Manual trans, though.
Wheel spin
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 2
From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Wheel spin
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?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 2
From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland OHIO
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?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 936
Likes: 2
From: Tyrone PA
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.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Waynesville North Carolina
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
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
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
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 .
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 .
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 936
Likes: 2
From: Tyrone PA
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.
CF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,180
Likes: 2,831
From: Charlotte N.C.
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....
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....
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 28
From: Woodbridge NJ
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.
Darn good car my 84.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
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!!!
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!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: NewCastle IN. USA
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!!!
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!!!
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.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,590
Likes: 48
From: W MI
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).
I've got 1.5 year old 315s in back(Sumitomos, but they hook fine).
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 746
Likes: 0
From: Rochester PA
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
Rich K