Autocrossing & Roadracing Suspension Setup for Track Corvettes, Camber/Caster Adjustments, R-Compound Tires, Race Slicks, Tips on Driving Technique, Events, Results
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Worst tuning disaster to come out of bowling green??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-14-2009, 10:03 AM
  #1  
BrianCunningham
Team Owner
Thread Starter
 
BrianCunningham's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Posts: 30,607
Received 239 Likes on 167 Posts

Default Worst tuning disaster to come out of bowling green??

Really???

http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/334487.aspx

cbramey;

Jr., dude; I can tell you a c6 z06 can't win; but a c5 sure as hell could:

The c6z would NEVER catch a c5z set up exactly as I just described on a solo course. Stock everything, never touched a shock, bar, muffler, or anything else, but alignment.

I won 6 straight pro solos in 3 different c5z's, including the pro finale by over half a second, against some damn fine drivers, with exactly that setup. I won some pros by several seconds.

I also set fast time at solo2 nationals in the dry by .82 seconds, also against a field of some 50 damn fine drivers, with exactly that set up.

Hell, Danny ran ASP the heat right before me, and I was .21 faster than him!; granted there was a little water in the corner that was drying slightly (and it was early in ASP development). The point is, that totally stock setup was PLENTY fast. I also drove plenty of 'setup' c5 z06's, the best of which was equal, and none were better.

I bought fancy shocks because I thought I could go even faster -- no difference in speed, when tuned right, but lots of wasted time and money.

Now, as well matched as a factory c5z is, the c6z is the worst tuning disaster to ever come out of bowling green.

The VSES/ABS/Dynamic stability routine (NOT to be confused with the AH/TCS - which can be turned off with the button) requires an excited, unsuspecting, and wallet depleted aspiring racer to roll around politely on the front tires, never to enjoy any yaw angle on corner entry.... combined with stupid gearing, too much rear tire, too little front, and WAY too much rear bar, made it THE most frustrating car I have ever driven in my entire life.

Complete and total big brother communist party electrogeek suckage of a kind never before seen in any nightmarish siliconjockey's wet dream.

I'd have even put the piece of crap into another class instead of selling it, cause it looked cool and the motor rocked, but the entire hydraulic brake system and ABS would have to be completely stripped, along with all the electronic body control module functions, as those frikking 'Tron' watching geek ***** ran multiple logic circuits through the same wires in and out of the BCM, EBCM, and ECM together: so there was no way to fix the f***ing thing without completely gutting a car I was making some FAT payments on, and voiding the warranty.

I am forever done with new cars. Never again.

Can you tell I am bitter about it? I am going to go have a beer.
Old 07-14-2009, 10:19 AM
  #2  
Jason
Team Owner
 
Jason's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 1999
Location: Miami bound
Posts: 71,447
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
CI 4-5-6-7 Veteran

Default

The VSES/ABS/Dynamic stability routine (NOT to be confused with the AH/TCS - which can be turned off with the button)
What is this?
Old 07-14-2009, 10:43 AM
  #3  
davidfarmer
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
davidfarmer's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 1999
Location: CONCORD NC
Posts: 12,006
Received 712 Likes on 493 Posts

Default

I'm not sure why anyone would expect a 500hp, wide bodied car to excel in autocross............it makes one HELLUVA good track car however!
Old 07-14-2009, 10:47 AM
  #4  
ghoffman
Le Mans Master
 
ghoffman's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2000
Location: Bedford NH
Posts: 5,708
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Cruise-In II Veteran

Default

Originally Posted by davidfarmer
I'm not sure why anyone would expect a 500hp, wide bodied car to excel in autocross............it makes one HELLUVA good track car however!

Auto-X and track duty have totally different requirements.
Old 07-14-2009, 12:54 PM
  #5  
sothpaw2
Safety Car
 
sothpaw2's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 4,030
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by davidfarmer
I'm not sure why anyone would expect a 500hp, wide bodied car to excel in autocross............it makes one HELLUVA good track car however!
I'll say. It was a very eye-opening experience for me this time at the NCM VIR in intermediate. I was on Nitto-RII with Wilwood H pads and the C6Zs in my group mostly appeared stock; at least I assumes so w/stock tires. I really couldn't keep up and I don't think it was just driving--I think the C6Z has a gearing advantage that really helps. For instance, I shift the C5Z after the snake and hold at 100 ish mph into the uphill Esses. Now, the C6Z with his taller gearing could stay in 3rd through this whole section providing gobbs more torque out of 10 & down the hill plus maybe avoid a downshift at oak tree (no downshift=easier to drive).
Old 07-14-2009, 01:31 PM
  #6  
froggy47
Race Director
 
froggy47's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2002
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 10,851
Received 194 Likes on 164 Posts

Default

Old 07-14-2009, 01:34 PM
  #7  
95jersey
Le Mans Master
 
95jersey's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 1999
Location: Private
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

edit

Last edited by 95jersey; 06-18-2012 at 09:19 AM.
Old 07-14-2009, 01:52 PM
  #8  
BrianCunningham
Team Owner
Thread Starter
 
BrianCunningham's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Posts: 30,607
Received 239 Likes on 167 Posts

Default

Well I managed to make CFOT eat a lot of

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-...ing-green.html
Old 07-14-2009, 02:01 PM
  #9  
waddisme
Safety Car
Support Corvetteforum!
 
waddisme's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2007
Location: Taylorsville North Carolina
Posts: 4,813
Received 45 Likes on 27 Posts

Default

"Complete and total big brother communist party electrogeek suckage of a kind never before seen in any nightmarish siliconjockey's wet dream"

That is awesome. It sounds like it really comes from the heart.
Old 07-14-2009, 04:30 PM
  #10  
rfn026
Safety Car
 
rfn026's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Naples FL
Posts: 4,469
Received 272 Likes on 214 Posts

Default

He's a little hysterical but he may have a point. The C6 wheelbase could be making the difference. The change in wheelbase changes the weight distribution of the car. A difference of 1.2 inches may not sound like a lot but it is significant.

I've heard that on certain tracks the C5 is better and at other the C6 is better. Solo 2 is very intense. Notice that he's running at the SCCA Nationals. That's serious sh*t. Track days aren't even close. I've done both so don't beat me up on this one.

Richard Newton
Race Cars 360
Old 07-14-2009, 04:53 PM
  #11  
BEZ06
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
BEZ06's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2005
Location: Daytona Beach FL
Posts: 10,922
Received 835 Likes on 595 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by sothpaw2
.....For instance, I shift the C5Z after the snake and hold at 100 ish mph into the uphill Esses. Now, the C6Z with his taller gearing could stay in 3rd through this whole section providing gobbs more torque out of 10 & down the hill plus maybe avoid a downshift at oak tree (no downshift=easier to drive).
Yeah....the C6Z does 125ish at redline in 3rd and right about 160 at redline in 4th.

Coming out of Oaktree I tried 2nd a few times, but you're shifting to 3rd so quickly, and 3rd pulls so hard anyway, that I finally just stayed in 3rd for Oaktree.

Bob
Old 07-14-2009, 06:40 PM
  #12  
autoxer6
Racer
 
autoxer6's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2008
Location: Milwaukee WI
Posts: 463
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Here is my 2 cents based on my C5Z autox experience and reading about the C6Z. (no one has let me drive their C6Z yet, any offers?)

Both the C5Z and C6Z had extensive developing testing on high speed tracks (Nurburging, etc). This is very different from autocross in these areas:
1. Steering angle input is much higher.
2. Yaw angle is much higher.
3. Trail braking is done later and heavier in the corner.

Both the C5Z and C6Z have a steering angle sensor and yaw angle sensor. These are used in the Dynamic stability and abs algorithm. They are still active even when the system is “off”. The system is more active on the C6Z than the C5Z when “off”. This makes trail braking more difficult since it will limit the amount of braking force that can be applied to the rear brake. It may even apply rear brake to try and straighten the car out, I’m not sure. The cars already have a heavy front bias for autox and limiting rear brake force makes it worse. The algorithm thinks it’s protecting the driver from a spin for a couple of reasons. The steering angle and slip angle (yaw) is very high (remember it’s tuned for a track) and the braking is very heavy for mid corner. This is a great way to spin a car, turn in a lot, start sliding the car, and stay in the brake late into the corner. The algorithm says, “your gonna spin” and a fast autocrosser thinks this is business as usual to make the car turn. The reaction is limited rear brake and sometimes limited front brake. I think this is what Ramey was trying to explain. The car algorithm simply isn’t designed for what fast autocrossers do. Especially drivers who like to get the tail out early in the corner. A more point and shoot style of driving is probably a good way to avoid interference from the algorithm.

I’m curious if the C5Z and C6Z would be faster with the steering angle and yaw sensor disabled. This may cause other problems so I’m not rushing out to disconnect them, its just an interesting thought.

I’m not an expert and am interested in hearing comments on this.

Chris Shay
Old 07-14-2009, 07:57 PM
  #13  
crainholio
Pro
 
crainholio's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Running a C6Z on a parking lot cone course is like putting Lance Armstrong on a kid's tricycle.
Old 07-14-2009, 07:59 PM
  #14  
ghoffman
Le Mans Master
 
ghoffman's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2000
Location: Bedford NH
Posts: 5,708
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Cruise-In II Veteran

Default

Or like taking an F-22 to the Reno air races.
Old 07-14-2009, 09:03 PM
  #15  
Datawiz
Team Owner
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Datawiz's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2005
Location: FL
Posts: 40,970
Received 320 Likes on 152 Posts
CI-7-8-9-10 Veteran
Cruise-In IX AutoX Winner
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11,'19,'22
St. Jude/CI Name Tag Designer

Default

Tell the OP I and my 2 co-drivers will see him in Lincoln, NE in September.

Steve Burger has been campaigning a 2001 C5Z since 2001. We've had both his car and my '08 Z at multiple events in the past several months and the C6Z has won every one, by up to 2 seconds. Granted, our typical concrete venue is faster than most, the '08 also beat the '01 on asphalt, with him driving both.

Steve finished 2nd in SS at Dixie. He, Joan Clark and I will be in Lincoln. The car is sorted out. I don't expect to win with the likes of Matthew Braun and Gary Thomason in the running, but I think we'll represent.
Old 07-14-2009, 10:28 PM
  #16  
LehmanZ06
Pro
 
LehmanZ06's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2004
Location: Plantation FL
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Chris Ramey in the right car or in a C5Z06......can run rings around us mere mortals.

He hasn't been out in a C5Z06 in some time....but if he was rusty driving or not.....he would be hard to beat.

He should pick up a co-drive, or a inexpensive C5Z06 and be a force in SS at nationals.

PS...Craig....this guy would run rings around most guys, and be right there with Braun et al.....if he could shake off the rust.

D.Lehman
Old 07-15-2009, 03:42 AM
  #17  
rustyguns
Le Mans Master
 
rustyguns's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2006
Location: Phoenix Arizona
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by davidfarmer
I'm not sure why anyone would expect a 500hp, wide bodied car to excel in autocross............it makes one HELLUVA good track car however!

Get notified of new replies

To Worst tuning disaster to come out of bowling green??

Old 07-15-2009, 03:43 AM
  #18  
rustyguns
Le Mans Master
 
rustyguns's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2006
Location: Phoenix Arizona
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by ghoffman
Or like taking an F-22 to the Reno air races.
:rof l:
Old 07-18-2009, 10:36 PM
  #19  
Dirty Howie
Team Owner
 
Dirty Howie's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2004
Location: SoCal
Posts: 26,344
Received 227 Likes on 179 Posts

Default

I don't know crap .... but I know several knowledgeable suspension shops that say the C6Z has a way too stiff rear bar and recommend the stock C6 bar instead.



DH
Old 07-19-2009, 12:25 PM
  #20  
sperkins
Le Mans Master
 
sperkins's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Macon, GA
Posts: 9,429
Received 44 Likes on 35 Posts

Default

Hell...I'd just like to drive one some day.


Quick Reply: Worst tuning disaster to come out of bowling green??



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:19 AM.