Tips for Avoiding Wheel-Hop at Launch?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Southern NJ
Tips for Avoiding Wheel-Hop at Launch?
Hey guys, new member here, my 1st Vette, a 2011 Coupe, base, 6 spd manual.
I'm still breaking the car in for now, but once that is complete and I have some more seat time I do plan to hit the track for some fun at the strip.
Most of my drag racing has been with cars with live axles. My buddy has a 2008 C6 and says he has lots of issues with wheel-hop at launch with the IRS.
Any tips/tricks to maximizing launch? I read thru Ranger's threads and his site (good stuff).
Any specific things I can do to avoid wheel-hop at launch? My local track is Atco, which is sea level, and often hard to "avoid" the water-box they way they have it set up, etc.
Thanks in advance.
I'm still breaking the car in for now, but once that is complete and I have some more seat time I do plan to hit the track for some fun at the strip.
Most of my drag racing has been with cars with live axles. My buddy has a 2008 C6 and says he has lots of issues with wheel-hop at launch with the IRS.
Any tips/tricks to maximizing launch? I read thru Ranger's threads and his site (good stuff).
Any specific things I can do to avoid wheel-hop at launch? My local track is Atco, which is sea level, and often hard to "avoid" the water-box they way they have it set up, etc.
Thanks in advance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Seguin Texas
Never had any problem with wheelhop in my base 08. The Z51 suspension is the main culprit for wheel hop with its lack of weight transfer on launches. At least in my experiences it has been the main difference between a friends z51 c6 that hops and my 08 that doesn't.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,296
Likes: 156
From: Location: Location: kAnSaS
stock runflats and alot of miles???? if so the tires could be an issue. they seem to get kinda hard/glazed looking then might want to replace with a softer tire. I havent heard of to much wheel hop with the vettes,,,,, i would also check the sway bar for looseness ,,,,maybe a bushing bad? good luck with it, paul
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,880
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From: Montgomery Texas
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 1
From: Plano TX
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Pine Bluff Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21
It's not always that easy, tho.
Larry
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento CA
Make sure your reduce your tire pressure. I usually run with 25psi and don't have any problems. I made 1 pass with 36PSI and the wheel-hop after the 1-2 shift was pretty severe.
My experience may be a little difference since I have Hancook V12's tires and Bilstein Sport Shocks.
My experience may be a little difference since I have Hancook V12's tires and Bilstein Sport Shocks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 139
From: Port St Lucie Florida
I have bilstein hd shocks and aftermarket non run flats and still get wheel hop on trying to smoke the tires for launch. The link below use urethane mounts and this week they are supposed to have tranny mounts with a package deal. I would get solid mounts though to much vibration.
Have you ever looked at the trans mounts under the car. I felt mine and they were soft and mushy. The trans mounts are directly connected to the differential. I can understand why this would cause hop bouncing.
http://hinsonsupercars.com/p-1285-hm...5c6gtorx7.aspx
Have you ever looked at the trans mounts under the car. I felt mine and they were soft and mushy. The trans mounts are directly connected to the differential. I can understand why this would cause hop bouncing.
http://hinsonsupercars.com/p-1285-hm...5c6gtorx7.aspx
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Don't bother racing on runflats. Spinning your tires is no fun and the risk of wheelhop and rear end damage is high.
I have 445 passes on my z51 car and I never get wheel hop. I attribute that to using drag radials at 18 psi...the side walls have some give and absorb the shock.
I have 445 passes on my z51 car and I never get wheel hop. I attribute that to using drag radials at 18 psi...the side walls have some give and absorb the shock.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 2,900
From: Fort Worth, Texas
I agree with Joe, if you're serious about drag racing get some DR as they'll be easier on parts if not launched super aggressively as they absorb drivetrain shock and will save you from burning up your street tires. This is not a car you want to just rev up and pop the clutch being an IRS, if it starts to hop whether on the street or track get out of it asap. I've run different suspension(Z51/Z06/ Bilstein, springs/sway bar/shocks), multiple tires (Hoosier, M/T, Pirelli, Michelin, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho) at different psi and have had it hop depending on the surface. I don't think there is a cure all, but many of the things mentioned will help lower the chances of it happening. Good luck at the track!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 552
Likes: 28
From: North Las Vegas Nevada
Wheel Hop
I had wheel hop with my 09, Z51, C6, manual with Nitto DR's. at 18 psi I switched to BFG DR's at 18 psi. It made no difference (as noted in the above post). When I use the exact same BFG's on my 02, Z51, C5, manual I have no problems. Finally, I changed the Z51 shocks to C6Z06 shocks .Problem solved
Last edited by Vegas Panton; Aug 17, 2011 at 04:40 PM. Reason: typo
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
I had wheel hop with my 09, Z51, C6, manual with Nitto DR's. at 18 psi I switched to BFG DR's at 18 psi. It made no difference (as noted in the above post). When I use the exact same BFG's on my 02, Z51, C5, manual I have no problems. Finally, I changed the Z51 shocks to C6Z06 shocks .Problem solved
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Southern NJ
Yeah, if I start going regularly, I have had good luck in the past with BFG DR's. Seems the shocks make a difference, and not the way I anticipated. I have the base suspension, and figured the weight shift would help with launch with the softer shocks, etc...
I'm assuming the Z06 shocks are stiffer in every regard....?
I'm assuming the Z06 shocks are stiffer in every regard....?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Southern NJ
Anyone got any links to bushings that'll solve the issue in the C6??
Thanks again!
