stock, it like their is a hole in the gas tank.

Another thing, I and many members here run regular 87 but for added performance it says to use higher, in the states premium is 91/93 but at those speeds I wonder if the premium would be an added benefit

Sorry about the late reply...

That's just what I wanted to hear. I wouldn't tow at anything about 80-90mph, but it would be nice to have reserves of power when going uphill.

I'd probably never cruise at anything higher than 110mph in the Runner. As far as gas mileage, my M3 & 240SX manage horrible ratings(I'm a leadfoot). If I get anything in the upper teens I'd be happy. I run super in all my cars(they deserve the good stuff for putting up with me ).

 

[Zam]

Question for you Zam, last I checked the German spec M3 had slightly more HP and bigger brakes, US M3 probably never see the speeds they where intended to cause of the damn cops I mean state speed limits

Do the German cars have the same gear ratio, US cars hover around 45-75 on the US highways but the autobahn, I would rather have highways gears, higher gears, do they spec them differently knowing they are constantly driving faster

The German spec M3s have about 10 more horses(different cats/headers) & cross drilled rotors(same size). They also cost around $20k more than a equally optioned US spec M3. I have a US spec M3 bought thru the military program.

I agree that "most" stateside performance cars never come close to the speeds that Euro cars see. People in the states drive at/around the posted speed limits. People in germany drive at the road/weather limits. Most speed limits between towns here are in the 70-100 kmph range. It is normal practice to cruise in the 130 kmph range.

There is also little police presence. I just took a 30 day vacation to Vegas & Orlando and saw more crashes & police cars than I've seen in the past 3 years living in Germany.

 

[Cleric]

I used to take my BMW to it's limit (134mph), and it drove like most cars doing 75. The Runner won't have the same handling (for obvious reasons), but is surprisingly stable at speeds of 100+. I had a '98 Runner before and they are night and day in speed and handling.

 

[Zam]

he said he's looking to get an 05 V8 thisweek, to replace the 3rd gen, as for the 4th Gen V6 might have a limiter around 112 or 115

Found out 2 days ago that the next limited won't be in until June. :awais:

I really wanted the rear air suspension, dual zone climate control(must have) & heated seats. :dammit: Hmm, don't know what to do now...