pkazsr

A few years ago I had a stock 84 that would spin the tires across an 4 lane intersection without power-braking. My "new" 88 also stock, couldn't spin even on an upgrade. Starts perfect, 27+ mpg on interstate @75 mph. No misses, no codes, no problems what-so-ever. Since I got it in June I haven't even checked the cap, rotor, or plugs. I will replace the cap, etc while in storage over the winter just because it is probably due. At the same time I hate to spend money on something I don't need. As a comparison will your stock L98 spin the tires just flooring it?

AGENT 86

Is this an auto that we are talking about ??
My stock L98 could easily spin them across a 4 lane. My non stock L98 can now spin them for a block. Manual trans, though.

pkazsr

Yes Auto, so maybe a tune up is needed. Bite the bullet, spend the money. Brand new Coopers BTW. Wife will wet her pants if the Vette will leave some smoke when She takes off. BTW, I don't drive, I choose, buy, and maintain all three cars.

genefree3

I've got an 85 auto and it will lite them up for a good distance stock.
Hope you have leather interior if she gets that spooked.

wayne lowry

What gears are in the car you have now vs. the 84 ? Also brand and condition,age of the tires is HUGE. The 84 had 16" tires b.t.w. and the 89 has 17s

dan0617

My '89 auto with 2.59 gears wouldn't spin them stock without powerbraking, and even struggled to spin them while powerbraking. I put headers, 1.6 rockers, a tune, a shift kit, and some other things on it, and it started spinning them a little without powerbraking, but only for a few feet. Now I have added Nitto drag radials on the back and I can only powerbrake it when the tires are cold. Once heated there is no way to spin the tires at all. And the car runs fine and has plenty of power. I think the 3200 stall converter and 3.07 rear that I'm having installed should cure that problem forever.

rick lambert

My stock 87 will burn em without power braking, even chirp em in second, power braking her really burns em...3:07s auto.

carolinamountains

My 85 L98 Automatic will "scratch off" sideways and bark in second, only mod is shift kit.
3.07 rear
I have not attemted power braking yet, dont know if it would burn up the rear end like it did in my Silverado

cv67

Id rather see a car that doesnt spin them and hooks.
I can burn mine clear through third fi I want but more than once Ive almost put it in a curb at 60 so I dont do that anymore. THis car can definitely change directions quicker than I can correct it .

dan0617

I agree totally. I love being able to just mat it and go, but I want more. I think when I get my converter and gears installed traction might become a problem even with the drag radials. I'm not going to 3.54's because I think traction will be a major problem, and I think the 1/2 shafts and spindles (D36) will be in jeopardy if I do hook good with 3.54's or lower. I run a 150 shot but am not going to hit it till after I hook good and get at least 1/2 way through 1st gear for the same reason.

To the original poster....I believe the 3.07 rear compared to the 2.59 rear and the tires are the major difference, and the tire size. I've seen posts like this in the past and usually the cars with 16" tires, old tires, and 3.07's are sideways. Newer tires and they spin some. 17" tires, 2.59's and old tires spin very little if any, and newer tires with that combo won't spin at all. As a general consensus, that is. It really is amazing how much street rubber hardens up over a few years. Also, a shift kit will definitely make it bark when it hits 2nd gear, even with 2.59's.

EvanD

I think everyone's right on this, trans type and gearing is a big part... but the biggest part is having bigger tires than you probably had on the 84 and new.

I have 315's on my 92 and let me tell you afer that first slide down the street to get the preservative off they HOOK, no spinning, no more....

Brimis

My automatic 84 will spin the tires across a four lane intersection quite easily. Although I haven't done it in years, I could if I wanted to. With the shift kit, the tires chirp every time it shifts into second gear.

Darn good car my 84.

LT4BUD

The ability to spin tires is as much a function of tires as it is horsepower!!!!!

My 1989 L98, auto with performance axle, when new could barely get a chirp out of the tires.....the same bone stock car, 7 years later, with tires that were then hardened 7 years old rubber was a terror to drive....easily spin thru first...

tire spin means more or less nothing regarding how the engine is doing!!!

FOXX

Did you factor in tire pressure, outside temp, full tank of gas, cargo in the rear, etc...?

gator79

I am thinking, cool wife

ol,RJ

there is the answer^

do a search on tire age on the tire rack site and you'll find that any tire over 5yrs old is considered "not worth mounting" because the traction level has dropped by 50% or more (even if the tire was never used).
the chemicals in the tire evaporate over time and cause the tire to get hard. heat cycles also affect them.

80sRule

My 87 L98 Auto w/ 2.73s will get minor spin but not even any noise when at WOT from a standstill. 1/2 a second of slip and then hook.

I've got 1.5 year old 315s in back(Sumitomos, but they hook fine).

thirdtimevetteowner

The reason is that the earlier models (84 and 85 for sure) had higher stall convetors from the factory...somehwere around 1800. My '89 w/2.59's (ugh) won't spin them unless brake torqued because the stall is around 1200, plus wider tires. Big difference to the earlier models.

Rich K