Suspension / Handling Questons.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
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From: Santee CA
I agree as well, stock Vettes handle nicely...Provided everything's up to snuff and in good condition.
My mom used to love driving the old C4 we had; she'd take flat right hand corners, like those at a stop light or intersection, at 30-40 mph like it was nothing. Car ate 'em up.
I'm hoping that when we get the suspension redone on our '74, that it'll handle as well as that...
My mom used to love driving the old C4 we had; she'd take flat right hand corners, like those at a stop light or intersection, at 30-40 mph like it was nothing. Car ate 'em up.
I'm hoping that when we get the suspension redone on our '74, that it'll handle as well as that...
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 30
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A 40 year old design is good as long as it has good tires? A rack and pinion steering modification is the best improvement for handling? The rack affects steering quality, not handling. Moms are the best test drivers for sports car handling comparisons? I see the booze is getting around this weekend. Drink in moderation, fellow C3ers!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Originally Posted by Breezer
A 40 year old design is good as long as it has good tires?
Oh, you forgot to include good shocks....
Last edited by GDaina; Mar 4, 2006 at 11:25 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 64
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From: Durham NC
Originally Posted by Doug S
Now to my questions:
I’ve never owner a convertible Vette’ do they handle the same as a coupe?
Are the suspensions the same between the older 68-72 cars and the later 78-82 cars?
Would either car handle the same?
Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks.
My handling sucked when I bought it - but I am rebuilding everything underneath this winter.
The only thing I can say is I get a S*** Eatin' grin every time I fire up my '68 and take it for a spin. There is something about the bumper cars that just can't be explained.........
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by Breezer
A 40 year old design is good as long as it has good tires? A rack and pinion steering modification is the best improvement for handling? The rack affects steering quality, not handling. Moms are the best test drivers for sports car handling comparisons? I see the booze is getting around this weekend. Drink in moderation, fellow C3ers!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Originally Posted by rihwoods
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
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Originally Posted by GDaina
The newb knows that the c5/c6 handles better than the c2/c3...maybe the newb is comparing the handling characteristics of the C2/C3 to the C5/C6, in that case, the newb should lay off the sauce...
Last edited by rihwoods; Mar 5, 2006 at 12:20 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,267
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From: Somewhere between here and there...
Originally Posted by Doug S
Thanks for all the feedback.
What suspension upgrades does everyone recommend?
What suspension upgrades does everyone recommend?
I had it done years ago, went with Energy poly bushings on all 4 corners, and got rid of the stock sway bars for smaller diameter solid ones, replaced the trailering arms, koni adjustables shocks this is a strickly track/ autocross car and slapped some negative camber in the rear handles well. In '96 when it was done cost about 2.5k
Last edited by sasnglass77; Mar 5, 2006 at 05:15 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by GDaina
The newb knows that the c5/c6 handles better than the c2/c3...maybe the newb is comparing the handling characteristics of the C2/C3 to the C5/C6, in that case, the newb should lay off the sauce...
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Originally Posted by Breezer
When somebody says that the C3 corvettes are great handling cars, how is that evaluated?
If a car was deemed a great handling 40 years ago, it is till a great handing car 40 years later, just that the new generation Corvettes, due to technological advances handle better...as the saying goes, a leopard does not change his spots...kapish?
I can still take the corner flat, just as I did in '69, just not as fast as the C4-C6.
That said, I stand by my original statement, technological advances in tire design and compound and advances in shock design WILL, I repeat, WILL improve the handling of the C3.
Are we on the same page now?
Originally Posted by Breezer
Are you merely saying that they handle very well compared to other 40 year old cars? If so, you should clarify that. Otherwise, a newbie might think you are either drunk or insane.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by Breezer
A 40 year old design is good as long as it has good tires? A rack and pinion steering modification is the best improvement for handling? The rack affects steering quality, not handling. Moms are the best test drivers for sports car handling comparisons? I see the booze is getting around this weekend. Drink in moderation, fellow C3ers!
I've been saying all along steeroids does nothing for handling. Just give those with weak stomachs steadier straight line steering.
It takes a lot of moxey to make these cars run with newer cars. Those who are blind to that trivalize those accomplishments and i think that's sad.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 30
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Originally Posted by GDaina
The same way the C4, C5, and C6 were evaluated. Time does not change how a car's performance is evaluated. Nor does time decrease that car's potential performance either. Time does, however, decay the rubber suspension bushings.
If a car was deemed a great handling 40 years ago, it is till a great handing car 40 years later, just that the new generation Corvettes, due to technological advances handle better...as the saying goes, a leopard does not change his spots...kapish?
I can still take the corner flat, just as I did in '69, just not as fast as the C4-C6.
That said, I stand by my original statement, technological advances in tire design and compound and advances in shock design WILL, I repeat, WILL improve the handling of the C3.
Are we on the same page now?
The newb, who compares the old to the new is insane and drunk, and should lay off the crack pipe. A kindergarden child knows better. You should compare each generation on their own merits.
If a car was deemed a great handling 40 years ago, it is till a great handing car 40 years later, just that the new generation Corvettes, due to technological advances handle better...as the saying goes, a leopard does not change his spots...kapish?
I can still take the corner flat, just as I did in '69, just not as fast as the C4-C6.
That said, I stand by my original statement, technological advances in tire design and compound and advances in shock design WILL, I repeat, WILL improve the handling of the C3.
Are we on the same page now?
The newb, who compares the old to the new is insane and drunk, and should lay off the crack pipe. A kindergarden child knows better. You should compare each generation on their own merits.
I guess the handling is all a matter of perspective. What you are saying is that the C3's handle well for their time but not compared to a C5 or C6. Got ya! Of course those mods will improve handling but not necessarily make a C3 a great handling car. Much more is needed to accomplish that, by today's standards. After all, we are in the year 2006 and in my opinion a "great handling car" should be able to out-handle most other cars on the road, or it is not great. A set of shocks and good tires isn't going to do it for a C3. Of course it will help. Maybe you should have just said that those mods will help but saying that they will make it handle like it is on rails is a bit inaccurate in my opinion.
Last edited by Breezer; Mar 5, 2006 at 05:17 PM.
Race Director
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Originally Posted by Breezer
Do kindergarten kids learn how to spell the grade that they are in? While the newb has been busy comparing the handling of old vs. new, the old goat was not studying fundamentals of the english language like he should have been.
Why else would you bring up my diction? My use of the English language has nothing to do with this thread...besides, this is the internet, not a Doctoral Thesis.... Regarding our beliefs, we agree to disagree...it's ok if you think the C3's are a crap of a handling car...me..I know better...I own one that hangs on rails on a curve..Rack and pionion? I could not offer a opinion...haven't driven a C3, nor do I plan on installing the rack on mine..the manual steering is tight and suits my driving style just fine...
Oh, newb, just to let you know, English is not my primary language. I'm a transplanted D.P...... I wonder how you'd fare conversing in my native tongue...I'd wager your diction would be far from perfect....
One more thing, newb...take a look at the video just posted...that said..adios...there is nothing else to say...it's all in the video...
Last edited by GDaina; Mar 5, 2006 at 10:01 PM.