Closed Course Top Speed

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

What top speed have you been able to get your Boxster up to on a closed course ? Both of my Boxsters are factory stock. I find getting to top speed takes a little time and distance. My wife I were in the car together both times. The '98 had 130K miles on it at the time and the '00 S had 60K miles on it at the time. We have been able to do it twice so far. Once in the '98 Base at 153 mph and once in the '00 S at 166 mph. Both times the cars had a more to give but due to getting close to the end of the course, we had to get out of it. I think the Base could have hit 155+ and the S 170+ if we had more distance to work it. What can these cars actually do flat out on an open road like the Autobahn ? We need an American Autobahn.

[BYprodriver]

I Porsche quoted top speed for 2000 Boxster S 6-speed is 165-167mph?? & my speedo seems to read 2 mph fast with 265/35/18 tire, do you recall what rpm you hit in what gear?

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

On the '00 S run I was not monitoring the RPM as closely as the MPH. I believe it was above 6K but under 6.5K. Condition were 55 degrees, sunny/clear, light tail wind at about 3,000 feet elevation.

[SoCalKen]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

I Porsche quoted top speed for 2000 Boxster S 6-speed is 165-167mph?? & my speedo seems to read 2 mph fast with 265/35/18 tire, do you recall what rpm you hit in what gear?

I thought I read in a book from Porsche that the top speed for the 2000S is 157 and the aero kit adds another 15 mph.
Ken

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by SoCalKen

I thought I read in a book from Porsche that the top speed for the 2000S is 157 and the aero kit adds another 15 mph.
Ken

Aero kits usually lower top speed, in this particular instance there is no way it will add 15mph.

[Topless]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Aero kits usually lower top speed, in this particular instance there is no way it will add 15mph.

+1
Every car I ever saw with a "full aero kit" was 15mph slower. YMMV

RE the OP: 135mph indicated in turn 1 at Auto Club Speedway. GPS data logger says 130.

[Flavor 987S]

Originally Posted by 986_inquiry

Unstable at 129? That seems pretty low to feel unstable. I've had mine at 135 and it felt fine, same as 60

Originally Posted by 986_inquiry

Recently I had my stock 2.5 at 135-140mph according to speedo (which gps says is about 7% over reality) and I changed lanes on a closed course and didn't notice lightness. Only other car I've had that fast was a LT1 Caprice police car and it felt VERY light at 130 despite the car weighing 4300 lbs

How fast were you driving last night in the St. Louis area when you hit that poor young lady with your Porsche Boxster?

[landrovered]

That is really fast with no roof, that is the only thing that bothers me is the fact that German canvas will not stand up to pavement if one was to get light and flip. I feel a bit more secure with the Zeintop but that is only psychological. If I am going to be closer to 200 mph than 100 I want a metal roof.

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

I have a matching color hard top. I put it it on for the runs. Realistically I don't think it would do much after a few seconds in a flip over at those speeds.

[Pat]

I'd be very surprised if anyone has surpassed your 166. I think I hit about 155, but wasn't very comfortable doing so. I felt like the car started to get light around 140.

[thstone]

Wow! 153mph in a base! The best that I've done is 137mph on a racetrack.

In a rollover, all of the protection is provided by the roll bars (hoops), the top (hard or soft) is pretty much irrelevant to crash safety.

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

I have felt that light feeling a couple of times when driving alone. I usually do these runs with my wife in the car along with our protective gear (helmets, leather motorcycle coats and gloves) and I put about 50 lbs of ballast in the front trunk because the back truck has our luggage in it. The extra weight really smooths out the car. So with the top, wife, gear , luggage and ballast, I probably add 350 lbs to the car. I know it seems odd, but it works for us.

[The Radium King]

it's a known issue with the boxster that the speedo can read up to 10% higher than actual.

[ProjectM96]

I recently took out 25 lbs of junk out of my rear trunk and about 30lbs of junk out of my front trunk. I went out on the highway last night and got up to 80mph. The car felt very unstable. I felt more tire vibration in the front than usual. First time feeling it. Tires are still in good condition. Alignment seems good to me.

I have been up to 129 and it also felt very unstable with the wind and the feel of the front of the car lifting off the ground. I am looking for a longer straightaway to try to reach my top speed. Maybe Pocono Raceway. Summit Point's straightaway is too short in my opinion.

[stephen wilson]

I'd leave the ballast at home. 50# will only increase the weight on the front end by 4% (more like 3% with 2 people), and will be a detriment to handling and braking.

As far as unstability @ 80, 55# is only 2% of the cars empty weight, not nearly enough to notice.

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by ProjectM96

I recently took out 25 lbs of junk out of my rear trunk and about 30lbs of junk out of my front trunk. I went out on the highway last night and got up to 80mph. The car felt very unstable. I felt more tire vibration in the front than usual. First time feeling it. Tires are still in good condition. Alignment seems good to me.

I have been up to 129 and it also felt very unstable with the wind and the feel of the front of the car lifting off the ground. I am looking for a longer straightaway to try to reach my top speed. Maybe Pocono Raceway. Summit Point's straightaway is too short in my opinion.

Unstable at 129? That seems pretty low to feel unstable. I've had mine at 135 and it felt fine, same as 60

[MileHighBoxster]

Originally Posted by The Radium King

it's a known issue with the boxster that the speedo can read up to 10% higher than actual.

That, of course, depends on the speed you are doing. Mine is off 3 mph based on many GPS comparisons. At 50 mph - that's 6%, but at 100 mph it's only 3%. Since I'm generally between 80 & 85 mph on the highway, mine is therefore off .03529%. Certainly not enough to worry about.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by thstone

Wow! 153mph in a base! The best that I've done is 137mph on a racetrack.

In a rollover, all of the protection is provided by the roll bars (hoops), the top (hard or soft) is pretty much irrelevant to crash safety.

Try sliding along the pavement upside down. It brings a whole new appreciation of steel.

[Overdrive]

Been up to an indicated 137 (according to the readout when I dared to glance at it), and wouldn't think of trying to turn the wheel at that speed...in any car, really. You definitely have to run through every gear, though, and I'd love to find an abandoned/closed runway of a couple of miles to try to see what it can really do...and maybe after putting on an AeroKit.

[The Radium King]

i've had my car to 150 (so said the speedo) on the highway (i know, i know ...) and the front end does get really light. i think it's (a) the third rad venting down, and (b) high presure in the wheel wells. unfortunately, no way to fix either of those easily.