Is it me...or something else???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 10
From: Salinas Ca.
Is it me...or something else???
I have an 05 A4 F55 with Z51 sways and some mods that give me 392rwhp. I have the 3.15 axle. My problem is that when I jump on it in a straight line I'm doing ok for about 2-3 seconds. Then the rear end starts to move around on me (fishtail). I have to back off or get into what I think will be serious trouble. I have not been to a performance driving school, so maybe it's me. What say you? Anything I can do to maximize performance without fishtailing. My runflats have almost 19k miles on them. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,633
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From: Evans Colorado
Corvette is a body on frame car, meaning it does not accept sub-frame connectors, nor does it need them.
Corvette uses an independant rear suspension and does not use torque arms or panhard bars to locate the differential. The differential is always stationary in an IRS car.
To the OP, see about having a 4 wheel alignment done on the car. It's possible the rear has come out of alignment, which could certainly cause such symptoms.
In truth however, any time you break traction at speed, the rear wheels are spinning faster than the front. The physics response to this is wanting those wheels spinning faster to be forward of the car's momentom. So really no matter what you do, the back end is going to want to come around on you.
The alignemnt may help, but driver technique is the key here. Learning to feather the throttle to regain traction, and directional control using the wheels that still have traction will keep you going straight.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Virginia Bch VA
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St. Jude Donor '06
Bigger/wider tires or Slicks
Ensure you air down to 15-20 psi
Launch at lower RPM
Should all that fail turn "ON" Trac Control
Ensure you air down to 15-20 psi
Launch at lower RPM
Should all that fail turn "ON" Trac Control
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 10
From: Salinas Ca.
I have experimented with traction control on and off, and using comp mode. No noticeable difference so far. I had a 4 wheel alignment about a year ago but I don't know how long the alignment is good (assuming no accidents or bumps on curbs). I'm inclined to think I need to work on me more than anything else. These are wonderful machines, but I need to better understand my limitations as well as those of the car. The comment about feathering the throttle more makes abundant sense to me. I may make a tire change after about 20k miles to something other than runflats. Any other suggestions will be appreciated. My continuing thanks to the forum members for your help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Exhaust Commander Wireless Bi-Mode Exhaust Controllers, Innovative and advanced technology! --- Check out our website @ www.sunsetorangecreations.com
St. Jude Donor '13
I'm gonna take a guess and say...high horse power and low traction.
I have a stock car and NEW supercar tires and If I jump on it, at the top end in 1st and in 2nd gear I get wheel spin... Not to mention wild spin off the line if you dont feather the throttle....mine is a mn6.
Gotta Love the power!
If you have the gs-2 runflats they are not the stickiest tires out there.
How much tread is left?
I would just say you probably have power induced wheelspin. Does the traction control active message come on?
If so thats the reason for the fishtail.
I have a stock car and NEW supercar tires and If I jump on it, at the top end in 1st and in 2nd gear I get wheel spin... Not to mention wild spin off the line if you dont feather the throttle....mine is a mn6.
Gotta Love the power!
If you have the gs-2 runflats they are not the stickiest tires out there.
How much tread is left?
I would just say you probably have power induced wheelspin. Does the traction control active message come on?
If so thats the reason for the fishtail.
Race Director
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From: Virginia Bch VA
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St. Jude Donor '06
Here's a pix of 87' I did in front of my house last year.
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Le Mans Master
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From: North Western Connecticut
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
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I have an 05 A4 F55 with Z51 sways and some mods that give me 392rwhp. I have the 3.15 axle. My problem is that when I jump on it in a straight line I'm doing ok for about 2-3 seconds. Then the rear end starts to move around on me (fishtail). I have to back off or get into what I think will be serious trouble. I have not been to a performance driving school, so maybe it's me. What say you? Anything I can do to maximize performance without fishtailing. My runflats have almost 19k miles on them. Thanks
Most likely your tuner has turned torque management off, maybe have it turned back on. See what happens.
TQ mngmt is a good thing with the power you are putting down.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,945
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From: Salinas Ca.
Thanks for the continuing tips. Yes, I have had my car tuned and dynoed. A&A did all the mods and tuning at one time. Charley is a good tuner. I will call and ask about the torque mgmt. Thanks. Any more ideas are very welcome.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 371
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From: California Missouri
I have stock A4 with 3.15's
I got some regular non run flat tires and a good alignment and that helped my fishtailing too. Mine was terrible just like your talking about and that was with the trac control and active handling on. It was ridiculous that the car would jump sideways, way sideways at 50mph.
With your increased horsepower my suggestions won't solve the problem but it should make the wandering better. Mine improved a lot. The other thing to take into consideration when driving aggressivelly is the crown/ruts in the pavement. I think the runflats are terribly sensitive to worn road surfaces and un even surfaces.
With your increased horsepower my suggestions won't solve the problem but it should make the wandering better. Mine improved a lot. The other thing to take into consideration when driving aggressivelly is the crown/ruts in the pavement. I think the runflats are terribly sensitive to worn road surfaces and un even surfaces.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Southampton NJ
i drive with tc and ah turned of always. only time car fishtails is when tires are cold. the runflats get real hard no flex when tread is low 19,000 miles your pushing it. get new run flats or bfg drag radials
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: San Francisco CA
I have an 05 A4 F55 with Z51 sways and some mods that give me 392rwhp. I have the 3.15 axle. My problem is that when I jump on it in a straight line I'm doing ok for about 2-3 seconds. Then the rear end starts to move around on me (fishtail). I have to back off or get into what I think will be serious trouble. I have not been to a performance driving school, so maybe it's me. What say you? Anything I can do to maximize performance without fishtailing. My runflats have almost 19k miles on them. Thanks
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: FLA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
same boat here, a4 315 gets sideways at 35 mph punch with at and tc active since the tune and cai mods only. car must be in perfect straight line or the squirrel effect appears. shift to 2nd brings a 5 footer
c6 rear tires have mind of their own
I may flash back to factory tune and eat the 500
c6 rear tires have mind of their own
I may flash back to factory tune and eat the 500