Wheel hop?
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 78
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From: Durham NC
Wheel hop?
Just got my DTE 3.90 diff which will be going in next week along with a Vig 3200. DTE included, among other things, warnings about the effect of wheel hop and the probable effect on drive train durability, not to mention their warranty. I suppose this is generic stuff that goes with all their diffs. I haven't abused my C5 much but have not noticed wheel hop as an issue in stock configuration. Is it anything to be concerned about as performance goes up?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 573
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From: Rochester NY
If you do not already have one, a DTE Differential brace would be a good thing to have installed when you have your 3.90 put in. It does not necessarily prevent wheelhop, although some claim that it does, but it definitely prevents your differential from the effects of wheelhop. I believe the piece runs about $400. Good luck 
Nick
Nick
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 450
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From: Winter Garden FL
Originally Posted by keliente
How do we fight wheel hop in an IRS car? I'm coming from a solid axle.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 32
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My 01Z had major wheel hop from the day I got it. If the tires spun at all the right rear would slap around. It sounded like somebody had a hammer back there! The BFG drag radials had much less wheel hop than the ole Gatorbacks, but it was still bad. The Gatorbacks were unbearable.
Assuming the problem was due to a blown shock I ordered a new set of rear shocks (thanks Jeremy at Fred Beans) for a 2004 Z06 and installed them. No more wheel hop.
My car is bone stock. Best track time was a 12.7@108mph on a well prep'ed track. I launched at 3500RPM on the BFGs with a quick release of the clutch and had no spin (still bogged). That got me a 1.8s 60ft. I stopped after that. I wasn't trying to prove anything out there, so I decided to let my clutch live a while longer. This was all after the new shocks.
BTW, I ordered the matching front 2004 Z06 shocks the day after installing the rears. Simply put the difference was noticeable and I had to get the front suspension to match the rear.
Good luck! I bet that 3.90 is going to make a world of difference.
Assuming the problem was due to a blown shock I ordered a new set of rear shocks (thanks Jeremy at Fred Beans) for a 2004 Z06 and installed them. No more wheel hop.
My car is bone stock. Best track time was a 12.7@108mph on a well prep'ed track. I launched at 3500RPM on the BFGs with a quick release of the clutch and had no spin (still bogged). That got me a 1.8s 60ft. I stopped after that. I wasn't trying to prove anything out there, so I decided to let my clutch live a while longer. This was all after the new shocks.
BTW, I ordered the matching front 2004 Z06 shocks the day after installing the rears. Simply put the difference was noticeable and I had to get the front suspension to match the rear.
Good luck! I bet that 3.90 is going to make a world of difference.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 161
From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '08
I have a 99-6spd coupe with the adjustable suspension. It has 43,000 miles and the shocks seem to work fine. I will be going FI shortly and was wondering is a shock change is due also. I run 295/35-18 BFG drag radials and do not get any wheel hop. Will the additional HP and torque cause wheel hop to rear its ugly head? Any suggestions as to which shock, if a change is due. The “performance” setting is firm enough for me, so I don’t really want to go any firmer.
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
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From: Metro Detroit Michigan
Originally Posted by keliente
How do we fight wheel hop in an IRS car? I'm coming from a solid axle.
The things that looked most promising were to replace the rear control arm bushings with urethane (from an outfit like Vette Brakes) or to use super stiff rear shocks.
If anyone knows the answer, please post.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
I have double adjustable Konis and use the car for autocrossing, but launch and leave the line on each run. In dialing in the Koni's, and going from full soft to higher settings we found that an increase in rebound damping eliminated the hop we found at softer settings.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Durham NC
Originally Posted by Face
How much horsepower are you making, what tires will you be using, and what suspension do you have?
From the input so far it sounds like shocks might be the answer if I get wheel hop. But with the A4 maybe I won't have a problem. How about you A4 guys?
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,003
Likes: 12
From: Toronto Ontario
Originally Posted by Richie Carbone
Drag Radials eliminate most of the wheel hop. On street tires I would get severe wheel hop when I would powershift 2nd at the track. When I run 275 40 17 MT DR's I get no wheel hop.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 161
From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by Boost Master
Had Nitto DR's major wheel hop at track. Broke 9310 tranny shaft and diff. case.
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
Likes: 1,829
From: Metro Detroit Michigan
Originally Posted by Boost Master
Had Nitto DR's major wheel hop at track. Broke 9310 tranny shaft and diff. case.
Originally Posted by LV Vette
That seems strange. This is the first time I have heard of drags radials giving a lot of wheel hopping problems. Did you try any other tires at the track, and how did they perform? By the way, not much info in your signature, it would help others understand your problem better. Just a thought.
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
Boost Master is probably in the 600-700 rwhp range.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,294
Likes: 2
From: Suffolk, Long Island NY
Drag radials are notorious for causing wheelhop and rear end damage, you're better off running a full slick. The stiff sidewall of the drag radial has no give, but the slick's soft sidewall will absorb some of the shock of launching.
3rd Childhood, the odds that you'll have wheelhop with your setup are pretty slim. I didn't experience any till I had 388rwhp and a 4400 stall verter.
3rd Childhood, the odds that you'll have wheelhop with your setup are pretty slim. I didn't experience any till I had 388rwhp and a 4400 stall verter.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Durham NC
3rd Childhood, the odds that you'll have wheelhop with your setup are pretty slim. I didn't experience any till I had 388rwhp and a 4400 stall verter.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the input. Theoretically the gears and conveter are all I'm going to do (oops, my BS detector just went off) so maybe I'll be OK.
Thanks for the input. Theoretically the gears and conveter are all I'm going to do (oops, my BS detector just went off) so maybe I'll be OK.