Hi All - hope everyone's having a relaxing weekend

Just a quick novice question. Have an auto 5.7 GTA - stock as far as I can tell aside from headers and a 3inch exhaust - i.e. not putting down serious power. Anyway on a typical dry day, circa 10 degrees, no ice - cruising along around 35-45mph - should I plant the accelerator, the transmission will kick down and the rear tyres will spin up - causing a wonderful snaking effect.

Just wanted to query if this is normal at these speeds. If indeed it is for the rear to break out, is the snaking also typical for an LSD rear end when occuring in a straight line or again unusual?

Some may recall an earlier post by me about not being happy about rear-traction/ stability. I'm afraid this really an extension of that and jsut wanted to confirm 'tis the norm, or perhaps not.

lol - feel it apt to say do still love my GTA - just warming to the characteristics of these cars

Thanks all

 

I suspect you are running with cheap a$$ rear tires

 

Also there's a good chance you need lower control arm relocation brackets.

 

I think it's time I spent some money and time on this.

Rear tyres I recently changed from coopers to Kumhos - not world class but from general reviews I thought adequate

Relocation brackets I could understand if the car was lowered- stock ride height here

Yeah I thought this can't be normal

thanks for the input

 

What size are your tires? Stock 245/50R16 on 16" crosslace wheels?

How cold is the weather?

How cold is the road? Road condition?

 

Even if you have stock suspension, it is 20 years old. It is very common for these cars to drop an inch or more over the years because the springs sag. This may or may not be the case with your car. Take a look at the LCAs with the car sitting level. If the LCAs are parallel to the ground or angled slilghtly down toward the rear axle, you're ok. If they angle up to the rear axle, you need LCARBs.

 

My 350TPI spun at 40mph even with 255/50/r16 drag radials on it, without suspension mods it's easy to torque the rear end loose from a roll. Now with the cammed LQ9 that is a different story. I am running all stock suspension, and on street tires it will smoke them up to around 85mph.

Suspension mods are greatly needed on these cars to really plant the power.

 

I guess its not too uncommon with that cold weather. My L98 wouldnt hammer loose at those speeds even with alot of mods and cold weather. Would only touch loose in the rain sometimes.

But this was back in Pennsylvania roads. My trans am up there wouldnt break loose on the dry roads in the cold but down here in texas it does get loose sometimes not even 100% throttle. The roads i find down here are slippery compared to PA roads under the same conditions. Wet roads here my trans am was breaking loose at 70mph...scary. Never did that at home in PA.

Maybe your roads are slick in cold air/cold road conditions. Good tires will help. My 383 setup rarely broke loose below 40mph. Bridgestone 295 size tires. Breaks loose all the time with more power but for under 400whp they are great.

Even on stock ride height, LCA's will help with the relocation brackets.

 

Hi all - thanks for the replies

Stephen - yep standard cross lace rims 245/50/16 rubber.

It's around 10celsius here ~ 50 Fahrenheit. Not warm by any means but not cold enough for ice - perhaps some dew?

Road surface is fair - not brand new tarmac but equally not pot-hold ridden - Usual slight curvature - example:
http://www.transportcafe.co.uk/image...hales_road.jpg

Yes the suspension isn't all new - car has recent moog cargo rear coils (back end was sagging) and useable monroe shocks (previous owner). Poly bushes on panhard bar and also rear ARB droplinks.

I wish I was over in the US and you guys could take it for a spin and diagnose - for a few beers of course -lol

In a previous post about stability/ handling concerns (very helpful input btw) - rear components (LCA + relocation bracks, tubular adjustable panhard, decent shocks etc.) were all recommended.

Will most probably go for these - Don't wish to waste everybody's time when there clearly is a theme in what's being recommended to replace - thanks for the input here btw

I guess I'm just a bit stumped that the car as standard would behave in such a manner (taking into account the worn parts I have already replaced) - unless the control arms/ bushes are so gone it is causing the axle to shift + give in non-perfectly horizontal LCA angle

But I hear your comments $750 and Orr89Rocz - maybe I'll get the traction I seek with some upgrades << well perhaps not the most apt smiley

 

out of curiosity, is the rear a limited slip or open? Even if its a limited slip the clutchpacks could be shot and you are only spinning 1 wheel, that would make the traction issues even worse.