volkswagens-for-life

This is probably a super stupid question.. but I have to know. Around 105mph in my corvette, something magical happens that the car just all of a sudden feels like it's completely glued to the road. I feel safer driving my c4 z51 going 105 mph and faster than I do going half of that speed. it's predicable; the ride smooths out; the handling is tight... crisp. It's simply indescribable, unless you've owned one and have been there.

So is there some funky phenomena occurring, or is it just the car being the car doing what its supposed to do?

QCVette

It probably is stupid, but I had the same impressions with my '85 Z51.

It seemed to smooth out and become very stable at over about 100. At 60 to 70 it seemed a little harsh and almost too quick on steering response (although I really like the quick response). Maybe at high speeds it has a little more slip on the tires so that it doesn't react as fast which gives the impression of being smoother and more stable. Just a wild guess. Who knows??? But it does feel different at higher speeds.

cv67

Proably all the built in aero pushing the car harder downward?!

I could cruise my old Z at 120 all day it felt like just felt tight and quiet

jmartynuska

Fx3?

WVZR-1

In the ZR-1 very likely yes, the '85 & '87 Z51 cars certainly NOT.

Corvette40

I've had my 88 up to 150mph and it was very smooth and responsive. Can become addictive though, so be safe.

JD1964

Gotta have well maintained road that's nice and flat. At those speeds, small bumps turn into big bumps and can upset you pretty quickly.

Driving at high speeds is not safer. Sure is fun though.

woody41

I have a 91 with the 'soft suspension' when it was running clicking the cruise control on @ 110 mph was a blast....I'm also a grad of Skip Barber racing school. The car felt like it was doing what it's supposed to do....

ghoastrider1

Don't forget those magic blue "party" lights that can appear in the rearview mirror.

volkswagens-for-life

YES! Exactly! I told my gf the same thing; between 60-70 it really makes you internally debate on going faster. But once you cross that 105mph threshold, she's an entirely different animal.

Possibly... I'd definitely think so? I have an aftermarket large wing on the car... maybe the added down-force is just that much more noticeable, or maybe the car is just being "the car" lol

I've hit 130-135 and noted the same; just more responsive and secure feeling the faster you go. And I can honestly say speed is my only addiction in life, but my what a dangerous addiction.

The only reason I let off. The hill I was driving up; once you crest it, the sheriff station is a half mile away

cv67

or the wind pressure just pushes on the car so you dont hear all the looseness.rattles built in to the car LOL

Top/high speed runs, pass. Last one out had a bike in front of me, caught a sudden side gust of wind, both of us. Then thought, "if a coyote or something" ran out in front of me its curtains pretty much along for the ride at that point, never did it again.
I prefer to be able to know I can get down a 1/4 mi at the track real quick these days thats about it. If I can ever make it back out, its been yrs.

volkswagens-for-life

You know what? I'm actually EXTREMELY impressed with my corvettes build quality. I'd put it on par with many new cars. NOT what I'm used to at all, especially with an old car. There are no creaks, squeaks, rattles or otherwise.

I thought you were a big track man? Why haven't you been out there for a while?

kimmer

On my last cross country trip I had the same thing happen on my 04
suburban. I was running with 3 other cars for quite a while and was surprised when I looked down and we were doing 115, this was in wyoming I believe.

C Moe

Interesting thread, here's a little front page science about it...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/articl...force-science/

volkswagens-for-life

nice!!!! Thank you! I will read that now

Clairvoyantwolf

I suspect it has to do with damping. A C4 creates aero lift, as do all street stock corvettes until the C7 Z06 Stage Two Package. The damping of a car is a compromised between smooth ride and keeping the car "buttoned down" so to speak. Put simply, an old Cadillac would be more comfortable than a corvette at around town speeds due to its soft springs and damping. However, at high speed the Cadillac could wallow badly and be uncomfortable due to insufficient body control by that same soft suspension.

volkswagens-for-life

thats interesting. I actually just read that all stock corvettes create aero lift (which I didnt know..), but also didn't know the stage 2 package eliminates this in the c7.

Clairvoyantwolf

Yes, the only stock corvettes that produce actual downforce and not just lift reduction are the C7 Z06 stage II and III.

Another thing to consider is that the C4, I believe, has speed sensitive steering that will "firm up" at higher speeds. But whatever it is, for a stock C4, it will not be downforce as the cause. Now you said your car is modified with a wing, I doubt it produces downforce or noticable downforce...but who knows

pologreen1

Yeah, this is really nice. It's been posted above and I'll do it again...

https://www.corvetteforum.com/articl...force-science/

you should get ground effects and a wing so you can feel it at 60mph. smh.

volkswagens-for-life

Ohh I didn't know the c4 has the speed sensitive rack. I bet that has something to do with the confidence-inspiring drive at those speeds also. I'm not sure if my wing produces any actual downforce or not... looks pretty neat though