87350MCSS

I had a friend who had an 90 Iroc and he dropped in an LT-1 with an cold air induction intake under the front spoiler. Well, anyway he was driving his car when he said his car just slid on a lightly snowed on street and he wiped out. His car sucked up all the snow in his intake and it blew his engine and caused it to spin a bearing. He also messed up his axel and drive train. I know that sports cars suck in all weather except for hot sunny dry days,but really how bad to camaros handle in the snow? I Own a Monte SS so my car weighs a little more than your f-bodies and the trunk is bigger so i can put weight in it if need be. Just currious to see becasue if i get one it will be my daily driver just like my monte. So i want to see how they handle and react in the weather. Thanks!

Brett Gutshall

Only had the bird in the snow once or twice. It did alright but would go wicket sideways if i went anymore than about half throttle or so. Not sure what you'd be getting for a daily driver, but a six banger or lower hp 305 would probably be a little better. I'm anxious to see how the Merkur is in the snow this winter. Could be fun.

iroc22

If you have a peg leg rear end and decent All Season tires, there's no problem at all in the snow...I had a peg leg rear and BF Goodrich VR4 tires all winter and it was a breeze. Now posi on the other hand, gets a little hairy....

Mark A Shields

Considering mine sucks in the rain, I've never chanced it in the snow.

GTATransAM

The thought of my car touching snow makes me sick Thank *** for daily drivers!

I understand though if dont have 2 cars, not everyone can, but lets just say i couldnt keep my Grand Prix, then i wouldnt be a Third Gen owner today.

irocbarry

i drove mine in the snow last year and it wasnt to bad if you went around corners at like a 1/2 mph

but i ended up leaving it in a parking lot or two and got a ride from friends


i got tired of it though and bought the truck in my sig today so i dont hafta drive in the snow with the iroc

zer0321

I wouldn't trust these things in the snow....I used to drive my camaro in the rain and that is a big enough pain, mind you it's do-able, but I just didn't want to chance it....so now I have a nice 94 GMC Sierra 4x4 for the bad weather.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

I've driven a thirdgen through every winter since I was 17, save for one year in a cherokee that I promptly sold for another thirdgen. If you've got good snow tires (forget about all season tires) and ~50lbs of dead weight in the trunk, the car can be very good in the snow. I never once got any of my cars stuck, and I live in a Vermont hill town. One thing that you've got to get used to is the fact that you WILL spin your tires, and you WILL fishtail a lot. As long as you're familiar with it, you can use it to your advantage. I steer with the throttle all winter long.

I would like to have posi in a winter car though. Mine have all been open diff 2.8 cars. My friend has an 86 TA that got him through many winters, and the traction he had getting up hills amazed me. As long as you can control the car around corners, the posi is a big help the rest of the time.

Bandit400

They aren't very good in the snow, but they do better than I expected. In my opinion a posi rear is a plus in snow since it helps you from getting stuck. Yes, it can cause you to go sideways but I'd rather deal with that than not be able to move. One thing I noticed in my '92 is that they are so low to the ground that if you are driving in much at all you end up dragging the front on the snow. My '78 being slightly bigger, heavier, and considerably higher off the ground is much better on snowy/icy roads than my '92. As for the '02 I will never drive it on snow or even rain for that matter so I'll never know.
If I have to drive in the snow I fill up with gas and put some weight in the back since these cars are very prone to spinning. If you can't get traction you can't go anyway.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

I can't imagine an f-body making it through snow deep enough for the front chin to ever be an issue.

87350MCSS

yeah my Monte will get sideways even in the rain if i pull a tight corner. My car is higher so the chin dosent hit but I can feel the floor boards hitting the snow and i can hear it hit my exhaust pipes. I can only imagine how your cars handel in it. Mine when i first got it actually driveing home from the kids house who i just bought it from and it was starting to snow. The kid had on 255/60/15 drag radials on the back and the front tires were bald. But i was able to keep it strait and not spin out. If i tapped the brake however the car would slide to the left.

labrat

I'd never drive mine in the snow. Rain is bad enough.

Krazzycowgirl

My car stays covered up & in its Portable garage thought out the winter months starting 1st of Nov. the Z/hawk stays covered up & in the main garage starting the first of oct. NO driving these babys in the winter time

davecamaro

I drove my car in snow, rain, hail, slush almost everything.
The snow is bad.. period..
these cars suck in the rain, so they suck 10x worst in the snow.
But, I actually managed to drive from work one night when we got hit by the worst snow storm of the season, the highways were covered in snow!! And I took a chance, it was very scarey but I made it home, every road was covered and I drove on the highway going 10-20km/h, if I hit the brakes not right, the car would slide and slide and slide, not to mention there was ice under the snow, cause we had some serious freezing rain that same day. The whole drive is like 10-20km, like driving these cars in the winter aint so bad, you have to get the feeling for it in the snow. When im in any car and Im driving, I still drive the way I drive the camaro, I brake far from the point of where I want to stop.

Brett Gutshall

Actually now that I think about it my limited time in the snow in my bird was much better than the time i had my 2wd s10 in the snow. Even with no power it could go sideways in 3rd gear and I finally ended up getting stuck in my driveway. Dad pushed me the rest of the way up it with our lawn mower that had the snow plow on it

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

I guess I'm the only person that thinks these things are ok in the snow.

I had a cherokee for 1 winter and I hated it. It was a tail-happy POS. Sure, it went forward nice in 4wd, but my f-bodies are 100% more stable on bad roads then that cherokee was. After that 1 winter, I sold it to buy another v6 f-body and I haven't regretted it once.

irocbarry

once you get used to being sidways around every corner there not bad

i needed a hunting rig to, thats why i bought the truck

Saywhut

I drove mine around upper NY in that bad snow of 99, from Potsdam to Messina,(25 mi?) twice a day for 6 weeks. Also in the killer snow Eastern NC got a couple years ago, (2000?) about 120 miles a day. I just go really slow, plan ahead, brake very carefully. It's doable, but I couldn't say they're good in the snow.

hwcoll95

iTrader: (6)

my peg leg firebird just couldn't get out of the driveway,the iroc at least will go,in a stright line,just don't accelerate if it's going thru a turn,just hang on and hope no one is around close!!!! :hail: :lala:

87350MCSS

Yeah I guess it is just what you are used too. Thats pretty impressive driving it 120mi in a day in the snow. I know kids in there camaro that can hardly go 15 ft without wipeing out. I had a Jeep it was an 88 cherokee limited. Yeah there back end sucks. In the rain i would have it in 2wd and the rear tires would just spin if i was in the rain. And i had good tires on it. I would have to put it in 4wd to get it to go anywhere. And they say that is not good if you leave it in 4wd for long ammounts of time. So I sold it for my monte. the monte is a little better at cornering but it cant beat 4x4 traction. I was in a buddies camaro and he was driving about 35 down my street. It was just after a slushy storm and his car all of a sudden just spun into a ditch. As he was driving i guess he over steered. He said that his tires were just not gripping the road and even his front tires werent gripping the road!! The car was fine we got it towed out for 75 bucks. The car slid right between 2 trees.

GTA400SBC

my car was FUN in the rain if i drove it in the snow i wouldn't own it today! I bought a 79 full size Blazer for the snow man i had fun with that too had to get rid of it the following spring due to Cancer of the floors and wheel wells i could actually see the ground through the floor in the corner of the floor in the back so off to "CHEVY HEAVEN" she went may she REST IN PEACE I hope that will be the only Chevy i ever have to do that to man it hurts thinking about her we had some good times together

89firechicken

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jim85IROC
[B]I guess I'm the only person that thinks these things are ok in the snow.

i agree with you Jim85IROC, i wouldnt suggest driving it in the snow but if you have good control of your car you should have no prob. i drove my bird all of the nebraska winter and i did fine and that was my first time driving in snow. it's ICE you need to watch for. thank *** for those nights of driving my malibu through wet park grass(good snow simulation) that was very good practice.

83tranzam

Great topic, but what does this have to do with "History / Restoration"? Maybe the history of these vehicles in snowy conditions? Just curious.

TransAm12sec

My mom drives a 90 Formula with a ZZ4 in the winter. We use wheels and tires from our now dead 82 T/A. Does great donuts!

billsfirebird

iTrader: (1)

My IRON DUKE firebird is super light and it is an absolute dog in the snow. I hated driving it in the winter....not anymore because Its not my daily driver.

A slight incline on a somewhat covered road would prove to make the ol bird immobile.

My bros 350 TPI camaro is heavier but is too powerful for traction in slick streets.

87350MCSS

Great topic, but what does this have to do with "History / Restoration"? Maybe the history of these vehicles in snowy conditions? Just curious.

Well I didnt see a lounge area and i didnt really know where to post it?

davecamaro

let me find some pics of snow and my camaro.

davecamaro

kinda changing topic here..
have any of u seen these beautiful cars..
Buick lesbare T-types
there just plain cool lookin

87350MCSS

Yes that is off topic? It looks like a GN. So we have come to the conclusion that camaros suck in the snow? And that some buicks with rims look good?

philoldsmobile

Thanks guys! now im scared of winter!!!!!!!

my 86 305 (no posi) is a complete bar steward in the rain, let alone snow!

True story,

at the enterance of my workplace we have a forest section, 300 feet long single track and speed humps at each end. the asphalt is totally smooth and not a curve in it. over 1st speed hump, nail it and spin up! it will spin right through 1st, engage second and level out about 3500 rpm. it will spin like this to the second hump, due to the camber of the road you will have gained about 1/2 a turn of opposite lock.

(this is in the rain by the way)

a friend of mine has assured me it looks great!

ps. knackerd summit radial trac's now replaced with pirelli p600's so i have no idea what it's like now.

we don't get huge ammounts of snow, but frost season starts v. soon. maybee i should take up that offer of a cheap 4 pot fiero a mate has!

SBlackfoot

My near-stock 305 'bird gets tail-happy in the rain, so it'll never see the snow (not under it's current ownership). The previous owners drove it all year round. You might want to get it undercoated if salt is used in the winter. The previous owners of my 'bird didn't and it shows/ed. Rust is scary on our cars...

TransAm12sec

You need tires that have traction in the snow.

Harley83

I live in Central Illinois and I can tell ya when it snows hard driving my Camaro is a pain in the @$$ but as somone mentioned if ya got decent tires and sandbags in the trunk its not that bad. if you have 3.73's forget it!!

MdFormula350

with my 1988 iroc-z 5.7, it had decent tires with good tread and it saw snow two times about an half and inch, i made it fine by not going hard on the gas. same way with my 1988 formula...

now i have my 1991 and the others are gone, i dont think i want it to be in the snow, time for a better on gas, less powerfull daily driver, for winter time..


they did not like the turns that much though..
it all depends on what kinda snow also...

FormerL69

iTrader: (2)

I grew up in the midwest and drove my all of my previous Camaros ('78Z, '84Z and '94Z) in some awful snow storms.

I currently have a '99 Camaro SS, and with the stock Goodyear Eagle F1s, the car is almost dangerous in the most minute amout of snow -- even with modern wizardry like ASR and ABS to help. ASR was always kicking in trying to get the car to move.

Last winter I put a set of Blizzaks on and the car was a completely different animal. I could go just about anywhere and not get stuck. With the Bridgestones on and in bad snow, I don't think ASR ever went off once.

The bottom line: if you have to drive a Camaro in the winter, and you can afford decent snow tires -- get them. It makes a huge difference and is way safer.

kid camaro

iTrader: (1)

sometimes you have to drive your thirdgen in the snow.not everyone can afford another car. i drove my camaro through a blizzard once. the drive takes bout an hour and a half normally. but it took me bout 3 hours to do that time. it was really wet snoxw that froze to the ground as soon as it hit.with in a few minutes there was bout a inch of ice on the ground. my tires were bald except i had a bit left on the rears but not much. i only spun out once goin through a corner. so it can be done if ya know how to drive i nthe snow and are careful. i seen lots of suvs and other cars flyin by me that night and i passed almost all later on in the ditch. most suvs drivers i ncanada think they are invincible.

5.7L OF JUSTICE

For me snow really isnt a problem, its the ice that sucks. Its managable just so long as you know how to handle yourself. I put it in 2nd and just cruise that way and then when she gets loose I put it in neutral until I get it under control again. One area that presents a problem everytime is if you are at a stop and the road is at a right to left slant. As soon as I let off the brake the rear of the car starts sliding over, and if you cant get traction quickly it can be a problem.

philoldsmobile

New Pirelli P600's seem about 100% better in the wet than old summit radial tracs, so i might not die!

sandbag in the boot (sorry, trunk) seems a good idea

84TAProject

I must be the only person that thinks my camaro is good in the snow. I throw two 6 gallon buckets of sand in the back, 4 studded tires, and go pretty much anywhere with my open 3.23 rear. It fishtails, but its predictable. I have gotten good with controlling it, and it has surprised me in what it could actually go through. The worst was the 4 inches of wet slushy snow that got dropped before they plowed. Yours truly had no problem. The T/A, first off would never see snow in its present state, but when it had the 305, I drove over an ice patch that formed, and thought it was so cool I could spin the tires so badly on it. But these were not snow tires. The T/A is enough fun in the rain as it is, and will never see snow.

Tongi

I've been driving in snow here in montreal for 3 years.And when it snows here it stays for 3-4 months at least.This winter is gonna be my first winter with V8.Before i've had 2 camaros and 1 firebird in winter and they were all v6.I didn't had much problem.Of course you should go slower then usual and all those SUV's and Ricers are dominating the road and it gets pretty depressing but still it's not too bad.Plus it's the first time i'm gonna drive with brand new pirelli p3000's.And they're pretty good in wet from what i've heard.Before i've never had decent tires.

85maroz28

Heres my camaro backed out of storage for a fresh breath of air. I don't drive it in the snow. I don't believe in it!!

pgh-gta

I have an '87 GTA and it has only seen the snow one time. My truck wouldn't start and I had to drive it to work. I was white knuckling the whole way. The back end did nothing but fishtail. I had intended on never taking out in the winter and hope I never have to again. It was definately a wild ride.

bubbareno

this is how bad!!!!

TransAm12sec

Oh yeah, I remember a year ago their was a hole in the floorpan of our 87 Monte. We had one custom made since noone makes them anymore.

phoenix350

I agree with you...i have never had any probs driving a camaro..v8 or v6 in the snow...(v8's were a tbi, a stock tpi, and then a mildly modded tpi). i have never put anything in the back of the car to weigh it down and i still have little tracion problems. If you have good control over the car..then the car is like so much better than any other. I would say that personally..i can control a high hp rwd car better than those supposidly safer fwd..and awd cars in the snow. maybe its because i actually took the cars out and practiced in them first so that i know what the car could/would do in certain conditions...maybe i just know my car..who knows...but if you learn about your car..and understand how it drives..and feel the feedback the car tells you, then this car is no more dangerous than any other on the road in any road conditions. its not the car that is dangerous..or uncontrolable..its the untrained driver that makes the car appear that way.

BTW: i live in the chicago area of ill...for comparison of how much snow i get.

philoldsmobile

I agree, in theory it is only the drivers skill that determins a cars safty in these conditions, but anyone can have a lapse of concerntration at 7:15 monday morning on the way to work in the snow, thats usualy where ANY powerfull car can bite!

one of the worst cars for catching you out that i ever owned was a Volvo 340, simply because I took less care in it! almost every time i've had a powerfull car sideways in the ice it has been deliberate! quick cars simply require more concerntration.

Scania

Well i found out that they are really bad to drive in snow. Last year i was driving my car to its winter garage when the snow came. It was almost impossible to drive.

FLYNLOW92rs

iTrader: (53)

Well I have been through enough snow with my car to have the front chin act as a plow and push snow.......Speed is the key...

It was horrible in the winter to drive a 3rdGen......I only did it for 1 month before i bought a Ford Explorer.......I mean HORRIBLE to drive it.......

83z4whldsk

I live in Central Canada, that means snow 5 to 6 months a year. Most peolples problems with winter driving is themselves and their tires. I currently have 2 Camaros (83Z & 97Z), both driven year round. Slow down and drive sensibly (gentle with the gas & gentle with the brakes). Get an extra set of wheels and put on some quality snow & ice tires, they make the world of difference. No accidents, 15 years.

FLYNLOW92rs

iTrader: (53)

I'll knock on wood for you.......