What makes a better corner?
09-13-2012, 03:46 PM
#11
09-13-2012, 05:40 PM
#12
Hey guys the other day I took my friends 96 vette for a spin. I noticed when cornering if feels really flat and sticks nicely. You can also power slide through the corners with so much control. Im pretty noob when it comes to car stuff. I have an 08 gt and it feels much more boat like. Is it just the big weight difference? Whats involved it making it feel better going through corners and giving it the ability to slide with more control? Im guessing maybe lowering springs and shocks would be a good start.
Thanks for your help,
Kevin
Thanks for your help,
Kevin
First, the planted, predictable feeling of the vette is primarily due to its IRS. Remember, 16 yrs old or not, that Corvette was designed and built from the ground up to be a sports car. I've driven C4s and C5s at their limit, and they are far more predictable handling cars than stock Mustangs are. That said, you can easily make an '08 Mustang surpass the handling of a stock '96 vette.
Second, the stock suspension on our cars leaves A LOT to be desired. I'm getting ready to do a full write up on the suspension upgrades I've done to my '06 GT, but the short version is this: the full UPR Products S197 Handling Package combined with Koni Yellow dampeners has radically transformed the handling of my car. It has far more grip than ever, it's smooth and predictable at the limit, and this is all on Goodyear F1 street tires. I've been amazed by it. You can call UPR at 561.588.6630 for more information about our handling setup. Otherwise you could wait (probably next week) to see pictures of everything I've done.
www.uprproducts.com
09-13-2012, 08:04 PM
#13
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 684
Okay, there are two things going on so I'll address them separately.
First, the planted, predictable feeling of the vette is primarily due to its IRS. Remember, 16 yrs old or not, that Corvette was designed and built from the ground up to be a sports car. I've driven C4s and C5s at their limit, and they are far more predictable handling cars than stock Mustangs are. That said, you can easily make an '08 Mustang surpass the handling of a stock '96 vette.
Second, the stock suspension on our cars leaves A LOT to be desired. I'm getting ready to do a full write up on the suspension upgrades I've done to my '06 GT, but the short version is this: the full UPR Products S197 Handling Package combined with Koni Yellow dampeners has radically transformed the handling of my car. It has far more grip than ever, it's smooth and predictable at the limit, and this is all on Goodyear F1 street tires. I've been amazed by it. You can call UPR at 561.588.6630 for more information about our handling setup. Otherwise you could wait (probably next week) to see pictures of everything I've done.
www.uprproducts.com
First, the planted, predictable feeling of the vette is primarily due to its IRS. Remember, 16 yrs old or not, that Corvette was designed and built from the ground up to be a sports car. I've driven C4s and C5s at their limit, and they are far more predictable handling cars than stock Mustangs are. That said, you can easily make an '08 Mustang surpass the handling of a stock '96 vette.
Second, the stock suspension on our cars leaves A LOT to be desired. I'm getting ready to do a full write up on the suspension upgrades I've done to my '06 GT, but the short version is this: the full UPR Products S197 Handling Package combined with Koni Yellow dampeners has radically transformed the handling of my car. It has far more grip than ever, it's smooth and predictable at the limit, and this is all on Goodyear F1 street tires. I've been amazed by it. You can call UPR at 561.588.6630 for more information about our handling setup. Otherwise you could wait (probably next week) to see pictures of everything I've done.
www.uprproducts.com
09-13-2012, 08:34 PM
#15
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 81
Hey Kevin,
I think it's like those above have said. Different seating position in the Vettes & lower to the ground. Also I've noticed a totally different steering feel & ratio, & they're a different wheel base, etc etc etc.. I've driven my friends '96 Vette & also their 2001 & they don't handle as well as my '08 GT. The Vettes are just tubs with wider wheels & tires, & maybe better seats, but when they try & follow me into a 300 degree freeway entrance, (at speed) I leave them in the dust like they threw an anchor out :-).. Mine is all stock suspension so yours should handle as well as long as you don't have a lot of miles on it & the springs & shocks aren't sacked out. How many miles does yours have?? Did you have traction controll on or off? You can really power slide these GTs with it OFF :-)
Also I don't think there's that much weight difference between the '96 Vette & our S197s.
I think it's like those above have said. Different seating position in the Vettes & lower to the ground. Also I've noticed a totally different steering feel & ratio, & they're a different wheel base, etc etc etc.. I've driven my friends '96 Vette & also their 2001 & they don't handle as well as my '08 GT. The Vettes are just tubs with wider wheels & tires, & maybe better seats, but when they try & follow me into a 300 degree freeway entrance, (at speed) I leave them in the dust like they threw an anchor out :-).. Mine is all stock suspension so yours should handle as well as long as you don't have a lot of miles on it & the springs & shocks aren't sacked out. How many miles does yours have?? Did you have traction controll on or off? You can really power slide these GTs with it OFF :-)
Also I don't think there's that much weight difference between the '96 Vette & our S197s.
09-13-2012, 10:09 PM
#16
Hey Kevin,
I think it's like those above have said. Different seating position in the Vettes & lower to the ground. Also I've noticed a totally different steering feel & ratio, & they're a different wheel base, etc etc etc.. I've driven my friends '96 Vette & also their 2001 & they don't handle as well as my '08 GT. The Vettes are just tubs with wider wheels & tires, & maybe better seats, but when they try & follow me into a 300 degree freeway entrance, (at speed) I leave them in the dust like they threw an anchor out :-).. Mine is all stock suspension so yours should handle as well as long as you don't have a lot of miles on it & the springs & shocks aren't sacked out. How many miles does yours have?? Did you have traction controll on or off? You can really power slide these GTs with it OFF :-)
Also I don't think there's that much weight difference between the '96 Vette & our S197s.
I think it's like those above have said. Different seating position in the Vettes & lower to the ground. Also I've noticed a totally different steering feel & ratio, & they're a different wheel base, etc etc etc.. I've driven my friends '96 Vette & also their 2001 & they don't handle as well as my '08 GT. The Vettes are just tubs with wider wheels & tires, & maybe better seats, but when they try & follow me into a 300 degree freeway entrance, (at speed) I leave them in the dust like they threw an anchor out :-).. Mine is all stock suspension so yours should handle as well as long as you don't have a lot of miles on it & the springs & shocks aren't sacked out. How many miles does yours have?? Did you have traction controll on or off? You can really power slide these GTs with it OFF :-)
Also I don't think there's that much weight difference between the '96 Vette & our S197s.
09-13-2012, 11:13 PM
#18