First, the Problem. I have owned my 99FRC for a little more then four months now. I have purposely smoked the tires only a few times (this is the first muscle car I have owned). I have experienced rear wheel hop several times, even during slightly heavy acceleration. The last time I turned off the traction control and active handling (I wanted to burn 'em in front of my buds) the wheel hop was so sever that it sounded as though the drive train was hitting the frame. I only punched it for a second or two, but after I released the accelerator, I received a plethora of warnings on the dic i.e. "service abs" "service traction control" "service active handling" and others along those lines. I turned the car off for a few hours (was felling ill at that point) and came back when I worked up the courage to start the engine again. When I did, it was as though nothing was wrong, no warnings or other indications.
I have a fully optioned 99frc (minus climate control) including Head up display and 12 cd changer so I feel I have a fairly unique 'Vette, one of around 400 ever made. I hate to think I have done serious damage to my beautiful car.
I have no mods (except I filed groves into the clutch pedal so my foot wouldn't slip off so easy when damp) and am running Firestone Run flats (Stock sizes) with around 30% to 50% of tire tread left with between 29 to 30 PSI. 26,000 miles is what’s on the car (sorry, I love driving this sweet machine). I have minor leaks in the tranny and Dif that I monitor and fill as necessary.
Please, inform me on this situation. I feel the need to lay down tire tread occasionally but don't want to ruin the car doing so.

Now, I want to take an opportunity to thank all of you at Corvette Forum. You are a great support group for new owners such as myself. I have learned a great many things here and have put many into practice. I am going to build a partition for my trunk using info I have received from this site's users. Although I am not sure I will be able to use it since that is where my dog likes to ride.

 

Hardtop
I have heard of C5's experiencing wheel hop from a few people. Some blame the run flat tires. I can't say for sure but it's something to think about.
Bob NY
:steering:

 

One of your wires or harness from wheel to Traction control "brains" might be hitting the wheel during violent wheel movement. This may be transient or it may be a future problem. I used my extd warranty to replace 1 sensor, brains, and harness parts alone would have cost me $1116!! I'd chk it out now

 

The run flats probably aren't helping. It's a common problem. I'm not sure what or if there is a cheap fix. You might try doing a search on wheel hop and see if anything turns up.

LOL.

:cheers:

 

I too own a "loaded" 99 FRC. I have done a couple of burnouts when I had the runflats on (right before I dumped them). I too had wheel hop and let off before it became severe. I did not get any codes or messages.
I now have Michelin pilot non-runflats (a great improvement) and when I tried a "drag strip" start, I hooked up much faster and did not get any wheel hop. I have not tried to smoke the tires.. so I can't comment on excessive wheel hop with these tires.
You probably didn't hurt your car... but wheel hop is quite abusive and I wouldn't do it too often.
My old Z28 with the solid axle was a great burn-out machine. I don't treat the vette the same way.
I recently had a ride in a nicely modified C5.. He had non-runflats and spun all the way thru 1st and 2nd with no hop. Just some nice normal smooth sliding... :) good stuff!
mike

 

Hardtop, I have a 99 6 spd and have experienced what you have. ( from the hops to the trany leak).
I experience the hops on my first few weeks of driving the car, but it hasn't happened since. The only thing I changed was taking off the TC and AT handing and played with the clutch a little. I started out by breaking loose the tires completely and slowly adjusted my driving to the car.
Not sure if Iam right but try this:
If you launch the car, start at around 2000-2500 rmp, but don't drop the clutch. ease the clutch in slightly and then once you feel the car move progessively release the clutch and hammer away.
But If you want to burn out? do the same as above but let go of the clutch quicker at a higher RPM.
BY the way, the trany leak cost me 1200.00 bucks. It's a small seal problem but require the whole tranny to be remove. (god I love extended warrantees)

The above works for me but not for all, It will be interesting to hear the other members comments.

Hope this is helpful.

:rolleyes:

 

This topic has been discussed quite a bit with no clear solution. It appears to be a combination of tires, suspension, and to some extent, the driver. All I can say is that my '02 six speed with Z51 suspension and stock EMT tires NEVER wheel hops when lauching at 2,500 rpm. If I lauch tentatively at lower rps's, I have gotten wheel hop on some road surfaces. The Z51 suspension uses the same torsion bar in the rear as the Z06. IMO, replacing the torsion bar would be a low cost place to start...

 

:iagree: :iagree:
My 1998 coupe has the Z51 suspension also. I didn't experience any wheel hop when I had the run flats. Changed over to Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position. It's like driving a different car. Bob NY :steering:

 

Good lord, and I thought the days of wheel hop were over from when I had a posi-traction'd Front Wheel Drive car. :mad

I also have a teeny tranny leak as well. :mad

 

i was checking out your post and noticed your from absecon,so am i.

 

Hey Pat, my email is frc@myway.com.
Well thanks to all for the info. after reading the post from the last few days, I think it is the run-flats more then anything, except maybe the driver. The temp dropped off cold in jersey and I noticed the tires felt oval for about half a block before smothing out. I have my theory about what is happening in the cool temps when I try to break traction. I tried to explain it to the wife but she just luaghed at me. Looks like new tires are in the future and maybe shocks since I already have Z51 on this car.

 

I have an 02 coupe with the base suspension. It wheel hopped pretty badly with the runflats. I have Kumhos now, and the wheel hop is still there, but not so bad.

I think stiffer shocks and springs would help keep the rear planted better, at the sacrifice of ride quality.

 

Define "ride quality" for a supercar. Have you riden in a Z06 or coupe/roadster w/Z51. The ride is great, but it is obviously a matter of personal taste. I will admit I drive the car on occassion so that may be affecting my opinion. ;)

 

My '99 FRC does not exibit even the slightest hint of wheel hop. Although I've read about many who have, many without Z-51. I would look at the Michelin Pilot Sports that I'm running. Very smooth launches, very smooth ride.

 

wheelhop is alive and well on the C5. Sure, it can be controlled with the use of non run flat tires, stiffer rear shocks and/or feathering the clutch. I have found nothing that removes the problem 100% on ALL occasions. For me, the Hal shocks worked the best at stopping wheel hop, but as others have said, at the expense of ride comfort. The good news with the Hal shocks is that they are adjustable and can be set quite easily for launching or just cruising. Others will swear that launch technique is key, but I could induce wheel hop on a roll. The best solution is a combination use of the above listed remedies to help control the occurence.

 

Z51 still wheel hops.

Aftermarket solutions are even stiffer, and there is a difference in ride quality.