C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

lateral g-force (stock c4)

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Old Jan 8, 2007 | 09:15 PM
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Default lateral g-force (stock c4)

does anyone have the numbers on the lateral g-force of a stock c4. I'm not aware of any suspension changes through the 84-96 years. I'm more curiuos about my 86 if that is the case. I've searched the forum and google with no luck. I've only managed to find 1.3g's for the zr-1.

appreciate the help
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Old Jan 8, 2007 | 09:23 PM
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A quote taken from a book I've got called "Chassis Engineering" by former GM engineer Herb Adams: "A typical late-model stock Corvette can corner at .84 g's, a very respectable figure." The book came out in '93 so surely he is referring to the C4.
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Old Jan 8, 2007 | 09:42 PM
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thanks. it's ironic you have a mustang as your pic. i asked because i was curious if the c4's handle better than a 2000 mustang gt. a buddy of mine has the mustang and of course swears by it and thinks nothing is better about his ford (including handling) than my vette.
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Old Jan 8, 2007 | 09:52 PM
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My '88 with Z52 option was rated at '87g on the skid pad; I think earlier C4s were rated at .89g.
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Old Jan 8, 2007 | 09:58 PM
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ya, i do remember reading about the stiffness of the 84-85 stiffness being harder than the later years. apparently it was just too uncomfortable for gm to continue to manufacture and appeal to people looking for a semi-comfortable drive.
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Old Jan 8, 2007 | 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by bill83c4
ya, i do remember reading about the stiffness of the 84-85 stiffness being harder than the later years. apparently it was just too uncomfortable for gm to continue to manufacture and appeal to people looking for a semi-comfortable drive.
, but my '84 rides good
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Old Jan 8, 2007 | 10:50 PM
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The ZR-1 will not do 1.3 G's, at least not on street tires. What is your source?

Lateral G ratings on these cars are deceiving, as very minor changes can increase it to 1.0G on the skidpad, yet the car can never sustain that in the real world where road imperfections will upset the ultra stiff suspension and throw you off the cliff.
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Old Jan 8, 2007 | 11:57 PM
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Heh, mine hit .977 on the skid pad with Goodyear Supercar tires!

But it wasn't stock...

If I had my Car and Driver magazine collection available I would quote you some numbers. The rating fell as the years went by...soft ride as was already stated.

Certainly someone has an old magazine available...

Last edited by No Go; Jan 12, 2007 at 03:44 PM.
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Old Jan 9, 2007 | 12:13 AM
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This site lists ZR-1 specs from '89 to '95.

The figures range from a low of 0.87 in 1990 to a high of 1.0 in 1994.

I seem to remember the base coupe in 1994 was .94.

I am totally guessing that my '94 Z07 car is somewhere near and below the ZR-1 because I have 17x9.5's on all four corners but stiffer springs than the ZR-1.
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Old Jan 9, 2007 | 12:44 AM
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I probably added to the confusion by posting...

That 1.00 ZR1 is not stock, of course, coil over suspension, etc.

I think the low .90 area is consistent with a fresh C4...course you add some aged tires, tired bushings, K Mart alignment...

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Old Jan 9, 2007 | 01:02 AM
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From post #21 - Reasonable G-Force Goals?
The following data is from the accelerometer and is for an '89 C4 on a
cold day with sad street rubber in a bumpy turn.

An instantaneous peak reading would report -1.34, but as the chart
shows, the average over 3 - 4 seconds is less impressive.


I run through a pavement transition between 7-1/2 sec and 8-1/2 sec
that unsettles the car. But basically I'm at 1G (+/-) for 5 or so
seconds.

.
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Old Jan 9, 2007 | 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by bill83c4
thanks. it's ironic you have a mustang as your pic. i asked because i was curious if the c4's handle better than a 2000 mustang gt. a buddy of mine has the mustang and of course swears by it and thinks nothing is better about his ford (including handling) than my vette.
Find a good long sweeper that really loads the suspension but has a bump in the middle...... That Mustang will kick so far out your friend will have to wipe himself.

Had one (newer 'Stang) following me one day I75 north onto I275 west ramp... Really long left hander... I was at about 80mph in the inside lane of the curve... He was about 20 ft behind me. There is a good bump in the middle.I hit the bump and watched him in the rearveiw..... Poor guy ended up over on the outside shoulder Never seen him again
Live rear axles dont like bumps when loaded
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Old Jan 9, 2007 | 08:01 PM
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My log is from an event at an airbase. Closed circuit, WIDE runways
and lots of run-off room after the asphalt ends.

The spikes represent sizable changes in yaw and the arc the car was
forming got larger because of the lateral displacement.

Please, save this stuff for the track.

.
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Old Jan 9, 2007 | 10:40 PM
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Default G,s

Tires, Air in tires, Aligment, and Temps can all change this. More or less push or pull in the turn. Try a SCCA test day they might have a G test.
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Old Jan 9, 2007 | 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
The ZR-1 will not do 1.3 G's, at least not on street tires. What is your source?

Lateral G ratings on these cars are deceiving, as very minor changes can increase it to 1.0G on the skidpad, yet the car can never sustain that in the real world where road imperfections will upset the ultra stiff suspension and throw you off the cliff.
obviously not a reliable one. I just read a few descriptions from a google search. i knew i'd get some real world answers here though.
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Old Jan 9, 2007 | 10:53 PM
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I figured the c4 handled better than his mustang considering gm's primary focus was handling when they delevoped the car. I'd still like to see some empirical data to substantiate the theory.
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Old Jan 10, 2007 | 07:44 AM
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An 84 on stock but shaved gatorbacks with non stock alignment settings turned 1.01g. Most test show low to mid .9's for the 84.
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To lateral g-force (stock c4)

Old Jan 10, 2007 | 09:14 AM
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I'd still like to see some empirical data to substantiate the theory.
Before you attempt to gather some "empirical data" be sure you have a fresh 4-wheel alignment, good tires with proper inflation and a wide shoulder on the sweeping turn.

The latter is for you friend in his GT as he tries to follow you through the sweep...
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Old Jan 10, 2007 | 11:30 AM
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Skidpad ratings are pretty useless IMO. If you have to pick a stat for handling, use the slalom speed/time.
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Old Jan 10, 2007 | 12:36 PM
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