LT1 Traction Question

[ljbest]

Hi, I have a '96 LT1 Coupe with the Automatic and 3.07 rear gear. I am running the 285 Firestone's on the rear. For a weekend driver, this car runs fine, and in normal driving, pulls through all the gears under moderate acceleration. I am relatviely new to Vette's, and not really used to the power. If I am cruising at say 40-45 mph on an open road and stomp on it, the revs pick up from about 1500 to 4000, and it feels like it takes time for the rear tires to hook up. The speed picks up quickly as well. I am trying to determine if I am experiencing 'normal' wheel spin, or if there is something amiss in the trans. I am able to re-create this situation with ASR on or off, and it is particularly easy to do when making a turn under power. I am a fan of safe driving, and am not trying to get myself in trouble, but wanted to confirm that this is 'normal'. I also checked for codes with my scanner, and am not getting any transmission related codes.

The car was used as a pace car for a road race on a closed course last year. The driver mentioned that he accelerated hard from about 45 to 60 and thought that he experienced wheel spin in that situation as well. If this is typical, I can live with it.

 

[jmccloud]

Traction

If your ASR is on (it is on each time you turn the ignition 'on' unless you purposely turn it off), the ASR light will illuminate on the DIC if the tires are spinning. And the ASR will push your foot off the gas and apply braking force to the spinning wheel. What you're more likely feeling is the slight delay of the motor building torque and really taking off.
My '95 LT-1 Auto with 285 Firestones performs very much as you describe (and the ASR does not come on at those speeds on dry, clean roadway).
Congrat's on owning a great car!

 

[UB2 SLOW]

Are you sure the car is stock? You can always try bigger tires if you are havng problems with traction.

 

[redc4corvette]

You also need to change your rearend fluid every 65k or your car will make a lot of left turns if you are stomping the gas alot.the addative that is in the rearend
wears out about then.
You will have a lot of fun with your vett only nice people have vettes.

 

[tlong]

I have the same car. When you dump it at 45 mph the tires don't spin or the ASR would come to see you. What you're feeling is the kickdown in the trans.. it takes a second... but whoa you'll be looking at 90 real quick.

 

[ljbest]

Thanks for the quick replies to my message. UB2Slow trigered a thought - I don't really know if it is stock, in terms of programming and shift points. I was told it was, and just assumed it was. All in all, this is the quickest street car I have ever owned, and on a $/HP ratio, probably the best investment I have made in a car of any kind. I like this car, and appreciate the reinforcement that it is "working as designed".

Larry

 

[tlong]

What other car can muscle you around town at 1200 rpms? I usually leave it in D under 50 just for fun. The Corsa pipes sing at 2000+, then gurgle like a Nascar on the let off. Who needs a stereo? Wait till you find some open entrance ramp and see 120 just like that. I like the point and shoot auto. And it's plenty tough as demonstrated in an accidental downshift to 2nd at 95 mph. The rev limiter was screaming 'no', ASR pounding and the trans barking its head off, but no ill effects.

You can change the firmness and shift point with a program to the ecm. It sounds like your on the money now though. Happy motoring.