2016 Malibu Top Speed
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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Well, here's a question for you younger hot rodders..
Given the Malibu makes no claim to wonderful top speed, and I'm guessing most Malibu owners aren't interested in whatever terminal speed their new LTZ Malibu's are capable of ~
Anyone tried to find out?
My wife and I are both senior citizens, but with that advanced old age brings two old "musclecar" nuts to wonder how much of her 2013's 2LT's speedometer it can actually use?
This is only our 2nd vehicle over the decades with a speedometer that has a terminal number of 160 mph, and the first (a 1968 Firebird 400HO) never saw any number higher than about 125 on top end.
Of course the old bird was more astute at the red light to red light drags that were commonplace back in that period, or perhaps the quarter mile vs top end, (it was geared from the factory w/355 posi) but either way it was never a threat to get near the 160 mph mark.
So, here we find ourselves with our 2nd car in 45 years of blissful matrimony that has a speedometer that registers 160, and we are just curious as to how fast another turbo Malibu LTZ might have gone in his/hers.
If you have been experimenting with how many revs and how many mph's your Malibu is capable of making please share.
Thanks!
J.
2011 Malibu LTZ 3.6L V6 Red Jewel Tintcoat
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One thing to consider on this car compared to your earlier one is the speedo is designed to show 160 "something or other" - and it just depends on what measuring system you choose to use. If you choose SAE you'll get MPH; if you choose metric you'll get KPH. What's 160 KPH? Only about 110-120 MPH.
The numbers never change position but the units of measure (UOM) do. Just for giggles, take a spin on the freeway and set your cruise control. Then navigate to the part in the menu where you can change the UOM and set it to metric. The needle will immediately move from 60 to 90 signalling the change from MPH to KPH and the little indicator will show the same (just so you don't forget, I guess). Kinda freaky to do it while you're moving, but maybe you can blow your wife's mind for a second.
My Gen7 V6 3.6L has a top speed of 116 MPH, but that's 'cuz it's limited by the computer. Take that away and put tires that could handle it and I think I could hit 130-140. But higher numbers like that come at a great cost in fuel! (I'm sure you know that, too. )
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Chevy claims the top speed of the Malibu 2.0L Turbo is a track tested 155 mph. The previous V6 is probably very similar to that, even though from factory it's restricted to around 116-118 for the tire rating.
Modern cars can reach serious speed even with base-engines because 6-speed transmissions allow the motor to keep applying power past 100 mph.
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Also, Driven is dead on the money about the reason your speedometer shows up to 160, and ours shows 140. It's the same gauge cluster used globally where there are metric speed limits.
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I got it up to about 140(mph) today on I10 between TX an LA, i believe it will do 155 but it was very sloppy at that speed, felt like i was on a boat....I wont take it over 125 again unless I stiffen up the suspension and drop it an inch or more..
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I've had three or four 130 mph WOT throttle runs for data logging. The car had more but I didn't push it past 130mph. I didn't feel the slop like humble beast (of course I was on a straight, no curve car less interstate. I do agree the rear suspension needs to be stiffened up as it really squats in the rear when I get on it.
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it really squats in the rear when I get on it.
Sounds like an old girlfriend of mine...
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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
Well,
I appreciate the replies..
It just blows my mind that my brides new 2LT 4 banger might have a top end to exceed that of our 1979 Corvette (bought new in 1979 for $11,000 by the way).
The new Corvette was only capable of 147 (indicated), and that was after improving the exhaust system.
I only did that one time just to satisfy my mind as to the top speed, and I learned quickly that I (and my bladder) had no business going that fast.
But, it brings a smile to this old farts face to know my wife's new Crystal Red Malibu 2LT LTZ is capable of getting out of the way of faster traffic if it becomes necessary.
We are a two Malibu family now. I inherited my MIL's pristine white (38,00 miles) 2004 Malibu LS last month when she passed away and I really like it.
Not as pretty as the LTZ, but surprisingly gets 35 mph on the highway when driven reasonably, and has great brakes and good passing power in the little V6.
Thanks Again!
Jesse
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Sounds like an old girlfriend of mine
I had to re-read that, for a minute there I thought you were referring to the slop.
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I had to re-read that, for a minute there I thought you were referring to the slop.
Lol when you go real fast you start to lose control of her lol
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I got my 2013 2.0 LTZ to 144mph. Straight highway in [redacted] headed to [redacted] on Vacation.
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I got my 2013 2.0 LTZ to 144mph. Straight highway in [redacted] headed to [redacted] on Vacation.
sounds like you went nowhere real fast.
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sounds like you went nowhere real fast.
Lmao. I edited his post to say redacted. It's never a good idea to post specifics about a time and place you broke the law. No matter how anonymous you think the internet is, someone can trace that back to you.
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Lmao. I edited his post to say redacted. It's never a good idea to post specifics about a time and place you broke the law. No matter how anonymous you think the internet is, someone can trace that back to you.
LOL I thought OP was trying to be funny. Still had a chuckle 10/10 would chuckle again.
sounds like you went nowhere real fast.
Got my 2015 2.0t ltz to 155 no clue how but I did
2011 Malibu LTZ 3.6L V6 Red Jewel Tintcoat
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Some years back I had my 3.6L to 138 mph and still accelerating a little. As above, the rear started wiggling too much so I backed off.
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A few years ago I had my 2014 turbo out on a local race track out east of Denver. I don't remember what my speed was on the straight, because I'm older now and some memories are fleeting and I had to get set up for the turn, but the whole experience was exhilarating and FUN! I'm hoping to get back out there before it gets too cold. I've got some suspension brake up grade before I do.
HumbleBeast107 and DrivenDaily, you both said your cars got a little loose at those speeds. Are there any wings or spoilers with1 wing or staggered 2 wings out there that may have mitigated the looseness?
2011 Malibu LTZ 3.6L V6 Red Jewel Tintcoat
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I don't know of any personally, but I'd wager that something from the Ricer crowd could be installed. It'll leave holes, though.
For that matter, maybe just pop the trunk and put a support under it to keep it open a certain amount and act like a wing?
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Dang, you are so smart?!
No wonder you're one of the top guys here!!!
Source: https://www.chevymalibuforum.com/threads/ltz-top-speed.11976/
