Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum

RumorDude · 06-12-2002, 09:37 PM

So, I have not yet had the chance to get to the track with my
"just got it" z, but i can already tell what i am going to come back with. Agressive straight line (1st, 2nd, 3rd) is pretty nice but a bit bouncy. However, coming out of a turn, the front of the car feels like it jumps a bit (and compared with sliding). Anyone else see that? Again, this is just street driving (street playing?).

And under aggressive braking, the back gets *real* light, making trail braking a bit squeamish, quick. This car has already been lowered 3/4 in.

I'm sure there are some nice rear wings/spoilers to help with keeping the back of the car on the ground. Anyone have suggestions on any specific makes or anythign for increasing the overall stability of the car (front too)

the rave · 06-12-2002, 11:11 PM

just out of curiousity, what is your track driving background? for comparison's sake with what you're used too.
who lowered your car?

I live in Bothell, and know something about the handling of these cars, be happy to meetcha.

for the record, I don't have the probs you mention.

David

RumorDude · 06-13-2002, 08:58 AM

track background - about 3 years high performance driving (i.e. lapping), and this is my first year racing (irdc, scca). the car was lowered by the person i bought it from. I was also just thinking as I am writing this i should check the tire pressure (duh).

Jose Gonzalez · 06-13-2002, 09:33 AM

Just a couple of ideas. The bouncy feel could be the shocks bottoming out in the rear. I had this problem when I lowered mine with the lowering kit for the rear. Take a look at the rear shocks and see how much travel they have.

I at one time felt the problem of the rear getting loose under hard braking. Soon after at an auto x event, I had the ABS go ape shit and the only tire braking was a back tire which was locked up. I had a few people running. Other then that, I have had no problem with handling. May want to have the dealer take a look at the ABS.

Racerdj · 06-13-2002, 10:03 AM

If you want my 2 cents worth here it is! Unless you want to spend alot of money you will have to deal with some of your mentioned results. To trim the car out and I have only Formula Atlantic experience, you will need to spend money on shocks, springs and make sure the car is lowered properly. Proper tires ie slicks will make a world of difference as with greater grip, stiffer shocks and springs will make the car more responsive to turn in and less dip under threshold braking. Also it's possible that the brake bias is not correct. We had different shocks, springs and grears for different tracks. You might want to be selective on these suggestions as once you make the car really awsome on the track, city driving will be VERY different!! I ran several ZR1's on the track (putnam Park and Michigan International) and was just content to enjoy the street version. To go really fast on the track it takes cubic dollars!!

Racerdj · 06-13-2002, 10:06 AM

One last thought-Unless you buy a functioning wing unlike the fiberglass good looking ones that generally do not produce the low and high pressure gradient causing downforce it will not help. You will need to buy one with a wicker bill atachment that you can change to affect downforce.

Dreamin · 06-13-2002, 09:00 PM

On the acceleration bounce, I agree with Jose... you could be feeling the rear shock bump stop. I really feel this on corner exit under hard-acceleration - it's just the loaded end doing it so it's easy to feel/diagnose. But it does not unsettle the car. Also, are you sure the rear is only lowerd 3/4" ? The lower the rear, the more the bounce.

On the front end "jumps"... never felt that. At the limit the stock '02s do understeer... but this is driving hard under track conditions (9/10). Anything less and the car feel very neutral.
The front end will feel a little light at high speeds.

My rear feels light under hard braking only if I'm not going perfectly straight (trail braking, having to correct my line, etc.).
I'm not sure if a wing will fix this... maybe stiffer springs.

You may also feel a slight "wiggle" in the body - accelerating out of corners, fast upshifts on corner exit, etc. I believe this is bushings.

Anyway...coming from a car with coil-overs, big bars, metal bushings, hoosier, etc. all this movement from the soft stock suspension was very unnerving at my first track event... I was sure the rear end was going to give out (slide) or front end was going to give out... but they dont, the car just sticks and goes! A few track events later and i dont feel it AT ALL. I'm used to it and I've probably subconsciously adjusted my driving technique a little to minimize this... I actually think the stock suspension is making me into a smoother driver!