Need traction

[chetvram]

I'm FWD and I have been having problems with wheel hop and tire spin. Where would be best to start for traction? ES bushings, LSD, or drag radials?

 

[spooln4fun]

I switched over to a 225/50r16(stock rims) a bit wider then stock tire. Helped with traction, and also had coil overs lowering the car. didn't notice hardly any wheel hop

 

[MelloEclipse]

an LSD is going to be the BEST remedy for traction, however, it's also the most expensive one.

 

[96gstdsm]

For wheel hop urathane motor mounts help a lot! They will cause a good amount more vibrations in the cabin, but will definitely greatly limit wheel hop.

 

[LTUDSM]

i agree with 96gstdsm i put a new motor mounts, lowered the car and put 225 tires on it and i got a great traction

 

[daren_p]

What kind of boost are you running & seeing traction issues? I'm running 22 psi & we have similar "performance" setups, I don't have much of a traction issue. It will spin in 1st if I go WOT but I can go WOT from 2nd on most of the time without any slip. Urthane motor mounts will help, adjustable suspension & LSD will also greatly help. Finish it off with a descent sized sticky tire, as its the only thing that makes contact with the pavement, so if you skimp there, your other mods for traction are going to waste. A set of DOT drag radials would defently make a big improvement for traction but wear out fast & not good if you need to drive in wet conditions sometimes.

 

[TKW#13]

A set of DOT drag radials would defently make a big improvement for traction but wear out fast & not good if you need to drive in wet conditions sometimes.

Tires will definitely make a huge difference. In 225/50r16 you can get a couple of different brands of good sticky tires.

 

[luvmygst]

AWD swap

 

[spooln4fun]

AWD swap

Take back my previous statement and second this one!

 

[BoostFrenzy]

AWD swap

Always the best remedy for traction

But in all seriousness, i have heard and read from many GST guys that Motor mounts help A LOT. Along with that, i would do some sticky tires like most of the others have said. That should give you some pretty decent traction off the line. LSD is the next step in traction so you dont peg leg a launch or slip the tires in second and lose all momentum.

 

[romeen]

Getting better traction has been an ongoing battle for me. I agree with everything that has been said so far. Daren gave some great advice. If I had to rank these in order of most effective to least my recommendations would be:

1) Stickier tires. The stickiest ones I have found (in a non R-compound tire) are the Kumho MX's. You give up a little bit of cornering response due to a softer sidewall but they grip like mad when warm. They are only average in the wet and horrendous in the snow. When the weather is cold (even though it may be dry) they lose some grip. But they are hard to beat during the summer, especially for the $$. I have also heard great things about the Falken Azenis RT 615 but have no personal experience with them.

2) LSD. I only have the inserts but in my experience they really do work. I have had it in for 4 years now with no problems. However, I do not do any competitve racing either. If you can afford it, get the Quaife.

3) Like everyone else stated, the stiffer motor mounts do decrease wheel hop significantly. I have the ES inserts for the front and rear and I did the Windo-Weld on the tranny and driver's side mounts.

4) Higher rate springs/struts.

5) For me it seemed like the front STB seemed to help with wheel hop also.

And arguably one of the most important piece of the puzzle, throttle control. As Daren touched on, really practice gradual throttle apllication in the lower gears.

 

[smores114]

or you can just be AWD and stick like mad.

 

[forcefed4]

As some of the previous posts have said, motor mounts do a lot for wheel hop. I also went with 225/50-16 on stock rims with good tires. Good shock/spring combo's work well too. I am using Ground control coilovers with Tokico HP struts, seems to have given me decent results.

or you can just be AWD and stick like mad.

True, my wife's Mazda sticks like mad, and I love it. But, I still like how my FWD drives (+the ability to almost completely hide the car with tire smoke)

 

[BoostFrenzy]

I have also heard great things about the Falken Azenis RT 615 but have no personal experience with them.

They have some pretty stiff sidewalls, so they are more of a grip tire. They are a soft compound tho. so it would be pretty useful if you want traction on the street. but for launching, they are bad.

 

[LTUDSM]

well if we are talking bout the tires,for a price BFGoodrich makes the best tires for a good grip ,check ot NITO tires

click here

and here

 

[dsmulla]

When I was upgrading my car a while back I paid a lot attention to traction. With the convincing of daren_p I decided to buy a Qauife LSD and I tell you, WOW! If you are making all that power you need to have a LSD. I can tell you one thing, it will the most beneficial investment you make towards your car. Just think about it, you make all that power but you can put it to use because of traction, what's the point? I also lowered my suspesnion more in the front then the rear and that helped as well. Just keep one thing in mind, the more weight you have in the front, the better traction you have. I even know some people who place tool boxes in the front passenger foot space whenever they are at the track.

Honestly, I would consider buying a LSD beause I am sure you are making a lot of power and a LSD will help a lot to put in on the road.