Hi all,

I've got a 85 firebird LG4 almost standard..
If it rains (and it does a lot in the netherlands) I have to accelerate real carefull otherwise I loose the rear.. tires spin and the rear catches up with me...taking off is not really a problem but with cornering it is..It's like driving on ice... Is there something I can do about this without having to upgrade the rear end to high end components...The factory standard components can't be this bad...can they?? O yeah, I recently replaced my shocks for monroe sensa tracs..hoped this improved something..but it almost didn't...
With dry weather traction is OK and I have to accelerate WOT to get the wheels to spin..


I run on Cooper 235 15 R60 tires with TH700R and limited slip diff.

any tips welcome...

marald


------------------
Pontiac Firebird 1985
LG4 Qjet

 

I assume your suspension is all stock so thats fine for rain. Whats hurting you in the rain are the tires. Try out BFG's or Brigestone: both excellent tire companies.

------------------
85 2.8L Sport Coupe 5-speed.
Mods: Hpertech chip and powerstat, MSD 6A-L, Crane fireball coil, Accel Cap and Rotor, Dynomax hi-flow cat and catback system with a dynomax magnum race bullet muffler on the i-pipe, K&N filterchargers, Gutted Air Boxes, 8mm Wires, Eibach Sportlines and Tokiko springs/shocks setup, Global west sub frames, Suspension techniqs front and rear sway bars, and good ole 88 IROC wheels with Kumo Ecstas on em!
"It's not the ricers, it's those damn V8's!"

Wins: 2000 V6 Accord, 69 302 Mustang, 2000 Auto VR6 Jetta, 89 Toyota MR2, 90 Civic Si, 76 350 Camaro, 2000 3.8 5-speed Camaro, ~68 Chevelle 350, 92 CRX Si.

 

Thirdgens are very loose in the rain. The power, plus the lack of weight back there allow the tires to spin and the *** to come up and say hi. I just start of in 2nd when it rains. Good tires help a bit, but they can only give so much grip.

 

It's funny- I just got back from getting new front tires (BFG G-Force KDWS) and have the same problem. It's raining like a bitch in the northeast today; for the first time in a while. My rear tires are fairly worn, but not bald. Anything past like 40% throttle in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd = wheelspin. You have to be very gentle. Can't wait to see some improvement with the same BFG's on the rear.

Anyway, I'd suggest an all-season performance tire like the g-force KDWS's.

------------------
89' Firebird Formula
Black/grey cloth
305 TPI/5 speed/3.45 rear
dual cats/PW,PL/T-tops
K&N, SLP TB booster,
SLP exhaust, Jet chip

 

thanks for the advise. glad to see I'm not the only one having troubles...

I was planning to change the tires anyway..they are most likely also the cause of vibrating the car above 45 MPH..after I rotated the tires the car felt a lot better..

P.S> how often do you have to replace the rear (or front) springs...?? I've got my car for 2 years now, and I doubt the former owner did any maintance whatshowever.. and what we be a good brand if I want to stay stock..

------------------
Pontiac Firebird 1985
LG4 Qjet

 

when i had my old bald tires on i was driving down the highway and i ramped on it and it kicked sideways for a second at 45mph .....last time i ever did that

------------------
84TA T-tops L-69 305HO TH-700R4 stock 190hp and 240 ft-lbs.
new best E.T. (dont laugh) 15.986 @84.93mph
old best E.T 15.997@86.04
http://www.geocities.com/K_towngangsta

Mods-

K&N Air filter