Why is my grip so bad?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Why is my grip so bad?
04 w/magnetic suspension. Goodyear GS-d3 (fairly new)
I slide a lot in right turns on the road, kick in AH, etc. And the tires start to break around ~45 on onramps.
Compared directly to my Saab 92x w/Firestone Wide Ovals (205/55/16) it's kind of sad.
It starts to let go around 50-55mph on the same roads, and seems to have a lot more grip overall (as well as handling better.)
Should I just expect this suspension to handle poorly?
fwiw I took a coworker out to lunch (2002 mustang gt) and now he's wondering what all the fuss is about after I shrieked around a corner at low speed.
Tire pressure is good.
I slide a lot in right turns on the road, kick in AH, etc. And the tires start to break around ~45 on onramps.
Compared directly to my Saab 92x w/Firestone Wide Ovals (205/55/16) it's kind of sad.
It starts to let go around 50-55mph on the same roads, and seems to have a lot more grip overall (as well as handling better.)
Should I just expect this suspension to handle poorly?
fwiw I took a coworker out to lunch (2002 mustang gt) and now he's wondering what all the fuss is about after I shrieked around a corner at low speed.
Tire pressure is good.
Last edited by Kale; Feb 15, 2007 at 04:04 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
How new are the tires? http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...e.jsp?techid=5
I have no handling problems with my base FE1 suspension and GY Runcraps.
I have no handling problems with my base FE1 suspension and GY Runcraps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 7
From: queens Newyork
how many lbs of pressure are you running?? it should be around 32, if thats ok sound like your tires are old maybe dry rot??? check for cracking on the side wall and lastly could be the weather if you have summer only tires and its really cold the tires also wont grip
Last edited by o2z51; Feb 15, 2007 at 04:34 PM.
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Race Director
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
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The GS-D3's are awesome tires. THEY are not to blame.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
what size tires are you running?
was the alignment just toe, or did it include caster and camber?
do you have 500lbs worth of subwoofer in the rear?
is it just cornering traction that is bad or does straight line acceleration even prove bad traction?
was the alignment just toe, or did it include caster and camber?
do you have 500lbs worth of subwoofer in the rear?
is it just cornering traction that is bad or does straight line acceleration even prove bad traction?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
32 psi is probably too high. You should have 30 psi cold maximum. In the winter, I go down to 26-28 psi cold. Lots of people run 28 psi cold.
But I agree, with your tires something is wrong.
You are not adding a lot of power on these curves are you? In cold temperatures, it doesn't take a lot to lose traction. These are summer tires !
You got cute with your city and state location, so I don't know what kind of winter temperatures you see?
But I agree, with your tires something is wrong.
You are not adding a lot of power on these curves are you? In cold temperatures, it doesn't take a lot to lose traction. These are summer tires !
You got cute with your city and state location, so I don't know what kind of winter temperatures you see?
Last edited by Oldvetter; Feb 15, 2007 at 05:40 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,896
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From: Manchester - Political correctness is tyranny with manners.
All you do with higher pressure is wear out the center tread of your tires. 30psi...COLD. I check mine each month as the "mean" temperature changes.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
I'll drop the pressure a bit, as said earlier it was 68 out. I usually dont hit the corners hard unless it's over 60. I'm Grandma when it's 50 and less.
I usually apply very little power, I'm not an overly aggressive driver.
Shocks are clear of the collars.
When I had it aligned (at a dealer) they said camber was "slightly off" and toe in was "way off." so I assume they adjusted camber, but I suppose I have no real way of telling. I'll take it somewhere for an alignment check.
It sticks a lot better now than it did with runflats, though.
Stock size tires for the coupe, nothing adding weight in the car yet. Though I have the Corsa titanium exhaust system, not that It matters.
The car is lowered, it sits level (no rake)
As far as straight line... its pretty easy to lose traction. Sometimes if I go WOT in 1st, the car feels like its skating sideways a little (even if i take off gently and ease into WOT)
I usually apply very little power, I'm not an overly aggressive driver.
Shocks are clear of the collars.
When I had it aligned (at a dealer) they said camber was "slightly off" and toe in was "way off." so I assume they adjusted camber, but I suppose I have no real way of telling. I'll take it somewhere for an alignment check.
It sticks a lot better now than it did with runflats, though.
Stock size tires for the coupe, nothing adding weight in the car yet. Though I have the Corsa titanium exhaust system, not that It matters.
The car is lowered, it sits level (no rake)
As far as straight line... its pretty easy to lose traction. Sometimes if I go WOT in 1st, the car feels like its skating sideways a little (even if i take off gently and ease into WOT)
Last edited by Kale; Feb 15, 2007 at 05:59 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
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From: Lake Mary Florida
You have something wrong, and some good ideas of things to check are listed.
I know I'm running Michelin Pilot A/S ZPs and being a runflat it still rides like it's on rails into a cornering or sharp turn. Nearly to the point of snap your head tight.
Oh I am completely stock except the tires.
I know I'm running Michelin Pilot A/S ZPs and being a runflat it still rides like it's on rails into a cornering or sharp turn. Nearly to the point of snap your head tight.
Oh I am completely stock except the tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
How far did you drop the car? Go too far and you are reducing the effectiveness of the suspension and killing your handling capabilities...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
I would have to says first things first and make sure the alignment is dead on.
After that you may start looking at upgrading sway bars and shocks to help handling, or going with a wider wheel/tire package like a Z06 setup...
Don't quite know what else to tell ya?
After that you may start looking at upgrading sway bars and shocks to help handling, or going with a wider wheel/tire package like a Z06 setup...
Don't quite know what else to tell ya?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
yeah, I have swaybars because the amount of body roll this car has is silly. Not installed yet though. I probably wont upgrade it past there. I was just disappointed that my station wagon feels a lot more confident in the corners.