I test drove a 05 Z51 vert a few days ago near Chicago, the roads were dry and the temp was about 40. While about 80% thru making a right turn @ an average rate of speed I hit the gas, there was a slight pause then the horse power kicked in. The back end slide a bit to the left before the traction control kicked in. (thank god for traction control !!) I think the salesman was a bit freaked! he had never ridden in a corvette before.

My question is: Is this normal, or was she a bit loose due to cold tires? cold road surface? Z 51? Will this happen during normal summer driving?

Thanks for any input

 

I think it's worse when cold...but I purposely make the *** end slide out in turns..IT'S FUN!! SO,all in all it's pretty normal for Z51!!

 

Normal for me. My wife hates it when that back end starts sliding but I am to busy enjoying it to notice her.

 

The tires on the Z51 package are a compromise. What they gain in dry weather traction to put up better performance numbers, they give back in wet and cold weather conditions. There are those who will debate to their death that the Z51 package is something that everyone should get, but you are not the only one from a colder area that has learned that there are some downsides to the tires. Driving with any easy right foot and also knowing that the AH will assist you make the Vette a great daily driver, you just have to know the limits of what you have.

 

Same here, until I have to remove her finger nails from my arm!!

 

yes,yes,yes,.maybe

 

Thats one of the great things you can do with these type of cars. I did this a lot when I had a bmw z-3. I do it now with the vette but much more carefully because of the power. It can still break away from you. So it's fun but be careful!

 

IMO when the Z51 tires are worn out in half the time they should be replace with those that come standard on "ordinary" C6's.

Z51 IMO:

sway bars.....improvement and a nice mod to a non Z51 car
brakes....modest improvement skip them and upgrade to Z06 brakes
coolers....who needs em?
shocks...they say the ride is either to rough or much better your choice
manual trans gears....big deal
tires....might get you killed if it's cold
engine.....here's the good part.....absolutely identical to every other C6 except the Z06

Best case IMO is to upgrade non Z51 car to Z51 sway bars and Z06 brakes

just my opinions your results may vary.....

 

The weather definitely was a factor.

I live in the area here and at this time of year there is still residue on the streets that make traction a little less than ideal.

You mentioned you hit the gas.........First of all, I don't understand what you mean by a slight pause, this car is immediately responsive, not like a turbo..............These cars are very powerful with a lot of low end torque.

If you have your wheels at a 45 degree angle through your turn and you hit the gas (not to mention in colder weather), yes the back end will slip. Driving this car requires a patient right foot. There are many cars where you can just mash the pedal because they can only take what you can dish out. This car offers more and you need to learn it's limits.

I recommend you take the car back out on a clear day and try this:

1) If you want to see the power, hit the gas when the front wheels are pointed straight.

2) take turns modestly and increase throttle as you get more familiar with it. Apply the gas throughout the entire turn squeezing it accordingly.

3) The rear end is very manageable when it swings out, the problem is most people give up on the maneuver because it usually requires a bit more sliding to bring it back in line then they are comfortable with. Negotiating turns in the city may not allow you this room so you have to use some common sense.

Warm weather will bring these problems to a halt.

Mike

 

I also live in the Chicago suburbs,and yes.you will kick out in a turn in a Z51,but oh brother it's worth it.This is basically a race car,it's not designed for cold weather,the tires have to warm up,but when the temp goes up you will not want for any other car.If you live in this area this should not be your daily driver,it's not made for that.I'm sure you have another car,if not get any P.O.S. and enjoy that Z51 equipped monster when you can.

 

IMO Your constant anti Z51 comments are getting old.

 

I too have grown very tired of the OregonC6's comments about the Z51...like what it provides or not, but is without question the best "bang for the buck" option on the Corvette menu. Lest you forget that "manual trans gear - big deal" is good for a couple of tenths. We heard you the first 134,754,946,375 times you felt the need to justify your not buying the Z51 package...no go away!

 

You guys need to give ol' OregonC6 a break...He's still smarting from his penile implant surgery. Gettin' old and crotchety is a bitch.

 

 

Jack I'm in Chicago also, I have driven my car when it was below 40 outside, and had no problems. I just don't get carried away with the gas. Far as the Z51 option, we all have opinions and thats why options are created. Everyone should buy what they like and not rip others for doing the same.

 

Can't say that

His Z51 envy is apparent in virtually every post he makes. And it is quite amusing watching him attempt to justify his own purchase and convince himself that he made the right move by passing on the Z51 performance package.

Heres my all time favorite:





And for the type of racing for which the Z51 was built, and with a capable driver, a fellow forum member was good enough to post this thread and video. Off the mark huh? :

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...43&forum_id=74



Other tidbits of wisdom from OregonC6

So don't stop him now. He's on a roll.

 

I have yet to see anyone here make the claim that Z51 "is something that everyone should get."

Just something that those who want the best factory performance capabilities available in the C6 without going to the Z06, should get.

 

Well said my friend...well said. Better yet, you didn't really comment at all, but let his own ridiculous words tell the story. As a friend of mine used to say, better keep quiet and let people think you are an idiot, than to open your mouth and prove it.

 

Our cars are not weight proportioned properly, thats why they slide out or spin. The Zo6's are even worse (notice all of the accidents and wrecks of Z's)...Please be careful and drive safe!

 

Getting back on track, it sounds like the AH and TC kicked in. You should have seen a message in the DIC window, but of course you were probably too busy trying to control the car to notice. That's normal behaivor when both system engage to prevent the car from going out of control. Accelerating in a turn on cold rubber will usually cause the tires to loose their grip.

The car was working as designed. You lived to tell the story and not a scratch on the car.

Tom