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Wheelhop question

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Old Jan 25, 2008 | 08:58 PM
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Default Wheelhop question

Riding in my friends 2004 Z06 (14,000 miles), he has no wheelhop. Getting into my 2002 Z06 (36,000 miles) immediately, in same conditions (drizzle/light rain), I have plenty. I don't care too much to race around in the wet but any difference like this is a sign something is slightly off...

My main question is: are there any differences notable between the 2002 and 2004 Z06 rear suspensions? Different shocks, or suspension settings perhaps? I've heard people say "swap to z06 shocks" to fix the problem as well as "swap to coilovers" with the latter being extremely expensive, so if its something like an updated damper in the 2004's it'd be a relatively cheaper fix. If there's not any differences, its definitely not a blown shock or anything of that nature, the car handles perfectly otherwise.

Other than the usual recommendations (coilovers), what else can be done to reduce or eliminate wheelhop in the C5 Z06? I've seen control arm bushing sets from $100-300 to replace all bushings on the control arms - is there an upgraded bushing set available for the transmission/differential?

Edit: his car is lowered slightly on stock equipment, is it possible the bit of extra preload placed on the leaf spring would effectively limit wheel oscillation?
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Old Jan 25, 2008 | 09:05 PM
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You running the same tires? Same exact piece of road? Same RPM's? Driven the same distance prior to burnout? Lot's of things come in to play.

99 FRC
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Old Jan 25, 2008 | 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by 99FRC
You running the same tires? Same exact piece of road? Same RPM's? Driven the same distance prior to burnout? Lot's of things come in to play.

99 FRC
Not same distance driven, no. But I have had it prevalent previously, and was riding with him tonight. I thought it was because the full traction/active handling system was on but I put it on competitive driving (as was his car) and it remained. I had noticed wheelhop recently as its been raining here for the last 2 weeks. I really don't think its a tire heat issue as its 35 degrees outside and wet, tires can't really be heated up too much unless you're driving aggressively which we surely weren't until I asked him about his wheelhop and he demonstrated his lack thereof.

I'd say when I just went out to see what variables came into play, 1/4 of the time it simply spun and slid out, with no rear chatter at all, but that was under very slow throttle inputs which probably doesn't put wheelspeed more than 10mph over vehicle speed. When he demonstrated for me, it went out very quickly and wasn't that slow at all on throttle input.

We're both on the same OEM tires, 295/35/18 Eagle F1 Supercars, he probably has more tread than I do.

I need to get my wheels balanced but its hard for me to believe that its a wheel-balance issue... as that is typically only a few grams of difference.

No differences that you know of between Z06 suspensions through the years, though? I'm getting an alignment soon, so I'll just tell them to shoot for 2004 alignment settings, regardless of any known difference I suppose.

Last edited by ProductionS14; Jan 25, 2008 at 09:16 PM.
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Old Jan 26, 2008 | 06:57 AM
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Can't speak for the 02 Z06 but I installed Z06 shocks on my C6 and my wheel hop disappeared. Maybe your shocks are slightly worn. How many miles do they have on them? Regardless of what tires you have you should not get wheel hop.

If stiffer shocks doesn't fix it then harder (or polyurethane) control arm bushings should. You have to dampen vertically and horizontally to eliminate all wheel hop.
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Old Jan 26, 2008 | 11:45 PM
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the 04 z06 shocks are different from the 01-03z.
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Old Jan 27, 2008 | 12:30 AM
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Originally Posted by petercln
the 04 z06 shocks are different from the 01-03z.
if these are different how so?
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Old Jan 27, 2008 | 01:51 AM
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04 Z06 shock were pretty dramatically changed..different dampening and valving and just a lot better! do a search this is talked about a lot on the net

gmpartshouse.com has good prices! no affiliation

i use koni fsd shocks no hop..plus! better handling cost 200 bucks more than the 04 Gm Z06 shocks
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Old Jan 27, 2008 | 03:07 AM
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acronym irs mean anything to u
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Old Jan 27, 2008 | 09:03 AM
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Mine is not a ZO6 but it has had wheelhop bad enough to break 2 rear ends. I think the tighter the shocks are the less wheelhop. Mine has the adjustable suspension pkg. and it broke both with it in the soft mode. It does not wheel hop in the sport mode.
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Old Jan 27, 2008 | 12:47 PM
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IRS= independent rear suspension

solid rear axle is better for burnouts and 1/4 drag racing..ie camaro

IRS rear end is for the road race track...not the drag race track
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