GS handling issues
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 124
Likes: 15
From: New York/Florida
GS handling issues
Hi Guys, I have a stock 2012 GS, took it to Limerock, it was dangerous. Was very unstable and very scary to go through fast corners,
so I was recommended to purchase shocks, I picked Bilstien R8s
still not happy with the rear end, feels unplanted, And wobbly. So I’m thinking of getting JOC sway bars, there are 2 models, I guess on stiffer then the other
i drive pretty aggressive on the track, used to race GT1, with SCCA
Anyone have experienced the same thing as me, and what was your solution
ty
so I was recommended to purchase shocks, I picked Bilstien R8s
still not happy with the rear end, feels unplanted, And wobbly. So I’m thinking of getting JOC sway bars, there are 2 models, I guess on stiffer then the other
i drive pretty aggressive on the track, used to race GT1, with SCCA
Anyone have experienced the same thing as me, and what was your solution
ty
Last edited by Chuck2012GS; Jul 7, 2021 at 06:58 PM. Reason: Mis spelled word
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
If your GS feels dangerous, scary and unstable in high speed corners I'm thinking you have another issue. Your GS should run through high speed corners like it's running on rails. High speed corners are one of the Corvette's strengths.
I'd get the car up in the air and start looking for what's wrong, broken or loose. Throwing high performance parts at the problem will not solve the issue unless you happen onto the current defect.
Anyhoo... that's my 2 cents, your mileage may vary.
I'd get the car up in the air and start looking for what's wrong, broken or loose. Throwing high performance parts at the problem will not solve the issue unless you happen onto the current defect.
Anyhoo... that's my 2 cents, your mileage may vary.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 124
Likes: 15
From: New York/Florida
If your GS feels dangerous, scary and unstable in high speed corners I'm thinking you have another issue. Your GS should run through high speed corners like it's running on rails. High speed corners are one of the Corvette's strengths.
I'd get the car up in the air and start looking for what's wrong, broken or loose. Throwing high performance parts at the problem will not solve the issue unless you happen onto the current defect.
Anyhoo... that's my 2 cents, your mileage may vary.
I'd get the car up in the air and start looking for what's wrong, broken or loose. Throwing high performance parts at the problem will not solve the issue unless you happen onto the current defect.
Anyhoo... that's my 2 cents, your mileage may vary.
my car had 40k on it, shocks were original
I was talking to a guy at the track, he had same issues, sold his car and built a c5 Z06 into a race car
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
As well as what some other stated here you should look at alignments if you haven’t already. A proper track alignment might set you straight.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-settings.pdf
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-settings.pdf
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 124
Likes: 15
From: New York/Florida
As well as what some other stated here you should look at alignments if you haven’t already. A proper track alignment might set you straight.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-settings.pdf
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-settings.pdf
the corvette’s rear does not feel planted
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,821
Likes: 442
From: Boca Raton Florida
Originally Posted by NYC6
As well as what some other stated here you should look at alignments if you haven’t already. A proper track alignment might set you straight.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-settings.pdf
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-settings.pdf
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 124
Likes: 15
From: New York/Florida
both my cars are set up for track, and both are street driven
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,429
Likes: 3,913
From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Stock GS should handle great. If it's feeling "wobbly and unplanted" you need to go over everything in the suspension. If you've already done the alignment, my guess would be you may have a worn bushing somewhere. My previous '13 GS was very planted and stable, and although the rear was a little vague on feel, it was a great handling car. Same for my current '12 ZR1. The stock C6 suspension is actually very good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 876
Likes: 116
From: HOMESTEAD FL
Hi Guys, I have a stock 2012 GS, took it to Limerock, it was dangerous. Was very unstable and very scary to go through fast corners,
so I was recommended to purchase shocks, I picked Bilstien R8s
still not happy with the rear end, feels unplanted, And wobbly. So I’m thinking of getting JOC sway bars, there are 2 models, I guess on stiffer then the other
i drive pretty aggressive on the track, used to race GT1, with SCCA
Anyone have experienced the same thing as me, and what was your solution
ty
so I was recommended to purchase shocks, I picked Bilstien R8s
still not happy with the rear end, feels unplanted, And wobbly. So I’m thinking of getting JOC sway bars, there are 2 models, I guess on stiffer then the other
i drive pretty aggressive on the track, used to race GT1, with SCCA
Anyone have experienced the same thing as me, and what was your solution
ty
If your GS feels dangerous, scary and unstable in high speed corners I'm thinking you have another issue. Your GS should run through high speed corners like it's running on rails. High speed corners are one of the Corvette's strengths.
I'd get the car up in the air and start looking for what's wrong, broken or loose. Throwing high performance parts at the problem will not solve the issue unless you happen onto the current defect.
Anyhoo... that's my 2 cents, your mileage may vary.
I'd get the car up in the air and start looking for what's wrong, broken or loose. Throwing high performance parts at the problem will not solve the issue unless you happen onto the current defect.
Anyhoo... that's my 2 cents, your mileage may vary.
If your GS feels unstable, its either the car or you. Assuming its not you and is in fact mechanical problem, I would look at the rear leaf and make sure its not broken... perhaps there are some loose bolts or worn out parts.
Your GS should feel very planted and give you confidence in corners... if its wobbling or shaking something is wrong.
Could it be your traction control? I know my traction control makes the car less predictable and very dangerous when trying to track it. That's almost caused me to loose control more than a few times.
To low of an air pressure in the tires could cause the rim to wonder in the tire... this can give an uneasy feeling when diving into or accelerating out of a corner... Heck the tail end even wonders left and right during WOT straight line acceleration if the tire pressure is to low. verify tire pressures are correct.
Shocks are another area that could be bad... if they are not controlling the spring return rate, that would also give a wavy unpredictable feeling in corners...
I'm betting something is worn or broken... Throw enough parts at it and your bound to fix it.
SPEED SAFE, NICK
Last edited by AIR_RAM; Jul 9, 2021 at 09:29 AM.
thing knower
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,404
Likes: 942
From: wpb
my first track day out i ran on 32 psi cold.... didn't think much about it until the car got scary on the track....
came in to the paddock and checked my tire pressure... i think all four were close to 48psi....
now i usually go on at 28psi and run a few laps to warm up, and come in and adjust.... i try to be right around 30psi hot....
that was on michelin pilot sports (new) and i even had to bring down the temps on my r888r's after driving them on the track for the first time...
that or your stock rubber control arm bushings are shot and need to be replaced....
came in to the paddock and checked my tire pressure... i think all four were close to 48psi....
now i usually go on at 28psi and run a few laps to warm up, and come in and adjust.... i try to be right around 30psi hot....
that was on michelin pilot sports (new) and i even had to bring down the temps on my r888r's after driving them on the track for the first time...
that or your stock rubber control arm bushings are shot and need to be replaced....
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
What speeds does it feel unstable in the rear? Reason I ask is mine felt the same way the faster I went. APR 71" wing solved it.
Other than that, bushings and sway bars couldn't hurt.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 124
Likes: 15
From: New York/Florida
I agree with the above.
If your GS feels unstable, its either the car or you. Assuming its not you and is in fact mechanical problem, I would look at the rear leaf and make sure its not broken... perhaps there are some loose bolts or worn out parts.
Your GS should feel very planted and give you confidence in corners... if its wobbling or shaking something is wrong.
Could it be your traction control? I know my traction control makes the car less predictable and very dangerous when trying to track it. That's almost caused me to loose control more than a few times.
To low of an air pressure in the tires could cause the rim to wonder in the tire... this can give an uneasy feeling when diving into or accelerating out of a corner... Heck the tail end even wonders left and right during WOT straight line acceleration if the tire pressure is to low. verify tire pressures are correct.
Shocks are another area that could be bad... if they are not controlling the spring return rate, that would also give a wavy unpredictable feeling in corners...
I'm betting something is worn or broken... Throw enough parts at it and your bound to fix it.
SPEED SAFE, NICK
If your GS feels unstable, its either the car or you. Assuming its not you and is in fact mechanical problem, I would look at the rear leaf and make sure its not broken... perhaps there are some loose bolts or worn out parts.
Your GS should feel very planted and give you confidence in corners... if its wobbling or shaking something is wrong.
Could it be your traction control? I know my traction control makes the car less predictable and very dangerous when trying to track it. That's almost caused me to loose control more than a few times.
To low of an air pressure in the tires could cause the rim to wonder in the tire... this can give an uneasy feeling when diving into or accelerating out of a corner... Heck the tail end even wonders left and right during WOT straight line acceleration if the tire pressure is to low. verify tire pressures are correct.
Shocks are another area that could be bad... if they are not controlling the spring return rate, that would also give a wavy unpredictable feeling in corners...
I'm betting something is worn or broken... Throw enough parts at it and your bound to fix it.
SPEED SAFE, NICK
I have built and raced GT1 race cars, I know about cars, there is nothing wrong with the car, except it was not made to be driven like a race car, unless it is modified. I also have a 2018 Camaro SS 1le, I drive it like a race car, it handles great. I’m assuming that the corvette is mushy by design, for the street. I have done 20 track days with my 1le and have never been passed by a corvette, except full race cars or C7 Z06s.
I think most Corvette guys will never reach its limits. I am building it to be a serious track car. I have spoken to a few guys at the track with fast vettes, shocks, sway bars And a solid tranny mount are a must
i also cooked my stock 6 piston calipers, braking too deep, pedal went to the floor. So I purchased wilwood aero 6, race calipers and rotors, with 20mm pads, and I’m also putting in brake ducts. I will let you guys know how this works, I have been doing my homework, I checked the rear suspension, nothing worn or broke.
this is a video of me at Limerock, with my 100% stock ss 1le, I lapped the field and passed a 526hp Shelby GT 350 on last lap. As you see, I drive harder then most people
thank you
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Meh... I somewhat disagree, something is wrong with the car or driver... but I've only won 2 national championships so WTF do I know... carry on...
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 211
Likes: 72
From: Ellisville Missouri
I've driven a one day driving school in our 2011 GS at the National Corvette Museum track.
The car handled reasonably well for a mostly stock C6 for me. When Andy Pilgrim the instructor drove for a few laps he made the vette get-up and go.
Of course when you are a professional road racer you can make almost any car look good.
All four MRS shocks have been replaced and the Jim Mero Super Sport up grade has been updated.
The cars has Bridgestone Potenza run flat tires that did talk to me in the corners.Granted as to get serious a better tire and suspension upgrades are necessary without a doubt.
But for a weekend car that my wife and I can enjoy together, it ain't too Bad.
These cars are made to be Driven and Enjoyed !!!
The car handled reasonably well for a mostly stock C6 for me. When Andy Pilgrim the instructor drove for a few laps he made the vette get-up and go.
Of course when you are a professional road racer you can make almost any car look good.
All four MRS shocks have been replaced and the Jim Mero Super Sport up grade has been updated.
The cars has Bridgestone Potenza run flat tires that did talk to me in the corners.Granted as to get serious a better tire and suspension upgrades are necessary without a doubt.
But for a weekend car that my wife and I can enjoy together, it ain't too Bad.
These cars are made to be Driven and Enjoyed !!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 124
Likes: 15
From: New York/Florida
I've driven a one day driving school in our 2011 GS at the National Corvette Museum track.
The car handled reasonably well for a mostly stock C6 for me. When Andy Pilgrim the instructor drove for a few laps he made the vette get-up and go.
Of course when you are a professional road racer you can make almost any car look good.
All four MRS shocks have been replaced and the Jim Mero Super Sport up grade has been updated.
The cars has Bridgestone Potenza run flat tires that did talk to me in the corners.Granted as to get serious a better tire and suspension upgrades are necessary without a doubt.
But for a weekend car that my wife and I can enjoy together, it ain't too Bad.
These cars are made to be Driven and Enjoyed !!!
The car handled reasonably well for a mostly stock C6 for me. When Andy Pilgrim the instructor drove for a few laps he made the vette get-up and go.
Of course when you are a professional road racer you can make almost any car look good.
All four MRS shocks have been replaced and the Jim Mero Super Sport up grade has been updated.
The cars has Bridgestone Potenza run flat tires that did talk to me in the corners.Granted as to get serious a better tire and suspension upgrades are necessary without a doubt.
But for a weekend car that my wife and I can enjoy together, it ain't too Bad.
These cars are made to be Driven and Enjoyed !!!
I love driving my car, on and off the track
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 124
Likes: 15
From: New York/Florida
in 65mph all the way up to 80s, felt very u stable. Yet on a autocross track, it’s amazing