just give it enough gas, and it wants to go the other way
. It's 21 degrees currently here in Kansas, and yes it's a free HP bump.
I Heart Dense Air!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
From: Chesterfield MO
I Heart Dense Air!
Just returned from Florida to 10 degrees in the Midwest. Decided to see how the C5 liked cold weather today. Although it never likes to go into reverse when cold, the tranny shifted amazingly smooth. The driveability of this car never ceases to amaze me.
But the real treat was how strongly the motor pulled in this dense air. I couldn't believe the difference. It was like someone bolted a blower on while I was gone. Can any of our Northern brothers attest to this too? You guys who store your cars during winter need to clean out the moth ***** and get motoring! Winter is a poor man's supercharger.
Hold up, my wife is saying something. What's that honey? You need a stamp? No problem, I'll run up to the Post Office for you. Be back in about 2 hours.
But the real treat was how strongly the motor pulled in this dense air. I couldn't believe the difference. It was like someone bolted a blower on while I was gone. Can any of our Northern brothers attest to this too? You guys who store your cars during winter need to clean out the moth ***** and get motoring! Winter is a poor man's supercharger.
Hold up, my wife is saying something. What's that honey? You need a stamp? No problem, I'll run up to the Post Office for you. Be back in about 2 hours.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Just returned from Florida to 10 degrees in the Midwest. Decided to see how the C5 liked cold weather today. Although it never likes to go into reverse when cold, the tranny shifted amazingly smooth. The driveability of this car never ceases to amaze me.
But the real treat was how strongly the motor pulled in this dense air. I couldn't believe the difference. It was like someone bolted a blower on while I was gone. Can any of our Northern brothers attest to this too? You guys who store your cars during winter need to clean out the moth ***** and get motoring! Winter is a poor man's supercharger.
Hold up, my wife is saying something. What's that honey? You need a stamp? No problem, I'll run up to the Post Office for you. Be back in about 2 hours.
But the real treat was how strongly the motor pulled in this dense air. I couldn't believe the difference. It was like someone bolted a blower on while I was gone. Can any of our Northern brothers attest to this too? You guys who store your cars during winter need to clean out the moth ***** and get motoring! Winter is a poor man's supercharger.
Hold up, my wife is saying something. What's that honey? You need a stamp? No problem, I'll run up to the Post Office for you. Be back in about 2 hours.
Better not forget the stamps or you will be gone four hours!
I haven't driven mine in temps that low, not good for my soft tires but at 25 or so, yes you can feel the diff!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 6
From: LAND OF OZ Kansas
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,522
Likes: 24,823
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
The cold air we are having now really does wake up the car - a very noticable difference in throttle response. 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Zahnd Indiana
As a Pilot I've always said, " there are only two good things about cold weather. No bugs, and you're engines run like stink"
You guys know there are airports where normal airplanes can't even take off when it's hot because of the lack of air density. They don't develop enough power.
You guys know there are airports where normal airplanes can't even take off when it's hot because of the lack of air density. They don't develop enough power.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
From: Chesterfield MO
Yep, I was aware of the effect temp has on both turbine performance as well as the lifting surface. I've always thought that song "Wind Beneath My Wings" was a complete load of crap since it's the low pressure area above the wing that does the lifting.
And, yeah, I did notice a major lack of traction but initially blamed it on salt residue on the streets.
I wonder what the dyno change would be with a stock LS1 between say 80 degrees and 10 degrees? Maybe 15-20 HP?
And, yeah, I did notice a major lack of traction but initially blamed it on salt residue on the streets.
I wonder what the dyno change would be with a stock LS1 between say 80 degrees and 10 degrees? Maybe 15-20 HP?
As a Pilot I've always said, " there are only two good things about cold weather. No bugs, and you're engines run like stink"
You guys know there are airports where normal airplanes can't even take off when it's hot because of the lack of air density. They don't develop enough power.
You guys know there are airports where normal airplanes can't even take off when it's hot because of the lack of air density. They don't develop enough power.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Love dense air as well - it's good for FI
Looking for it to be real dense on January 16th @ Private Track Rental!
Thanks,Matt
Looking for it to be real dense on January 16th @ Private Track Rental!
Thanks,Matt
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,996
Likes: 77
From: Louisville KY
Yep it is true. I experience it the other day at 24 degrees. I was going to start a thread about the free power boast I had on my car. The guys who park them away for the winter miss out on a real punch in the seat of the pants.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,383
Likes: 6
From: hagerstown md
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
The colder denser(denser air has more oxygen) air has great effects on the LS1. As the air enters the intake, it cools the MAF wire. The colder the MAF wire, the more it thinks it is getting more air. Then it sends a signal to the puter for more fuel. More fuel + denser air = more power!
Acts in turn like a dry shot of N20. Only not to that extreme.
Aint it fun?!
Acts in turn like a dry shot of N20. Only not to that extreme.
Aint it fun?!
