Launch without the hop?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 871
Likes: 3
From: Alpha/Coopersburg NJ/PA
Launch without the hop?
If you want to launch a stock C5 from a standstill without experiencing wheel hop, how would you go about doing it? Is there any way to take off at a good clip without the traction control on and not experience wheel hop? My father in law tried to launch his yellow 01 vert years ago with me riding shotgun; it definitely hopped five or six times, and visions of mutilated diff casings have kept me from even musing about launching my new coupe.
This is a purely academic question
; I don't plan on launching my car just interested for future reference.
This is a purely academic question
; I don't plan on launching my car just interested for future reference.
Last edited by Endeka; Nov 13, 2011 at 01:19 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Hope to go the strip tomorrow. I have no traction either if I launch hard on my street tires, no hop, just sit and spin. Frustrating. MN6 here as well,,,,,
for any tips,,,,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,947
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
im here with an 03 Z, I get a lot of wheel hop as well from a stand still. My guess is that you have to feather the throttle after launching from around 2.5k - 3k rpm and avoid wheel spin for the fastest acceleration. Either that or go ***** deep and burn the hell out of the rears. Anywhere in between seems to be hopping territory.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
There are several factors to consider. If you are at the strip,,a big element is drop rear pressure to about 25#. Hold RPM around 2500 and do a quick lift off the clutch,,don't "pop" the clutch ! When you feel the tires chirp,,do a quick step on the gas,but don't slam it to the floor. I did this with fairly well worn(about 2/3's gone) Goodyear runflats,,and netted a 13.08@110.23 with only a Blackwing and Corsa Touring with only a healthy chirp in 1st and 2nd !! 
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
There are several factors to consider. If you are at the strip,,a big element is drop rear pressure to about 25#. Hold RPM around 2500 and do a quick lift off the clutch,,don't "pop" the clutch ! When you feel the tires chirp,,do a quick step on the gas,but don't slam it to the floor. I did this with fairly well worn(about 2/3's gone) Goodyear runflats,,and netted a 13.08@110.23 with only a Blackwing and Corsa Touring with only a healthy chirp in 1st and 2nd !!
Good info, if I get a chance, will try tomorrow. Pressure drop on my tires for sure. My 60 ft times have sucked forever,,,,and I know that is mostly my inexperience. I have too much at the wheels for my skill level!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,888
Likes: 2
From: Frederick, Maryland
Endeka, all you need to do is get the pfadt transmission brace and almost all your wheel will be gone. Best $350 I spent. You do get a tad vibrate around 3k rpms but it's all worth it to me.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,888
Likes: 2
From: Frederick, Maryland
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 9
Our transmission mounts will definitely help your wheel hop issues while on track. As others have said your shocks play a large roll in wheel hop control as well. A great first step can definitely be a trans brace set.
The install isn't too hard but if you want to take a look at our install instructions you can find them here: Pfadt Race Engineering Transmission Brace Installation Instructions
The install isn't too hard but if you want to take a look at our install instructions you can find them here: Pfadt Race Engineering Transmission Brace Installation Instructions
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,029
Likes: 85
From: Palm Coast, FL
We installed the (pfadt solid) motor mounts because I was getting a little twist through the drive-train - when it hit the back, it wasn't a nice feeling and it wasn't wheel-hop. Haven't experienced the some feeling or slam (bam) since installing the mounts. Great product IMO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
Ive found that the only way to avoid wheel hop for me is to keep the rpms fairly high and slip the clutch a little if Im trying to launch. If done right you will get very little wheel spin and wont bog down either but on the occasion I do spin it doesnt hop at all.
I do have the pfadt transmission brace too but Im almost positive my shocks are toast but it did help out quite a bit, at least I dont get any wheel hop going into second now...
I do have the pfadt transmission brace too but Im almost positive my shocks are toast but it did help out quite a bit, at least I dont get any wheel hop going into second now...
