as far as i know the ls1 equipped fbody has all the same suspension as the lt1 equipped cars...

but is there a difference in handling when cornering?

i realize the ls1 brakes are better, which could also result in more/less unsprung weight...does this affect cornering in stock form?

and how about the difference in weight between the iron block lt1 and the alum. block ls1? does that balance the car better? make it more nimble in the curves?

thanks guys

 

anytime you can remove 80+ lbs off the front end, that car will be quicker...especially in autox

 

Yea, 80lbs lighter and 50 hp more..... I hate it.

SO I'll just have to drive better!!!!

I had this same discussion with Sam Strano and he thought that maybe it would be close, the LT1 was torquey in the RPM range where you might need it when exiting turns etc. You're not always up in that upper RPM range for too long so who knows.

But the 80 lbs...... where do I start?

 

I'm getting my *** kicked by a 2002 SS Camaro in autocross every month. We have similar suspension mods so I'm sure it's the horespower and couldn't possibly be the driver. So Chuck are you out there with any comments on this?

 

He's kicking my ***, too! It's not the power or the suspension. It might have a bit to do with his race tires vs. my street tires, but mostly it's the loose nut behind the wheel

 

The best FS local autoxer has a 94 Z28 (LT1) and I have a 98 Z28 (LS1). He has been autocrossing for 18+ years. We switched cars for fun runs. He got out of my car and said

"excellent brakes and I can really feel the affect of the weight off the nose. Good car. What do you think of my car?"

I said:

"Sorry, Terry, I like you but your car sucks. If you are beating me with this car, I have a long way to go with my driving."

 

I replied to him in the Florida forum.

Nut behind the wheel. Maybe so. lol

You guys are getting closer and closer to me every month. Don't worry. It takes experience to be fast. Your times acoming.

 

Wow, I didnt know it was 80 lbs.

Does this include a/c delete?
Thanks!

 

That's just the difference in block weight!!!

 

LT1's have better torque, LS1's better HP. HP isn't used much when you autox. And the LS1's have that lovely brake setup that leads to axle hop. Yippie. LT1's are at NO disadvantage vs. an LS1 car unless you're bascially road racing......

As for the "80 lbs.". Sounds good, and the engines may indeed be that different, but......... At the Toledo National Tour my 2001 Z28 hardtop (power seat, Monsoon) and trailer hitch weighed MORE than Diane Lapusnak's '95 "1E" (one of EVERYTHING). That car has T's, Bose, leather, power seat, but no hitch. Bascially it's a wash. And before you ask, we both run the 35mm front bar and were both on Hoosier's and both had full tanks.

my car was 3456, her's was 3449. Where's the weight come from? Got me, but it's clear there isn't a real difference.....

 

You know Sam, I noticed that axle hop on a 98 or so F-Body here two weekends ago, BUT Tommy Pulliam's did NOT do it???? Tell me the secret!!!!

 

Mostly driver. Tommy's does it, and so does mine if provoked (by driving in deep and slamming on the pedal). Is it a coincidence that newbie's tend to drive like that? I don't think so. :-)

Lots of things change it, or delay it. Nothing has 100% cured it (and won't as all torque arm cars are prone to it). The ABS/EBD setup in the 98+'s just make it much worse because they try to rear bias so much.

One of the changes I made that happened to have good effect on changing the hop was when I switched from Koni rears to Bilstein rears. I did it for transitional reasons and dealing with bumpy surfaces better. Turns out the axle hop comes on less violently than before too. But when it really gets going it's just as bad. FWIW, Tommy's car and my car at the same but for the front shock settings....

 

Which Koni's are you using for the front, or should I ask, which Koni's is Tommy using on the front?? BTW, Tommy PAX 1st in that event. He blew everyone away.

 

I use Single's, Tommy has Double's. But as per my bitching Tommy runs his front bump full soft (which where the SA's are set). We run about 2 sweeps different on the fronts shocks, or at least did until I showed him they are easier to adjust than he was making it! And we run slightly different air pressures.

Essentially, it's a Koni SA front/Bilstein 3rd gen rear. 35mm bar, Heavy Shockproof in the rear.

At the Peru Tour, Tommy and I were 2nd and 3rd respectively after day one (.014 and .070 out of the lead). Day two I managed to jump from 3rd to 1st (I won by about .2). Tommy had cone issue and slipped to 4th.

 

Yea, Tommy's my target. Even though we don't run in the same class, I need to beat his times just to be competitive in the Nationals. That's a tall order. I'm just glad he runs here so I have a good benchmark.

You're not going to come down to instruct for our Evolution School are you??? Maybe Tommy will be there so I can get some REAL lessons.

What pressure are you running in your Hoosiers for your ESP car?? You running 11's with 315's all around? I need a good starting point.

I ran the first time with my SA's on full firm, it really felt good, well controlled. Of course, I haven't tried any other setting on this car yet other than stock shocks so I wouldn't know any different.

Oh, congratulations on Peru!