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Old 09-24-2020   #1
Erik
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: New Brunswick
Posts: 955
Default Re: Improving Steering Feel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by WARP TEN View Post
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.
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Old 09-25-2020   #2
XfireZ51
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 9,686
Default Re: Improving Steering Feel?

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.

Last edited by XfireZ51; 09-25-2020 at 10:37 AM.
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Old 09-25-2020   #3
DRM500RUBYZR-1
 
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Mullica Hill, NJ
Posts: 2,631
Default Re: Improving Steering Feel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by XfireZ51 View Post
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.
Everyone knows my LOVE for the C-4 ZR-1.

While love is usually blind, it does not in this case, let me overlook the cars missing tooth or other imperfections.
C-5 onward build quality and updates are significantly ahead of the C-4 platform.
A C-5 Z06 is one of the most balanced Corvettes ever with a solidity making it feel it cut form an ingot.
Toss-ability that turns grown men into kids, but I no longer own one.

Yet I still own, and will ALWAYS own my Ruby.

My C-6 is a dream to drive. As solid as the C-5, but in a convertible!
NO Cowl shake top up or down.
No it does not rev like an LT-5, but just a joy to drive anyway.

I put a 6 foot 10 yes TEN client into a C-6 ZR-1 and he LOVES it!

Spend a day with a C-7 Z06 with a manual.
It is breathtaking!!
Tight inside and you can land fighter planes on the console, but still a blast to drive.

The C-8?
Best riding Corvette I ever drove. Yes EVER.
I will await a manual transmission, and if GM does not deliver it, I will find someone making a conversion.
I know I am not the only one who wants it with a clutch and shifter just for fun!

It is ok to be in love with more than one car.
Loving one, does not exclude the other.
Talking cars here folks, just cars!

Now back to the missing tooth car.................
and where is the key for that 427.................


Marty

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Old 09-25-2020   #4
XfireZ51
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 9,686
Default Re: Improving Steering Feel?

Marty,

If ur reply was directed towards me, I would say I am in agreement w you. Having said that, I am also in agreement w Erik in that I find the C4 ZR more engaging than the subsequent generations. Its more ?old school? and more of a sleeper which is something I like. Less of a ?boulevard? driver and more rough and tumble.
Marc H loves his C6ZR. I would probably like one at some point. Drove my friends
C7 Z and just felt it was massive. I grew up w Spitfires and MGB-GTs. Traded my C3 coupe for a Datsun 240Z. I like smaller and more nimble. One of the most fun cars I ever had was a 1980 Scirocco S. And my 84 Xfire was 3200# wet.
I?ll wait to hear what u think of the C8.

BTW, Taurus SHOs were great road cars. Had 3 of those, all Yamaha V6.

Last edited by XfireZ51; 09-25-2020 at 12:47 PM.
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Old 09-25-2020   #5
secondchance
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: McLean, VA
Posts: 3,730
Default Re: Improving Steering Feel?

Having owned C4 ZR1s since 1991, my love of C4 ZR1 cannot be questioned. I spent 22 hours (11 hours to Jacksonville and 11 hours back to DC) in my son's 2019 GS with 7 speed manual. Yes. I missed rifle-bolt shifter in my Z and F16 canopy like panoramic view 360 degrees and solid revving LT5. However, steadiness of longer wheelbase, solid chassis with or without the top, razor precise steering and uncanny suspension with magnetic shocks were impressive.
I am in the line at a local Chevy dealer for 2021 not to replace my 94Z but to augment my 94.
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Old 09-25-2020   #6
secondchance
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: McLean, VA
Posts: 3,730
Default Re: Improving Steering Feel?

On the subject of improving steering feel, as Goldcylon posted, check and replace the ragjoint or the entire steering shaft. Mine, after 160,000 miles developed a slop. 1/32" at the ragjoint translates to about a 1/4" at the steering wheel. Another area to examine is lower control arm mounting to the frame. My rear attachment point had ground out the rubber bushing and moving around. Replaced with urethane bushing and torqued down the best I can.
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Old 09-25-2020   #7
XfireZ51
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 9,686
Default Re: Improving Steering Feel?

If only the GS C8 were to come w a naturally aspirated DOHC, I?d be in line myself. Altho there is some discussion that the Z06 may be NA DOHC.
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Old 09-29-2020   #8
jss06c6
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Magnolia, Texas
Posts: 884
Default Re: Improving Steering Feel?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DRM500RUBYZR-1 View Post
Everyone knows my LOVE for the C-4 ZR-1.

While love is usually blind, it does not in this case, let me overlook the cars missing tooth or other imperfections.
C-5 onward build quality and updates are significantly ahead of the C-4 platform.
A C-5 Z06 is one of the most balanced Corvettes ever with a solidity making it feel it cut form an ingot.
Toss-ability that turns grown men into kids, but I no longer own one.

Yet I still own, and will ALWAYS own my Ruby.

My C-6 is a dream to drive. As solid as the C-5, but in a convertible!
NO Cowl shake top up or down.
No it does not rev like an LT-5, but just a joy to drive anyway.

I put a 6 foot 10 yes TEN client into a C-6 ZR-1 and he LOVES it!

Spend a day with a C-7 Z06 with a manual.
It is breathtaking!!
Tight inside and you can land fighter planes on the console, but still a blast to drive.

The C-8?
Best riding Corvette I ever drove. Yes EVER.
I will await a manual transmission, and if GM does not deliver it, I will find someone making a conversion.
I know I am not the only one who wants it with a clutch and shifter just for fun!

It is ok to be in love with more than one car.
Loving one, does not exclude the other.
Talking cars here folks, just cars!

Now back to the missing tooth car.................
and where is the key for that 427.................


Marty

I think I know that 6' 10" ZR1 guy Marty! He absolutely loves that car, even more now that it's pushing 800 crank HP!

Hope you are well!

Steve

Sent from my SM-G950U using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app
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