308 at speed

I was watching "Classic Car" the other evening and the nice English lady that was driving a 308 made mention the the 308s' front end becomes light at 130MPH. Just got back from a nice drive and I certainly agree!!! At a tick over 140 a tar line will move the front and letting her go she does gather it back up. I am sure if one tried a correction at that speed there would be a problem. No snow today but the weekend looks bad! cheers

 

Check the front/rear tire pressure stagger....going with the same pressure does indeed mess things up!

Glad to hear you are on the road!

 

You were watching Penny Mallory on a UK programme called "Classic cars".

Personally I think it is a very poor programme.
But I know that Penny is a pretty fast driver and regularly gives us Brits guys something to think about.

Did you see her do the Countach programme, she was in heaven?

 

What front valance do you have? Euro or US? I would think the euro front valance would be able to plant the front end a little better.

Rick

 

My 77 308 has the Euro Spoiler, and I have not noticed it getting light at those speeds, it appears to be just getting into its groove then.

 

Yes of coarse the spoiler could make a difference. I find that up to 90 mph the front end seems to be planted but after the century mark confidence falls off. I don't intend on changing the spoiler but I find myself wanting to get back on the track. I haven't raced since 84 and I have to find out if my pacemaker will handle the "red mist".
lovin the Nero wedge.

 

I do not track so ........

I do; however, drive the autobahn. I noticed my 308's front end getting lighter in the 125+mph zone the very few times I have driven it that fast.


Put the spare back in and "PRESTO."

Problem solved.

 

@Mark - is your car Euro or US spec?


PDG

 

Gray,

North American version. 1981 with a NOV 80 build date.

Left Italy as a New Born, entered Canada; sold first at Ferrari of Vancouver, best I can tell.

Spent time in Canada, then headed south across the border to better climates in Cali for a time then headed to Man's Country in the Great Nation of Texas.

That is where I found it and brought it back to the "Continent of Birth." It has NOT YET been back home to Mother Italy yet though. Perhaps next summer.

 

+1 But the tail gets a little loose around 175 - 180mph.

 

You got a 308 going how fast?????????????????????????



Oh ... got ya.

Will since you drove it off a cliff to attain that velosity, I can see how the tail "got alittle loose" at that speed.

 

Ooops, forgot the ""

 

Did 140mph with a US valence here in CA I-5, and I'm trying to remember if my front end was loose. IIRC I don't think my front end were ever loose at that speed, in fact I was changing lanes while at that speed without any issue. Is this mean something is not normal about my car?

 

My 328 feels extremely stable at 130+ mph...compared to the RX-7 & Miata at same speeds. It's all relative. Are we talking interstate strait line or curves?

 

I have had my USA version 85 GTS to 150 twice and have to disagree with the nice old English lady. The front was pretty tight as I changed lanes, not as good as my 1963 Studebaker Avanti, but much tighter than a 70 440 6 pack Cuda. on the other hand, neither of those cars will go around a tight corner with out lots of tire scrubbing and understeer.

 

Mine, with the Euro spoiler felt fine up to about 125, felt loose in front up to 135, then I blanked out with "data input" overload from there up to 141 when I decided I'd had enough.

-O

 

My '80 US GTB never felt light in the front or back end at speeds of 120 + My wife turns pale and gets the deer in the headlight stare though. Got the deep front spoiler and 16" wheels with Bridgestone potenza pole position tires.

 

LOL!

 

Absolutely! The faster my 308 goes, the more it sucks down to the ground. It's more stable at 140mph than 100mph (though I'm not).

 

Same here, my euro 308 felt more stable at 150 mph that 100 mph. I had a full spare in the front.

 

You probably have a good point there, I too have a full sized front tire.

My biggest concurn both times was that I have street rated tires, not good for 150+

 

My 308 GTBi has the US spoiler and while on the track a Summit Point I did notice the front got a little light at 120 or so. I didn't have a spare in it and maybe that's why it felt like that?

 

Few cars feel good once you start getting within 10% of their
max speed, so 130 is probably about it "normally".
I agree, that is when they get light. The 328 seems to hang in there better.
(you have to remember this was Fantastic back in the day)

 

I can only speculate at my 308's speed/5th gear rpm 6500 maybe doing 110mph since my speedo only goes to 80mph , my front end felt alittle lite pushed it to around 7000rpm got even lighter.Yes i also have a full size spare,P-zero Perrelli's all around.

 

Gotta have that long euro spoiler... it DOES make a difference!