Quote:
Originally Posted by Deep Six
These conversations never fail to get entertaining. I don't even believe there is a "definitive definition" of "handling" so this entire thread becomes opinion and perspective. Lap times can be quantified but that doesn't really answer the original question does it. Regarding pace on a road course, I absolutely believe the twins can be modified to be on par with a bone stock SS 1LE without going to the extreme such as the Element Tuning car.
My 2 cents are as follows:
- The SS1LE is an amazing car and the fastest track car you can buy at that price point. Between the E-diff and the PTM programing, relatively inexperienced drivers can make really quick pace and exploit much of it's potential.
- The best bang for the buck right now (IMHO) is the C7 Grand Sport. If you are willing to mod a new car then this chassis is ripe for a 550+whp naturally aspirated LT1
- The upcoming ZL1 and 1LE versions are going to be very interesting as well (not even going to mention the rumored C7 ZR1) Chevy seems to be bringing the A game right now.
- All that being said I still love driving my FRS at the track. Yes the power curve from the Rotrex unit is frustrating for my goals. Perhaps a 90mm pulley or C38 swap may resolve the issue.
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Really fantastic reply.
FWIW, Wiki does try to define
Automobile handling, but as always
James May's article in the Telegraph is much more insightful, though personally I feel he's using a blanket statement to make his headline, because a joystick that's mechanically connected can theoretically be just as well as a steering wheel connected through the same mechanism.
So while we can apply quantifiable metrics to the conversation, as I did in my previous reply, it seems the "feedback resolution" is the most fundamental definition.
Do we have to be more precise with our questions? Surely. The OP used the words "handle better". Did he specifically mean to quantify things like steering feel, shifter feel, and clutch pedal feel? Given he still hasn't responded, we can't know. Yet here's the wrench in the party. One person's Snap-On might be another person's Harbor Freight. One driver uses steering effort force to determine g-loading (e.g. BMW), but another uses bump-steer to ascertain the same thing (e.g. Lotus). It's not as simple as it seems, so we group all discernible traits and preferences we can assess all together and label it "Handling" and call it a day. The rub at the end is, there can be many cars that all "handle" well, but their individual characteristics can also dramatically vary.
This is where I use one of my favorite excuses to keep what's in my garage on a frequent rotation: "So many good cars, so little time."
