When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
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.
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.
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.
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.
From: Hampton, VA Yea, i'm a redneck... but you love it
Cruise-In 8-9 Veteran
aka/Trunk Monkey/Banned For Life/Corvette For Life
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.
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
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.
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...
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.
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
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.
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.
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...