[Z06] Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Escalon CA
Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH
Had my new Z06 out for its hardest pull today, and I was quite shocked at how squirrely she got once I hit 120 MPH+. I fully expected serious suction and a much more "secure" feel. The car felt loose and the wheel feel was numb.
Could something be wrong here? I had an '02 Camaro SS with the LS1, and even it felt much more stable during several runs over 140.
Could something be wrong here? I had an '02 Camaro SS with the LS1, and even it felt much more stable during several runs over 140.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (tomato)
Yes somethings wrong. C5 corvettes are amazingly stable at speed especially the Z06s. Could have been the road surface. Going faster really brings out any imperfections in road surface and level. Could have been your tire pressure, Could have been bad tire wear, etc. All things "normal", the vette is amazing at speed. :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 34,299
Likes: 1
From: [Enter Unoffensive Comment Here]
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (tomato)
:skep: I could drive mine with 1 finger on the wheel at that speed.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 19
From: Little Rock, AR
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (tomato)
There must be something wrong somewhere. Has the Vette been lowered recently? Any codes on the DIC? I would advise to be careful and take it easy till you find out whats going on. TTT for you.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Escalon CA
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (Cobra4B)
I'm going to try my next run with the stability control off and see how it feels. I actually was on the same road I used to take my SS on, although it has been a couple of years. Thanks.
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco CA
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (tomato)
I'm going to try my next run with the stability control off and see how it feels. I actually was on the same road I used to take my SS on, although it has been a couple of years. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,879
Likes: 157
From: Pleasanton CA
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (tomato)
I've driven my coupe over 160 on several occasions and it was very stable. Even had to change lanes at that speed to go around a big rig while running with a Ferrari 456 in the CA desert!
Only thing I noticed is massive wind noise around the A-pillars. Oh, and when you slow down, 100 seems like a snail's pace.
Only thing I noticed is massive wind noise around the A-pillars. Oh, and when you slow down, 100 seems like a snail's pace.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (tomato)
It almost sounds like something loose somewhere in the suspension. You mention that the car is new. May be a good idea to let Chevy look it over real well. The Z should be more stable at that speed then most domestics at 55. Good luck and hey, if you find out waht the problem is, please post it. :cheers:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 333
Likes: 14
From: Glendale CA
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (tomato)
I agree -- something is wrong.
It should be extremely stable.
If it is not something easy like tire pressures then the suspension needs to be checked. There have been reports of loose suspension bolts.
It should be extremely stable.
If it is not something easy like tire pressures then the suspension needs to be checked. There have been reports of loose suspension bolts.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Burleson TX
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (lager99)
:skep: I could drive mine with 1 finger on the wheel at that speed.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 34,299
Likes: 1
From: [Enter Unoffensive Comment Here]
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (Zen06)
:iagree: At that speed, I can have one hand on the wheel and the other on my DIC. (to check the oil temp. -- I know what you were thinking!) :lol:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Escalon CA
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (cactusZ06)
Stability Control? ....no such thing on the Z06. (Quote)
Thanks for the clarification-I meant active handling.
I will definitely be running it again-hopefully at a track within the next 60-days. I'll keep things posted.
Thanks for the clarification-I meant active handling.
I will definitely be running it again-hopefully at a track within the next 60-days. I'll keep things posted.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 1
From: Vernon CA
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (tomato)
Either something is wrong or the road conditions were poor. The Z06 is very stable at high speeds almost to the point where going 140+ seems no different than 80mph. Even on some of Southern California's beat up freeways (710, 5, 10, 110, and 101) I have never experienced instability. In fact one early morning, 2:00AM, on the 5 FWY I sucked the doors off some Turbo Civic Hatchback who provoked me into blowing by him at 140mph+. At that point I stayed in it and pushed the car easily past 170mph. I was amazed at how quick the car reached 170mph and how solid the car felt. I was never concerned with my safety except for unsuspecting people on the road or the CHP. Anyways, my .02 cents and good luck. Let us know what happens.
Eric
Eric
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,567
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (ericg03Z06)
I would not run it at speed until the tires, suspension and alignment were checked. In addition check the torque on the wheel studs. If that car was unstable at that speed you are in for a failure of some part of the running gear. I would find it before it finds you.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: Kannapolis NC
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (CAPN17)
Im betting the pavement is bad. My car has been acting liek this lately.
But it just amounts to uneven pavement and having wide tires. Your car tries to climb out of the rutted up road and it pulls you all over the road.
That pretty normal.
But it just amounts to uneven pavement and having wide tires. Your car tries to climb out of the rutted up road and it pulls you all over the road.
That pretty normal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 67
From: USA
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (tomato)
Have you had your car aligned? They check about one out of every 25-40 cars and adjust when assembling. A good GM alignment should be about $55. It will be the best $$ you spent. Try to find a GM Master Tech to do it. I would suggest lowering your car with the factory bolts first.
The first time I took my car up to 165 it was not all that stable. After lowering about 1/2" and the alignment it is as steady at 175-180 as 70. My motor reves to 7,100 RPMs so I can get to the 180 MPH range.
The first time I took my car up to 165 it was not all that stable. After lowering about 1/2" and the alignment it is as steady at 175-180 as 70. My motor reves to 7,100 RPMs so I can get to the 180 MPH range.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County CA
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (tomato)
I'm going to try my next run with the stability control off and see how it feels. I actually was on the same road I used to take my SS on, although it has been a couple of years. Thanks.
:smash: your :conehead
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (slong)
slong is right, it sounds like you may have something seriously wrong with your car, as these cars are rock solid at speed. As others have recommended get the alignment checked (especially if you have lowered the car), and have the suspension checked for proper torque on all bolts. The last thing I would do is drive this car fast until I knew what is going on, and certainly not with the active handling off!
Les
Les
I'm going to try my next run with the stability control off and see how it feels. I actually was on the same road I used to take my SS on, although it has been a couple of years. Thanks.
Hey! Great idea! Take it out and floor-it. Just don't think safety first and don't listen to any of the replies.
:smash: your :conehead
Hey! Great idea! Take it out and floor-it. Just don't think safety first and don't listen to any of the replies.
:smash: your :conehead
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Escalon CA
Re: Surprisingly Unstable at 135 MPH (slong)
[QUOTE]Hey! Great idea! Take it out and floor-it. Just don't think safety first and don't listen to any of the replies.
Slong: Yeah, I am not the least concerned about safety :mad Ever been in a vette with a bogus active handling system? I have, and the feeling mine gave me was that this may be a cause. Also, do you think the AHS would do one damn bit of good if you lost it at 130+. Not a chance.
I appreciate all of the great ideas, but I really feel it was either the road, the wind or, least likely (I hope) the AHS.
Thanks.
Slong: Yeah, I am not the least concerned about safety :mad Ever been in a vette with a bogus active handling system? I have, and the feeling mine gave me was that this may be a cause. Also, do you think the AHS would do one damn bit of good if you lost it at 130+. Not a chance.
I appreciate all of the great ideas, but I really feel it was either the road, the wind or, least likely (I hope) the AHS.
Thanks.