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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 06:36 AM
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Default Different driving

It seems to me that my 2016 base coupe stuck to the road a bit better then the 2017 vert. The vert seems to get a little loose in the back end with a little faster driving then the coupe did. Both cars have the same motor and A-8 with NPP. Is there a difference in the weight of the cars? Should I consider putting a sway bar on the vert in the rear.(the coupe didn't have a sway bar)? Maybe a spoiler on the vert? (again the coupe didn't have one) outside temps were in the 80s. Maybe it's just the driver.
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 08:18 AM
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Perhaps its the roof line profile that makes the difference. Big difference between a Vert and Coupe roof profile. I'd guess the downforce, or lack thereof, must be different as well. Is there any published data on downforce between the two models? Maybe a rear spoiler can improve the Vert.
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 09:21 AM
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Did you have your top down?
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 09:37 AM
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Have you checked your tire pressures?
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 09:58 AM
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Could just be the lower ambient temps. My year old Z51 spun out a bit for the first time a few weeks ago in cooler temps. Same brisk left turn I do almost every day.
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 10:03 AM
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I take it that the convertible is a base as well. The easiest thing to try first would be a Z51 spoiler on the convertible.
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 10:04 AM
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If the cars are different, it's not because one is a vert and the other a coupe. Having my dad's Z51 coupe sitting next to mine for a couple months afforded me to drive em back to back. When his car (with mrc) was in touring mode, the vibe basically the same as my ZF1 base vert. Perhaps still a touch stiffer because of the Z51 sway bar setup.

Add: The vert is something like 65 lbs heavier so the extra weight would not be noticed.

Last edited by DAFFYDRUNK; Dec 27, 2016 at 10:05 AM.
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 10:05 AM
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Try an all wheel drive and see the difference.
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 10:52 AM
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Could be alignment, tire pressures, ambient temperature difference even the engine's fuel scheduling (faster response). I am sure the spoiler has nothing to do with any of the handling differences (cosmetic) you are noticing. Two different cars seldom perform exactly the same. My 2017's engine seems to respond with more authority than my previous 2014, both are M7, base convertibles. With the temperatures in the forties and the fact that the 2017 only has 110 miles prevents me from actually doing a comparison.
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 03:33 PM
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Thanks a lot, Jan 12th I have to go to the va hospital in gainsville so thats when I will check everything from all your replies, its about a 70 mile interstate drive @ about 75 mph.
Yes the other time I did have the top down.
I know the coupe would squat and go.
The vert will break loose, I think the vert is faster.
Thanks again for all your help and some of my dumb questions
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Larry/car
Could be alignment, tire pressures, ambient temperature difference even the engine's fuel scheduling (faster response). I am sure the spoiler has nothing to do with any of the handling differences (cosmetic) you are noticing. Two different cars seldom perform exactly the same. My 2017's engine seems to respond with more authority than my previous 2014, both are M7, base convertibles. With the temperatures in the forties and the fact that the 2017 only has 110 miles prevents me from actually doing a comparison.
If he's comparing base coupe to base convertible, perhaps there are aero differences between coupe and convertible that he may be noticing, but he hasn't made it clear the convertible he's comparing the base coupe to is also a base.

If you put a more aggressive spoiler (Z51 or Z06) on a base convertible, it will produce significantly more rear-end down force at speeds above 60-70mph. They are not just there for "cosmetic" reasons.

Last edited by Foosh; Dec 27, 2016 at 03:48 PM.
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 03:56 PM
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What about the tires? Pressure yes, but are the tires the same? Even the same tires with different mileage tread wear can make a difference.
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Foosh
If he's comparing base coupe to base convertible, perhaps there are aero differences between coupe and convertible that he may be noticing, but he hasn't made it clear the convertible he's comparing the base coupe to is also a base.

If you put a more aggressive spoiler (Z51 or Z06) on a base convertible, it will produce significantly more rear-end down force at speeds above 60-70mph. They are not just there for "cosmetic" reasons.
There is no mention of speed so I am thinking around town type of driving where the spoiler doesn't make much difference.
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 05:50 PM
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You're right about low speed. That's not why spoilers are there, but the OP did say he felt it get looser with "faster driving" (his words). He did not define what faster driving meant.

On my F-Type, which had an automatic deployable/retractable spoiler, it deployed at 60 on the convertible and at 70 on the coupe. Porsches w/ similar automatic spoilers deploy at similar speeds. They do make a difference in keeping the rear end planted at speeds above 60-70.

Last edited by Foosh; Dec 27, 2016 at 06:03 PM.
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 06:09 PM
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Frame stiffness, weight, temperature, surface, tires, alignment and a lot of other factors involved.
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Old Dec 27, 2016 | 06:10 PM
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There are no frame stiffness differences between the C7 convertible and coupe. Actually they are all "convertibles" of sorts.
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Old Dec 28, 2016 | 08:37 AM
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Unless you're comparing lap times at a track, you really can't accurately do a comparison. As has been said, too many variables.
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Old Dec 28, 2016 | 10:27 AM
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As said above, tons of variables. I put the Z51 front and rear swaybar kit on my ZF1 2015 base coupe and the front spoiler. I really couldn't tell a lot of difference, but to the seat of the pants it feels like the rear is a little more stable in hard turns. I don't have any areas where I can take the car near it's limits nor am I skilled enough to try. I did kind of find it hard to believe the base cars at least my 15 didn't have any rear sway bar.
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Old Dec 28, 2016 | 12:23 PM
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It's already been mentioned but it could be as simple as the alignment.
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Old Dec 28, 2016 | 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Foosh
There are no frame stiffness differences between the C7 convertible and coupe. Actually they are all "convertibles" of sorts.
Now if we were talking about the difference between the C3 convertible and coupe I know the Verts were terribly skiddish in the corners. But, I have't noticed any of that in my '16. Could it be the road surface's you're on at the time causing the problem Jim? Just guessing here.

Last edited by Rebel Yell; Dec 28, 2016 at 02:37 PM.
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