I know a lot of people have mentioned the tires breaking loose. I decided to see what would happen to me. I turned off VSA and let loose. I have 6MT with HPTs..

I was VERY disappointed. The front of the car started to hop and shudder like it was going over big bumps. I had to let off the gas to get the wheels to grip and then ease into the gas. Second was fine and it took off like a bat out of hell after that.

Has this happened to others?

 

Not yet, but I have felt the car getting skitzy on loose gravel, etc. This is just the limit of power for a FWD car!

 

You guys are pretty gutsy. Get a new car for $35K and push it to the limit to see what falls. How about popping the clutch at redline next?

Just admiration.

 

I don't agree, everytime someone pushes the envelope people say FWD has reached it's limits. Wheel hop can be controlled, back in 1986 when Chrysler was making Shelby Turbo's that had awful wheel hop, people said it was because they reached the limits of FWD, it wasn't true then, and I don't believe it is now.

There are cars racing with MUCH MORE than 270hp at the front wheels so it can be done.

 

Not gutsy at all. My Firebird was just floor the car and wait until the back wheels stopped smoking to have fun. If you wanted a fast time you eased into the gas.

For this one, I dropped the clutch at about 2,000 RPM and hit the gas. I was very suprised that I was getting so much wheel hop. I was thinking I might just get some wheel spin and then go.

 

I have an '03 TL-S. The wheel hop is easily reproduceable.

 

I messed with the VSA too and even with the 5AT got some nasty wheel-hop right out of the hole, but it settled down pretty quick. I'm certainly not going to try it again though and watch front end parts in my RV mirror.

 

It's the car's way of telling you to back off. It's the corollary of axle tramp in a RWD setup.

Mike

 

Yep. Too much wheel hop (which isn't much) will make short work of the front diff on a FWD car. It's just not built to take it.

Some fixes: LSD, stiffer motor mounts, upgraded shocks/springs.

Just a friendly heads up.

 

And even with all those things, you can still get it in low traction situations (salty or wet streets).

Mike

 

Mike,

I'm going to the Grove or Byron sometime towards the end of March to see what these things will do, feel like going?

 

Absolutely. I won't run my car (wife would :chainsaw: ; she had enough of me abusing my old LeBaron GTS Turbo up at Great Lakes way back when....), but it'd be fun to watch.

Isn't there a "meets" forum where we can arrange such things? A Chi-town outing would be fun.

Mike

 

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/forum...php?forumid=44

 

I did the tire hop thing on my Z28 until I installed some traction bars. But, that was when I was cresting 20 and smoking (tires that is) was fun. I just don't get it now, especially knowing how hard it is to save $35K and how many hours of slaving away at the office equates to that kind of money. I plan to make my ride last a while. I guess this falls in the category of 'different strokes for different folks' thing. Good luck and hope your ride will outlast your guts.

 

In 17 years I never got tire hop in my Firebird. It always either spun the tires or took off.

I do not do this often. In fact, this was the first time I did a hard start in the car. I mostly make sure that I am moving prior to giving it gas. Like you, I do not want to ruin a good car.

 

you can also just deflate the tires to about 20-25psi... get softer tires... etc...

FWD suck for launching, just IN CASE no one was aware