How fast have you gone in your van?

i'm just curious to see what some of your top speeds are and with what engines. i've seen people mention casually cruising at 85mph, while i've managed to break 60mph maybe twice. i'm not trying to take this van to the track or try to race someone for pinks, but it seems like i should be able to cruise a little bit faster. so here goes:

1967 A100
318
a727 trans
62mph

I wasn't sure if you just wanted dodge info or if this was open to everyone, but I'll throw mine out there as it stands now with my van. I haven't changed transmissions yet. I have a 700r4 with lockup converter that will be going into my van, as well as a taller tire on the back, and that should help out quite a bit with lowering the rpm and upping the speed.

1966 ford econoline
engine- 350 interceptor
trans- TH350
Rear gear- 4:11
top speed- 45 mph @2700 rpm

I've done a couple short sections of freeway (8 miles) in my van at 65 MPH, provided there isn't a hill. I plan on my other van to be able to go faster due to a stronger engine.
1969 A-108
engine - 225 single barrel Holley
trans - 727
rear gear - 3.55 (?)
rear tire 275-60R/15

I built the wiki-van for freeway operation. I have 2.56 gears in the wiki-van coupled with a ultra wide ratio warner t10 4 speed trans (3.44:1 1st gear). I regularly cruise in the fast lane on I-5 about 70 mph or just a hair under that so I don't get ticketed. If its on flat freeway, it will cruise at 80 no problem, and still has plenty of power to pass people if necessary. South of Olympia, I-5 goes to 70mph speed limit so if i'm going to Portland, I'm doing about 80mph. I'd say top speed for my van is about 90, but with the current 230 inline six it won't pull those speeds going up long hills. Going up long grades you shove it into 3rd and climb them at 60-65.

If you want to cruise in the fast lane on the freeway, you need to give some thought to your gearing, not only in the rear, but also your transmission ratios.

Haha!! if ur in the fast lane of I-5 there - @ 70 mph -u r backing up traffic!!      


UNOFICIALLY= 206.91 @ bonneville- in Reverse!!

Twinpilot001 wrote:Haha!! if ur in the fast lane of I-5 there - @ 70 mph -u r backing up traffic!!      

Maybe true in CA, but unfortunately, not true in WA.  Drivers here in western WA are so deathly afraid of state patrol revenue machines (speed traps are a daily fact of life here) that usually nobody is exceeding the speed limit by 10mph or more on I-5.  Seems to be up to 10 over is the 'grace area' where they will usually not pull you over.  If I have somewhere to be I want to get there without delay, so I drive as fast as John Law will allow without ticketing me.  The state of WA is greedy and hungry for money.  It seems the lawmakers are pissed off at the general public because we keep voting against a state income tax every time it comes up on the ballot, so they are constantly inventing other ways to rip off the general public.  Tickets, toll lanes, tolls for bridges that have not been built yet, raising our registration fees, and now these cocksuckers are pushing to increase the gas tax yet again, this time by another 11 cents a gallon!?!  We already have some of the highest fuel costs in the nation.  

It seems creating an additional source of revenue for the state has become the primary job of WSP.  I see them out there on I-5 every day handing out tickets.  Its like a well oiled machine to make money for the state, I don't think the cops give two shits about making our roads safer.  I've received one myself last spring, and was not too thrilled about it.  I fought it in court and when it got to the judge he threw it out because the radar the cop was using was actually being operated in an illegal manner.  (he did not have it correctly calibrated)  99% of driver's don't fight their tickets in court, they just pay it.  Thus the WSP revenue machine continues to operate, even with illegal equipment.

I have had the Dodge up to 85 a few times. She really screams with the 3.55 gears and three speed manual. I have a set of 2.94 gears waiting to be put in soon. The Chevy has been up to 70 for a few short bursts. It didn't like it much with the stock 230 three speed set up.

Tom

I have had mine up to 80 MPH with plenty of pedal left on my 307 V8 but did not feel safe going any faster I am running a 373 gear with a 28 inch tall rear tire (275/60/15) about 2,800 RPM'S at 70 but I think the 355 is the best all around gear for performance and highway drive ability...I have 308's in my 3rd Gen great for the highway but not great for quick take off's or towing anything heavy.. both have a turbo 350 transmission in them..........HEY millwright what size tire are you running in the rear of your dodge Van you may have some lower gears in the manual trans causing the extra RPM'S??

Big W wrote:

1966 ford econoline
engine- 350 interceptor
trans- TH350
Rear gear- 4:11
top speed- 45 mph @2700 rpm

  BIG W that 411 gear is killing you drop to a 308 or 323 and you will pick up 40-45 MPH and probleywill be doing 70-75 at 2700 RPM'S

The Dodge runs 295/50R-15 on the rear, same as my Chevy.

The 295/50/15 is about 2 inches shorter than the 275/60/15  and a inch in a half or so wider... but both look real good on a 10 inch rim the 275's will drop your RPM down quite a bit and still look GREAT on the van...............

This is some good info and insight, sorry that I can't contribute as mine is not on the road yet. I haven't seen it yet posted but would be interested in what an A100 with the 318, auto and 3.23 gears would be running. I will be running 14 in wheels/tires though which will also make a difference. Scott...

The rim size really does not make a difference its the hight of the tire I would not go any shorter than a 26 inch tall tire maby 225/70/14 on the rear or a wider 255/60/14 to keep the RPM's down with that 3.23 gear at highway speeds.......

JOE VAN wrote:

Big W wrote:

1966 ford econoline
engine- 350 interceptor
trans- TH350
Rear gear- 4:11
top speed- 45 mph @2700 rpm

  BIG W that 411 gear is killing you drop to a 308 or 323 and you will pick up 40-45 MPH and probleywill be doing 70-75 at 2700 RPM'S

....Yup I here ya joe. First I want to get the 700r4 in there and put the 15 inch wheels under it and go from there. I haven't ruled out some better gears for the rear, as I have allready been looking for some. But for now it really sucks with this set up.

Holy Smokes Big W ,, ya runnin' 13" tires? I'm running 350/700r4/4:11/26" tall tires, 60mph @2200 rpm about. With the overdrive if you are not living in the fast lane the 4:11's get by OK. Besides with the lower 1st gear in the 700 and the 4:11's it's fun to drive.   

Ya the tires are too small. They are 14's but not tall enough. What size are your rear tires Digs, if you don't mind me asking?

295/50/15's They are 26.5 inches tall. Like Joe said tho 26" tall to me would be a minimum. Does that Ford have room for bigger tires? I know they all seem to be different that way one make to another. These Chevys seem to be in the 28-29 inch tall range for a max without jacking them up.

275/60R/15 is what I have seen in here, and there may still be some bigger. But ya...need taller tires. When responding to this thread folks should put down the rear tire size as well...lol..hint, hint.

JOE VAN wrote:The rim size really does not make a difference its the hight of the tire I would not go any shorter than a 26 inch tall tire maby 225/70/14 on the rear or a wider  255/60/14 to keep the RPM's down with that 3.23 gear at highway speeds.......

That's some interesting info which I wish I had before I actually bought the tires a couple years ago. I had bought a 25.9 tall tire, which was the BF Goodrich T/A 215/70/14. These will at least be what I'll use to start with now. Scott...

Scott they will work fine....Each size is one inch.!!!. SO BF Goodrich makes a 235/70/14 witch is 27.9 inches tall about the same higth as the 275/60/15 just not as wide witch is 28.0 inches tall witch works great with a 308-411 gear the 235/70/14 should fit fine on the rear of your van on the other hand Big W's Van has the squared wheel well in the rear so the E Guys should know a little more what will work on his Van with out rubbing.  ..

i've had mine up to 70 twice and both times i got white knuckles from trying to keep it on the road,, 50s as fast as i go, when truckers pass me they honk but i dont know if its becouse they like the van or they want me the hell out of the way,,,

just wave back..

i do, lol

Just make a cardboard sign to show 'em.
I'm Pedalin As Fast As I Can!!!

RodStRace wrote:Just make a cardboard sign to show 'em.
I'm Pedalin As Fast As I Can!!!

.........LOL...GOOD IDEA.  ...When I went to Zephorhills on my Van's madin voyage 150 mile round trip I did 55 all the way and a couple of 60 mph bursts any faster and I think there would be no way to Stop or Turn Safely in any amount of time to avoid anything.!!!...................  We have a BIG problem here in Florida on our highways with Truck Tire Caps everywhere because of the Excessive Heat and sometimes there is no way to avoid them especially when the guy in front of you or next to you hits one.!!!...