What I learned in C4 school
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: What I learned in C4 school (corvetteronw)
about the firestones....
When I worked at Goodyear, i noticed an engineer had a Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EMT (Run-flat) in C5 Corvette replacement size. I asked how it stacked up to Goodyear's OEM standard (Eagle F1 EMT) C5 tire.
He said it was better performing. He swallowed his pride and admitted it. One advantage firestone has is that they dont have to meet an OEM rolling resistance requirement (which always hurts dry traction).
When I worked at Goodyear, i noticed an engineer had a Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EMT (Run-flat) in C5 Corvette replacement size. I asked how it stacked up to Goodyear's OEM standard (Eagle F1 EMT) C5 tire.
He said it was better performing. He swallowed his pride and admitted it. One advantage firestone has is that they dont have to meet an OEM rolling resistance requirement (which always hurts dry traction).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 827
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From: Henderson NV
Re: What I learned in C4 school (corvetteronw)
I had Firehawks on my '87, my '92 and now on my '93 Anniversary coupe. I really like them. Worst tires for a Corvette have gotta be Generals. Had them (near new on my '92 when I bought it and slid all over the place in dry weather. You certainly can't tell how a tire will perform by looking at it, that's fer sure.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Kingman AZ
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: What I learned in C4 school (93 ragtop)
Great information. Do you remember if he mentioned anything about 160 degree t-stats?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
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From: Baltimore, MD USA
Re: What I learned in C4 school (corvetteronw)
Since Mr. Killebrew had first hand knowledge of the C4 problems, did some one ask him why the cowl shake problem on the coupes when the top is removed was never addressed?
I have an 89 and my gas cap is a sealed type. So the only way water could enter into the tank would be if it was defective. In Maryland they now test the gas cap to see if it will hold a vacuum when you have your emissions tested.
[Modified by Hooked on Vettes, 10:10 AM 7/10/2003]
I have an 89 and my gas cap is a sealed type. So the only way water could enter into the tank would be if it was defective. In Maryland they now test the gas cap to see if it will hold a vacuum when you have your emissions tested.
[Modified by Hooked on Vettes, 10:10 AM 7/10/2003]
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 104
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From: Ocean City MD
Re: What I learned in C4 school (corvetteronw)
Cooler is not better on modern engines. They are designed to run hot by GM engineers for fuel economy and emissions. Who is better trained? A team of GM engineers or 1 guy working on his little "gold mine" part? Don't flame me though as I do agree that some performance mods are OK but you have to look at the entire system and see if your mod helps or hurts. For example: K&N air filters are great - but you have to remember to clean them from time-to-time or they will clog up and hurt performance. :yesnod:
Cooler is not Better??????
I would have to remind you of your quote, the car is designed to run hot for emissions.....You are correct the engineers at Gm are some of the sharpest around however very rarely do we see the cars how they should have been built......they have to build them to pass all kinds of crazy epa tests. I know for a fact the cars would be better peformers if they could build exactly what they wanted with no restrictions......Go to a dyno and test some mods then tell me there was no benefit in performance and mileage.......and by the way a clogged K&N?? I have seen baja cars with hundreds of miles of dirt and dust in race applications with K&N airfilters and they still out flow a stock paper filter.......... :rant: And one more thing I run the gm additive with redline fluid.....The guys at GM peformance recomended to run the additive no matter what. As for anything else........why do the race teams run cooler thermostats and all kinds of performance parts, They are GM engineers??? I guess it depnds what you want, in my case I let the wife drive the station wagon, I want a performace car!!!
Now thats not flaming you...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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Re: What I learned in C4 school (larryfs)
Oooohhh come on, they're not that bad. :lol: :lol: :lol:
I had my Firehawks well past 100mph when it was 20 degrees out just this past winter. They have about 20k miles on them and I had no wheel spin at that speed. It was weird though to watch the coolant temps go from 162 down to 118 after only a mile. :D
The Firehawks felt like new up to about 7k miles. Then the quality noticeably diminished again around 17k miles. Right now the only bad thing I noticed along the way was the tires started to crack between the sidewall and tread at around 10k miles. :skep:
DAMN I forgot to say thank you for sharing your notes with us corvetteronw! :cheers:
[Modified by War Machine, 9:31 AM 7/10/2003]
I had my Firehawks well past 100mph when it was 20 degrees out just this past winter. They have about 20k miles on them and I had no wheel spin at that speed. It was weird though to watch the coolant temps go from 162 down to 118 after only a mile. :D
The Firehawks felt like new up to about 7k miles. Then the quality noticeably diminished again around 17k miles. Right now the only bad thing I noticed along the way was the tires started to crack between the sidewall and tread at around 10k miles. :skep:
DAMN I forgot to say thank you for sharing your notes with us corvetteronw! :cheers:
[Modified by War Machine, 9:31 AM 7/10/2003]
Le Mans Master
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Re: What I learned in C4 school (larryfs)
That's b/c you have that BEAST :reddevil of an LT4! :lol:
I'm just running around w/ a Hotcam and rockers. :thumbs:
I'm just running around w/ a Hotcam and rockers. :thumbs:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Airport Cruise-in 1 Veteran Airport Cruise-in 2 Veteran
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Re: What I learned in C4 school (corvetteronw)
Clean your engine and engine bay by spraying on Westley's Clear Majic (after you have put plastic bags over any sensitive electronics). Let it soak for a good while and then rinse off with a hose sprayer set on "mist". Do NOT blast the stuff off!
My engine bay is FILTHY!! :leaving:
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
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From: Delray Beach FL
Re: What I learned in C4 school (larryfs)
I have been using SZ50's since I bought my 93. They are an awesome tire. My first set lasted just over 50,000 miles. Yes, 50,000 miles. I have thought about giving Kuhmo's a try. Anyone have any feedback on Kuhmo's? If I can get 25,000 out of a set of Kumho's, I may give them a whirl next time. Otherwise, I will stick with the Firestones. FYI...just don't let Firestone work on your car for anything other than brakes and tires. I had a mechanic replace a simple heater hose. He leaned down on the metal A/C line and cracked the evaporator fitting. Firestone is now paying over $1000 for the repair to my A/C. The amount they charged me to replace the heater hose was $62.00. This is the second time I have ever used Firestone for a repair and the second time they caused major problems with my car. The first time was over 10 years ago at a different shop in a different city. I had the oil changed in my Camaro I owned. The guy cross threaded the oil pan and before I knew it the motor seized up. A $30 oil change cost them over $3500 for a new short block. Again, the tires are great, their mechanics suck!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Kingman AZ
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: What I learned in C4 school (Redmenace)
Great post :cheers: Will definitely being putting some of this info to use :yesnod: You might consider submitting this to the tech tips for posterity :thumbs:
Bench Racer
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From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Re: What I learned in C4 school (corvetteronw)
corvetteronw wrote:
"I just got help from one of the moderators and rewrote this post and put it in Tech Tips"
Where exactly? I couldn't find it in the C4 section...
"I just got help from one of the moderators and rewrote this post and put it in Tech Tips"
Where exactly? I couldn't find it in the C4 section...
- 1986 Original Owner -
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: North Yorkshire, England
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Re: What I learned in C4 school (-=Jeff=-)
Jeff,
You won't be disappointed. When I took mine there were only two students, so we had all of his time. It was great. The unfortunate thing is that with me flying in from England, there was only one Corvette to mess with. A double edge sword, I guess. I'm making plans to take the ZR-1 class soon.
You won't be disappointed. When I took mine there were only two students, so we had all of his time. It was great. The unfortunate thing is that with me flying in from England, there was only one Corvette to mess with. A double edge sword, I guess. I'm making plans to take the ZR-1 class soon.
