Handling question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 312
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From: Sacramento CA.
Handling question
Ok Guys & Gals, I need some help. My wife is thinking about a late C4 for her daily driver. I have heard some horror stories about the handling characteristics of C4’s in the rain. What’s up? I have a ’90 ZR1 that I drive rain or shine, and haven’t noticed any problems in the rain. Is there that much difference in handling between the standard C4 and the ZR1? 
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Vette 4 the wife
Try to find an '88-89 with the Z52 suspension package. A nice one should run you in the $7-9k range unless it's a 35th or exotic. You get the fast ratio steering, 17 wheels and other goodies without the harshness of the Z51 package. I like the Z51 feel, but couldn't locate one when I was looking. The 52 is a great in-between. If you find an '88 with the 17" wheels like mine, it's likely a Z52 unless someone added the wheels and spacers later. All '89s have the 17 inchers so it'll involve looking at the RPO sticker under the console. I drove my neighbors '86 without the Z52 and couldn't believe the difference in handling, or should I say lack there of compared to mine with it. Keep looking, and good luck! 
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
There should be no problem with a later (or most any) C4 in the rain if the suspension's in good shape. Mostly it comes down to having the proper tires for wet conditions. There are many good and suitable tires made for these that offer very good wet road performance.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If the suspension is in good condition and the alignment is set properly, there should be no real issues with handling in any weather except for possibly snow or ice.
Tires do play a big role in handling along with proper inflation pressures and tread depth. There are some excellent tires available that will provide handling and ride comfort for any C4.
The base FE1 suspension is going to give the best ride quality and the later cars are much softer (in terms of spring and shock stiffness) compared to the earlier C4 years. While the upgraded suspensions do improve handling, ride quality can suffer. The Z52 package is a good compromise over the base suspension (RPO Z52 went away after the 1988 car) and Z51 is somewhat harsher but will offer much improved handling.
The 95 and 96 base suspensions are probably the softest of all but the handling and performance is still there. The FX3 Selective Ride Control package was available beginning with the 1989 car and the "Tour" setting provides a comfortable ride but the system can be very expensive to repair.
For a daily driver car, I would recommend looking at the 92 and later cars with the base suspension.
Tires do play a big role in handling along with proper inflation pressures and tread depth. There are some excellent tires available that will provide handling and ride comfort for any C4.
The base FE1 suspension is going to give the best ride quality and the later cars are much softer (in terms of spring and shock stiffness) compared to the earlier C4 years. While the upgraded suspensions do improve handling, ride quality can suffer. The Z52 package is a good compromise over the base suspension (RPO Z52 went away after the 1988 car) and Z51 is somewhat harsher but will offer much improved handling.
The 95 and 96 base suspensions are probably the softest of all but the handling and performance is still there. The FX3 Selective Ride Control package was available beginning with the 1989 car and the "Tour" setting provides a comfortable ride but the system can be very expensive to repair.
For a daily driver car, I would recommend looking at the 92 and later cars with the base suspension.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 231
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From: Billings Montana
Tire, Tires, Tires are the most important thing on C4 in the rain. If you can get a late one with traction control even better. I had a 91' I put Firestone SZ 50 tires on it and could go 70mph in the rain with no problem . I have a 95' now with Kumo tires and with traction control and it is my daily driver, even drive it in the snow occasionaly, not a good idea, as the tires are so wide that they slip so much that the traction control is going off all the time.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I agree completely with CKid. If you put on el cheapo tires and expect it to work well in the rain, you're just kidding yourself. And some people do.
If you put on ultimate, dry weather (summer tires) and expect it to handle great in the rain, same as above, with some exceptions (tires that can handle fair or slightly better in the rain and give superior dry weather perf).
If you find the best of dry with a high capability to work very well in the rain, you will not have that problem. It's simple but it will be costly.
Take a look at Car and Driver's February issue which has a tire comparo. It tells the tale.
If you put on ultimate, dry weather (summer tires) and expect it to handle great in the rain, same as above, with some exceptions (tires that can handle fair or slightly better in the rain and give superior dry weather perf).
If you find the best of dry with a high capability to work very well in the rain, you will not have that problem. It's simple but it will be costly.
Take a look at Car and Driver's February issue which has a tire comparo. It tells the tale.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 312
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From: Sacramento CA.
Thanks for the input. That’s kinda what I thought. Good tires sounds like a key factor. I’ve got the Goodyear GS D3’s on my car and no problems wet or dry. We must not forget the “nut behind the wheel” (don’t tell her I said that) 
So, no mater what she gets a new set of Goodyear’s will be in order before winter. Thanks also for the thoughts on the Z52 package, I think she will appreciate the softer ride. 
So, no mater what she gets a new set of Goodyear’s will be in order before winter. Thanks also for the thoughts on the Z52 package, I think she will appreciate the softer ride.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
I am a new '89 owner with Z51 PHP. I like the way it handles. I have Michelin Radials with only 4K on them and they seem fine on wet roads. On dry roads this Z51 is kick ***!
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
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From: sw Ohio
I drive rain or shine on Kuhmo Supra 712's which are made for dry weather. I have to be very careful not to drive aggressively, but they handle just fine other than that. Your better off getting an all season tire if its not going to be driven fast.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
If you go to tirerack.com, you can get all kinds of good info on various tires, wet/dry ratings, etc. There's a link at the left of the page. It's a very informative site.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid
If you go to tirerack.com, you can get all kinds of good info on various tires, wet/dry ratings, etc. There's a link at the left of the page. It's a very informative site.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
I agree. But if you buy a Corvette and put on GS-D3s from everything I've heard about them you won't be going wrong at all. Still, tirerack's site has a wealth of information, not to mention their own testing of tires.
I've heard nothing but good about these and they're probably what I'll put on the front the next time I buy new. I have the Supercars up there right now and GS-D3 is supposed to be nearly their equal in the dry as well as being a good wet tire and longer lasting.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,702
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From: Woodinville, WA
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid
If you go to tirerack.com, you can get all kinds of good info on various tires, wet/dry ratings, etc. There's a link at the left of the page. It's a very informative site.
I also have a set of Eagle F1 GS-D3s on my car right now, and I couldnt be happier! Quiet, grippy, smooth, and handle like a dream around corners- Id recommend them to anyone.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 617
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From: Loudon, TN
The 90 I owned had new Dayton Daytonas on it. The 93 I have now came with new Kumho MX's and both handled well in the rain. Tires are what give you the rain handling capabilty, suspension has nothing to do with it. Common sense also plays a great part in safe driving during the rain. I'll run pedal to the metal in the rain as long as I have the visibilty but I don't run that fast into standing water and inch or better deep on the roadway. No tire is going to compensate for that. As was suggested, read the ratings and reviews on Tire Rack and use that info to make your decision.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 452
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From: The Dark Side of the Moon
My 93 runs great in the rain. Traction control on mine has kicked in sometimes but it always seems premature. I saw a video where some English guy complained about it but it's not true for me. I have Kumho tires and they have probably 40,000 miles and the car still sticks in the wet. It's all good!