I am told my base 2007 Corvette would go 178 mph right off the showroom floor and that is the least powerful engine they made that year. I can testify that it will go 85 mph and gets there pretty quick but I think that is the fastest I have ever driven it. I'd like to try it at 150 but I like my $500 per year insurance bill just as it is.

I'm just really thankful for 1776!

Mercedes, BMW, and Audi have an "agreement" to limit their cars to 155 mph to avoid an arms race on top speeds. Porsche doesn't do this because, well they are Porsche.

High end Italian brands also do not have limiters.

And yes, most cars that do have limiters is due to the tire speed rating. Not everyone likes the ride of a Z and W rated ultra high performance tires, or is willing to pay for them, so lower speed ratings on less expensive ride-oriented tires often require limiters. Typically T and S ratings that are still over 100 mph. Truck tires may have lower limits, not really familiar with truck tires.

Most "speed related" accidents I see are due to trying to drive near the speed limit in rain or snow. Rest are not seeing someone in a blind spot, rear enders in heavy traffic usually well below the speed limit, and T-bones at intersections.

Governors aren't going to change any of the above.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:
Yeah but by then imagine the liability of changing it and then getting in a wreck.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
Any modern car has a computer ECM (engine control mudule). It will take no time at all to override or alter any factory settings with a plug in tuner or laptop program. If they make it hack-proof, tuning shops may have to add a few minutes of time to the re-program.

People do it already and the blood isn’t filling the gutters. I have a Superchips tuner for my 02 Grand Cherokee (mainly for shift points, shift firmness, and the tow setting when I need it) that removes my top end limit. I have never gone anywhere near winding it all the way out.

I’m not advocating disabling settings so people can speed through school zones, merely pointing out that there is a way to easily get around limiters.

And in California they check to see if your computer has been altered and if it has you will fail. It doesn't matter if you put it back to stock either. You have to buy a new computer. Less and less companies want to even make a tuner because they have had several of them get massive fines, and not just for diesel stuff either. Just another thing we don't want the government getting their toe in the door.