Not a very stable handler...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Not a very stable handler...
I took advantage of the early thaw, and pulled the 77 out for a little spin. On the freeway, I opened her up a bit, and noticed the same thing I've noticed in the past.
At speed (greater than 85) the car really doesn't feel that stable. It has a lot of float and wanders a bit (think 78 Caddy Fleetwood). Once I hit 120, I back off for fear of awful things. When I had the engine out, I rebuilt the front end, including the idler arm. The shocks are new. The springs are new.
The rear end has an older composite spring. The alignment is spot on.
Do you all have any suggestions? Is this normal for these cars?
At speed (greater than 85) the car really doesn't feel that stable. It has a lot of float and wanders a bit (think 78 Caddy Fleetwood). Once I hit 120, I back off for fear of awful things. When I had the engine out, I rebuilt the front end, including the idler arm. The shocks are new. The springs are new.
The rear end has an older composite spring. The alignment is spot on.
Do you all have any suggestions? Is this normal for these cars?
Le Mans Master
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
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Re: Not a very stable handler... (joeveto)
That's the same thing that I've noticed every since I've owned my car, it just doesn't get any better no matter how good your front end parts are in. The things that matter are the steering components. Unless your steering gear is in perfect condition, it will feel that way. That's why some people are spending the money on Steeroids. Does it cure the problem? I don't know, maybe someone who has Steeroids will pipe in here.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Tampa Bay
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Not a very stable handler... (Smokehouse69)
While we are on this subject, how is your camber??? My alignment guy swears that my '77 should have a degree or so of positive camber. Enough that I can see the inside edges of the tires raised off the ground when the car sits in the driveway. I think that I am going to take it back to him and tell him to leave it neutral or maybe with a smidge of negative camber.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Re: Not a very stable handler... (outrunm)
The rears have negative camber. The fronts have positive, but not much. Now I'm not going by my alignment specs, when I say this. But I'm going by the way the car looks, as it's sitting there, in the garage. The alignment shop gave me a full printout of what the specs should be, where they were, and where they were after the alignment. And everything is spot on.
[Modified by joeveto, 9:49 PM 2/20/2004]
[Modified by joeveto, 9:49 PM 2/20/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Tampa Bay
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Not a very stable handler... (joeveto)
That's pretty much what i saw.. As far as the sloppiness, my steering box needs a rebuild, so I cannot tell you what the front end is supposed to feel like. I know I have white knuckles over 90MPH.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Plano TX
Re: Not a very stable handler... (outrunm)
To increase high speed stability you want some negative camber up front (about -0.2 to -0.5) and as much caster as you can get. 4-5 degrees is great if you can get it.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
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Re: Not a very stable handler... (zwede)
Tires play a big part and even more at high speeds. S speed rated tires are not very good at high speeds (better for burn - outs) :D and if you have one out of round or worn out it can get your attention very quick at 120.
My '77 has V rated Pilots and is hooked up pettry well but I don't have the raised white letters, I guess you can't have it all? :sad:
My '77 has V rated Pilots and is hooked up pettry well but I don't have the raised white letters, I guess you can't have it all? :sad:
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Not a very stable handler... (joeveto)
Do you all have any suggestions?
:cool:
PS Markus has mentioned modifing his st. for better feel, which would help some that are too light. R&P is different, not necessarily better.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Re: Not a very stable handler... (SCCACFC)
What is FE-7?
It has brand new Eagle GTII's on it. But you're right, in that the speed rating on these, I don't think, is any better than S.
After reading another post, I'm thinking the rear spring might be to blame. It is a composite spring, and strikes me as being soft. I don't know how old it is, but the rear scrapes too damn easy. If I put two people in the car, it's even worse.
So I figure, as I'm barreling down the road, the minor bumps and whatnot, are setting the rear end a bobbing. This is throwing the rest of the car off. And so my grip on the steering wheel gets tighter, as I await a grisley death.
:sad: :lolg:
I think the spring has to go. :yesnod:
[Modified by joeveto, 10:01 AM 2/21/2004]
It has brand new Eagle GTII's on it. But you're right, in that the speed rating on these, I don't think, is any better than S.
After reading another post, I'm thinking the rear spring might be to blame. It is a composite spring, and strikes me as being soft. I don't know how old it is, but the rear scrapes too damn easy. If I put two people in the car, it's even worse.
So I figure, as I'm barreling down the road, the minor bumps and whatnot, are setting the rear end a bobbing. This is throwing the rest of the car off. And so my grip on the steering wheel gets tighter, as I await a grisley death.
:sad: :lolg:
I think the spring has to go. :yesnod:
[Modified by joeveto, 10:01 AM 2/21/2004]
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Not a very stable handler... (joeveto)
FE-7 is the optional high performance suspension w/ higher rate springs, larger ft. sway bar & a rear sway bar. FYI, Duntov carried out chassis refinement at 100 mph.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Re: Not a very stable handler... (Ganey)
FE-7 is the optional high performance suspension w/ higher rate springs, larger ft. sway bar & a rear sway bar. FYI, Duntov carried out chassis refinement at 100 mph.
Or do you mean these cars can easily do a lot more?
Race Director
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Not a very stable handler... (joeveto)
Of course they can do much more. For a long time, for ex., ever heard of the factory L-88? Top speed 180+ mph, depending on rear gears. They thought the high performance suspension was too much for the street until the special rubber body mounts, which you have.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: San Jose California
Re: Not a very stable handler... (zwede)
Just be aware that according to Duntov a stock bodied C3 blows the hood off at 200mph. :lol:
Chuck