Wheel Spin at Launch
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1,864
From: Oregon
Wheel Spin at Launch
I took my friend for his first ride in my C8 today. He has a C5 so it was a real eye opener for him.
From a stop, I don't use burnout mode, I just floor it.
Today I did that in Z mode for the first time. To my surprise, the tires spun for a few feet and it had wheel hop? WTF?
My traction control was on. Why the spin and wheel hop??
It seems to spin and hop in Track mode also. I was really surprised, I thought this car had everything under control.
I put it back in Sport or Tour, it launches just fine. But it sure does not launch as hard as Z mode.
I like the hard launch but cannot stand wheel hop. What is the solution.?
From a stop, I don't use burnout mode, I just floor it.
Today I did that in Z mode for the first time. To my surprise, the tires spun for a few feet and it had wheel hop? WTF?
My traction control was on. Why the spin and wheel hop??
It seems to spin and hop in Track mode also. I was really surprised, I thought this car had everything under control.
I put it back in Sport or Tour, it launches just fine. But it sure does not launch as hard as Z mode.
I like the hard launch but cannot stand wheel hop. What is the solution.?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 14,553
Likes: 1,549
From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
St. Jude Donor '08
How do you have your Z mode configured? Z mode itsn't a magic performance mode, it's whatever you set it up to be. You can have full traction control, or PTM Sport modes. You can have soft steering and brakes or firm, it's up to you.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1,864
From: Oregon
OK, Traction control modes in Z? I missed that when I set it up. I will have to look into that.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 14,553
Likes: 1,549
From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
St. Jude Donor '08
Yeah, should've been more descriptive. The Z51/Mag ride cars have more configurative options in the Z mode. If it's a base car than it might not have those options. I just assumed it was a Z51
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 4,079
Likes: 2,414
From: Florida
I took my friend for his first ride in my C8 today. He has a C5 so it was a real eye opener for him.
From a stop, I don't use burnout mode, I just floor it.
Today I did that in Z mode for the first time. To my surprise, the tires spun for a few feet and it had wheel hop? WTF?
My traction control was on. Why the spin and wheel hop??
It seems to spin and hop in Track mode also. I was really surprised, I thought this car had everything under control.
I put it back in Sport or Tour, it launches just fine. But it sure does not launch as hard as Z mode.
I like the hard launch but cannot stand wheel hop. What is the solution.?
From a stop, I don't use burnout mode, I just floor it.
Today I did that in Z mode for the first time. To my surprise, the tires spun for a few feet and it had wheel hop? WTF?
My traction control was on. Why the spin and wheel hop??
It seems to spin and hop in Track mode also. I was really surprised, I thought this car had everything under control.
I put it back in Sport or Tour, it launches just fine. But it sure does not launch as hard as Z mode.
I like the hard launch but cannot stand wheel hop. What is the solution.?
To clarify it sounds like you were NOT using launch control and you were possibly in a track mode of engine settings.
Your car did what you asked of it then which is allow some slip.
If you want a torque managed launch you use launch control mode.
If you want a burnout, you use burnout mode by pulling both paddles.
If you want a brake torque style soft launch with all the nannies on you do it in a non ptm mode and non track setting.
If you want some slip doing a soft launch you put it in track mode or competitive drive mode or ptm sport or higher.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1,864
From: Oregon
My car is a Z51 non Mag. I was using Z mode, and track mode. It seemed to spin and wheel hop in both modes.
I did like the feel of a hard launch, breaking the tire loose is OK, but any amount of wheel hop is not OK. That surprised me.
Is that normal to wheel hop with 30 lbs of air in the tires.
One thing that was different today, I was a lot more aggressive on the gas pedal. I just stomped it to the floor today. In the past I pushed it to the floor, not nearly as fast.
That may be the biggest difference.
I am going to try changing the Z mode settings, and try more launches. Maybe the right combination for me is just learning the right amount of applying the gas pedal.
I did like the feel of a hard launch, breaking the tire loose is OK, but any amount of wheel hop is not OK. That surprised me.
Is that normal to wheel hop with 30 lbs of air in the tires.
One thing that was different today, I was a lot more aggressive on the gas pedal. I just stomped it to the floor today. In the past I pushed it to the floor, not nearly as fast.
That may be the biggest difference.
I am going to try changing the Z mode settings, and try more launches. Maybe the right combination for me is just learning the right amount of applying the gas pedal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,503
Likes: 1,818
From: Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '17,'22 thru '26
You should try launch control, It works, and it's fun to play with - as long as you are in a safe location to use it.
Last edited by BearZ06; Jul 21, 2023 at 03:29 AM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,720
Likes: 1,461
From: Virginia Beach, VA & Port Charlotte, FL
Today's performance cars has traction control that's a lot less intrusive than yester-year's performance cars. More wheel spin (hop) is much more prevalent/possible using traction control now. It's much more sensitive to "accidental" tire slippage rather that purposeful tire slip, such as yours.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,982
Likes: 12,383
From: NE South Carolina
My car is a Z51 non Mag. I was using Z mode, and track mode. It seemed to spin and wheel hop in both modes.
I did like the feel of a hard launch, breaking the tire loose is OK, but any amount of wheel hop is not OK. That surprised me.
Is that normal to wheel hop with 30 lbs of air in the tires.
One thing that was different today, I was a lot more aggressive on the gas pedal. I just stomped it to the floor today. In the past I pushed it to the floor, not nearly as fast.
That may be the biggest difference.
I am going to try changing the Z mode settings, and try more launches. Maybe the right combination for me is just learning the right amount of applying the gas pedal.
I did like the feel of a hard launch, breaking the tire loose is OK, but any amount of wheel hop is not OK. That surprised me.
Is that normal to wheel hop with 30 lbs of air in the tires.
One thing that was different today, I was a lot more aggressive on the gas pedal. I just stomped it to the floor today. In the past I pushed it to the floor, not nearly as fast.
That may be the biggest difference.
I am going to try changing the Z mode settings, and try more launches. Maybe the right combination for me is just learning the right amount of applying the gas pedal.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1,864
From: Oregon
I sure don't like wheel hop. When I felt the tires spinning, that surprised me but it was OK, but when I heard wheel hop bump bump, that is a show stopper.
I went back to Tour mode and it took off OK no spin, no hop. But I could tell a difference in how hard it left.
Once you get a taste of a hard launch, it is hard to go back to something less.
The need for speed.
I went back to Tour mode and it took off OK no spin, no hop. But I could tell a difference in how hard it left.
Once you get a taste of a hard launch, it is hard to go back to something less.
The need for speed.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 66
Likes: 40
From: Bay Area, CA
Was it real wheel hop? Wheel hop typically will shake your fillings out of your face it's so violent.
What I've noticed, under the same conditions as you, is that TC very quickly, like a machine gun (a slow one - like a 50, lol), turns on and off to limit wheel-spin. It kinda "sounds" like wheel hop but has none of the crazy shaking.
What I've noticed, under the same conditions as you, is that TC very quickly, like a machine gun (a slow one - like a 50, lol), turns on and off to limit wheel-spin. It kinda "sounds" like wheel hop but has none of the crazy shaking.
Last edited by jseams; Jul 21, 2023 at 01:59 PM.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,982
Likes: 12,383
From: NE South Carolina
^^^
I have had it happen and lifted very quickly. Not good for the drivetrain!
Reminded of the reaction needed with my street rod at launch. With it's 8.2 Liter BB, 16.5 Section Width Mickey Thompson's (420 metric) only Posi no nannies and 53% of the 3000lbs on the rear. Foot holding the brake against the high stall converter in the race prepared TH400 and if both tires hook up it launches like a rocket. BUT if the pavement difference cause one wheel to lose traction, the other turns the car 90 degrees in a slit second. You have <1/2 second to lift or can be in a ditch. Yep live in a rural area so not at a prepared track.
Seen that happen to NHRA ProStock cars and videos of C7 Z06 Vettes where someone launched with the nannies turned off!
I have had it happen and lifted very quickly. Not good for the drivetrain!
Reminded of the reaction needed with my street rod at launch. With it's 8.2 Liter BB, 16.5 Section Width Mickey Thompson's (420 metric) only Posi no nannies and 53% of the 3000lbs on the rear. Foot holding the brake against the high stall converter in the race prepared TH400 and if both tires hook up it launches like a rocket. BUT if the pavement difference cause one wheel to lose traction, the other turns the car 90 degrees in a slit second. You have <1/2 second to lift or can be in a ditch. Yep live in a rural area so not at a prepared track.
Seen that happen to NHRA ProStock cars and videos of C7 Z06 Vettes where someone launched with the nannies turned off!
Last edited by JerryU; Jul 21, 2023 at 02:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1,864
From: Oregon
It was 72 degrees air temp at 10:00 AM, so the road was not hot.
I really thought the drivetrain was engineered to not have wheel hop. But under certain conditions that may happen.
Like the post above, Pro Stock cars have tire shake. When the tire spins and is at the point of gaining traction, there is a lot of force trying to grip and something has to give.
I am also thinking that depending on how hard you stomp the gas pedal may change how fast the clutch locks up. A total stomp locks the clutch immediately. A little slower on the gas may translate to the clutch to take a few milliseconds longer to lock up. That could make a difference.
I really thought the drivetrain was engineered to not have wheel hop. But under certain conditions that may happen.
Like the post above, Pro Stock cars have tire shake. When the tire spins and is at the point of gaining traction, there is a lot of force trying to grip and something has to give.
I am also thinking that depending on how hard you stomp the gas pedal may change how fast the clutch locks up. A total stomp locks the clutch immediately. A little slower on the gas may translate to the clutch to take a few milliseconds longer to lock up. That could make a difference.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1,579
To clarify it sounds like you were NOT using launch control and you were possibly in a track mode of engine settings.
Your car did what you asked of it then which is allow some slip.
If you want a torque managed launch you use launch control mode.
If you want a burnout, you use burnout mode by pulling both paddles.
If you want a brake torque style soft launch with all the nannies on you do it in a non ptm mode and non track setting.
If you want some slip doing a soft launch you put it in track mode or competitive drive mode or ptm sport or higher.
Your car did what you asked of it then which is allow some slip.
If you want a torque managed launch you use launch control mode.
If you want a burnout, you use burnout mode by pulling both paddles.
If you want a brake torque style soft launch with all the nannies on you do it in a non ptm mode and non track setting.
If you want some slip doing a soft launch you put it in track mode or competitive drive mode or ptm sport or higher.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1,864
From: Oregon
Is there a way to set the traction control to certain levels in Z mode? This is all new to me.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 4,079
Likes: 2,414
From: Florida
How do you set up or change traction control? In Z mode config there is Steering, Brakes, Trans, Exhaust, no options for Traction Control. There is the push button for traction control, but that is either on or off?
Is there a way to set the traction control to certain levels in Z mode? This is all new to me.
Is there a way to set the traction control to certain levels in Z mode? This is all new to me.
Well not technically.
If you set your z mode profile to track engine settings you will be in a "track" traction control type environment. The nannies are there but less intrusive and straight steering wheel full longitudinal acceleration is where the nannies are least likely to intervene.
Same if you set your drive mode to track.
If you want ONLY traction control reduced you have to press the ESC / TC button once. This does not disable all the nannies.
Now if you want competitive driving mode you click the ESC button twice in sport or track mode.
If you want no nannies you hold down the ESC button.
Your manual will help you with this.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 1,864
From: Oregon
I just went for a Sunday morning drive. Stopped to launch a few times, really listening to what is happening.
I am finding the launch and wheel spin is really dependent on how hard you slam the gas pedal to the floor.
If I just push to the floor (like setting my coffee cup down) it takes off fine, no spinning.
If I slam the gas pedal it spins. Then it shudders a few times trying to get traction. What I thought was wheel hop is the tires trying to get a grip. I think shudder is a better definition.
My definition of wheel hop is when the axle is bouncing up and down. It is not doing that, just grip - no grip, it's not a smooth transition.
I have not found how to change the traction control. I wish it was adjustable so I could fine tune the launch speed to avoid wheel spin.
I can do that with my foot, but I was expecting the electronics to do that more consistently.
I guess this is the old drag race problem; how to achieve the best launch without tire spin or shake. I was a road racer for many years so this "launch" is all new to me.
Yes kids, beware
it is addictive.
I am finding the launch and wheel spin is really dependent on how hard you slam the gas pedal to the floor.
If I just push to the floor (like setting my coffee cup down) it takes off fine, no spinning.
If I slam the gas pedal it spins. Then it shudders a few times trying to get traction. What I thought was wheel hop is the tires trying to get a grip. I think shudder is a better definition.
My definition of wheel hop is when the axle is bouncing up and down. It is not doing that, just grip - no grip, it's not a smooth transition.
I have not found how to change the traction control. I wish it was adjustable so I could fine tune the launch speed to avoid wheel spin.
I can do that with my foot, but I was expecting the electronics to do that more consistently.
I guess this is the old drag race problem; how to achieve the best launch without tire spin or shake. I was a road racer for many years so this "launch" is all new to me.
Yes kids, beware
it is addictive.