Top Speed

[funkee]

Today I managed to touch 120mph in my '08 3.5se. I felt it struggling above 110 to really go anywhere, even with the pedal down to the floor. It reached 110 in a breeze, so I suspected there might be a limiter in place. I was in 5th gear around 5500RPM. I didn't feel the need to shift into 6th because I thought I had plenty of torque left in 5th. But I doubt I would have gotten much farther beyond 120.

I felt like something was off. Either there was a limiter set at 120, or my engine isn't in tip top shape. I am running 91 octane, so I don't think that would cause a problem. I did install a set of bc racing coilovers and replaced my wheels with heavier ones.

I managed to take an old beat up Elantra to 130, so I would think the coupe would be able to reach 145 with ease if there wasn't a limiter.

Any ideas why it would struggle to reach 120? Should I have shifted into 6th at 5500RPM? What's the fastest you've gone in your A/C?

[rcboy514]

I'm not going to look to up, but if I remember right the 3.5se is limited to like 134mph. The heavier wheels could have an effect as far as "limiting" you at least torque-wise maybe. You need more energy to keep the heavier wheels at a constant speed so that could be a limiting factor I guess. I've hit 115 with ease and not WOT. How many miles on the coupe and what mods?

[funkee]

I can hit 110 with no problem, but from 115-120 it starts struggling hard. I had already passed max torque at 5500rpm (max at 4,400rpm). But I should have been able to redline it in 5th gear.

Mods are BC racing coilovers, Racingline sway bar, wheels/tires and Borla exhaust. 31k miles.

[rcboy514]

borla is axle back? Maybe an intake and y-pipe would help.

[funkee]

The Borla is an axle back exhaust. I'm holding off on the intake because of Cali laws. There aren't any effective carb legal intakes that offer any significant gain. As far as a ypipe, it will delete that 3rd cat, which is crucial to pass inspection.

Regardless of mods, this car should be able to hit and pass 120mph with ease. I'm not sure what to think.

[wade001]

I highly doubt wheels will affect top speed, but they will with acceleration. Once you come near your top speed the car cuts power because of the governor, thats the case with most cars. mine isnt a 3.5 but once i get around 90mph it's a dog to top speed. you will need to remove the governor to go faster unfortunately .

[Ranga14]

I'm assuming everyone here has a CVT. There in lays the problem. Once you get to around 85-90 mph, the CVT starts to seriously reduce your throttle to protect itself. Once you hit 110-120 you're barely moving at all and a stock base civic will pass you by. Granted there is a governor from what I remember that is different per car. Some have said it's 127mph while others have gotten to around 147mph. But like I say, it's the CVT bogging you down, not your mods, tires or anything else.

[DAAN.]

Where do you guys reach those speeds ?
In western canada the limits are set to about 75 and are enforced heavily

[wade001]

Where do you guys reach those speeds ?
In western canada the limits are set to about 75 and are enforced heavily

Drive on the Eastern side ! i was up there and not a cop in sight or in the air, made good time on my trip to Montreal .

[PHENOMenalVinyl]

I'm assuming everyone here has a CVT. There in lays the problem. Once you get to around 85-90 mph, the CVT starts to seriously reduce your throttle to protect itself. Once you hit 110-120 you're barely moving at all and a stock base civic will pass you by. Granted there is a governor from what I remember that is different per car. Some have said it's 127mph while others have gotten to around 147mph. But like I say, it's the CVT bogging you down, not your mods, tires or anything else.

Lol love this .....SO TRUE. I have a stick and I <3 my car because I make the 6 cyl surprised as to how I keep up. I hate the CVT makes this car suck :/ Sadly the CVT just shows how the car is not a sports car....just a family coupe. Prove them all wrong and find a shop to pass you so you can start modding and loving your car like I do

[funkee]

Where do you guys reach those speeds ?
In western canada the limits are set to about 75 and are enforced heavily

On a closed course... of course.

[wade001]

I'm assuming everyone here has a CVT. There in lays the problem. Once you get to around 85-90 mph, the CVT starts to seriously reduce your throttle to protect itself. Once you hit 110-120 you're barely moving at all and a stock base civic will pass you by. Granted there is a governor from what I remember that is different per car. Some have said it's 127mph while others have gotten to around 147mph. But like I say, it's the CVT bogging you down, not your mods, tires or anything else.

Lol love this .....SO TRUE. I have a stick and I <3 my car because I make the 6 cyl surprised as to how I keep up. I hate the CVT makes this car suck :/ Sadly the CVT just shows how the car is not a sports car....just a family coupe. Prove them all wrong and find a shop to pass you so you can start modding and loving your car like I do

Mine's a 6spd as well, but sucks snails as I get around 85-90mph and up .

[SanoSuKe]

Where do you guys reach those speeds ?
In western canada the limits are set to about 75 and are enforced heavily

I usually get to those speeds on the Parkway or on my way to NY from NJ, however, if you get caught by a State Trooper, you're f***. Nothing will work with these guys, no "hey, I'm PBA" and no excuses.

[wade001]

NJ cops suck

[SanoSuKe]

NJ cops suck

I'll have to agree with this.

[DJ_B_Easy]

NJ Troopers have very wide juristiction and it gets to their heads. In NJ they are above all other law enforcement as far as I know, and yes they are all d!ck.

[big_rig]

i feel like the coupe struggles from 70 to 90. once i pass 90 it rails it for a 4 banger. west holly wood to stockton in 4 hours flat.

[bizzerktima]

I've got mine up to 130 then hit the gov i hate it. It doesn't really start to slow down until about 120. and as far as where to reach the speeds just know your area and where the cops hang and if your on a highway know the spots where there's guard rails on both sides of the road so there isn't any place a cop can sit. I'm in the navy so i move around a lot and every time i do i have to learn the new cop spots but its normally pretty easy to find a place

[djjsarai]

I got a 2010 Alitma Coupe and its a 2.5s 6-speed manual and y governer stops it at 118mph. does anyone know how to take it out?

[SanoSuKe]

These speeds are nice and all, but I don't see why you people would need to go over that. Going 120 mph is beyond almost every drivers capabilities. I don't even think the roadways were established to handle those kinds of speeds.

[beeristasty]

Speed limited due to the oem tire rating.

Plus the stock brakes are sufficient, but not something I'd want in the case of a high speed emergency stop.

[DJ_B_Easy]

These speeds are nice and all, but I don't see why you people would need to go over that.

Running from NJ Troopers, yo.

[SanoSuKe]

These speeds are nice and all, but I don't see why you people would need to go over that.

Running from NJ Troopers, yo.

Haha, true. But these monkeys are everywhere! you prolly know that already.

[shift_craNk]

ypipe and intake, and i can reach 120 without a problem. thank you 287 (NJ)