Question about high speed braking, cornering.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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Question about high speed braking, cornering.
To me the C5 feels awkward during high speed cornering in curves, and braking while turning. (ie at 80+MPH) At low speeds (45 or less), its like on rails, but the higher speeds seem scary, and unsetteling. Is it me, or is this just how a factory C5 behaves? My stock 92 chevy stepside silverado, with 265/60-15 tires all the way around feels much more controllable in high speed curves.
Admittedly, mabey I just dont know how to handle a C5 in such a high speed manuver.
Any pointers or comments?
thanks
:cheers:
[Modified by kewlbrz, 2:05 PM 4/19/2002]
Admittedly, mabey I just dont know how to handle a C5 in such a high speed manuver.
Any pointers or comments?
thanks
:cheers:
[Modified by kewlbrz, 2:05 PM 4/19/2002]
Team Owner
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Re: Question about high speed braking, cornering. (kewlbrz)
One thing that is supposed to help the High Speed "bump steering" is the new Tir Rod End Links that are now available... I am going to try those out myself very soon.
vetterdstr :cheers:
vetterdstr :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Vette
Re: Question about high speed braking, cornering. (kewlbrz)
I dunno man. I got a local highway here (Southern State Parkway for you Long Island people ;) ) and it’s curve after curve :cool:. I often cruise on it at ~100MPH (when I’m coming back from the movies at 2am) taking those corners at 100 w/o braking sweat :reddevil
Also I remember on the way back from ARE I took a slight curve at 140MPH with the top down. :D Now that was fun :D Car handled great.
Check your alignment and tire balance if in doubt. Those could be off…
Also I remember on the way back from ARE I took a slight curve at 140MPH with the top down. :D Now that was fun :D Car handled great.
Check your alignment and tire balance if in doubt. Those could be off…
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Re: Question about high speed braking, cornering. (kewlbrz)
:confused: :confused: I have the base suspension and think the Vette is the most stable car in high speed turns I've ever driven bar none. I would think it would be even better with the Z51. I think the only time it can get a little unsettled is if you hit a sharp bump in the middle of a turn and then you will feel a little "bump steer", but it recovers in a fraction of a second tracks fine.
Try this. With both hands on the wheel (10 & 2 or 9 & 3 position) use your hand/arm to hold and steer into the turn (i.e., to turn right, push using your left hand..not pulling with the right hand). Also,, get the chassis of the car "set" before you go into the turn. Pick your line, brake lightly (trail brake) through the first part of the turn and gently accelerate out of it.
Have fun. :cheers:
Try this. With both hands on the wheel (10 & 2 or 9 & 3 position) use your hand/arm to hold and steer into the turn (i.e., to turn right, push using your left hand..not pulling with the right hand). Also,, get the chassis of the car "set" before you go into the turn. Pick your line, brake lightly (trail brake) through the first part of the turn and gently accelerate out of it.
Have fun. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Panama City Beach FL
Re: Question about high speed braking, cornering. (vetterdstr)
A good way to learn the limits of your vette in a safe manner is to go to one of the high speed driving schools. It's on my wish list within the next couple of years.
Drifting
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From: Chapin SC
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Re: Question about high speed braking, cornering. (kewlbrz)
"Braking while turning" is not recommended unless you're talking about trail braking in the entry part of a turn. Braking after you hit the apex is very poor technique. I agree with luvinc5, a Bragg-Smith or Bondurant course would be advised.
Team Owner
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From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
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Re: Question about high speed braking, cornering. (kewlbrz)
Kewl, one thing I wanted to add is that the Run Flats are not the best handling tire in the world. If you have not already changed those, doing so now would help out quite a bit.
vetterdstr :cheers:
vetterdstr :cheers:
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Drifting
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Re: Question about high speed braking, cornering. (kewlbrz)
I hope your not hitting the brakes hard while actually already in a turn. That is the best way to exit a turn backwards. I will brake into a turn (trail braking) but usually I brake down to the speed I feel comfortable with before hitting the turn. If I dont? Then I hold on and maintain throttle. The worst thing you can do is upset the car by hitting the brakes in the middle of a turn. You have now just lifted the rear of the car and it WILL lose traction. And if you were at the edge of traction to begin with then you WILL spin out.
Melting Slicks
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From: Sindelfingen Germany
Re: Question about high speed braking, cornering. (kewlbrz)
I´m 100% with you. But not only at braking, IMO also when taking off gas and pushing it again. Did some mods to make it better, was successful but not in that way, my former Porsche behaved. It was absolute stock, with 205 tires in front and 255 in the rear, but it cornered like hell. I´m still trying to get this to my vette.
Frederik
Frederik
Drifting
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Re: Question about high speed braking, cornering. (kewlbrz)
To me the C5 feels awkward during high speed cornering in curves, and braking while turning.
You'll find this slow-in, fast-out technique feels a whole lot better especially as you learn to apply more throttle once you begin to exit the turn ! :reddevil
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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Re: Question about high speed braking, cornering. (mhefner)
More good points. Also I know the runcraps suck, and I bet thats a major feedback and feel issue.
Instructor
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From: sarasota fl
Re: Question about high speed braking, cornering. (kewlbrz)
learn to drive on the cheap....... find an autox, preferably with a course set up by another vette guy, and learn reallllly quick how to drive your car. borrow a helmet, put some xtra free air in the tires, and start grinnin'
david
ps. learn how to autox first and all your friends at the high speed event will wonder why you are smokin' their behinds.
david
ps. learn how to autox first and all your friends at the high speed event will wonder why you are smokin' their behinds.
Racer
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From: Downingtown PA
Re: Question about high speed braking, cornering. (kewlbrz)
I went to Bragg-Smith (driving school) this past February and one thing that really impressed me was how far you could push a C5 with stock tires before it started to let go. As long as you keep it smooth (throttle and brake), those run flats will be screaming at you way before traction goes away. I don't think there are many cars (at any price) that handle better right off the showroom floor. Btw, I just replaced my run-flats with Pilot Sports and they do seem to grip much better. Quieter too, but that's probably because they're new.
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Re: Question about high speed braking, cornering. (kewlbrz)
My car is on rails with some not to costly mods. I know you know motors but you can make a C5 handle great. My car felt good at 175 on a secret Mexican test track. At Pocono I was coming to the tunnel turn at 161. I'll have to pay attention to the Nascar turn one speed next time. Poly bushings are work but make it very stable on the banking and street. I don't care about ride, I raced offshore boats for 17 years this is a cake walk.
PS lower it a bit I left two threads on stock bolts. I went to the bottom but it didn't handle good it bottomed out.
[Modified by John Shiels, 8:20 PM 4/20/2002]
PS lower it a bit I left two threads on stock bolts. I went to the bottom but it didn't handle good it bottomed out.
[Modified by John Shiels, 8:20 PM 4/20/2002]
