Performance question...

16-Driver

I have a serious case of "wheel hop" when I push my car on take off...

What kind of suspension upgrade do I need to have?

Or.. what do I need to do?

SlowRSX

engine mounts or an lsd.

Mokkori

True... your LSD may need an overhaul or replacing... how old is your car and what is it?

16-Driver

Originally posted by Mokkori
True... your LSD may need an overhaul or replacing... how old is your car and what is it?

Its a 2002 ford focus zx3!

Its a front wheel drive! Front wheel drives dont have Limited Slip Differentials.... I think!

Mokkori

I think that some FF cars still have LSD, I'm just not too sure either...

Can you describe how exactly this "wheel hop" happens in your car?

16-Driver

Originally posted by Mokkori
I think that some FF cars still have LSD, I'm just not too sure either...

Can you describe how exactly this "wheel hop" happens in your car?

Hmmm...

The tires doesnt seem to get grip! Not by "peeling out" but... the front tires kinda bounces! Really hard to explain... happens only on first gear!

SlowRSX

Adding stiffer engine mounts do help out with wheel hop. But there will also be an increase in vibration at idle.

16-Driver

Originally posted by SlowRSX
Adding stiffer engine mounts do help out with wheel hop. But there will also be an increase in vibration at idle.

I'm not sure if its engine mounts that needs to be replaced... I thinking more of suspension upgrades like...

Stiffer sway bars and stiffer shocks!

How would engine mounts cure wheel hops?

emokid

Originally posted by SlowRSX
Adding stiffer engine mounts do help out with wheel hop. But there will also be an increase in vibration at idle.

i though engine mounts where suppose to decrease vibration at idle?

shun_sakurai

Focus ZX3 eh? Try to look for an LSD. The Euro-only Focus RS turbo hatch has one.

Suspension parts might also help...try looking for shocks or the mentioned engine mounts.

My car (an SX8 Honda City) isn't immune to wheel hop itself---it tends to happen when I try to launch it from standstill at 4000 RPM and above, but it doesn't exhibit it in normal driving.

16-Driver

Originally posted by shun_sakurai
Focus ZX3 eh? Try to look for an LSD. The Euro-only Focus RS turbo hatch has one.

Suspension parts might also help...try looking for shocks or the mentioned engine mounts.

My car (an SX8 Honda City) isn't immune to wheel hop itself---it tends to happen when I try to launch it from standstill at 4000 RPM and above, but it doesn't exhibit it in normal driving.

Mine doesnt either... its just I gain time when It happens! Mine is worse, I think... At just 3000 rpms, it happens! ...remember I race it from time to time.


What couses wheel hops anyway? Is it torque of your car, the tires maybe?

I dont sense any torque steer... so maybe I have LSD?

16-Driver

Originally posted by emokid
i though engine mounts where suppose to decrease vibration at idle?

Ummm... If you put stiffer/harder engine mounts it increases vibration!

slamm

Check your suspension... stiffer bushings will also help.

SlowRSX

Originally posted by 16-Driver
I'm not sure if its engine mounts that needs to be replaced... I thinking more of suspension upgrades like...

Stiffer sway bars and stiffer shocks!

How would engine mounts cure wheel hops?

I'n not sure how engine mounts helps with wheel hop but what I heard from other people who has them on their RSX(Integra), said that it does work?

shun_sakurai

Originally posted by 16-Driver
Mine doesnt either... its just I gain time when It happens! Mine is worse, I think... At just 3000 rpms, it happens! ...remember I race it from time to time.

What couses wheel hops anyway? Is it torque of your car, the tires maybe?

I dont sense any torque steer... so maybe I have LSD?

I suspect wheel hop happens because your shock absorbers can't handle the energy that gets transferred to your drive wheels/axle.

Shock absorbers (they're more accurately called "dampers") are primarily built to keep the wheels firmly pressed to the ground and to quell any undesirable/unsettling vertical body movements. If dampers fail to do their duty efficiently, the consequences can be as mild as wheel hop at high-RPM launch, or as severe as loss of body control and "pogo-ing" during braking (which no one wants).

Since you did say you race your Focus from time to time (drag or circuit?), I think your shocks might need replacing. Are they still stock? You might want to check out stiffer shocks for your ride.

As for the lack of torque steer...that doesn't necessarily mean you have LSD fitted. Modern suspension designs have been constructed for FWD cars that can minimize the effects of torque steer, and I think your Focus is one of them. You'd need a wollop of torque to get torque steer, IMO---the kind that 200bhp turbocharged Volvos have to contend with.

Hope this helps.

16-Driver

Originally posted by shun_sakurai
I suspect wheel hop happens because your shock absorbers can't handle the energy that gets transferred to your drive wheels/axle.

Shock absorbers (they're more accurately called "dampers") are primarily built to keep the wheels firmly pressed to the ground and to quell any undesirable/unsettling vertical body movements. If dampers fail to do their duty efficiently, the consequences can be as mild as wheel hop at high-RPM launch, or as severe as loss of body control and "pogo-ing" during braking (which no one wants).

Since you did say you race your Focus from time to time (drag or circuit?), I think your shocks might need replacing. Are they still stock? You might want to check out stiffer shocks for your ride.

As for the lack of torque steer...that doesn't necessarily mean you have LSD fitted. Modern suspension designs have been constructed for FWD cars that can minimize the effects of torque steer, and I think your Focus is one of them. You'd need a wollop of torque to get torque steer, IMO---the kind that 200bhp turbocharged Volvos have to contend with.

Hope this helps.

Make sense!! btw... its drag!

Thanks for sharing!

shun_sakurai

Yep, I guess your stock shocks can't handle full-power launches as well as they used to. You did mention your drag races on another thread.

Good luck finding new shocks, mate Tell us how your Focus feels afterwards.

16-Driver

Originally posted by shun_sakurai
Yep, I guess your stock shocks can't handle full-power launches as well as they used to. You did mention your drag races on another thread.

Good luck finding new shocks, mate Tell us how your Focus feels afterwards.

Yes, I did!!

I have to save up for first though! LOL! I'm broke! hehehe..;)

RTZ

Geez...LSD, bushings, engine mounts, coilovers, traction bars.....whats next? Tell him to buy slicks and a wheelie bar? Have BAR tune his suspension? C'mon guys get real.

a Ford Focus doesn't produce gobs of unearthly torque and HP that needs any of the mods mentioned above to reduce wheel hop.

If you have a serious case of wheel hop...lower your tire pressure...FIRST.

16-Driver

LOL!

This thread is old and burried somewhere... somebody's digging!!!

SlowRSX

Originally posted by RTZ
Geez...LSD, bushings, engine mounts, coilovers, traction bars.....whats next? Tell him to buy slicks and a wheelie bar? Have BAR tune his suspension? C'mon guys get real.

a Ford Focus doesn't produce gobs of unearthly torque and HP that needs any of the mods mentioned above to reduce wheel hop.

If you have a serious case of wheel hop...lower your tire pressure...FIRST.

Yeah, that works too!