Proper driving techniques, advise wanted please.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
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From: Austin Tx
Proper driving techniques, advise wanted please.
Okay, here is a newbie question that I know will get a varying degree of answers. I have been a first time owner of a '99 C5 coupe for 3 months now. I want to know where is the proper RPM range for "getting on it" and getting the max engine performance without doing damage? Is there a ballpark range/RPM where you really feel the "powerband" so to speak kick in? A minimum RPM range that you would stay above? ETC, ETC. Just trying to figure out the best performance range on this car. I have not had the SAFE opportunity to test this thoroughly yet. Don't want to be embarrased by a ricer if I can help it out in the hill country road if I can help it. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Lake Martin ALABAMA
Just "Drive it like you stole it!" ........ That's what electronic
rev limiters are for.......
Top speed with the six-speed stick is achieved in FIFTH gear.
Sixth doesn't have the "oomph" to push through the wind resistance.
rev limiters are for.......
Top speed with the six-speed stick is achieved in FIFTH gear.
Sixth doesn't have the "oomph" to push through the wind resistance.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Austin Tx
I guess I need to claify to that this is a stock car with the exception of a blackwing and a set of Borla stingers. She is also a 6 speed with z51 suspension. BTW, is there anywhere on the car (side door?) that tells you the gearing for the rearend that the car came with. Codes, etc? Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I don't kow how to take your first post here. The way I read the post is that you want to be prepared so that you are not embarrassed by a ricer on the city streets. If you are referring to street racing take it to the track. Don't worry about being embarassed if you don't race them, I would be more embarassed if I crashed, injured someone, killed someone or yourself.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Austin Tx
I am smarter than that. I am not going to do something that endangers others. I am in the fire/public safety service so I know better. Out here in the hill country/country roads, we have a lot of opportunities to "open a car up". Safety first, ego last. Just want to know the optimum RPM range for optimum performance. If I was a stupid kid, I would have figured it out by now since they do not know any better to keep the streets safe. I swear they endanger everyone around with their lack of common sense. Of course there are plenty of adults that do it to. Hope that clears up the safety issue.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 746
Likes: 65
From: Phoenix, AZ
Try running it up to 70 in 4th. Then downshift to 3rd, hammer the throttle and hang on. 
Be prepared to make a quick shift back up to 4th. 
In my experience the LS1 has good torque from 1500 rpm up. However, they really scream above 3000.
Be prepared to make a quick shift back up to 4th. In my experience the LS1 has good torque from 1500 rpm up. However, they really scream above 3000.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
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From: Tampa FL
Originally Posted by FFVernon
If I was a stupid kid, I would have figured it out by now since they do not know any better to keep the streets safe. I swear they endanger everyone around with their lack of common sense.
Don't assume because you're on a corvette forum you can whip out your judgements on the teenage population. Granted most teenagers are jerks and deserve everything they get but on the other hand you make me want to get up and smack you.
And if out in your back country, you've had plenty of oppertunities to "open a car up" safely, why are you asking us? ... just put your foot into it and figure her out.
It's always better and more fun to learn from experience.
and btw.
Welcome to the Forum .. Don't forget to wave
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Atlanta metro Ga.
Originally Posted by FFVernon
I guess I need to claify to that this is a stock car with the exception of a blackwing and a set of Borla stingers. She is also a 6 speed with z51 suspension. BTW, is there anywhere on the car (side door?) that tells you the gearing for the rearend that the car came with. Codes, etc? Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by FFVernon
I am smarter than that. I am not going to do something that endangers others.... Safety first, ego last....
One of the best way to find out what the car can do is try doing autocross it will let you see what the car has and will allow to to see what the car can do.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Austin Tx
Originally Posted by Neablas
what's a stereotype? can you tell me please? i dont understand, my large ego is stopping me from grasping this.
Don't assume because you're on a corvette forum you can whip out your judgements on the teenage population. Granted most teenagers are jerks and deserve everything they get but on the other hand you make me want to get up and smack you.
And if out in your back country, you've had plenty of oppertunities to "open a car up" safely, why are you asking us? ... just put your foot into it and figure her out.
It's always better and more fun to learn from experience.
and btw.
Welcome to the Forum .. Don't forget to wave
Don't assume because you're on a corvette forum you can whip out your judgements on the teenage population. Granted most teenagers are jerks and deserve everything they get but on the other hand you make me want to get up and smack you.
And if out in your back country, you've had plenty of oppertunities to "open a car up" safely, why are you asking us? ... just put your foot into it and figure her out.
It's always better and more fun to learn from experience.
and btw.
Welcome to the Forum .. Don't forget to wave
As for testing the back raods, you are right. I have NOT done it as that little voice always reminds me about being safe. When the time and conditions are right, I will give it a whirl. Until then, I am just wanting some good info. Didn't realize this would get so heated. Save the wave.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Zilla
One of the best way to find out what the car can do is try doing autocross it will let you see what the car has and will allow to to see what the car can do.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
Originally Posted by FFVernon
Well, when you pull as many dead bodies out of wrecks as I have and then have to tell a family why their kid killed themselves or another family, maybe you would understand. Smack me if you want, but you have no idea what I have seen and dealt with over the years in the fire service. I would say that most of the fatalities that I have been on, were the result of a teenager/under 21 individual doing something stupid. The sad thing is that their stupidity also cost the lives of other innocent people. Doesn't mean that some adults have not done the same, I just have seen it more with young adult/teenagers. That is what I respect about MOST Vette owners. MOST are older, more responsable adults. I am getting off the soap box.
As for testing the back raods, you are right. I have NOT done it as that little voice always reminds me about being safe. When the time and conditions are right, I will give it a whirl. Until then, I am just wanting some good info. Didn't realize this would get so heated. Save the wave.
As for testing the back raods, you are right. I have NOT done it as that little voice always reminds me about being safe. When the time and conditions are right, I will give it a whirl. Until then, I am just wanting some good info. Didn't realize this would get so heated. Save the wave.
Did you ever think that the large majority of people you see killed (under the age of 21) are the minority? What I'm getting at is you never see the kids that dont act like idiots, the ones that casually drive by not attracting any kind of attention, medical or otherwise. So this leads me to conclude, you're bias and as such you can not have a valid opinion on the teenage driving population's "common sence"
and as far as my "smack you" comments go, dont take much I say to heart. My apologizes for not including a smiley or something to indicate I'm a jokerster at heart and only attempting to get a rise out of you.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
High Performance Drivers Education schools and AUto-Xs are the places to learn the limits( if any) of your car. Most limites are the Nut behind the wheel.
For a list of HPDEs east of the Rock Mountains
http://www.trackschedule.com
For a list of HPDEs east of the Rock Mountains
http://www.trackschedule.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
High Performance Drivers Education schools and AUto-Xs are the places to learn the limits( if any) of your car. Most limites are the Nut behind the wheel.
For a list of HPDEs east of the Rock Mountains
http://www.trackschedule.com
For a list of HPDEs east of the Rock Mountains
http://www.trackschedule.com
Even if you never plan to Auto-X your car as a hobby, you'll learn more about performance driving at these events than you can imagine. I even entered my daughter in our last one and she got to drive her car on a track both with instruction and by herself. It was a great experience and keeps performance driving on a track under controlled and safety managed leadership where it belongs.
I've got the Evolution HP school next month.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Originally Posted by Neablas
what's a stereotype? can you tell me please? i dont understand, my large ego is stopping me from grasping this.
Don't assume because you're on a corvette forum you can whip out your judgements on the teenage population. Granted most teenagers are jerks and deserve everything they get but on the other hand you make me want to get up and smack you.
And if out in your back country, you've had plenty of oppertunities to "open a car up" safely, why are you asking us? ... just put your foot into it and figure her out.
It's always better and more fun to learn from experience.
and btw.
Welcome to the Forum .. Don't forget to wave
Don't assume because you're on a corvette forum you can whip out your judgements on the teenage population. Granted most teenagers are jerks and deserve everything they get but on the other hand you make me want to get up and smack you.
And if out in your back country, you've had plenty of oppertunities to "open a car up" safely, why are you asking us? ... just put your foot into it and figure her out.
It's always better and more fun to learn from experience.
and btw.
Welcome to the Forum .. Don't forget to wave
No one is saying YOU are irresponsible. But as even you noted yourself, "Granted most teenagers are jerks and deserve everything they get....". I'd even disagree with you by saying that "most" teenagers are not jerks. Many are, but certainly not "most". Many simply haven't the experience yet to make more responsible decisions. That is a fact of life that we all went through. There are a lot of teenagers in uniform laying their lives on the line for all of us right now who are neither jerks nor irresponsible.
And yes, there are lots of adults who are still jerks, too. The neat thing is that you get to decide what you want to be. Tell your ego to settle down a bit and give up on wanting to smack people.
Last edited by CAJUNY2KC5; Oct 15, 2004 at 08:03 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
Originally Posted by CAJUNY2KC5
No one is saying YOU are irresponsible. But as even you noted yourself, "Granted most teenagers are jerks and deserve everything they get....". I'd even disagree with you by saying that "most" teenagers are not jerks. Many are, but certainly not "most". Many simply haven't the experience yet to make more responsible decisions. That is a fact of life that we all went through. There are a lot of teenagers in uniform laying their lives on the line for all of us right now who are neither jerks nor irresponsible.
And yes, there are lots of adults who are still jerks, too. The neat thing is that you get to decide what you want to be. Tell your ego to settle down a bit and give up on wanting to smack people.
I just get upset when people blatantly attack kid's or teenager's driving, it just crossed me the wrong way.
whatever, rant is long over it's not important.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Originally Posted by Neablas
... did you read my followup post?
I just get upset when people blatantly attack kid's or teenager's driving, it just crossed me the wrong way.
whatever, rant is long over it's not important.
I just get upset when people blatantly attack kid's or teenager's driving, it just crossed me the wrong way.
whatever, rant is long over it's not important.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Forked River New Jersey
Read all the posts, whew!! 
For a stock C5, you will hit the rev limiter at or just above 6Gs. You'll want to shift just before hitting it. As you have probably noticed, the LS1, like your bike, is very torquey, but try to catch at least 2500 to 3Gs (+ -) in a gear if you are taking someone on. The limiter should keep you from damaging the engine unless you are really bananas. Drive carefully and thank you for not smoking. 
For a stock C5, you will hit the rev limiter at or just above 6Gs. You'll want to shift just before hitting it. As you have probably noticed, the LS1, like your bike, is very torquey, but try to catch at least 2500 to 3Gs (+ -) in a gear if you are taking someone on. The limiter should keep you from damaging the engine unless you are really bananas. Drive carefully and thank you for not smoking.
