Aftermarket converter and winter

Ripa · 10-29-2005, 02:58 PM

Has anyone experienced of driving a "high" stalled car in winter? And I mean real winter with full ice and snow. We have 5 months full snow coverage in here yearly and driving stock -98 A4 Z28 has not been problematic. The reason I ask is I'm planning to change 2.73 gears to 3.73 and install 3000rpm converter.

Would the general driving be too hard or dangerous? Is it possible to drive smooth enough and accelerate safely?

We can use special spiked wintertyres in here so the general grip levels are not a big problem in daily driving. Here is a picture of tyre I'm using now.

Uno99 · 11-04-2005, 03:04 PM

I have never driven one in the winter. I would not even try it no matter what gears you have.

SteveC · 11-05-2005, 11:32 AM

I live in a very warm climate, however I have a friend that lives in upper Minnisota, and he drives a "beater" for the winter, leaving his SS in storage.

SteveC

Ripa · 11-06-2005, 03:18 AM

You know with good wintertyres it is not so slipery what you might think. You can not eaven compare summertyres and M+S tyres with special winter tyres. When temperature is clearly under freezing point grip is comparable to very good condition gravel roads in summer. The most slipery thing is a fresh powder snow on ice. That just stucks the tyre lamels and spikes cant reach through.

The main concern is how manageable it is with 3500 stall + 3.73? You can use the gravel road as an example. If I'm overtaking a car in 50mph and try to accelerate. Can you controll it smooth enough without too sudden power increase?

As I said It is not a problem at all to drive it in current condition in snow and ice. You just can't ram that pedal like in summer

BlackHawk T/A · 11-06-2005, 04:45 AM

IMO you shouldn't be trying to overtake anyone in snow and ice, let alone in an F-Body.

Drive civily.

nhraformula · 11-06-2005, 10:27 AM

chicago gets very cold in the winter and we get plenty of snow.
you wont have problems with a 3000 rpm converter unless you have a lead foot.

1 of 122 · 11-08-2005, 01:47 PM

I've lost control and gone in the ditch with front wheel drive cars in snow and ice. An F-body and snow don't mix. Buy a beater.

supermando · 11-13-2005, 05:56 PM

You can't really even pass someone on a rainy day in the summer too quickly without letting your rear end slip let alone on the ice and snow. I just bought a "beater" S-10 for $1000 to drive this winter for when it snows or the roads are frozen over. I won't car if it gets messed up as long as my WS6 is safe at home. If you live in a heavy snow area, I'd advise you do the same, if possible.

10-29-2005, 02:58 PM	#1
Ripa Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vaasa, Finland Age: 33 Posts: 7 1998 Z-28 A4 Red, black top	Aftermarket converter and winter Has anyone experienced of driving a "high" stalled car in winter? And I mean real winter with full ice and snow. We have 5 months full snow coverage in here yearly and driving stock -98 A4 Z28 has not been problematic. The reason I ask is I'm planning to change 2.73 gears to 3.73 and install 3000rpm converter. Would the general driving be too hard or dangerous? Is it possible to drive smooth enough and accelerate safely? We can use special spiked wintertyres in here so the general grip levels are not a big problem in daily driving. Here is a picture of tyre I'm using now.

11-06-2005, 10:27 AM	#6
nhraformula member since may 2000 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: n/w chicago Age: 39 Posts: 6,767 2000 nhra edition formula black	chicago gets very cold in the winter and we get plenty of snow. you wont have problems with a 3000 rpm converter unless you have a lead foot. __________________ 2000 nhra edition formula a few bolt ons, 379 rwhp 11.96 @113.25

11-04-2005, 03:04 PM	#2
Uno99 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Appleton Wisconsin Age: 30 Posts: 52 1999 T/A Black	I have never driven one in the winter. I would not even try it no matter what gears you have.

11-05-2005, 11:32 AM	#3
SteveC Retired NOT tired Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Poway, Ca Posts: 656 2001 Z28 (Sara) SOM	I live in a very warm climate, however I have a friend that lives in upper Minnisota, and he drives a "beater" for the winter, leaving his SS in storage. SteveC

11-06-2005, 03:18 AM	#4
Ripa Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vaasa, Finland Age: 33 Posts: 7 1998 Z-28 A4 Red, black top	You know with good wintertyres it is not so slipery what you might think. You can not eaven compare summertyres and M+S tyres with special winter tyres. When temperature is clearly under freezing point grip is comparable to very good condition gravel roads in summer. The most slipery thing is a fresh powder snow on ice. That just stucks the tyre lamels and spikes cant reach through. The main concern is how manageable it is with 3500 stall + 3.73? You can use the gravel road as an example. If I'm overtaking a car in 50mph and try to accelerate. Can you controll it smooth enough without too sudden power increase? As I said It is not a problem at all to drive it in current condition in snow and ice. You just can't ram that pedal like in summer

11-06-2005, 04:45 AM	#5
BlackHawk T/A Got LS1 Envy? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 326 2001 WS6 Black	IMO you shouldn't be trying to overtake anyone in snow and ice, let alone in an F-Body. Drive civily.

11-08-2005, 01:47 PM	#7
1 of 122 In yo' hood up to no good Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: upper midwest Posts: 188 1999 T/A WS6 Vert A4 1 of 122 Blk A4 WS6 Verts	I've lost control and gone in the ditch with front wheel drive cars in snow and ice. An F-body and snow don't mix. Buy a beater.

11-13-2005, 05:56 PM	#8
supermando Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Albuquerque Age: 31 Posts: 30 2002 Trans Am WS6 Silver	You can't really even pass someone on a rainy day in the summer too quickly without letting your rear end slip let alone on the ice and snow. I just bought a "beater" S-10 for $1000 to drive this winter for when it snows or the roads are frozen over. I won't car if it gets messed up as long as my WS6 is safe at home. If you live in a heavy snow area, I'd advise you do the same, if possible.