Just want to start out by saying....WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek: :eek:

The new Z is a blast to drive. Taking some time getting used to the different handling characteristics, as the 02 M3 was quite different. But all in all, this is one decision I haven't looked back on. :hat

I am working up a review of the new car and comparisons to the M. Just haven't had time!!! To much driving!! :cool: :cool:

A couple of questions. :confused:
I can hear some sort of rattle coming from the drivetrain. It's just audible over the engine and goes away when I push the clutch in. The car drives smooth and I don't hear anything if I am moving. Only in neutral with the clutch out. Normal??

Another thing I am noticing as I bring the car into the 4000 rpm range is what I can only describe as a "buttery" rear end. I came out of a parking lot that I am quite used to and proceeded to swing the butt end out in a nice arc through the apex of the corner. Problem is, I didn't mean to!! God, this car is drivable!! Was not accelerating that aggressively. Since then I think it has gotten better. Car feels more planted. Could this just be the new tires not being quite broken in? I’ve tried some gentle testing but can’t push it too far yet.

Thanks for any help! :cool: :cheers: :cool:

Gotta go drool on my car now... :crazy:



[Modified by sirchman, 2:34 AM 7/3/2002]

 

Congratulations on the new Z! :D And welcome to the CorvetteForum.

 

Congratulations and welcome. The noise you hear in the drive train is most likely the famous 'marbles in a can' sound, which is typical of these cars. It's described in the video, and attributed to the unique drivetrain geometry (rear-mounted trans and torque tube). Some cars have it louder than others, but it's not a problem.

And yes ... this puppy's got lots of torque and it's really easy to break the tires loose going around corners. AH/TC manages to keep you safe in most circumstances, but even when it's turned off, you'll find that the car comes back into control pretty easily in most circumstances. You'll also find (at least I have) that weather conditions play a big role in how the car feels and performs. In hot weather the tires get a lot stickier, and the engine starts to feel a little sluggish. In cool weather it feels like a rocket. Have fun and be careful. :)

 

Thanks. I was thinking it may be normal. It there anything that can be done to cut down on the noise? It's not a big deal but if anyone knows how to quiet it down, I wold be interested.

Jerry, you mention this was mentioned in the video. Are you referring to the standard video that came with the car? If so I'll have to watch again...
:cheers:


[Modified by sirchman, 5:35 PM 7/3/2002]

 

Yes, you are right on track with the tire issue. The first time a replaced my tires it felt like a different car (in a bad way). New tires need time to conform to each car's individual suspension setup. I have found that usually after 500 miles the tires are well broken in.

I have talked to some people who say tires get slipperier and have less traction near the end of their lives, I totally disagree (at least with the supercars). I have found through experience that tires generally grip better and handle better the more they wear. I think due to several factors including less weight as they wear, less amount of excess tread, (race tires have no grooves in them) grooves are only in tires for wet weather conditions to dispurse water, and the more they wear the more they conform to your individual suspension.

In my personal opinion and experience you get the greatest performance/cornering with your tires with about 25% tread left on them. I have tested this theory by taking corners at the same speed with new tires and see the speeds increase as the tires wear. What sucks is you need to modify your driving habits when getting new tires until they wear a little.

Kind of sucks that there is such a small margin for max performance on tires. Of course I am talking about near the limits of the tires not regular daily driving conditions

 

The noise you are referring to is not the 'marbles' noise described in the video. It is the noise of the torque tube wobbling in the trans when spinning in neutral. Since the clutch is at the front next to the engine, when you release it, you actually engage the torque transfer tube which then spins into the transmission but not in gear. Depending on how I release the clutch, I hear it as well; and it is normal.

The fix: try pressing down the clutch and releasing it either very slowly or quickly by popping it out (in neutral). I find both techniques work and the noise is intermittent to begin with. This is just a by product of the front engine/clutch and rear trany setup in the vette...