How hard should you drive?
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Joined: Oct 2001
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How hard should you drive?
I'm a non-technical rookie who just bought his first Vette last Oct and am joining NCRS. My '71 has 100,533mi on it and has never been rebuilt. Everything is original and a friend just tuned it for me (advanced it to 34 and changed the springs?) to get the most out of it. In short, the car runs excellent and seems to like being put through its paces (never complains). I enjoy running it through the gears in the city but really don't take on the highway much.
Some say I should baby it while another friend of mine who collects hot rods says run the **** out of it.
Who's right? Both? How do you guys drive?
I'm tired of feeling guilty if I step on it.
Some say I should baby it while another friend of mine who collects hot rods says run the **** out of it.
Who's right? Both? How do you guys drive?
I'm tired of feeling guilty if I step on it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 866
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From: Peabody,MA,USA
Re: How hard should you drive? (Alwyn678)
I drive my car hard but I don't drive it like I just stole it. Avoid spinning your tires over pot holes and around corners. Vettes are built tough and can take abuse. I spin my tires shifting gears all the time.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
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From: Orange Park Florida
Re: How hard should you drive? (ridadyna)
I dunno, but I got tired of buying tires, so I don't spin them but maybe 2x a year, if that.....I do corner well, but not crazy like some....I do make runs to 120+ mph though about once a week, entrance ramps to freeway, then slow down....no need to temp the devil and go apepoopie.....
GENE
GENE
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Wildwood IL
Re: How hard should you drive? (ridadyna)
When I get on it... it yells for me to "GET OFF". My car is a stock L-48, so there is nothing to "ROD" with. You can time it in the 1/4 with an hour glass. I do drive like an old lady most of the time, but do jump on her now and then. Cause like Alwyn said... If you break it.."YOU" gott-a fix it :smash: :smash:
My Formula is a different story..... pedal to the metal.... OH YEAH :D
My Formula is a different story..... pedal to the metal.... OH YEAH :D
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
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Re: How hard should you drive? (ridadyna)
I was wondering the same thing. I don't spin the tires much, but just about every light or straight away, I'm mashing the pedal to the floor. Between the sound of the pipes and the torque pinning me to the seat, It's just way too fun not to. If I wanted a tamer drive, I wouldn't have gotten a Corvette.
I haven't seen any signs of my 'vette complaing, which is pretty cool for a 32 year old engine.
I'd say proper maintenance is the key to letting you see the signs that you're pushing it too hard before you find out the hard way.
:cheers:
Tom
I haven't seen any signs of my 'vette complaing, which is pretty cool for a 32 year old engine.
I'd say proper maintenance is the key to letting you see the signs that you're pushing it too hard before you find out the hard way.
:cheers:
Tom
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Palatine IL
Re: How hard should you drive? (ridadyna)
It depends on my mood. Some days I baby it and some days I beat the **** out of it. I also built it so I know what it can take. Before I rebuilt everything I was worried that something was going to fly off it when I drove hard. Nothing ever did! :)
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Plantation FL
Re: How hard should you drive? (ridadyna)
Sounds like you have a good original car there. Dont beat on it too much...it will last much longer....not to mention lessening your chances of destroying it or someone elses car. V8's like to run though. Get it on a highway once in a while & get it going (carefully)....stop & go city driving is tougher on a car/engine.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: NorCal
Re: How hard should you drive? (ridadyna)
I'm kinda in between. I drive mine hard, but not right up to the redline, no tire squealing (well, only what a big block does naturally :D ), and easy on the clutch. I do hammer the brakes.
Hans
Hans
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Re: How hard should you drive? (SteveA)
I generally don't sit and spin at lights, but almost always take corners hard while I'm in motion.
The only thing that's irritating about getting on the highway is getting kinda stuck in the ruts that form on the road due to wear and tear. I never feel stable in those because I don't feel I have alot of control due to the inherent loose stearing of that era.
The only thing that's irritating about getting on the highway is getting kinda stuck in the ruts that form on the road due to wear and tear. I never feel stable in those because I don't feel I have alot of control due to the inherent loose stearing of that era.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Maple
Re: How hard should you drive? (ridadyna)
well i havent had the chance to drive this one yet, but my 73 BB i had for 4 years and once i got used to the car i would hit it every time i drove it. between the sound of the big block and the torque it was hard not to punch it a few times while you were driving...
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Pflugerville/ Colllege Station TX
Re: How hard should you drive? (1bad69)
If you like to drive hard drive hard thats what it was built for just be prepared to fix anything that breaks. I drive the **** out of mine at the track and take it a little easier on the street.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Re: How hard should you drive? (Jester69Stingray)
I drive the hell out of it on the track. 6500+ rpm shifts all the time. If I break something I fix it. I take it a little easier on the streets for safety sake.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Clymer PA
Re: How hard should you drive? (ridadyna)
I drove mine pretty hard with the small block, I have a feeling that I will be taking it easy for a while with the big block.
As most have already said, if you drive it hard you had better be prepared to fix what ever breaks.
As most have already said, if you drive it hard you had better be prepared to fix what ever breaks.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Middletown Connecticut
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: How hard should you drive? (bence13_33)
i drove mine like i stole it. . . too many times in the triple didgets, burnouts, hard launches and street racing. but now that i realize how much these cars are to fix..I simply enjoy profiling (especially with the new paint going on in a month) with a little bit of 'gas' every now and then...
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: How hard should you drive? (Corzvette69)
I can't help but put my foot into it. It's just soooo much fun. I usually shift higher at the track than I do on the street but I have been known to take it to redline on the street occasionally. Like I said, it's a lot of fun. Of course, I've been known to baby it a little too, but not as much as I drive it hard.
Safety Car
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From: Carbondale Pa.
Re: How hard should you drive? (Corzvette69)
Depends how mechanically inclined ya are, last time I got on mine hard a rear
half-shaft u-joint broke when I shifted out of first into second, that was exciting, :yesnod:, Peace Moosie
half-shaft u-joint broke when I shifted out of first into second, that was exciting, :yesnod:, Peace Moosie