Improving Steering Feel?

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[XfireZ51]

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.

[secondchance]

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.

[secondchance]

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.

[XfireZ51]

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.

[Erik]

Not to repeat myself, but...

My daily drive has a modern chassis, modern steering, magnetic dampers/shocks, etc. It's much roomier and more comfortable then a C4. Or a C5, C6, C7 or C8 for that matter. I put 53,000 km onto it in 9 months, before Covid hit. It's a really great office.

However, like most modern cars, it's so competent, it's a bit dull. The 6 speed manual helps, but there's an element of feeling like you are just playing a computer game, rather then driving a mechanical device. Plus, it's so ridiculously fast, that the speed is unusable. It also takes a couple of weeks of driving to get used to the power and acceleration, and a lot of the thrill goes away. But, give me a fully analog car, that makes me work for its performance potential, that is constantly bombarding me with good sensory info, and that will be a fun drive.

[Hib Halverson]

There are some things one could do:
The aformentioned replacement of the flex coupling in the column helps.

Also, replacing the outer tie rods, replacing the upper and lower ball joints and, if necessary, the inner tie rod ends inside the rack.

And then, there is the rack itself.

All those pieces must be in new or "as-new used" condition if steering feel is going to be optimal.

[LGAFF]

https://www.corvettecontrol.com/prod...teering-damper

[Erik]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

https://www.corvettecontrol.com/prod...teering-damper

I want that!!!

[ram_g]

Originally Posted by Erik

I want that!!!

Seems like it might be going in the opposite direction to what you want though?? (I.e if it is damping out small pulses through the wheel, isn?t it making the steering *less* communicative?)