Handling

[transamterror]

I am getting a 2001 trans am ws6. I know they are straight line savages, but I want to know how well they handle turns and if they are good for circuit and autocross racing. Any info will help.

[Rikki_SeVeN]

u gonna need plenty of suspension mods to go autocrossin...lost of Body Roll from side to side...but it wont be too bad... most of the stuff is pretty cheap comprared to other cars...

Offcourse I'm talking in the sense of my humble Z28... which I think doesn't have the same springs as the WS6...and such...

[transamterror]

How good are their traction? Will a pair of good performance tire greatly improve handling?

[Rikki_SeVeN]

I'm pretty sure they handle better then my car... but I have to say I'm atleast pleased with it so far...and for what it's worth.. you just buy some $250 Eibach springs...and some good shocks...and it's pretty damn good

and yes...good tires will improve the handling...I don't know about Greatly but they will do something

[Rikki_SeVeN]

some have Traction Control...some don't... so you have to make sure if it does or not

[transamterror]

It does have tc. Is it better to turn it off on auto cross or leave it on?

[Rikki_SeVeN]

I personally hate Traction Control...and my Z28 doesn't have it... I'd have to say though... it would help you getting out of corners and keeping in check...

[drummer52910]

Honestly f bodies arent for handling. Once the back end starts to really go on these cars youll be hard pressed to correct it. Having a big v8 up front really imbalances the car for track use.

[Rikki_SeVeN]

yeah but you can learn to control it...and set up the suspension enough to the point where you can actually make it descent at the track...

[jrc1122]

Honestly f bodies arent for handling. Once the back end starts to really go on these cars youll be hard pressed to correct it. Having a big v8 up front really imbalances the car for track use.

I wouldn't say it is that hard to be corrected, you just have to really know your car.

Disclaimer - I do not know my car that well yet.. but I am anxious to get this bad boy sideways in a parking lot, just so i can learn to control the fishtail, without the tires grabbing and throwing me the other way.

But yeah if you wanted an Autocross car, you probably should have gotten a STI, EVO, miata, MR2 Spyder, something like that.

If you wanted RWD monster. You have picked the perfect car.

[transamterror]

They are really fun to drive when it is wet and fish tail. It won't be a track car. I was wondering if I could make the suspension so it could take most turns i will ecounter on the street with ease(within the speed limit, I can't afford to get tickets)

[jrc1122]

They are really fun to drive when it is wet and fish tail. It won't be a track car. I was wondering if I could make the suspension so it could take most turns i will ecounter on the street with ease(within the speed limit, I can't afford to get tickets)

My car has no problems with any turn at the speed limit.

I use to have a MR2 Spyder - that bad boy cornered like it was on rails, this car will not hang with that, but for daily driving it handles just fine.

[transamterror]

The ta probably would beat your mr2 because it would make up ground and then some on the straights and mild sweeps. Can you verify this?

[Mr. Luos]

Honestly f bodies arent for handling. Once the back end starts to really go on these cars youll be hard pressed to correct it. Having a big v8 up front really imbalances the car for track use.

The LS1 is lighter than most any other motor. All aluminum.

Suspension. Get that rearend to stay put under hard corners with an adj. panhard bar, LCA's, and LCA brackets.
Good set of springs and shocks will make a world of difference.
Tires...you have ALL kinds of choices. Many will plant the car nicely.

[drummer52910]

When i first got my car i dropped the clutch going 50 mph down the road in the rain. I lost complete control and spun around about 5 times, though somehow i managed not to wreck. I didnt realize how easily a overpowerd car can get away from you like, and was always careful after that.

[Mr. Luos]

Solid suspension pieces will also help keep it predictable when it does overpower the tires.

Mine is easily controlled spinning to 75MPH.


There is a clip in that short video that is from the inside of my car. Breaks them loose HARD in 1st and 2nd, and then snaps them loose into 3rd. Notice how straight it stayed.

[jrc1122]

The ta probably would beat your mr2 because it would make up ground and then some on the straights and mild sweeps. Can you verify this?

Wasn't trying to start a flame war.
I am just speaking of driving experience, I am talking parking lot autcross with cones, I am not talking about road courses.

I never raced either car on an autocross - but there is a very curvy road near where i live, that I have taken both cars down, and I have to slow down much much more with the Fbody. That Mr2 Spyder I had was a miracle when it came to handling. Only car I have been in that was even close was an EVO. (It was probably better, because of the awd, vs the mid engine rwd)



And yeah, My MR2 Spyder (traded in) had after market Turbo @ 10 PSI, full exhaust, intake, tune, lowered with suspension upgrades, etc. It was all decked out. But I traded it in on the WS6 -

I'm not saying the Fbody is not better of a car, I am just saying Autocross isn't it's strong point.

[jrc1122]

Solid suspension pieces will also help keep it predictable when it does overpower the tires.

Mine is easily controlled spinning to 75MPH.


There is a clip in that short video that is from the inside of my car. Breaks them loose HARD in 1st and 2nd, and then snaps them loose into 3rd. Notice how straight it stayed.

nice video man..

But I was talking more about breaking loose during sweeps and turns etc.

But again, that is a nice video

[joejenkinsglass]

I have heard good things about air ride for our cars but its expensive

[transamterror]

I would kinda worry about the bag popping. I would feel better with coilovers or coil springs.