The last several times that I have taken my cars to the track I've experienced violent wheel hop on launch. I wrote off my Civic's tendency to do this because it still had the stock (11 year-old) suspension fitted. However, last night I took my 2004 TL to the track and it did the same thing. In fact, on 2 out of 3 runs it did it so badly that the check engine light blinked at me for a good minute! I immediately backed off the throttle and sank the clutch in hopes of mitigating any damage but of course that doesn't do much for your E.T.

My question is what are the most common causes of violent wheelhop? The track I go to (Moroso, Palm Beach Gardens, FL) seems VERY sticky since they refinished it and I was thinking that perhaps my tires (Azenis on the Civic, the "upgrade" Potenza RE030's on the TL) are sticky and that perhaps it's biting "too much", but that sounds a little crazy to me. I've not taken the Civic back to the track since installing KYB AGX's and GC's, but I'm almost afraid to go in fear of having the wheelhop return and breaking something.

Any help on the matter would be appreciated.

 

Try lowering your tire pressure to 18-20 psi and install traction bars. Not terribly elaborate but it's a start.

Sam

 

Tire pressure will help but becareful, not only will low tire pressure increase the chances of breaking your differential but it will also hurt you in the top end by reducing your trap speed due to the increased rolling resistance. Try slipping your clutch somewhat in combination with lowering your tire pressure.

Also remember that your tire pressure in the lanes will be lower than after your burn out as heat will increase the air pressure somewhat. Take a digital tire pressure gauge with you and have a buddy measure and record tire pressures after each run.

 

Thanks for the advice... I hope it's that simple!

 

Launching a car is like anything else- it takes practice. You have to find the balance between slipping and dumping. You don't want to "ride" the clutch mind you but slip it enough just until you get some forward motion and where you can apply the power.

For the first few times you hit the line don't concern yourself with cutting a good light, concentrate on manipulating the clutch and throttle so that you can launch consistantly with a balance of wheelspin and traction. Remember that you want to keep your engine on boil in or close to the sweet spot so that you don't bog off the line. I hope some of these pointers help. Good luck, and post some new results next time you hit the track.

 

Also, stiff mounts help to eliminate wheelhop. Windo weld works good, or ES inserts.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 5thgencivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also, stiff mounts help to eliminate wheelhop. Windo weld works good, or ES inserts. </TD></TR></TABLE>

ES mount inserts will help quite a bit. the mounts probably took quite a beating because of the violant wheel hop so it's not a bad idea to look into mount inserts.

good luck.

 

Wheel hop also breaks axles. I have ES inserts and I still get alot of wheel hop.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blykins &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wheel hop also breaks axles. I have ES inserts and I still get alot of wheel hop. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Really? Well.. something on your car is not quite as tight/stiff as it should/has to be. Something along the way is loading and unloading causing the wheel hop.

I know on CRX's and some prelude/accords if the radius rods bushings are shot you'll get wheel hop. Maybe some of your bushings are tired out? Spend a little time under the car to see what you can find. Maybe it's time to step up to a jimfab or similar?

 

I guess I should have mentioned that the Civic has HASport mounts but still retains the stock, way too old suspension bushings. The TL is brand new, so everything there is stock for the time being.

I've probably made 250 passes down the strip with 5 different cars and these are the first two that I've had that exhibit wheelhop like this. Next week I'm going to take the Civic and see if a combination of the new suspension plus messing with tire pressures will help.

Thanks to everyone for your input -- I truly appreciate it.