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Old Jul 1, 2006 | 03:27 AM
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Found out this morning what people mean when Supercar tires are cold and what "snap" means. I routinely switch to Competitive Drivng Mode every time I fire up my MN6 Z51 up because wheel-spin is fun, but active handling makes it a lot safer. About three miles from my house this somewhat cool early morning in sunny Socal, I overcooked it into the right turn onto the off-camber, downhill onramp cloverleaf and kept the throttle in it for a micro-second too long. In that microsecond, I was suddenly looking out the left window in the direction of travel. Time slowed down as I reacted with slightly reduced throttle and countersteer, a lot more and a lot longer than I thought it should have taken. For half that microsecond I thought, "It's not coming back, uh oh", but then a miracle occured and we were sorted out and headed down the ramp. God bless Active Handling!

The moral of the story is, be ready for the "snap" if you're going to fandango with your C6!
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Old Jul 1, 2006 | 09:44 AM
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That's why I leave it on.
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Old Jul 1, 2006 | 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by double eagle
That's why I leave it on.
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Old Jul 1, 2006 | 10:02 AM
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I think I know exactly which onramp you're referring to. It's a good one, and just invites you to jump on it. I've never taken it sideways though!
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Old Jul 1, 2006 | 10:30 AM
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"off camber, downhill"

Famous last words: "Here, hold my beer."
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Old Jul 1, 2006 | 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by double eagle
That's why I leave it on.
+2


the guy at the dealership told me if ya take the emt's off and put regular tire on it, it is a different car.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 02:01 AM
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Leaving it on...to each his own, I guess. I leave it on if I encounter rain, but there's no question that in the dry, the acceleration is reduced as the traction management kicks in and auto-brakes long before the ignition cut-out.

Originally Posted by Atomic Punk
+2


the guy at the dealership told me if ya take the emt's off and put regular tire on it, it is a different car.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 03:27 AM
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Glad the "bear" didn't eat you on that day! Way to go!
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 08:46 AM
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I leave mine on all the time. One day I'll turn it off and give it a try.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 01:44 PM
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AH cannot overcome ham-fisted (footed) actions.

I spun-out making a LH turn from a stoplight when I shifted into 2nd.

It happened so fast I doubt AH could have done a thing.

Since then I am much more cautious with throttle inputs.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 02:07 PM
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the guy at the dealership told me if ya take the emt's off and put regular tire on it, it is a different car
would that be a better or worse car?
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 09:39 PM
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I don't personally have the driving skills to take off the traction control!!!!!!!! You gotta be way careful with the C6.
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Old Jul 2, 2006 | 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by jesse12804
would that be a better or worse car?
Better. The general consensus is EMT's forgo feedback/handling due to the stiffer sidewall requirements for run-flats.

I have the BFG KDW-2's on mine & I think they are a big improvement in addition to costing ~50% less.
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Old Jul 3, 2006 | 02:17 AM
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I drive mine in competitive mode for auto-x but usually leave everything on for street driving. I'm actually wondering if smooth driving at the auto-x might be even more rewarded with everything on as I tend to really cook the rears coming out of hairpins...just cannot keep my foot out of it long enough. Traction control might be better than playing with tire pressures...but I don't really know as this is my first year with this car at auto-x.
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Old Jul 3, 2006 | 02:45 AM
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Originally Posted by railgun
I drive mine in competitive mode for auto-x but usually leave everything on for street driving. I'm actually wondering if smooth driving at the auto-x might be even more rewarded with everything on as I tend to really cook the rears coming out of hairpins...just cannot keep my foot out of it long enough. Traction control might be better than playing with tire pressures...but I don't really know as this is my first year with this car at auto-x.

For autox you will be much better to turn off everything, both AH and TC off. The reason you are cooking the rears coming out of tight corners is because the AH is trying to straighten out the car for you by applying one or the other front brakes causing drag which compounds the wheelspin. Yes it is doing it even though you are in comp mode. Give it a try with everything off at your next autox. I think you will like the results. Dont screw with the tire pressures on stock runflats.
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Old Jul 3, 2006 | 05:58 AM
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I love spinning tires as much as anyone else, I just think that there is a time and place for everything. Leave everything on while on a public street, take it to the track otherwise. Just my own opinion.
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Old Jul 3, 2006 | 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by KBlanke
I love spinning tires as much as anyone else, I just think that there is a time and place for everything. Leave everything on while on a public street, take it to the track otherwise. Just my own opinion.
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Old Jul 3, 2006 | 12:07 PM
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I believe some of the issues can be attributed to the run-flat tires, I had a modded 99 coupe (340 RWHP) and on the run-flats I could get the car to mis-behave anytime I wanted and at times I didn't. They I switched tires to a non-run flat (same size) and the car's behavior improved dramatically. I know the new generation run flat has been improved, but it's still a run flat and there are a few downsides to their nature.

When I bought my 03 Z (w/o run flats) and increased HP from 340 to 367 at the rear wheels, I was surprised how well behaved the Z was. Again I believe the characteristics of the run flat vs a non run flat are at play here, or at least contribute significantly.

Having said all that I have no intention of ever switching from a run flat, I will however change my driving style accordingly.

Tom
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