Yelo

We have repeatedly tested this out on three different stretches of road near work...one is a set of S-curves, one is a long sweeping left and the last is an uphill into a hard downward left. Through the s-curves I can maintain a higher speed and experience less body roll, through the sweeping left I can maintain around 70mph before the rear comes out where his tails out around 55mph, and on the uphill/down-left I can clear the rise around 75 or 80 where at anything over 60 his rear end comes around in a surprisingly quick fashion. we have tried these stretches of road over and over while swapping cars back and forth to ensure there's minimal driver error, and we both agree....there is a very pronounced difference in handling between these two cars. we've had both cars on lifts side by side at the same time to compare the two chassis and they both pretty much look identical, so....What gives ???

Major_Lee_Slow

iTrader: (1)

Different spring rates between the V6 and the V8 not to mention the weight balance is different. I think the shocks and bushings are also different. What you really should do it go to your local autocross one weekend and compare the cars there. I do not endorse driving at the limit on public roads.

boostcreep

+1 on BOTH of those points. Reducing weight over the front end makes a huge difference in handling.

Mike454SS

iTrader: (4)

LT1's are fat, V6 cars and LS1's aren't as fat so they handle better.

Do you have the same wheels and tires on both cars too?

AChotrod

iTrader: (17)

wheels and tires and the Z make be worn out.

therealcreeper

iTrader: (37)

what size BMW wheels do you have on yours? if they're bigger than your friends wheels, chances are your tires have a shorter and stiffer sidewall, and they're also wider so you have more rubber on the road. i noticed a nice difference going from 245/50/16's on cheap tires to 275/40/17's on nice ones. also weight distribution and wear could be playing a role.

goldmecham

iTrader: (1)

im with this ^^^^ guy

Yelo

That's the funny part actually.....his car has 245/45-16 Goodyear Eagle's and mine are 225/55-16 Michelin Pilot Sport MX's (the stock Bimmer tires)...but I'm almost firmly convinced that most of it is in the tires. I'm currently in the process of buying his car ($4500 for a 56K A4 in almost mint condition seems pretty fair) and a tire/wheel swap is gonna be the first thing I do to see what the difference really is....

Oh, and I agree about the testing/racing on the street thing....but at six thirty in the morning on deserted back country roads it's about as safe as it can get without being on a closed course, we are always careful to check for traffic over the rise/down-left as it's the only spot where we can get into trouble if we're dumb

93TAJ.C.

iTrader: (1)

I had the 16x8's with 245/45/16 on my 1993 Trans Am, I just went to 17x9 ws6 wheels with 275/40/17 tires and its huge. I can hang with my buddies 2002ws6 in a corner pretty easy, in the corners my wheel is straight though lol. So yes the ls1's and v6's are lighter and have better weight dist. but if your ok with the tail coming out you can still rip corners pretty good, besides steering with your foot is way more fun.

spy2520

iTrader: (3)

should be 245/50/16s. if it is in fact a 45 series thats a short tire.