Improving Steering Feel?

[Erik]

As well weighted and direct as the C4 steering is, it's never been imbued with an over abundance of feel. And no, this isn't an old car thing. I was driving new C4s and the full Porsche range back to back when they were all new in the late 80s and early 90s, the Porsches always communicated better through the steering.

Anyhow, I was curious to know if anyone was ever able to figure out what it was that filtered the feel out of the Corvette steering wheel. Is there anything that can be done to put it back?

[GOLDCYLON]

Well mine became significantly more responsive after replacing the rag bushing. A lot tighter

http://zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?...&highlight=rag

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

"Anyhow, I was curious to know if anyone was ever able to figure out what it was that filtered the feel out of the Corvette steering wheel. Is there anything that can be done to put it back?"

Absolutely.
Buy a C-7 or a C-8!

Marty

[Erik]

Originally Posted by DRM500RUBYZR-1

"Anyhow, I was curious to know if anyone was ever able to figure out what it was that filtered the feel out of the Corvette steering wheel. Is there anything that can be done to put it back?"

Absolutely.
Buy a C-7 or a C-8!

Marty

Could have bought either. Passed on both.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

ZR-1's certainly have their strengths, and I love them for them.

They also inherit the C-4 deficiencies, which continue to disappoint.
Climbing over the threshold and plunging into the interior, steering and brakes come first to mind.

The same way my expectations are muted when I drive a 57 Fuelie, I find myself doing the same when driving any C-4.

A Chevrolet Bolt far exceeds in those traits.

Many on this Forum over the years have found creative ways to deal with many of these shortcomings, while many others remain mired in yestertech.

While I too have not succumbed to the allure of the C-7 and C-8, one cannot deny their proficiency when compared to older models.

I still shake when driving a 427/ 435 car with excitement until I notice it is the ancient architecture really causing most of the shake.

I love it none the less, faults and all.

Same with my ZR-1!


Marty

[Erik]

Originally Posted by DRM500RUBYZR-1

ZR-1's certainly have their strengths, and I love them for them.

They also inherit the C-4 deficiencies, which continue to disappoint.
Climbing over the threshold and plunging into the interior, steering and brakes come first to mind.

The same way my expectations are muted when I drive a 57 Fuelie, I find myself doing the same when driving any C-4.

A Chevrolet Bolt far exceeds in those traits.

Many on this Forum over the years have found creative ways to deal with many of these shortcomings, while many others remain mired in yestertech.

While I too have not succumbed to the allure of the C-7 and C-8, one cannot deny their proficiency when compared to older models.

I still shake when driving a 427/ 435 car with excitement until I notice it is the ancient architecture really causing most of the shake.

I love it none the less, faults and all.

Same with my ZR-1!


Marty

I guess it depends on what you want.

The C8 dropped off of my list for the lack of a manual. I'm not yet that old that I need to drive an automatic. Those days will come, but hopefully not for a long time.

C7? At 6'4, I just couldn't get comfortable in it. A lot of the same issue with the C6 and C5 too. I like doing long drives in my cars, as in coast to coast, and none of them were comfortable enough for me to what to undertake that.

What did I like about the C4 ZR1? It still offered a truly analog driving experience. It was easily the most involving, and it was the one that asked the most of me. If I wanted it to go fast, then I'd be the one making it go fast. If I did something stupid, the computer wouldn't be fighting me. Yes, the last analog Corvette.

Just this spring, I drove a C4 ZR1, and a C5 Le Mans back to back. Yes, the C5 was arguably the better, more refined, car. But my first thought as o drive it was "this thing is so refined, it feels like a Camry".

I'm not against technology. I daily drive a 480 Mustang Bullitt, that is so incredibly fast and capable to be a bit boring. But it's not the experience that I want in my weekend toy.

I also own a C3 L82 4 speed, which is wonderful to look at, and terrible to drive.

So the C4 ZR1 is a sweet spot to me in automotive development. I realize it isn't perfect, and I won't be making drastic changes to it. But, if I can find ways to make the driving experience a bit more enjoyable and involving, like getting a bit more feel into an otherwise good steering system, I'll do it.

[ram_g]

Originally Posted by DRM500RUBYZR-1

I still shake when driving a 427/ 435 car with excitement until I notice it is the ancient architecture really causing most of the shake.

Marty

I'm going to have to remember that line (for use with my Cobra)!!

[WARP TEN]

Originally Posted by Erik

As well weighted and direct as the C4 steering is, it's never been imbued with an over abundance of feel. And no, this isn't an old car thing. I was driving new C4s and the full Porsche range back to back when they were all new in the late 80s and early 90s, the Porsches always communicated better through the steering.

Anyhow, I was curious to know if anyone was ever able to figure out what it was that filtered the feel out of the Corvette steering wheel. Is there anything that can be done to put it back?

I, too, drove Porsches back then and their steering was definitely lighter. But then, they didn't have 600 pounds of engine in the front....Bob

[Erik]

Originally Posted by WARP TEN

I, too, drove Porsches back then and their steering was definitely lighter. But then, they didn't have 600 pounds of engine in the front....Bob

The 911s weren?t really any lighter. Manual steering and substantial enough front rubber. But they sure were full of life. Run over a dime and the steering could tell you which side was up. The steering was the best part of a really ornery suspension. They were the definition of slow in, fast out. And, of course, never lift off mid bend.

Overall suspension wise, the best car of the era was the 944 in its many versions. Especially without the handling package, which made them corner faster, but took the fun out of the suspension. Man, was the 944 a sweetheart. Especially, the S.

[XfireZ51]

Erik,

Absolutely agree w ur assessment of the C4 ZR v a C5 Z06. I did that comparison when I initially started looking for something beyond my 84 Z51 Xfire. The C5 was quick, but felt like a skateboard. The interior was cheap looking and Marty, I actually like sitting IN a car, not ON it.
The ZR felt felt so much more substantial. And its still a car u can work on using jackstands or Quickjacks. Not to mention u can still surprise the crap out of newer stuff w a few mods. 500+ hp is still nothing to sneeze at even thirty years later.
I did enjoy driving a 944. Interested in the C8 because its ME, but not until it has a DOHC in it. Would love to try either the Cayman or the Alfa 4C.