Wheel Hop Sux!, Any ways to eliminate it?

I recently went to the track and had major wheel hop issues. I couldnt even launch my car the way i wanted to cuz it would cause severe wheel hop and I didnt want to blow my diff with such violent shaking. I know I could of got a better time after reading my timeslip but just didnt want to risk a tow home.

Are there any companys that sell some type of traction bar kits to elimanate this? Or are there any rumors of a solution on the way? Thanks!

how do you launch your car? i don't get wheel hops...



This post has been edited by plokivos on Apr 2 2008, 08:57 AM

What kind of tires are you on and how old are they? On the original, 4 year old Bridgestone RE050s I had a lot of wheel hop when launching at autocrosses. Got myself a brand new set of Kumho SPTs and the problem is gone.

On the street i have absolutely no problem with wheel hop, it only seems to happen when im at the track (1/4 mile) and they have VHT and pounds of rubber on the track. I usually launch my car from 6k on the street and I have to launch it from close to 7500k at the track just to get my tires to break loose! I launched the first time at 6k and cut a really good 60ft but there was no wheel spin (all clutch slippin w/ a good clutch) and i dumped it too.

I have S-02s on it and they are fairly worn but still have a decent amount of tread left, about 60%. I dont think its my tires though. I feel as there is a weak point in the susp that is causing this hop.

Are you trying to peel out at a drag strip?

LOL! I guess it sounds bad but i dont want to catch to much traction and blow a diff. The first few launches i had were just bite and no wheel spin (mostly clutch burning) and one of the best ways to blow a diff. Then when i did get the result i wanted wit some wheel spin it would hop violently. I am not a newb when it comes to drag racing and it def wasnt my driving that was a issue.

This post has been edited by Red Bull on Apr 2 2008, 11:56 AM

This is why I don't like to take my S2000 to the strip. There is just too darn much grip for the stock driveline, and even with my Comptech reinforced differential, I personally feel that the driveline loading is excessive. For sure, the wheel hop you're getting will beat the driveline to death in short order, so I'd suggest avoiding it at all costs.

If you're set on drag racing, you might try playing around with the rear shocks. Stiffer shocks might help control the wheel hop to some extent. Might want to plan on a Nismo or Ford 8" differential conversion, and a sturdier clutch too.

Red Bull, I suck at the strip, not because I don't know how to drive a drag car, but because I don't feel that the S2000 is up to the kind of punishment it takes to shoot 2-second 60' times. With the high grip surfaces at the strip, I just do a relatively hard launch, with some clutch slip to keep the revs up, but not so much as to overheat the clutch. As a result, my 60' times stink, but when I use my data logger to time quarter mile runs on more typical traction surfaces I spin the tires excessively, and end up with near identical (to the strip) 60' times. I guess the way I see it is that keeping my car together is more important than shooting an impressive 60' time. Half the time I don't even shift as quickly as possible when doing quarter mile pulls, which really shows how little I really care about how quickly my car can get through the standing quarter mile. Take a look at the "Timeslip" below and notice both the lazy 60' time and the slow shift (you can see this in the acceleration curve at the bottom of the slip). The 2-3 shift you can't see in the graph was also a "lazy" shift, but the timeslip still provides me all the information I need. I can see that the car is a lot quicker than the driver. So the car is quick and the driver is a wuss, but mid-13's doesn't suck, and I get all the information I need about the car's performance from my data logs. LOL, and don't need the logs or timeslips to tell me that I suck at drag racing.

IOW, unless you really love drag racing, you shouldn't worry about things like 60' times. I don't.

i think they put too much VHT track bite at the track. most of them do. That would cause any tires to wheel hop. just go later on in the day instead. Usually that clears up the fresh excess coat and gets better.

my Evo use to wheel hop bad too due to VHT.

i'd be too scared to launch at 7500. horror stories of blown diffs scare me. the most i've down is 6 ~ 6.5 grand drop clutch (could't get the hang of side steping), moderate grip on falkens (non azenis) with a little slip and no bog.

What mods do you have on your car? That time is really good given you babied it and your mph is good for low 13s high 12s for sure. And your right I rather launch like a wuss than go home in the passenger side of a tow truck.

My car is bone stock I luckily cut a 2.04 60' and ran a 13.72 at 99mph. I really love drag racing and I usaully take my integra there but I didnt have a trailer that day and decided to take my S2.

This post has been edited by Red Bull on Apr 3 2008, 05:06 AM

Way to much VHT!

people who complain about VHT have underpowered cars


Look at it this way....s2k's put down anywere from 130 to 155 ft.lbs stock and a stock 03 cobra is puting down about 365ft.lbs both these cars are running on the same track...... Along with other classes putting down 500 and way beyond.

Having a slick track is dangerous

It's not only for traction but also to control unwanted lane changes
I run a mustang in the true street class, and there are no slicks... DOT tires only...
Lots of power results in wheel spin......I can't spray the car until 3rd and on more than one Pass i've hit 3rd and had it dance all over the place.

VHT= Saftey!
+
S2000= Road Course

Almost for got...... what was your tire pressure?????

I've seen so many times people lower their pressure on all season tires..... This will only hurt your times. Drag dot's and slicks have a soft sidewall so the tire can flex under a load.

stick with your normal tire pressure

wheel hop is often caused buy the suspension.. the shock of launching causes the tire to bounce, a firm setting in the rear is the key to stopping the hop

Yes my tire pressure was normal roughly 34psi. I am very familiar with tire pressures and what to run at the track. I have integra that I track frequently on slicks and have traction issues until the top of 3rd also, so VHT is my friend. I was mainly concered with what i can do to eliminate wheel hop and VHT came up with my underpowered S2 and i know that is an issue. I need a turbo! I will try putting the susp on stiff once i get my coilovers

I guess I will just have to be careful at the track! Thanks for your help everyone!

This post has been edited by Red Bull on Apr 3 2008, 09:22 AM

Front wheel drive cars are even worse

Coilovers would be ok.....still not drag sus. but better than stock

i agree! The only time i ever launched my car, the tires broke free for a second and then grabbed! I got a sub 2 second 60 ft but i will never do it again! i did get a low 12 second quarter mile with a healthy trap speed, but its not worth the stress i am putting on the drivetrain! Last time i was at the track with 384whp i got a 13.5@116 with no launch, just letting out the clutch and letting the turbo spool on its own! i think i had a 2.5 or 2.6 60 foot

In regards to wheel hop, try lowering the tire pressure and maaking sure they are at equal levels! Mess around with them and see how you do!

LOL, with 384 WHP you certainly don't have to run a sub 13 second quarter mile to prove that the car is quick.

When people ask about the quarter mile performance of my car I just tell it like it is; I can run mid to low 13's, but a better driver with a little setup could probably turn high 12's, under ideal conditions. With all the 11 second Civics in this area that doesn't impress anyone, but I don't really care. Eleven second Civics are only good for going in a straight line.

Hahaha, I'd get in SO much trouble if I had a turbo on my S. I love the feel of the power building as a turbo spools so much that I can't operate a turbocharged vehicle without constantly experiencing the rush. As a result, I constantly drive or ride even faster and harder than I normally would, and it's a wonder I've managed to own turbocharged vehicles at all without getting arrested and having the vehicle impounded.
I love 'em, but they tempt me too much, and I'm weak.

13.72 in a bone stock car is IMPRESSIVE!

I'm running a CTSC/AC, a KAAZ 1.5 LSD, and 4.30:1 gears, so I'm pretty sure that under the right conditions a better driver could get the car into the very high 12's (12.9x). LOL, if I had the courage and/or didn't care about breaking the car I could do it myself, but if I'm going to break my car, I want it to be when I'm doing something that I enjoy more than drag racing. Not that drag racing isn't fun, but there are simply other things that I enjoy a lot more.

Have you posted your 13.72 time on "Drag Times?"

hehe, yeah i agree! Our car just isn't strong enough to take the abuse of getting traction from a dig!

Check this video out if you want to see what a nice 60 foot might look like

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Skyline...nout_155572.htm

This is a better 60ft.
http://www.streetfire.net/video/Fast-Supra_71278.htm

6 spd FTW!!!!

Even better!!!!!!!!

http://www.streetfire.net/video/Drag-racin...to-15_87303.htm


Just plain stupid......
http://www.streetfire.net/video/Brute-Forc...-Bar_148509.htm

Water powered 60......

http://www.streetfire.net/video/Water-powe...06-CC_76087.htm

dang.. that water powered one is funny!!! it's a big kettle... hahaha

The 13.7 was my first run also. I was one of the first cars to make a run on the track which may of helped me cut a good 60' cuz after that is was downhill! lol.

You can def hit a high 12 judging by you mph. No need to break parts to prove it though.

I have not posted my timeslip on Dragtimes. I guess I would have to scan in next time im in at work which is Monday.