Hi friends,
I've 99 coupe, with Goodyear EMT tires (original). From what I've read, heard, or I know the C5 was built differently from the C4, from the ground up. And this version was supposed to be the all new, and best Corvette ever made (aside from C6 now). Its known for its cornering ability at high speeds. My car is all stock, and it looses control and begins to slide at speeds as low as 25-35 miles/hr, when entering a sharp turn, or just starting from complete stop but going to turn. That gives me no confidence in cornering at high speeds. The suspension and sway bars are all lame too. Not what I'd expect from a Corvette. Maybe its cuz I was raised hearing the Corvette's name as the American dream car, so I expect a lot from it . If you gotta change suspensions, shocks, rear leaf, front sway bars, tires and all that to make it run like a Corvette, that we think it is...........then you can do that to just about ANY car and it will run, and corner with utmost stability . You could invest half the $ into a ricer and make it corner like its on rails. I thought the body styling, Design, and materials used in Corvettes matters in handling. Then what's the all the hype about "Corvettes are known for handling and cornering"....

I'm sorry if I offended some of you, but trust me, my intention is to really learn....not just flow with hype. Previously, I've owned 79 Trans Am (6.6L) and some of you may know how that ran in 70s and 80s - it was all stock, wide Tires, basic suspension/chassis, and an outdated design (compared to modern standards)...but boy, did it run. I've been a Vette Fan since I was a kid, now I'm 29 and recently got my first Vette. Though I love it every bit, but are my expectation unreal ??

 

I've also previously owned a '79 trans am, four z28's two of which were ss's, and my corvette handles in a league above these cars. I would have your suspension looked at. Something doesn't seem right.

 

The first thing you should do is go buy some Kumho MX tires. Then you will see how good these cars handle. 275/40/18, 255/45/18

Or you can buy some Z06 rims and get 295/35/18 275/40/17

These cars handle very good with just a tire change. If still not happy, then try 04 Z06 shocks.

Z06 Alignment would help too.

Steve

 

If you still have the original tires on, now 6 years old, I would expect handling problems. Get some non-runflat tires. How many miles on your car? The shocks may be gone too.

The vette handles great, I think you may just need some basic tire/suspension maintenance.

Eventually, I would also recommend that you drop the 2.73 gears, and get 3.42's.

Congratulations on your Vette!

 

My 98 had horrible low speed bump-steer with the run-craps. That all goes away with a tire change.Now the car handles well beyond my courage to push it. I have a 180 turn that Is no more than 120 feet wide that Im now taking at 50 mph, it is followed by a 90 right, and I.m usually up to 80 in less than 50 yards. One of these days I'm going to find a large open area where I can really open this baby up...

 

I agree, a C5 will out run, and out handle a 79 Trans Am on any venue. How many miles on your C5? You should have the tires, alignment, and suspension looked at. Your C5 even with runflat tires, which are frequently under rated, is in another league as mau stated than a 79 Trans Am.

 

The EMT (aka runflat) tires are probably the root of your problem. They start off OK, but as they wear (miles) and age (years), they progressively turn into the worst possible tires known to man.

Sure, all tires wear out - but those stock GY EMT tires are down right dangerous after a few years. At 20K miles and 3 years, mine were loud as hell and broke loose at 35 mph.

Good luck,

 

I'd look at the rear alignment.

Tom

 

I've also owned a number of F-Bodies, and I still have one left: a '79 400\4-Speed\WS6 car without T-Tops. On it, I totally re-built the suspension with MOOG components, 800lb springs in front and trick leafs in the rear along with polyurethane bushings everywhere. This was as good as it got for 2nd Gen F-car handling, and my stock '99 coupe handled like a go-kart in comparison. The C5 is in a different league and can't compare to a 2nd Gen F-body.

When I first got my '99, the shocks were shot at 44K miles, so the suspension just wallowed during transitions. After installing a set of Bilstein sports, all is good! Since then, I've swapped in Z06 springs & sways along with 18" wheels and Michelin Pilot Sports. I've also cut the front bushings and went with longer bolts in the rear to lower the ride height. Now its more car than driver!

 

Your car needs non-runflats. You will be amazed at the difference! My 98 vert was terrible when I first got it, I couldn't get any traction in the turns, especially if I touched the throttle. I went to Dunlop Sport 9000's and more recently to Falken's. While I have done some other mods along the way, the single biggest change in handling was the non-runflats and a good alignment.

 

sounds like the rear is toed out, maybe a bad tie-rod end in the rear
get the thing up in the air and see if something is worn out or broken

 

I was also very disappointed with the handling of my 99' coupe when I first got it. It had the base FE1 suspension. It's unfortunate that you have to invest some money to make it handle great but that's what your going to have to do. Find out if you have the base suspension, then pick up some Z06 sway bars...cheap. Then try the 04' Z06 shocks.. 1/2 the problem is solved at this point. The other half can be solved with a better non run-flat tire. Good luck!

 

you didn't say which suspension you have. My 99 came with a F45 suspension, and I didn't encounter any of the problems you mention, even with the run craps.

Since then I've replaced the suspension with Z06 components, so the handling is improved, but it was pretty decent to begin with.

 

how many miles on those tires? my 99 has 40000 on the original tires and theyve had it. Id say its the tires more than the car but an alignment wouldnt hurt

 

I have the base suspension in my car and it handles ok. Not great but ok. Still leaves alot to be desired I admit. Throw some non runflats on there, Bilstein or 02 Z shocks and some better sways and you have a all new car!

 

Something is seriously wrong if your C5 takes aback seat to an old F-Bod. I owned a 75 Trans Am, a 79 Camaro Z28, and a 72 Formula 400, all with modern rubber and my C5 would annhihilate any of them on a road course or autocross.
If the car has been hit and fixed incorrectly, even an alignment that makes the car go in a straight line will make it handle funky if the geometry is off. Also, as everyone else said, the EMT's are like hockey pucks when they get old and will mask the tue performance of the car.

 

Hi gang,

Thanks for all your replies and feedback. A LOT of you have asked me how many miles I have on the car. I have only 18K miles (bought a 3 months ago, with 14,450 miles). I can understand the shocks, suspension, tire problems IF it had a lot of miles. But with 18K miles shocks and suspension should be practically still new. I guess, I'll change the run craps with they wear out some more and get the Kumho MXs, since everyone seems to like them. Hope that would give better traction, and the ability for fast turns, without spinning/sliding...

Thanks again..... Keep your comments coming. This is like being in a Corvette Collage, where we get higher education about cars...

 

EXACTLY !!! My brother was sitting with me, and was wondering why my Vette was going to spin at a turn near the house (we're so used to..daily driving), where a Honda, or any car would take that turn at 35 WITHOUT sliding, and my Vette begins to slide side ways. I love the Active Handling though....Its fun to slide at low speed and watch the AC go into action. But at high speeds, this is NO fun..

 

A lot of it may also be learning the car. A 1/2 turn of the wheel will cause any C5 to spin becuase you have a very quick turning ratio where it barely engages the box in my old F-Bod. I used to think my C4 handled better until I got used to the car and learned its characteristics.

 

I was similarly disappointed when I first bought my '01 which had the F45 suspension. I had the alignment done and all of the parts of the car were in good working order but I really was unimpressed by the handling. If you have the FE1 or F45 suspension, I know what you mean... For me, coilovers and Z06 swaybars made a lot of difference...