Chicago Crew UnderBoss

iTrader: (1)

Getting tired of my old man STS Caddy and thinking of making an LS1 f-body purchase for my full time year round cruiser. How do these bad boys handle in wintery conditons with traction control on and i take it an automatic would handle better than a Manual tranny in inclement weather but not sure about that?

John95Z28

Well, I drive my M6 LT1 year round with traction control on and all-season tires, but it's not that great in the snow. Canadian winters for me are doable, but I have to really watch it when there's fresh snowfall on the ground, or deep drifts (anything more than a foot deep).

Was there anything more specific you wanted to know about winter driving an F-body?

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

I drive my 2002 M6 Z28 daily. I don't use the TCS. I did quite well with the Ohio winters on my original Eagle RSA's (even 1/2 worn). I bought snow tires for last year and have had no real problems getting around. It's a challenge, but it is not impossible (if you are comfortable in a rear drive car). I'd do it again (actually, I had an '89 formula as a daily driver for 5 years....so I did do it again). And, my car is lowered with Koni's and such on it (and it still does pretty well).

Cal

iTrader: (1)

Basicaly what trackbird said. If you're already used to driving a rear wheel drive on snow, not too bad unless the snow gets deep, then it gets very challenging. I've driven fbodies on snow here in Utah since 1979, and don't really think twice about it. It helps to have a separate set of tires and wheels that are tall, skinny pizza cutters! That gives you more ground clearance plus more bite. Wide tires tend to ride on the top of the snow where there is zero traction. If the fbody you get is lowered two inches and rides on 315's, you're gonna have a hell of a time! But a set of 215's on 16x8 wheels with all-season tread work very well, or you can get some Bridgestone Blizak's like my wife has on her T/A for great traction in the snow, but they are worn out after 3 seasons. The rubber compound on these is about as soft as Hoosier race tires, plus it has sipes. It would be nice to have a set of coil-overs so you can raise the ride height for winter, then slam it back down for summer driving.

Oh as for auto vs stick, it you are good with the stick it will be better than a A4. But it you're not too smooth with the manual, you're better off with an automatic. If I feel the rear end step out, I just push in the clutch to stop the wheel spin. Many times an auto tranny will spin the rear wheels with the engine idling.

VIP1

I have had my Formula (A4 with TCS and stock ride height) for 3 years and driven it every business day, 60miles a day, for the past two years. This includes driving in snow (sometimes a foot).

I use the stock Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires on the stock chrome 16" wheels in the summer (3years and going) and Blizzak WS-50 tires on cheap 16" steelies in the winter. I bought the Blizzaks mounted & balanced on cheap steelies from TireRack 2years ago for $572 (I think).

With the Blizzaks, it handles better than other cars I have driven with all-season tires. You just have to be able to handle a RWD car in the snow. Its a bit different than a FWD car in the snow.

John95Z28

Hmmm... you guys have got me thinking about blizzaks again. All-seasons work "okay" for me in the winter but I take it that full blown snow tires are worth the extra freight

GM Muscle

iTrader: (9)

When I first bought my Camaro it was to be a year round car so I put some Blizzak WS-50s on it. I took it out in a couple of nasty storms and the car handled great, a ton better than I ever expected. Shortly after that I came across some money and bought a new Cavalier. I put Blizzaks on the Cav too and it still didn't handle as good as the Camaro in the snow, esspecially from a dead stop with packed snow on the road.

Cheatin' Chad

iTrader: (3)

I live in Rockford so I get the same winters you do in Elmhurst.I drove my T/A all last winter. My T/A is fine in light snow w/the all season Yokohamas. It gets "interesting" when there is any kind of accumulation.

I have a 98' w/no traction control and I cannot start in second gear.

If you get some real snow tires like Bridgestone Blizzaks the car handles and works OK.

Chicago Crew UnderBoss

iTrader: (1)

Great feedback here guys keep it coming. I assumed all LS1 f-bodies had traction control did the 98s not have TC? If not, what is the first year it was offered, 99 I assume?

GM Muscle

iTrader: (9)

Mine doesn't have traction control but it does have the second gear start option which is in all 00+ A4 F-bodies (it helps big time).

TTopJohn

Traction control was avaiable on all LS1 cars - 98-02.
It was always a stand alone option, you just need to find one that has it. Look for an "ASR" switch next to the fog light switch on a Camaro, or a "TCS" switch below the AC controls on a Firebird.

It was also on LT1 cars, but I can't remember if it became avaiable in 1995 or 1996.

John95Z28

My '95 has it. Supposedly ASR was fine tuned so it works better (less intrusively) for the LS1 cars

Cal

iTrader: (1)

I have a '93 LT1 car without TCS and an '01 LS1 car with ASR. I think the LT1 car without it handles just as good in snow as the newer ASR car, maybe even better. Having less torque may have something to do with it also. Having a very light touch on the gas and the brakes is one of the keys to staying under control on a snow packed road.

Uno99

iTrader: (2)

I lived in th upper pennisula of Michigan for 3 years. And now in Wi. I had to drive it for two winters and do not have TC. If you have directional tread on tires forget about it. all seasons OK. I got a straigh up snow tire for my 16 inch rims. I've never gotten stuck yet. Get a good set of snow tires and you will be fine.

JackZ28

I have driven my Z in 3 winters, and as long as you have a good set of snow tires, you'll be fine. I wouldn't trust a set of all season tires, unless you don't have much snow.

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

I have TCS and I do not use it. EVER! I am not a fan of the way it operates and I do not even use it in snow. I find it to be marginally useful in the rain (if you are really stupid, you can still spin the car in the wet) and I don't think it has a clue of what to do in the snow and ice. So, I wouldn't put a premium on finding a TCS car. It's a $450 option that cost me another $50 for the SLP module to turn it off when I start the car. Great way for me to waste $500. If you get it, try it, I have not been impressed with it. The traction control in my various Volkswagons (2000 Jetta 1.8t, 2000 GTI VR6, 2004 GTI 1.8T) has been 1000 times better in operation. GM never seemed to get it quite right in these cars.

My thoughts.

Speaking of snow tires, if you are near Columbus, OH, I have a set for sale (PM me) mounted on steel rims (I have 2 sets of rims and snow tires right now).

VIP1

I usually leave my TCS on. The only time I turn it off is when making a right angle turn from a stop in slippery conditions (rain/snow/ice) or when I need to merge quickly into fast moviing traffic from a stopped position (I dont want it to STOP me in traffic if there is wheel spin -- been there, done that, nearly **** my pants).

seabirdak

I'd go with an AWD car like a WRX for a year round sports car

2w0s060

I'm not a big fan of the TCS either, but I normally leave it on in the rain. Some on the PA snows get pretty heavy, I would be scared to drive my car in some of the winter snows.

davered00ss

iTrader: (4)

My SS will not even move with a light dusting of snow. the 17" 275"s just spin w/tcs on or off. My 98 with 16" rims was ok, but you need a winter car.