Question: '60s NASCAR Power Levels

  • Thread starter Jim Prower
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Jim Prower

Jim Prower

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I've been thinking a little bit about how the Superbird and Daytona were able to break 200MPH at Daytona and Talladega, which are, in the grand scheme of things, relatively short when it comes to top speed courses (Nardo, etc.) I kind of wonder how much power a NASCAR stock car in those days might make. Even with a cd of .28, you'd still need more than the stock 460 or so HP a Hemi'd make, wouldn't you?
 
Considering the street versions were putting out somewhere around 425-500 BHP, I belive Nicksfix hit the nail on the head. Big gears and extra horsepower means a lot of speed.
 
YSSMAN
Considering the street versions were putting out somewhere around 425-500 BHP, I belive Nicksfix hit the nail on the head. Big gears and extra horsepower means a lot of speed.
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The Superbird and Daytona Charger had a huge aero-advantage also ( obviously - look at the design , of course thats why Chrysler built these ). The GM and FORD camps started crying about these cars , so Nascar outlawed them in their competition. :grumpy:

Curious throwback question any replies ?

What if you were to take an old Superbird , modify it to todays standards of Nascar , suspension , lightweight frame , etc... , put in a new gen. 750-800 hp engine under the hood , (unrestricted of course) , how fast do you think this " bird " would fly around the banks of Talledega or Daytona ?
 
I kind of asked because of a personal project, a car for one of my characters. 600HP sounds about right, given that these aren't a wide-open test track like Nardo or Enna-Pergusa, and also considering that Elliot's "Aero Bird" probably had a lot more power, closer to 800. Also confirms that my character's car (around 750hp) should easily run with another character's 240Z...

I'm not certain how fast the theoretical tube-frame Daytona or 'Bird would go, though. I don't think Talladega has a whole lot more than 220 in it unless you figure out a way to get some serious downforce without drag, like a Group C car's Venturi tunnels.
 
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Nicksfix
What if you were to take an old Superbird , modify it to todays standards of Nascar , suspension , lightweight frame , etc... , put in a new gen. 750-800 hp engine under the hood , (unrestricted of course) , how fast do you think this " bird " would fly around the banks of Talledega or Daytona ?
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That'd mostly depend on gearing than anything, I'd assume. I know a few years ago Rusty Wallace ran his Intrepid at Talladega sans restrictor plate and had the car well north of 200 MPH. I believe his argument was that in a draft, all the restrictor plates gone, they could easily run the cars at 230+ MPH (in traffic) all day.
 
IMO - I would have guessed 220's with no traffic ( draft ) , or restrictor plate ?
 
YSSMAN
That'd mostly depend on gearing than anything, I'd assume. I know a few years ago Rusty Wallace ran his Intrepid at Talladega sans restrictor plate and had the car well north of 200 MPH. I believe his argument was that in a draft, all the restrictor plates gone, they could easily run the cars at 230+ MPH (in traffic) all day.
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He hit speeds of over 228mph at the end of the straightaway and had an average speed of 221mph around the track! Pretty crazy. 228mph alone would mean 240+mph speeds in a draft with other cars! Apparently the most unique part of that test was hearing the sound of the car going around the track unrestricted according to his spotter. It sounded completely different than what we are used to hearing with the restrictor plates on. It's just a shame we'll never see them run a race unrestricted. I'd love to see that. Just moved the stands farther back and slightly higher and we should be set.
 
That definitely is interesting. I would wonder what the car would do at a proper test track. and, for that matter, how the CoT would compare.
 
Jim Prower
That definitely is interesting. I would wonder what the car would do at a proper test track. and, for that matter, how the CoT would compare.
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That would be a great test , very interesting indeed.
 

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