Willis - if you think that someone who wants a ls7 mallett sol is the same guy who'd own a t-bird...well I dunno...lol
I really can't see anyone who wants one wanting the other, however anyone who really thinks a C5 has a bad ride maybe doesn't mant an LS7 sol -- that was my concept. And a supercharged T-bird is a pretty cool car, by the way.
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'06 Solstice - black - new project car - put it on a consignment lot - wasn't going to work as a project car
'04 Porsche Carrera - daily driver/'09 998 Carrera S on order
'02 Corvette ZO6 C5R 427, Procharger D1S-8 lbs, methanol, 740RWT/703 RWHP, 2985 lbs
'98 Camaro 408 LS6 + NOS with a bit more HP and weight
I have Mallett SKY #004. I sent it to them in January, and got it back in February, so I have only had a few acceptable days so far here in Michigan to drive it. It is the base LS2 upgrade - 400HP, upgraded suspension, dual exhaust - I had a base SKY with the limited slip differential (which is still in there) before the upgrade.
So far, I can say it is excellent! It took me about an hour to get used to the power difference, and to keep from spinning the tires all the time, but now it is a fun, well performing, sleeper-style roadster. I did not buy it to beat Vettes, or to drag race other cars at the light. I bought it because I loved my SKY, but wanted it to be MUCH more powerful, and didn't want any other car. I considered getting a Redline SKY, but the Mallett offered more, and it would be more unique.
I agree that this is the absolute upper limit (if not technically more) of what the stock trans and diff can handle - if you do the LS7, you need to get the new trans and diff. I think that for my driving style, and my needs, the LS2 is all I need. It has a great sound with the dual exhaust, and does not "shake" the car - new engine mounts by Mallett take care of that. Sure, you can feel it at idle, but in a good, not annoying way. Acceleration is fantastic, though I suppose the gearing of the stock trans is less than optimum now - 1st gear is somewhat useless....
Handling is better than before, with the new suspension tuned for this upgrade, and slighty lowered, but not enough to be noticed. I parked next to a regular base SKY and had to look a few times to notice. The thing still turns like it is on rails, but it feels a bit smoother over bumps, with no "clunking" from the shocks as before.
If you want a Vette-beating racecar, go whole hog with the LS7. If you want a unique, fun to drive, fast roadster that will still kick your A** when driving it, the LS2 it great!
Please feel free to ask me any questions you have about it... I am still on a high from finally getting to drive it after having it sitting in the garage for 2 months taunting me.
Oh - and I plan on driving it whenever I can. This is not a "Trailer Queen" car. It is a car meant to be driven.
I really can't see anyone who wants one wanting the other, however anyone who really thinks a C5 has a bad ride maybe doesn't mant an LS7 sol -- that was my concept. And a supercharged T-bird is a pretty cool car, by the way.
I guess opinions are what give us so many options out there. The tbird is straight grandpa style to me.
How much time have you spent in a c5? I put around a thousand miles on it so far, and when the road is rough, it's brutal, even with the suspension set on tour. Several times I hit bumps it bounced me up off the seat so hard/fast the seat belt locked up and kept me in place..it's definitely rougher than the old jeep wrangler I had, and rougher than my hd ram I have now. It's acceptable on smooth roads.. If the solstice is similar or slightly better it would be liveable I guess..the ride isn't the make it/break it factor.
Thanks for all the input from mallett owners! Sounds like a really quality conversion. If I went ls7 I would def get the 6spd trans and diff. DNTXME, was 3.73 enough to make first gear worthwhile? I believe they offer an even taller ratio yet. Next question is to myself I guess - but is it worth dumping 60k into a solstice, or should I pony up a few more for a maserati or something with some real luxury and class to go with the speed..arghh.
Well I've . . .
- worn one out (127,000 miles)
- put 18,000 on my current one.
Never had a problem with the ride, even modified, even at very high speeds.
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'06 Solstice - black - new project car - put it on a consignment lot - wasn't going to work as a project car
'04 Porsche Carrera - daily driver/'09 998 Carrera S on order
'02 Corvette ZO6 C5R 427, Procharger D1S-8 lbs, methanol, 740RWT/703 RWHP, 2985 lbs
'98 Camaro 408 LS6 + NOS with a bit more HP and weight
LOL I didn't see that in your profile. Judging from the rest of your profile though, nothing you have would have a 'nice ride' in my opinion, so you're probably used to sports cars. Having spent most of my miles in a hd diesel ram or an e-class benz, you can see the difference in perspective I'm glad you like the way the vettes ride, there's something out there for everyone. I was just trying to establish a baseline of comparison. I really should just drive over to mallett and take a test ride in one..they are only prob 20 mins from me.
I've had my Performance Autowerks V-8 Solstice for about 10 months now and have loved every second of it. The modded LS2 puts 453 hp to the ground (about 530 at the crank) and the car handles it very well. I've got 295/35/19 BFG G-Force T/A KDW's on the rear and they provide exceptional traction straightline and cornering. I've got a set of 3.73 gears that I plan to install in the near future. Hopefully that will result in a bit less unwanted tire spin and more top end. Currently, 5 grand in 5th gear is about 145 mph and the car is very stable.
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Mysterious w/everything but On-star + Performance Autowerks LS2 conversion w/Livernoies Stage II cam/StageII heads and UMI Racing 90mm TB w/Delphi 4B ECU, AFX wide band 02 sensor, F.A.S.T. 90mm intake, 13" rotors w/SSBC 3 piston calipers.
How much time have you spent in a c5? I put around a thousand miles on it so far, and when the road is rough, it's brutal, even with the suspension set on tour. Several times I hit bumps it bounced me up off the seat so hard/fast the seat belt locked up and kept me in place..it's definitely rougher than the old jeep wrangler I had, and rougher than my hd ram I have now. It's acceptable on smooth roads.. If the solstice is similar or slightly better it would be liveable I guess..the ride isn't the make it/break it factor.
Something is wrong with the C5 you describe. I have thousands of miles and thousands of hours seat time in C5's and have never experienced what you are describing. Even my Z06 with a considerably stiffer suspension doesn't behave the way describe. Take it to the shop and have it fixed!
Something is wrong with the C5 you describe. I have thousands of miles and thousands of hours seat time in C5's and have never experienced what you are describing. Even my Z06 with a considerably stiffer suspension doesn't behave the way describe. Take it to the shop and have it fixed!
I wish what you said was true - however it's been that way since brand new. Maybe there is something wrong and it can be improved - however the car has been to the dealer several times for service, wouldn't you imagine they would have noticed if something was that wrong suspension wise and ours was so much rougher than others? I mean maybe that's giving the dealer too much credit, but who knows.
Because although it was only 4 years old, it had probably done 300 quarter mile runs, many down in the 11s, with a stock bottom end on the engine, and I wanted a new ZO6.
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'06 Solstice - black - new project car - put it on a consignment lot - wasn't going to work as a project car
'04 Porsche Carrera - daily driver/'09 998 Carrera S on order
'02 Corvette ZO6 C5R 427, Procharger D1S-8 lbs, methanol, 740RWT/703 RWHP, 2985 lbs
'98 Camaro 408 LS6 + NOS with a bit more HP and weight
[quote=Lightman;461395] I really should just drive over to mallett and take a test ride in one..they are only prob 20 mins from me.
QUOTE]
You really should, if they are that close. Maybe you'd like it. And although I doubt it can greatly outperform a 'vette, you won't see another Mallet every day - that's worth something right there.
Never hurts to shop.
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'06 Solstice - black - new project car - put it on a consignment lot - wasn't going to work as a project car
'04 Porsche Carrera - daily driver/'09 998 Carrera S on order
'02 Corvette ZO6 C5R 427, Procharger D1S-8 lbs, methanol, 740RWT/703 RWHP, 2985 lbs
'98 Camaro 408 LS6 + NOS with a bit more HP and weight
I've got a Mallett Solstice with all the goodies (19's, coilovers, SSBC's) and 3.73 diff. and agree that "practice" is the word to use when trying to push the car hard and drive it smoothly at the same time. It is pretty much a garage queen and isn't driven much but it's sure fun. Not super easy to drive like I thought at first and it doesn't feel like it would be up for the daily driver punishment, especially with the small axles. But as long as you pay attention to what your doing and try to avoid wheel hops when gunning it on uneven pavement, you're good... I'm getting excited about the spring season and the being able to get it out again. I've missed the sound of the LS2 and Corsa exhaust most! April will be a year since delivery...
Quote:
Originally Posted by DNTXME
Did you ever read the hot rod mag of the solstice, I think they were a shade below 11. I know they widened the wheel wells to get more traction. I've got the LS7 and only 265's, and yes traction can be an isseu, but after 8 months of practice, I can make it go faster than my 2000 viper which is a twelve second car.
__________________ 2002 Lexus GS430
Mark Levinson / Navigation / SIRIUS
Auguy21, glad to hear you're still enjoying the Mallett! I use mine as often as possible here in San Diego. I've got 3100 miles on it. The engine and drivetrain are just hitting their stride with respect to be ng in perfect synch with eachother.
Auguy21, glad to hear you're still enjoying the Mallett! I use mine as often as possible here in San Diego. I've got 3100 miles on it. The engine and drivetrain are just hitting their stride with respect to be ng in perfect synch with eachother.
About 1,700K on ours. Still waiting for the engine and drivetrain to warm up...
__________________ 2002 Lexus GS430
Mark Levinson / Navigation / SIRIUS
I'm glad you like the way the vettes ride, there's something out there for everyone. I was just trying to establish a baseline of comparison. I really should just drive over to mallett and take a test ride in one..they are only prob 20 mins from me.