Cold air THRILLS

[Paul Workman]

Ah, its been said before (about this time of year), but dayam what a thrill these cars are in the cold air - not that they aren't in warm air too, but wow what a difference temperatures make!

Ami and I took our toys to the gas station to top off the tanks before their winter naps (less room for condensation if the tank is FULL, doanchaknow).

A couple of Vettes firing up with their 3" exhausts and SW headers (sans cats) at the fuel islands froze the foot traffic and got some stares and even a :thumbsup:. Then rolling out together and together "gently" hitting it just a touch (well heck...ya gotta get up to match the speed of street traffic, right?) the full throated reverb between buildings of a pair of growling LT5s flooded the air "a bit". And, if that wasn't enough, the rpm of both Vettes announced just the least bit of tire slippage as they slipped into the flow of traffic.

Ah, winter. Hated to have to park em again - especially after such little use this season (due to that "COVID" thing). Dayam!

.

[efnfast]

We got snow, or I be temped to do the same. Lucky Paul.

[rush91]

I couldnt agree more! I know I've posted on this same subject before... when the outside air is between 40- 60 degrees, look out!!! One better have her pointed straight, before any right pedal fun. If the roads are clear ( no salt or snow) i get my Z out for a week every month to drive to work. When she sits for more than 2 weeks I get itchy lol..... But anywho, the car does feel quicker sucking that cold air in. Once the car gets up to temps, its snappy. Its still that way in the summer, but I can notice a little heat soak that isnt there in cold temps. And I'm stock, i cant imagine the glorious sound of your Beasts on a cold start!!

[Mystic ZR-1]

True, they seem to run better...
But, it's just cold tires! 😀

[902066]

Picking up my 90 ZR-1 with 13,000 miles from Mark Haibecks shop tomorrow morning. He just did a 510 engine pakage and coil over spring suspension. Driving from Chicago to Fort Wayne In., whether suppose to be dry with high temp. of 35 degrees. I suspect I'll notice a big performance difference and I'll be careful. Jim

[efnfast]

Picking up my 90 ZR-1 with 13,000 miles from Mark Haibecks shop tomorrow morning. He just did a 510 engine pakage and coil over spring suspension. Driving from Chicago to Fort Wayne In., whether suppose to be dry with high temp. of 35 degrees. I suspect I'll notice a big performance difference and I'll be careful. Jim
Did it go to Marc's stock? If so, you'll notice a VERY big difference

[Paul Workman]

Did it go to Marc's stock? If so, you'll notice a VERY big difference

Just as well the tires WILL be cold. Otherwise he might swallow his tongue! :jawdrop:

[Vette73]

I'm wondering with the new technology in vettes today if temp affects them the way it affects our cars...

I was at Ron Fellows school a few years ago in March...I had a 15 Z51 manual...Temps were good, mid 60's windows up AC on....Even with the AC on this car was a monster on the track..

I know the C7Z06 supposedly suffers from heat stroke....At least this is what I hear....I'm just guessing technology has come along way since the 90's that the newer performance cars perform better even if conditions are not ideal...

Of course though an engine is basically just an air pump...The better the air, the better they feel..

[lfalzarano]

I would say yes. The cooler the temperature, the more horsepower is created. According to Chevrolet?s Corvette Racing program manager, Doug Fehan, who told me that Turbo cars have reduced horsepower versus the Corvettes. He was referring to the Ford GT?s. I can attest I feel the power difference driving the Z on a cold morning!


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[XfireZ51]

I'm wondering with the new technology in vettes today if temp affects them the way it affects our cars...

I was at Ron Fellows school a few years ago in March...I had a 15 Z51 manual...Temps were good, mid 60's windows up AC on....Even with the AC on this car was a monster on the track..

I know the C7Z06 supposedly suffers from heat stroke....At least this is what I hear....I'm just guessing technology has come along way since the 90's that the newer performance cars perform better even if conditions are not ideal...

Of course though an engine is basically just an air pump...The better the air, the better they feel..

Denser air, more fuel, bigger bang.

[BigJohn]

Tires don?t stick with cold pavement!

[Paul Workman]

Denser air, more fuel, bigger bang.

:thumbsup:

[32valvZ]

Took mine out tonight to check the new LED headlight alignment... 36* outside temps... the LT-5 loves gulping up that cold air alright... feels like I added 25 more hp..:thumbsup:

[Z51JEFF]

Speaking of getting a bit sideways. Right after I bought my car it had the original tires that were rock hard. Breaking the tires loose at 30 was kind of neat,for a while. Then one day I'm sitting at a light and a car in front of me was stalled,look in the mirror and traffic is barrelin down so I had to make a move. I whip around the stalled car and the tires just spin,I went through the intersection looking out the passenger window,kept it hooked sideways at a comfortable level,tires got some grip and the car slowly straightens out. Never once got sideways stupid,I would have loved to have been sittin at that light to see that.......sorry for the hijack.

[ZR2]

I would say yes. The cooler the temperature, the more horsepower is created. According to Chevrolet?s Corvette Racing program manager, Doug Fehan, who told me that Turbo cars have reduced horsepower versus the Corvettes. He was referring to the Ford GT?s. I can attest I feel the power difference driving the Z on a cold morning!


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I would disagree with the statement that Turbo cars are slower when it is cold. Just the opposite is true. I bought new a 1986 Buick Grand National. Look it up if you don't know it, but with denser air they are stuffing more air and as long as injectors can handle it more gas into the chamber for firing. I don't have any proof, but it use to be said that every 1 degree drop was worth 1 more horsepower in the Turbo Grand National.. Ice on the plenum etc. I can tell you 1st hand that it was faster.

[Paul Workman]

I would disagree with the statement that Turbo cars are slower when it is cold. Just the opposite is true. I bought new a 1986 Buick Grand National. Look it up if you don't know it, but with denser air they are stuffing more air and as long as injectors can handle it more gas into the chamber for firing. I don't have any proof, but it use to be said that every 1 degree drop was worth 1 more horsepower in the Turbo Grand National.. Ice on the plenum etc. I can tell you 1st hand that it was faster.

Yup!

Air volume expands and contracts with heat. Air pressure and volume being equal, there is more O2 molecules in cold temperature air than there is in hot temperature air. Water injection was a top secret "trick" in WW-II fighter aircraft - that and (drum roll plz) intercoolers cooled the air volume. Internal (water injection) and external (supercharging) of the combustion chamber air = more power. Cold air intake and power increase is "for real"! Too bad the friction coefficient of the tires is going the other way of air density as temps drop.

[Zman]

I think my cold air thrills are finally finished for a while here in SW WI. Im standing in the garage full of excitement and then I look outside. I don?t know what I will do with myself for a few weeks. Im sure you all feel the same way in the winter ridden states.

[lfalzarano]

Time to fix and polish!


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[Zman]

Time to fix and polish!


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What if I told you nothing to fix? Marc and Pete are pretty good! Too cold to polish.....dry and tight but cold!

[Zman]

I figured it out!

[XfireZ51]

I got my projects going. So far new sunvisors w Homelink, and replaced hatch shade. Replacing drivers side trans tunnel carpet panel.

[lfalzarano]

What if I told you nothing to fix? Marc and Pete are pretty good! Too cold to polish.....dry and tight but cold!



Detailing the engine compartment and running gear. Remove the wheels and clean the inside of the rims! That?ll keep you busy until the Daffodils bloom![emoji108]



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[32valvZ]

What if I told you nothing to fix? Marc and Pete are pretty good! Too cold to polish.....dry and tight but cold!

Im about tired of winters.... time to move back to Florida!

[lfalzarano]

Im about tired of winters.... time to move back to Florida!



Moved there three times. I now live close to my kids in NC. No snow in this part of NC, so I can drive all year long. It does get cold on occasion, but once the temps go above 45F the tires work.


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[Subfixer]

I got my projects going. So far new sunvisors w Homelink

Curious minds need to know how you are accomplishing this.....

[GrayZ]

Did it go to Marc's stock? If so, you'll notice a VERY big difference


I remember the day, i picked my car (1990 #74) up from Haibeck, after I had the 500 hp package. I was driving from, Chicago to an hour west of St. Louis, Mo. Innsbrook (God's Country) :) any hoo..Marc explained to drive at different speeds, on the way back, to help break in the motor, so i drove 60 and 70 and 80. You are gonna love the noticeable difference.

[Bradjon]

I just got back from a early morning drive out towards Death Valley there is a 4 mile straight away that is at sea level . Man is it fun going to about 120 in. Old air at sea level . Going to make the rest of the day dull lol

[Zman]

Had to run for materials about 25 miles from my house on New Years Day. This car has 82,000 miles, started red I believe from the factory, then black, now yellow. With that much paint I figured it could handle WI winter roads!

[Zman]

Was out today in SW WI with a high of 21 degrees and bumped into another Crazy Cat! Turned out he is my summer companion, but who expects to bump into another ?C4? Corvette on Jan. 10th in Wisconsin. Had to take a few shots.

[-=Jeff=-]

Let's see.. my winter list:

- Detail under hood (complete except for a-arms and knuckle)
- replace Wheel Well seals
- Replace A pillar weather strip
- Swap LCD panel in Cluster
All Above are done
- Add the coolant lines like Phil Wasinger did, waiting on gaskets
- Swap Cargo Shade (not needed so if I get to it)

that is it