congratulations you ARE the weakest link!
"my LS8 will out dance most any sport compact...."
Not trying to rain on anyones parade and I'm glad that you are enthusiastic about your car but PLEASE....let's get realistic here. While the LS is a very well engineered car that handles better than most in it's segment IT IS NOT A RACE CAR! With all of the standard tweaks and good rubber they can be very capable and entertaining cars to drive while still being somewhat comfortable and refined. The biggest problem is size and weight. Pure and basic physics. My car, with the mods below, stock suspension and a good alignment pulled .91G on a skid pad and has been run through it's paces on both a road course and AutoX course. While it surprised everyone with how well it ran, it's limitations were also very evident. First off the car is underpowered. Not the fault of the motor, (mine is making around 1.3 hp/ci, VERY good numbers for any NA motor) but at 3.9L it is simply too small. The stock brakes with drilled/slotted rotors, SS brake lines, good fluid and Porterfield R4-S pads will get you some very good stopping distances for a few runs. But on the track it is very easy to use them up in a hurry. 4000 lbs is alot of weight to be hauling down repeatedly. Short of a Stop Tech or Wilwood big brake kit that will cost more than your car is worth and the need for custom wheels to clear them, the LS is underbraked. Tires and suspension? Again 4000lbs is alot of weight to be hauling around. Due to the cars design the largest tire that will fit is a 245F/275R without rubbing under all out track conditions. Not enough contact patch to overcome all of that PORK. In one afternoon at RIR I destroyed a set of nittos while a friends lightened M3 with the exact same tires looked hardly worn. Short of stiffer springs there is not much to do to an LS.
Reality is a good driver in a stock Golf GTI or Civic SI can run circles around your modded LS on a road course.
Respect the car for what it is. It is a LUXURY/SPORT sedan. Refined, comfortable and entertaining to drive at 8/10's, push it to it's limits and it will bite you if you are not careful.
One final rant....Who cares? The limits on the LS, bone stock are already high enough that no where on the street can you reasonably explore them without seeing speeds that are going to get someone killed or put in jail. Trust me when I say that for 95% of you on this board, stock, this cars limits are higher than your ability to drive it. Without professional training and lot's of track time none of you really know how to drive any car to it's limits safely.
Yes...this did get a little off track. Most of my comments were directed at a certain member from NH. While I enjoy playing with my toys and wanting to make improvements as much as anybody I stand by my statement that any real high performance driving is suitable for TRACK ONLY for everyones safety.
ok are you done? cause I will wait for you to finish before I tell you my Ls out handles my fully done up civic, my buddies Cobalt SS, my other buddies G35, and anyone else who has even tried her! If you think for one second that a car that doesnt weigh 4000lbs is too heavy to dance, then I think you need to do further research on cars that weigh more than 4k and are known for their handling! I'm sorry you don think these cars will do what they flat out do with ease, but except for one second that just because you cant do it doesnt mean it cant be done.
LS underpowered..... you sir havent really tried to give it any power have you? These cars respond exceptionally well to power mods! Accel coils huh? what did the get you like .5 HP? work on that car before you decide to say they are under powered!
LS is inderbraked.... I think.... no pretty know that you are talking out of your ass. Even with my 125 shot of N2O, my car on stock brakes stops faster than it goes. try using more than just the left pedal to control your speed..... you'll see your power out of the turn be more readily accessible and the braking into the turn sky rocket!!!!!!!!!!
She is too heavy..... 3750 with full tank of gas and driver, nothing removed to make her lighter. Thats not that heavy at all! 05+ mustangs are that heavy, last gen F bodies are that heavy. so these cars are as heavy and are nowhere near as well balanced, not even the new shelbys, SLP's or the Saleens.
Blowing through tires.... your running 555's! First off, you should be using the 555r2 for auto x if you want nittos.... second off, Nitto blow! And while i know its just a movie, there is a lot of truth in days of thunder when he blows through tires not driving correctly.
long story short...thank you for trying to single me out tool bag, but you need to hit the books allot more before you come here and try telling me whats up! I said it before and I'll say it again, MY LS WILL OUT DANCE MOST SPORT COMPACTS OUT THERE. And from the sounds of things, even with your fancy brakes and yellow coils, it'll walk yours too!
