So I'm having a strange issue with my car. Whenever I try to spin the tires (with traction off of course) unless i just about redline it and drop it, the car just bounces our of control. Even on wet pavement, if i rev it up to say 6000 and drop it, it will bounce bounce bounce. Is this normal? Is it cause its such a light car? Ive never driven a car thats done this like every time when you punch it. Am i letting out the clutch too fast, or too slow?

 

Do a search on wheelhop it's a common problem with the RX-8 and some other Mazda cars.

 

Oh, like this is strictly a Mazda problem and never happens on anything else, is that it Ike????????????????????????????????

That was a particularly ignorant, pathetic, and misleading attempt to sneakily put down the RX-8 and Mazda! :p

Wheelhop can and does happen on many other vehicles, frequently with independent rear suspensions optimized for handling rather than drag racing. For example, you'll find that Mustang Cobra owners who want to seriously drag race will often remove the factory IRS and substitute the live axle used on lesser Mustang models.

Regards,
Gordon

PS - l008man, knock it off! Wheelhop can result in very high transient shock loads on the rear suspension and drivetrain components, possibly causing damage like broken half-shafts, differentials, or transmissions. There have been a couple of blown transmissions reported by owners drag racing their RX-8s who suffered from wheel hop when launching. A smooth launch with just regular wheelspin is OK - but if wheel hop starts, shut it down RIGHT NOW!

 

You might wanna try letting some air out of the tires...

 

Wheel hop happens a lot on RWD cars.

 

i know wheelhop is bad, but its still fun to spin them up once in a while, but i seem to get wheel hop every single time i try to spin them. No matter how i let out the clutch and at what rpm

 

Speaking of pathetic, shouldn't you go talk about snowtires or something rather than making paranoid attempts to read into what I say... :p

 

Oh, like this is strictly a RWD problem and never happens on anything else, is that it Rocket????????????????????????????????

That was a particularly ignorant, pathetic, and misleading attempt to sneakily put down RWD cars!






Sorry, couldn't resist :D

 

settle

The last thing I want to read is two members I respect going at one another.

 

feather the clutch and dont wot it till you have traction.

 

ah my 56 Chevy did the same thing at a drag race. Just sat there and wheel hopped. So use less gas the next time.

 

I get the rear axle hop as well and it drives me nuts. I was told that a stiffer suspension and thicker sway bars fix this issue. But then you would probably find the ride to stiff for everyday or in snow. Seems like a lot of money needs to be spent to control the hop. Isn't there a better way?

The technique scartchjunky mentioned should also work but would probably cost you the investment of a set of rear tires just to master the technique.

Ike, you are a pretty knowledgeable guy from the posts I've read, any other suggestions?

 

I'll bet the next thread started will be "My Clutch is Wearing Out Too Fast".

 

you can spin the tires from 4k rpm. try that rom for a spinny launch. also turn off you DSC fully by pressing and holding the button for 8 seconds ..blah blah blah.

 

The very next day we will see a thread on "I need tires, I really need tires."

 

Really my advice would be similar to Scratchjunkie's suggestion. You really just need to find that fine line between feathing and getting a little wheel spin then taking off and feathering and burning the clutch or getting too much spin. The S2Ks I've driven at autox had a similar problem, the first time I launched one the owner didn't seem too happy about the wheel hop :p But after a little more practice there is that sweet spot where you won't get any hop, get a little spin, and then rocket off. Keep in mind I don't have any personal experience with the wheelhop in the RX-8, but it shouldn't be all that different from other cars with a similar problem...


You can try stiffening things up with springs, shocks, strut bars, etc., and there's a good chance it will help. But really the best way to go about it is to learn how to modulate the throttle and clutch just right. Also, for the original poster, I've found that cars that have a tendency to have wheelhop will get it even worse on wet pavement. So you're better off not trying to take off too briskly if the roads are a little slick.

 

Many people who post about the new Racing Beat sway bars they've just installed mention that the rear bar has nearly eliminated wheel hop.

 

Is it wise to just change the rear sway bar only or both front and back at the same time so there is balance? How about adding RB springs as well without replacing shocks?

 

I noticed some wheelhop when switching to second... ahwell...