Can't burn rubber
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Beach FL
Can't burn rubber
Back in June I bought a '73 that needed some engine work. I had a bunch of stuff done including a new cam and carb (Edelbrock 600) and now I can't even burn rubber. As this is my first vette and the engine was limping when I bought it I am not even sure if I SHOULD be able to but it seems strange. BTW - it's a SB auto. Any ideas???? :crazy:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 10,073
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Re: Can't burn rubber (Mystery Machine)
If you have an L-48 with a TH400 and 3.08s with the factory stall, the only way you be spinning wheels is in the rain! :lol: :lol:
Don't despair. The independent rear will not spin like solid axle cars. My car is putting out 300hp and I can get just enough spin to keep me from complaining. :yesnod:
Don't despair. The independent rear will not spin like solid axle cars. My car is putting out 300hp and I can get just enough spin to keep me from complaining. :yesnod:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 10,073
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Re: Can't burn rubber (SuperFast80)
Sorry, didn't read 'cam'. The cam, whatever it is would make power much higher in the rpm range than the factory L48. You sacrificed low-end torque for real high end power. Happens to all of us.
Gears or higher stall is the solution. I did both.
Gears or higher stall is the solution. I did both.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Beach FL
Re: Can't burn rubber (SuperFast80)
Seriously??? I THINK everything is stock as far as gears and the cam is nothing special (GM 262 I think). Well, I guess I should be satisfied that she runs well and doesn't leak anything!!! Still kind of a bummer though, I guess drag racing isn't in her future! :lol:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Can't burn rubber (Mystery Machine)
You cam proably get her to spin, if you hold the brake and torque the drive train up.
A couple thousand RPM should do - then lift the brake and drop the pedal.
A shift kit will make your car more fun, but beware of 'kitting' an old worn tranny.
I rebuilt my TH400 - set for street/strip shifting. The 100k mile L48 was really fun after that!! :yesnod: w/3.08 gears
Good luck.
:seeya
[Modified by Daves_rusty_75, 9:21 PM 8/16/2002]
A couple thousand RPM should do - then lift the brake and drop the pedal.
A shift kit will make your car more fun, but beware of 'kitting' an old worn tranny.
I rebuilt my TH400 - set for street/strip shifting. The 100k mile L48 was really fun after that!! :yesnod: w/3.08 gears
Good luck.
:seeya
[Modified by Daves_rusty_75, 9:21 PM 8/16/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,700
Likes: 3
From: Lebanon KY
Re: Can't burn rubber (Daves_rusty_75)
You and me both. My L-81 won't do nothing unless the wheels are turned and I floor it :lol: I'm getting ready to install a 200R4 tranny, and a 327. She might do something then.
BTW, I just got off work about an hour ago and on my way home I saw my buddy in his 96 Z28. I asked him if she'd spin tires. His only reply is, "Are you kidding? She's stock!" About that time I couldn't see anything from all the smoke :D Same with my friend with an 88 Firebird. He can power brake it till the tires are gone. Only if I could do that :(
BTW, I just got off work about an hour ago and on my way home I saw my buddy in his 96 Z28. I asked him if she'd spin tires. His only reply is, "Are you kidding? She's stock!" About that time I couldn't see anything from all the smoke :D Same with my friend with an 88 Firebird. He can power brake it till the tires are gone. Only if I could do that :(
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Can't burn rubber (corvettemaster)
Vettes have awesome traction. I have 500 ft lbs and it really hooks well!
I can spin them but the car is MOVING so pretty soon it not spinning anymore.
F-bodys are so light in the rear they can spin all day long, big deal:U
I can spin them but the car is MOVING so pretty soon it not spinning anymore.
F-bodys are so light in the rear they can spin all day long, big deal:U
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Re: Can't burn rubber (Mystery Machine)
you have no idea how good this makes me feel!
the only way i got mine to spin with 3.55s was with no bumpers or doors, and they barely spun, i hated this because i speant $4000 on a race motor (which i now know means forged everything :mad) im up in denver which sucks for power, and i stall at about 1400 rpm-no joke. i plan on doing a 2400-2800 stall so i shouldnt have any problem. also i have 4.11s in it and it spins em decently now.
i always blamed it on IRS and great rear brakes. i have about 300-325 horsepower (guesstimate) i cant wait till i get my LS1(6) and 6-speed!
the only way i got mine to spin with 3.55s was with no bumpers or doors, and they barely spun, i hated this because i speant $4000 on a race motor (which i now know means forged everything :mad) im up in denver which sucks for power, and i stall at about 1400 rpm-no joke. i plan on doing a 2400-2800 stall so i shouldnt have any problem. also i have 4.11s in it and it spins em decently now.
i always blamed it on IRS and great rear brakes. i have about 300-325 horsepower (guesstimate) i cant wait till i get my LS1(6) and 6-speed!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: La Jolla California
Re: Can't burn rubber ('79ProwlerOrange)
I start to spin mine around 1500 RPM or so powerbraking. If I just gas it from a stop I'd spin them into the next lane. You guys are starting out in 1st, right? :D I'm guessing the 383, 2500 stall, and 3.55 rear end help out a little.. ;)
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Palm City Fl
Re: Can't burn rubber (Mystery Machine)
2 things here. 1. The Vette L48 isn't bubbling with torque so the best way to spin the tires is to power-brake to get them started. Have the trans in low (or first ) only. Try it on asphalt as well as on concrete roads. 2. The Vette does hook up pretty well and this is a GOOD thing. :yesnod: When you start putting down some more power you will be thankful. And the F-bodied people will get more frustated.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Re: Can't burn rubber (Langadorf)
If you have a 2500rpm stall how are you spinning them at 1500rpm? are you letting off the brake at 1500? if you have a 2500 stall and its stalling out at 1500, you may have been screwed. or your converter is bad.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: La Jolla California
Re: Can't burn rubber ('79ProwlerOrange)
Brake stall, flash stall, and true stall are very different things. When you are powerbraking a car, you'll typically overpower your rear brakes (= spinning tires since front wheel brakes are still holding) before you reach your true stall speed. I tend to start overpowering my brakes (depending on brake pad condition, traction, etc.) around 1500 - 1700 RPM. The converter is rated at 2500RPM stall, and if I am rolling at low RPM and floor it, it jumps within a couple hundred RPM of that level (can be kinda hard to tell it happens so fast). The only real way to determine true stall for a given application is to have a transbrake installed and rev the motor as high as it'll go - that RPM would be your true stall.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: Can't burn rubber (Langadorf)
I start to spin mine around 1500 RPM or so powerbraking. If I just gas it from a stop I'd spin them into the next lane. You guys are starting out in 1st, right? :D I'm guessing the 383, 2500 stall, and 3.55 rear end help out a little.. ;)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
From: Madison MS
Re: Can't burn rubber (SuperFast80)
If you have an L-48 with a TH400 and 3.08s with the factory stall, the only way you be spinning wheels is in the rain! :lol: :lol:
So lay off the poor L-48 :D :D :D
dl
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 10,073
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Re: Can't burn rubber (dladd74roadster)
Yeah but with a 225/70/15 tire (I assume), you have a pretty small footprint! :yesnod: I could do it with my stcok '76 and 225s, but the 255/60/15s were a diffrent story. :lol:
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,681
Likes: 200
From: Waterford Mi
Re: Can't burn rubber (SuperFast80)
I believe it has all been said but don't forget you have to over come the rear disk brakes when brake torquing it. Mine will brake the tires loose if I am starting out in a turn but if it is straight I have to brake torque it up to about 1300-1500 rpm's to burn rubber. It also works alot better if the engine compartment is still cool. 90* day's, forget it. 0-60 times are not very good (7.5-8.0 sec.) Changing to Performer Heads this fall.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Re: Can't burn rubber (redwingvette)
i have a new comment related to this topic. i have a friend who hasnt had a ride in the vette since i put the 4.11s in so i took him for a ride in it. at a dead stop i start power braking it. we hear tires squealing a little and smell rubber and assumed it was a normal burnout. but i went back and there was only one tire track. with 4.11 posi, one tire track should be impossible. the damn car was pushing its self with the front brakes locked! who ever said vettes lock up was defineatly right. i have 255/60R15 rear tires and 235/60R15 front. if i had my 225/70r15 tirs on it still, there would be no problems smoking em bare. i actually still have all 4 tires because i plan on taking pics of me smoking em, and i wouldnt want to use my good tires for that! :nono: :lol:
