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Bill, I doubt that there is nobody else on this forum who has the knowledge, experience and back round with this generation of Corvette. I would also imagine that almost to a person that you are very respected for these attributes, myself being a person who does respect you regarding these things. However, your people and social skills seem very transparent, especially when exhibited on a media such as this forum with the many transcribers viewing here daily. Why could you just compliment the gentleman on his experience with his car. It is apparent that he had a hell of a good time, whether the car was actually that much more responsive, or just imagined so is a moot point. He had a grin on his face, then and still now. Hopefully so, even after reading your post. I have been on this forum since 11/13 and have read many of the posts written by you. While many are very informative and contain valuable points of interest to the rest of us, your overall negativity in you wording tends to turn many of us off, so to speak. I am 62 and have owned a Corvette all the years since I was 21. I have had many experiences with all of these cars that put a smile on my face and that is all that really matters. Reinforcement of another's experience in a positive manner would go a long way in growing respect for you as an individual, not just an encyclopedia on the C5 generation of Corvette.
Regards,
Chas
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More dense air is the same thing as a super charger to compress the air... a car performance reaction at any point in the torque range will feel more powerful because it is... stepping on the gas in second or third gear without breaking the wheels free is a noticeable experience if that increase is at 10 hp or higher..
the wheel spin you are talking about is the deliverance of kinetic energy as the tire make full contact traction.. its not the same as an increase in dense air. Point being you do not have to break the tires free to experience a real gain in hp via denser air..
I’m saying he’s experiencing wheelspin vs horsepower. That’s why it seems faster.
Certain cars respond differently to colder, more dense air absolutely. Especially once it’s already aspirated; however it’d have to be pretty damn cold to even come close to one atmosphere. I’m basically agreeing with you. Just stating the spinning is what he thinks is the power; and it’s not. It’s the car’s newfound inability to put it to the ground.
I also live in the Northeast, I usually drive my car in March through November. However most of my driving is during warm sunny days seeing temps in the 90+ range. But on a Crisp clear December of January day where ambient is in the single digits to the teens, the car is noticeably more responsive.. its almost like driving a different car. knowing the car on a regular basis at 90+ F degrees and then getting that boost of 70 degree swing and air density, much like adding boost, or compresszor as the Germans call it.
Bill aka ET
I will second this!! Running around on stock type Goodyear run flats on a crisp 8 degree day is a hoot . Running a blackwing air filter that lets you hear the intake howl a bit sucking in that cold dry air does give a bit more oompf that is enhanced by the lower traction of cold smooth asphalt and lower tire temps. BIG grin factor!!
The tires are part or it (probably most of it) but until you live down here and feel just how much more sluggish the car feels when it’s 98* and 60% humidity you really can’t know what he is talking about. I know exactly what he feels, my car will downshift at 75 mph and break the tires loose when it gets that cool. The stp dyno “feel” is real, 100%.
“Actual numbers may vary ”
fwit 70* air is never “a base line” in Florida, that is more like a cold front. (88* in Melbourne on Monday)
Not bashing ET at all, Im sure his facts are right.
Last edited by Forcedvert; 12-08-2018 at 08:48 AM.
Going from a 90-100F day with 90% humidity to a cooler 50-60F and 50% humidity is absolutely enough to feel more power. Without busting out the calculations I'd say 10% no problem .
Since this has turned into a science project....air density has been mentioned.....and most back East don't deal with altitude much....especially Florida, but out West altitude has a big effect on performance. I live in Flagstaff at 7,000 feet, great for scenery, but not so good for performance, but I can drive to Phoenix and increase the HP a bunch.
ET is wrong about more than that. 10 degree F temp change equates to around 1.5% change in hp, at 300whp that is ~4.5whp per 10 degrees (assuming air pressure and humidity stay constant). 30 degree temp swing is easily 10-15 hp.... it's just math, plenty of online air density/Dyno/power correction calculators.
I know here in Sacramento CA the summer temps regularly hit 100 to 110 and since we don't get snow in the winter I can say for sure there is a noticeable difference in hp driving in 30 to 40 degree temps in the winter.
altitude: where the air is rare, so is the performance..
This has been a lively discussion with lots of points of interest in the performance curve vs. actual individual geographic experiences.. The C5 was delivered as a non geographically tuned vehicle ( delivered rich in fuel trims for safety reasons ). Many could benefit from just a local professional tune.
Bill aka ET
Just wanted to share my experience yesterday in Miami when we had a very cool cold front. During my yesterday morning commute, I experienced ambient air temperatures in between 55-60 degrees. All I can say is holy moly!!! What a pleasant experience driving the Vette with this weather. My LS1 is stock for now, but had a fresh engine air filter put in less than 20 miles ago. During a backroad pull, the thing RIPPED!!!!!! I smoked 1st and it danced slightly on 2nd gear. I was laughing at myself afterwards. I didn't know that these cars were pleasantly sensitive to cool intake air. Yesterday's drive memory I'll cherish for a while.
do the throttle body bypass mod and you wont have your power robbed by the high temps. I am in cali and know exactly what you're talking about.
Before the mod @80-105° temps, i would not have much power, after the mod i have full power always. Sure, you can get to all the different factors but i will keep it simple.
12-07-2018, 11:27 PM
Bill, I doubt that there is nobody else on this forum who has the knowledge, experience and back round with this generation of Corvette. I would also imagine that almost to a person that you are very respected for these attributes, myself being a person who does respect you regarding these things. However, your people and social skills seem very transparent, especially when exhibited on a media such as this forum with the many transcribers viewing here daily. Why could you just compliment the gentleman on his experience with his car. It is apparent that he had a hell of a good time, whether the car was actually that much more responsive, or just imagined so is a moot point. He had a grin on his face, then and still now. Hopefully so, even after reading your post. I have been on this forum since 11/13 and have read many of the posts written by you. While many are very informative and contain valuable points of interest to the rest of us, your overall negativity in you wording tends to turn many of us off, so to speak. I am 62 and have owned a Corvette all the years since I was 21. I have had many experiences with all of these cars that put a smile on my face and that is all that really matters. Reinforcement of another's experience in a positive manner would go a long way in growing respect for you as an individual, not just an encyclopedia on the C5 generation of Corvette.
The stp dyno “feel” is real, 100%.
