L98 owners, is this normal?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
L98 owners, is this normal?
I have a 90 convertible with the six speed. I can not punch the gas in first or second gear without breaking traction. Is this normal? I'm starting to think that maybe this car has some mods I don't know about.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 1
From: Springfield MO
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (Chosen Won)
Tire spin is pretty hard to judge by. Really either a dyno run or a trip down the 1/4 will only prove. Hard tires, cold tires, salt on the streets, ect make a world of difference. If it's modded, will it be a good thing?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,413
Likes: 138
From: Texas
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (Chosen Won)
I have a 90 six speed coupe, and yes I break traction easy in 1st gear, but I have to try to spin in 2nd. Yeah it's possible, but if I'm crusin in 2nd and hammer it, then no it won't spin, only if I am racin' around.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (AS84)
I don't have any idea where a dyno is around here. I'd love to take it though. Normal operating range on the tires with a lot of tread, but they are old. And no, I don't really want any mods. Not because I don't like them or anything, but I'd rather do the stuff or have the stuff done myself. I did go to a muffler shop Saturday asking about some Flowmasters, and the tech told me that I already have Dynomaxs (?) That's what started me thinking that things aren't what they appear.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (Chosen Won)
I'd guess cold, hard tires. What kind of meat are you putting on the ground? What's the air temp outside? From personal exprience older high performance summer tires or R-Comp tires don't hook up well in the winter. Then again I'm alot further north than you.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (CptMorgan)
Original Goodyears, 48 deg. Aprox. 9000 miles. After I drove over 100 miles, it still did it. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind it at all, but I'm wondering if something has been done I don't know about.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (Chosen Won)
What is your rear gear ratio and what are the 1st & 2nd gear ratios?
You can get some idea of mods by inspecting the air filter, the stat and the exhaust. These are some of the usual places for L98 mods to begin.
You can get some idea of mods by inspecting the air filter, the stat and the exhaust. These are some of the usual places for L98 mods to begin.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ont
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (Chosen Won)
mine lays rubber in first, gives plenty spin in second, and sqauaks a bit in third
not sure about fourth... can't hear anything but wind noise by that point
the l98s make ALOT of torque down low so if you're cruising around 2000 rpm and punch it, you're immediately at your torque peak
not sure about fourth... can't hear anything but wind noise by that point
the l98s make ALOT of torque down low so if you're cruising around 2000 rpm and punch it, you're immediately at your torque peak
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Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (Chosen Won)
Original Goodyears, 48 deg. Aprox. 9000 miles. After I drove over 100 miles, it still did it. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind it at all, but I'm wondering if something has been done I don't know about.
I have an '89 6-speed coupe with virtually no mods and when I had the original Goodyear Gatorbacks on the car, I could spin the tires in 2nd almost at will! But once I swapped those old hockey-pucks for a decent set of boots, everything changed. Sure, she'll still spin 'em in second, but I have to try alot harder in order to do it. And nothing on the car has changed with respect to perfomance enhancements.
But I'm like you - I didn't mind being able to light 'em up effortlessly in either 1st or 2nd. In fact, I kinda miss it. :(
[Modified by TheCorvetteKid, 8:40 PM 2/11/2004]
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 2
From: Woodbridge VA
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (Chosen Won)
I would post some pictures of your car. I'm sure some people on here would be able to tell you what mod they could see. It's amazing what some people on this forum can tell you from a picture.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Hauppauge New York
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (Chosen Won)
I have the original goodyears as well on my 91. Brittle as hell, easy to break free in 1st and 2nd. New tires coming, as soon as the roads are snowless, and saltless.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 141
Likes: 12
From: Saint joseph MI
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (Big Craig)
i'm just north of you in Columbus, IN with the exact same car. I didn't have any trouble during the summer. But when I had it out a couple of weeks ago, I could light em up in firstwithout even trying. More power with the cold weather and harder tires in the winter.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (scorp508)
Original Goodyears Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I'd remove your tires and rims and weld up a pair of Ice skates in there place...........you'll get much better traction. :steering: :jester
I'd remove your tires and rims and weld up a pair of Ice skates in there place...........you'll get much better traction. :steering: :jester
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
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From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (Mr. Magoo)
Original Goodyears Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I'd remove your tires and rims and weld up a pair of Ice skates in there place...........you'll get much better traction. :steering: :jester
I'd remove your tires and rims and weld up a pair of Ice skates in there place...........you'll get much better traction. :steering: :jester
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (Chosen Won)
Wow that looks bone stock right down to the stock exhaust system.
Those GY ZR 40s are the same tire that I'm still running on my '88. She hooks well at the strip but I cannot drop the hammer on the street either.
What tire pressure are you running? I've found that 30-32spi out back seems to work the best.
Those GY ZR 40s are the same tire that I'm still running on my '88. She hooks well at the strip but I cannot drop the hammer on the street either.
What tire pressure are you running? I've found that 30-32spi out back seems to work the best.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Re: L98 owners, is this normal? (65Z01)
So you think the exhaust is stock? I originally thought that too, except why does the pipe have a u-bolt in it? Does the stock exhaust have these? I would figure it woul be welded straight.
And I have no idea about tire pressure, I've never checked. I'm not that serious about anything, except school.
[Modified by Chosen Won, 8:48 PM 2/12/2004]
And I have no idea about tire pressure, I've never checked. I'm not that serious about anything, except school.
[Modified by Chosen Won, 8:48 PM 2/12/2004]