Curious, Top Auto Speed?

[Shep]

I know most of us throw around numbers from 120 MPH to 140 MPH when asking for top speed. That being said, most of us have 5-speeds. From memory, when I was able to push my D to the limit on the turnpike, I got to 105 MPH (according to GPS anyways) and had room for at most 5 MPH more, but that was on a downhill slope. Then again, it was also with my notoriously-huge (and I'm sure drag-inducing) BTTF vents on, so that may have played a factor. Anyways, with two additional speeds, I'd imagine the engine has an easier time pushing the wheels faster, so a thought crossed my mind:

What's the top speed of a stock DeLorean automatic?

Manual top speed is well documented, but I haven't heard anyone doing field testing of an automatic to see what its inherent limits are. I know mine's not stock (or I'd test it out myself), but would like a reference point next time I get the "how fast is it?" question when filling up, which happened as recently as last week.

[AugustneverEnds]

I've reached 106mph also recorded with a GPS so we have one constant in this test. It was on a flat highway on a day with a slight breeze. The car felt like it could go faster but I lost my nerve and backed off :nervous:

[Delorean Industries]

I believe the land speed record in a auto DeLorean is held by DrHaney after picking his car up in Ohio and blitzing for Denver. Pretty sure it wouldn't rev any further.

[Shep]

I believe the land speed record in a auto DeLorean is held by DrHaney after picking his car up in Ohio and blitzing for Denver. Pretty sure it wouldn't rev any further.And that would be...? C'mon man, don't forget the numbers! :smashfreak: :tongue:

[Delorean Industries]

I need to ask! When I know I will let you know!

[Shep]

I need to ask! When I know I will let you know!No worries! Just hasslin' you ;)

[Ryan King]

I got mine up to 120/130 region heading into Vegas. Although I have a Stage II

[Rich_NYS]

VIN 10372, stock automatic: 87 MPH 1/4 mile at Kil-Karre dragway near DCS 2014.

[jamesrguk]

The following may have been a dream, all be it quite vivid :D ... (any traffic police on these forums?)

About 8yrs ago I got to 114 on my Tom Tom satnav, at that point my car was 100% stock (with cat etc...) auto.

It was on a very flat surface about 2am cool spring morning (I'm in the UK)

I think it had probably reached the limit, it may have crept higher if I had many miles of clear flat road ahead but I didn't lol.

It was one of those rare occasions, a driver's dream, 4 lane motorway, clear moonlit night, and not another road user in site, lovely.

I'm really not a fast driver, it was just an opportunity in the early days of ownership where I decided to throw caution to the wind.

J

[Utah DeLorean]

I can say that I have a 5 speed and have had my car maxed out at 135mph. Still felt like there was some leg room in the transmission to go faster though!
I do have to say that I was going pretty fast one night and an unmarked officer flashed his lights at me and boy did I slow down after that.

[painterdave72]

I have had mine to around 125 or so and it had a little bit more to go. .i also have joshs cams and the uk exhaust though...

[Shep]

I got mine up to 120/130 region heading into Vegas. Although I have a Stage II
I have had mine to around 125 or so and it had a little bit more to go. .i also have joshs cams and the uk exhaust though...Just to confirm, both of you have automatics? I seem to recall my RPM's at around 3K to 4K in third gear, definitely short of redline, but there seemed to be some kind of mechanical limitation that prevented it from going any faster, hence me asking.

(For what it's worth, I have the DPI cams and SPEC I exhaust also)

[painterdave72]

sorry mine is a five speed..

[Shep]

So it seems the consensus is 115 MPH for a confirmed automatic. Anyone ever go faster than that? Not to far off of my "120 MPH" figure actually :)

[Ryan King]

Just to confirm, both of you have automatics? I seem to recall my RPM's at around 3K to 4K in third gear, definitely short of redline, but there seemed to be some kind of mechanical limitation that prevented it from going any faster, hence me asking.

(For what it's worth, I have the DPI cams and SPEC I exhaust also)

Yes. Mine is an Automatic. And from what I recall, it was in the 4,000 RPM area. But the needles are so bouncy and wobbly at high speed it was hard to tell.

[Lenny]

Last year during a closed highway road rally at the Celebration Exotic Car Show I got to 125. The car felt fine but, I realized I was driving a 30 year old car. Even though it is 2007 DMC rebuild the "NOS" parts are 30 years old. I was concentrating on driving and didn't look at the RPM's when I decided to let off the gas I checked the GPS app on my iPhone and the Speedometer. By the way they were within 3 or 4 MPH of each other.

I have a Stage II 5 speed.

I'm going to Celebration again this year and doing the road rally BUT won't do it again. All those parts are now 31 years old 8)

[Shep]

Nice story, but...

I have a Stage II 5 speedThat doesn't count. I'm looking for Top "Auto" Speed, not Top "DeLorean" Speed. Top DeLorean speed is very well documented, but I have yet to find anyone doing this on an automatic.

I'm really lost on why there's so much confusion over this to be perfectly honest, considering the three different ways I mentioned "Auto". Am I missing something here? :hmm:

[Lenny]

Nice story, but...
That doesn't count. I'm looking for Top "Auto" Speed, not Top "DeLorean" Speed. Top DeLorean speed is very well documented, but I have yet to find anyone doing this on an automatic.

I'm really lost on why there's so much confusion over this to be perfectly honest, considering the three different ways I mentioned "Auto". Am I missing something here? :hmm:

I read that as auto = car not auto = automatic transmission

that's my excuse

[flux3d]

I've had my five speed up to 100 without any problems. That's saying something in this country with all our speed cameras, traffic jams and traffic cops just waiting for a speeding Delorean. Mind you even then it seemed like it had loads more in it. Are the autos so different? Can the "theoretical " top speed be calculated from the gear ratio of the auto box?

[Shep]

Can the "theoretical " top speed be calculated from the gear ratio of the auto box?Probably. My question more or less is can the engine manage to push an auto transmission to redline without any issues. If it can, then the theoretical is the actual. If it can't however, then by far the easiest way is to know from real world experience.

[refugeefromcalif]

Why would a DeLorean need to go faster then 88 mph anyway? :question:
Sorry, but I've never seen the need to drive my D faster then the speed limit...

George

[flux3d]

Very true George. In saying that the car does seem to like a long straight Road and being taken a little over 88mph. Mind you, as i said before especially in this country going 88mph is a risky business. As i often say to the usual question of "what happens when you go over 88mph?" - you see flashing blue lights in your rear view mirror and receive a speeding ticket from a smug police officer. "Trying to go back in time Sir. ...... :)

[Shep]

Not about need (frankly the 105 MPH I went was just for curiosity's sake), it's more or less to have a number to throw out when someone asks how fast it is as a setup for calling it "slow and heavy" :)

[flux3d]

Good point, although people always seem to ask about its acceleration rather than top speed. The nought to sixty time and all that. Then they compare it to a modern saloon. Always annoys me.

[Shep]

Good point, although people always seem to ask about its acceleration rather than top speed. The nought to sixty time and all that. Then they compare it to a modern saloon. Always annoys me.Hence me taking the "top speed" route instead for the same exact reason too. For me, the common question has been "how fast is it?" rather than specifically aiming for either way. If they ask about acceleration after I give them top speed, I just say something along the lines of "not sure". It's not like they're going to track me down after they Google it, so they're none the wiser. :)

[RammJaeger]

I've got a bone stock 83 with 12,000 miles on it and an auto transmission. I've had mine up to about 100, with plenty of tach/RPMs left to go. If you can think of a good place I can reach the top speed without going to jail I'll give it a shot :) To me it felt like 120 would be a piece of cake. I'd guess the top speed is between 130-140 for an auto. The auto takes off slow as heck, but it is SO highway geared it's not even funny. It runs pretty low RPMs at high speeds on the highway.

[Elvis]

130 to 140 ? LOL

no way.
5 speed goes 200 kph (124mph), downhill I had it over 220kph, but - downhill.

I expect the auto in the range of 190 kph (118mph).

I'll ask in our german forum, I hope I'm not the only one knowing how
max speed feels in this car :-D

[DeLorean]

130 to 140 ? LOL

no way.
5 speed goes 200 kph (124mph), downhill I had it over 220kph, but - downhill.

I expect the auto in the range of 190 kph (118mph).

I'll ask in our german forum, I hope I'm not the only one knowing how
max speed feels in this car :-D

This sounds pretty right. 2638, a stick CAN manage 125 on flat ground, but the 115-125 range feels like it takes forever. I doubt a stock auto is going to crack 120 on the flats. Run either car down a long 3% grade, I bet you could touch 140.