Probably a stupid question, but...
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Newfoundland Pa.
Probably a stupid question, but...
Hi. I'm relatively new to forum (read a lot but don't post much).
I have an 87, A4, 2.73 rear, cat back exhhaust.
I like the way my car rides(handling/acceleration).
I like the low/mid range torque.
My question is, should I be able to spin the tires just by "flooring it"?
Of course it will smoke em from a power brake, but when I just nail it from a dead stop...not even a chirp.
I know my car is stock but I was just wondering if it is lacking performance somewhere that I can check into.
I see that so many forum members have trouble "hooking up" at the track, and sometimes go with drag tires for better traction.
I didn't want this question to sound too stupid...but I was just curious.
Thanx
I have an 87, A4, 2.73 rear, cat back exhhaust.
I like the way my car rides(handling/acceleration).
I like the low/mid range torque.
My question is, should I be able to spin the tires just by "flooring it"?
Of course it will smoke em from a power brake, but when I just nail it from a dead stop...not even a chirp.
I know my car is stock but I was just wondering if it is lacking performance somewhere that I can check into.
I see that so many forum members have trouble "hooking up" at the track, and sometimes go with drag tires for better traction.
I didn't want this question to sound too stupid...but I was just curious.
Thanx
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by 87l98vert
I didn't want this question to sound too stupid...
RACE ON!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 7
From: Kanata ON.
Originally Posted by bogus
there is torque... but there is also a lot of tire...
BUT I have an 88, auto, vert and if I stomp on it from a dead stop it don't go nowhere and that's with 315's on the back and no brake peadal, but lots of smoke from the tires! 
Way to much fun!
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
My 87 will spin the tires when I stomp on it but there was a time when it would not.
Turned out my timing was off by quite a bit. I think a mechanic set it without disconnecting the est wire.
I bought a timing light (and many other tools) and don't let anyone else tinker with it unless it's something I just can't do myself.
I have the 3.07 gears, this may make a difference as well.
Depending on the catback you have you should be running a little more power than stock and your tires should spin.
Turned out my timing was off by quite a bit. I think a mechanic set it without disconnecting the est wire.
I bought a timing light (and many other tools) and don't let anyone else tinker with it unless it's something I just can't do myself.
I have the 3.07 gears, this may make a difference as well.
Depending on the catback you have you should be running a little more power than stock and your tires should spin.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati Oh
the gears are hurting your ability to spin the tires.
numerically small gears combined with a low-stall converter means the engine starts putting it's power to the ground at around 1500 rpm or so (stock) - even with the corvette's natural torque advantage, this is not good for smoking tires given the gearing and stall.
I'll bet you're in the ballpark of normal power output, as my 84 with 3.07 gears and 300+ ft-lbs of torque would not readily spin the wheels. Now add in an aftermarket converter and other goodies, and it's not so much a problem anymore... lol.
In a way, no spin is a good thing - you'll accelerate somewhat more quickly.
numerically small gears combined with a low-stall converter means the engine starts putting it's power to the ground at around 1500 rpm or so (stock) - even with the corvette's natural torque advantage, this is not good for smoking tires given the gearing and stall.
I'll bet you're in the ballpark of normal power output, as my 84 with 3.07 gears and 300+ ft-lbs of torque would not readily spin the wheels. Now add in an aftermarket converter and other goodies, and it's not so much a problem anymore... lol.
In a way, no spin is a good thing - you'll accelerate somewhat more quickly.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
Too many variables. There is no firm answer. Take it to the track and compare your results with all the reading you have done here on the forum.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
Too many variables. ...
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
6 years later......with the original gaterback tires.......still a bone, and I mean bone stock engine the car was almost scarry to drive...the tires would spin so easily.....and tread depth they were not anywhere near bald.......but the rubber was obviously old and hard.....
So I agree too many variables.......but the biggy is tires & the surface conditions
So the fact you don't spin the tires is probably an indication of good tire traction.......rather than poor engine performance, but??????
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 295
Likes: 3
From: Newton NJ
I have an 87 with the same rear ratio as yours and I can barely get the tires to come loose on new tires. With the old worn gatorbacks she would smoke like a monster from a stand still. Probally why I needed to buy new tires 
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
Originally Posted by LT4BUD
When my '89 L98 with 3.07 perforance axle was new I could usually go WOT with little or no tire spin....maybe a chirp....even on wet pavement
6 years later......with the original gaterback tires.......still a bone, and I mean bone stock engine the car was almost scarry to drive...the tires would spin so easily.....and tread depth they were not anywhere near bald.......but the rubber was obviously old and hard.....
So I agree too many variables.......but the biggy is tires & the surface conditions
So the fact you don't spin the tires is probably an indication of good tire traction.......rather than poor engine performance, but??????
6 years later......with the original gaterback tires.......still a bone, and I mean bone stock engine the car was almost scarry to drive...the tires would spin so easily.....and tread depth they were not anywhere near bald.......but the rubber was obviously old and hard.....
So I agree too many variables.......but the biggy is tires & the surface conditions
So the fact you don't spin the tires is probably an indication of good tire traction.......rather than poor engine performance, but??????
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,002
Likes: 5
From: No Opti Here Tn
St. Jude Donor '06
Based on my 86 coupe and what you posted Id bet the axle ratio combined with the Auto is the reason
Put in a higher stall and a rear gear and I bet there would be a huge difference
Then you might try.....
Put in a higher stall and a rear gear and I bet there would be a huge difference
Then you might try.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Originally Posted by 87l98vert
My question is, should I be able to spin the tires just by "flooring it"? Of course it will smoke em from a power brake, but when I just nail it from a dead stop...not even a chirp.
I know my car is stock but I was just wondering if it is lacking performance somewhere that I can check into.
I know my car is stock but I was just wondering if it is lacking performance somewhere that I can check into.
1.) Stock Torque Converter = 1400rpm
2.) Stock Gear Ratio = 2.73's
If you go from DEAD idle to 100% WOT instantly, it SHOULD be able to spin the tires, not like go-up-in-smoke spin, but decently give you the "fishtail" feel. In my 87, when it was 100% stock, it would only give me a slight spin from dead idle, and I have 3.07 gears! Don't worry about it man! It really comes down to the torque converter/gears/tires...change those three variables and you'll get spin...not that that's so much a GOOD thing, but it sure is fun
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
Quote:
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
Too many variables. There is no firm answer. Take it to the track and compare your results with all the reading you have done here on the forum.
RACE ON!!!
See what I mean???
RACE ON!!!
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
Too many variables. There is no firm answer. Take it to the track and compare your results with all the reading you have done here on the forum.
RACE ON!!!
See what I mean???
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!