In my last installment, we did some baseline testing for slalom and skidpad on my Corvette in stock form. In my fantasy world, I'd get to do three subsequent tests to see what kind of impact each of my planned modifications would have: one test with the new Michelin Pilot PS2 ZP tires, one with the new Pfadt dampers installed (with the old Goodyear tires), and then a third and final test with both the Michelins and the dampers.
Unfortunately, logistical limitations will only likely allow that one future final test. But in the mean time, I was curious to get some subjective street driving opinion on the Michelins I recently had mounted.
I had the Michelins put on at my local Tire Pros shop. (Did you know that you can fit four Corvette tires into the Corvette? I didn't either until I tried.) Having learned about road-force balancing from the Inside Line project Miata, I asked the shop to use that for balancing the tires once mounted. As a kind gesture, the shop offered to fill the tires with nitrogen for free. The merits of nitrogen are debatable, but there was certainly no harm in saying yes.
I've had the Michelins mounted for a couple weeks now. Though I can't claim anything definitively, they do seem to be quieter on the highway than the factory Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercars. They also seem to have a slightly better ride quality, though that could just as easily be due to variances in the before-and-after tire pressures.
I've also driven the Corvette on my preferred curvy road driving route. Here, the results were inconclusive. Certainly, I wasn't expecting some grand transformation from Corvette handling to Lotus Exige-like handling. (Well, OK, there was a small part of me that wished that would happen.) But I honestly couldn't detect any significant difference -- it still handles just like a base Corvette on a canyon road, which is to say very capable but still not exceptionally informative or nimble.
I am expecting better predictability when the car approaches its adhesion limit because of the Michelins, and I think we'll see that play out in the subsequent instrumented track testing and/or track days. But I guess I shouldn't be too surprised about the lack of improved driving enjoyment for canyon driving; considering the Corvette's high handling limits, going from one set of grippy run-flat tires (the Goodyears) to another set of grippy run-flat tires (the Michelins) just isn't going to make much of a noticeable change.
I guess this is a little disappointing seeing as how my car is mostly street driven. But I'm looking forward to getting the whole package together for the instrumented track test.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
By slickersdrip
on August 26, 2010
09:41 AM
I really do like the black Corvette with the dark wheels. Looks sinister.
On a different note, I've been curious if Z51 owners feel a little bit like they've been had by GM for not waiting for the Gran Sport package, ala the 2010 vs. 2011 Mustang...although unlike the Gran Sport, you'd have to be a fool not to have waited for the 5.0... anyone who cared about engines knew it was coming.
By fuhteng
on August 27, 2010
09:44 AM
Very true slickers. As much as I love my G8 GT, if I had been laid off a year later (Feb 2010, not Feb 2009) I would almost certainly have a 5.0 now. But that Gran Sport package sounds terrific too. What is your opinion Brent?