I'm not real sure where to post this.... SO I'll put it here.
The other night I was out "testing" my new toy. An 86 firebird.
While making a transfer from a 30 mph uphill left to a 20 mph downhill right hand corner the front end of the car lost enough downforce at the break of the hill that I was unable to turn right. In effect the car shoveled left untill I jammed the brake hard enough to smoke the tires
It should be noted that I was going about 55 mph at the time but still the problem seems unacceptable.
Is this a common problem with these vehicals?
Also when taking a wide sweeping 45 mph corner at about 80 mph there was no clear "break point" where the car seemed to want to "drift" the backend out. It just uneasily held solid traction.
This makes me nervous will an 86 firebird drift sideways? or will it just spin-out if pushed too hard? I prefer a controlled drift rather than solid traction. I dont like spinning out at 80 mph, it scr's me.

 

You are experiencing components of under and over steer. Downforce doesn't really come into play until excessive speeds are reached. Neither of the two can ever be eliminted but they can be controled. You can basically tailor your car to lean one way or the other based on preference and racing applications.

 

:werd:


I think you may want to also look into upgraded suspension parts, like sway bars and strut braces. Also, I have taken sweeping corners at excessive speeds before, and I couldnt be happier with the car's handling. I can get the rear end to just barely drift out when I want to. Takes a lot of practice though.

Further, yeah, at those speeds, any noticeable ammount of downforce cannot be achieved.

 

yeah but he is talking about air getting up under the car while coming over a hill, but it wouldn't be enough to not allow you to not be able to turn. My iroc dosen't ever want to break lose side ways unless i'm gassing it hard around a corner. i love the way my iroc handels and irocs have been known to pull more than .90 g's on the skid pad so...

 

well i don;t belive there is any downforce on our cars at much under nascar speeds..........

seems more like worn out parts and bad driving. 55 into a 20 means get a ticket at those speeds and loose you licence and wear nice little braclets with a title of driving to endanger. most states when you double the speed limit you get that title and a guy in a black robe tells you your fate.



couldn;t resist.

serious if your car is that unstable why drive like that?what mods to suspension have you done if any and how about your tires what condition are they in.

jeff