01 GTS Tracking at High RPM

[KNG SNKE]

I was doing a little spirited driving tonight and I noticed in 1st and 2nd gear as I approached the higher rpm's it felt like the tail of my vehicle was swaying side to side, just didn't feel right. I don't have any major performance mods and my tires are PS2's with less then 2k miles on them and they were warm. Anyone have an idea why it would do this? Never felt it before.

 

[Frankster]

Did it happen just once? Did it happen the same way on different stretches of road?

If I had to guess I'd say a differential problem or tire problem.

Are your tires old?

They do get harder the older they get.

My Viper did something similar but on the front. One tire was harder than the other and it cause uneven braking that manifested in a squigly front end during hard braking.

 

[jdeft1]

Probably a foolish question but:

Tire pressure equal on both sides?? Did you hear any weirdness along with it??

=J

 

[KNG SNKE]

All 4 tires are PS2s and less then a year old. I was on the same stretch of road, didn't think to try on another stretch, made me nervous. I am unsure of the tire pressure but will verify tomorrow. It happened twice. No weird sounds at all, normal exhaust screaming.

 

[dave6666]

Nothing that felt like driveline vibration?

 

[KNG SNKE]

Nothing that felt like driveline vibration?

Nope, nothing at all. The car felt great until I started hitting the higher 5k to lower 6k rpms and I noticed a little shimmy from the rear. Car sounded and felt great until then. No vibrations, no lights, no noise, no squealing, nothing.

 

[Frankster]

Here in Kalifornia the asphalt roads get pretty hot in summer.

Combine that with heavy truck traffic and we wind up with ruts in the road.

When you try and accellerate in these ruts the car sometimes feels like it's moving side to side.

Not sure that's happening with you but it's worth a thought.

Checking tire pressure sounds like a good idea.

 

[KNG SNKE]

Here in Kalifornia the asphalt roads get pretty hot in summer.

Combine that with heavy truck traffic and we wind up with ruts in the road.

When you try and accellerate in these ruts the car sometimes feels like it's moving side to side.

Not sure that's happening with you but it's worth a thought.

Checking tire pressure sounds like a good idea.

Definitely a possibility because the road was not perfect. Just have never felt that before and kinda scared me. My car only has 9k miles on it so I really doubt it's anything mechanical. I don't drive it rough and by the condition I bought it in neither did the previous owner.

 

[2000_Black_RT10]

I'd highly suggest to check / inspect the rear suspension and chassis, for example under load the control arm may be shifting due to a worn bushing or several other reasons including cracks in the frame, welds, cracked control arm, etc..

Regards,
Mike

 

[ViperJohn]

Were you at full throttle? I would suspect the rear was searching for traction on an imperfect road surface.

 

[KNG SNKE]

Were you at full throttle? I would suspect the rear was searching for traction on an imperfect road surface.

Yes was at full throttle.

 

[plumcrazy]

I'd check the control arms in the rear.

 

[DrumrBoy]

I'd highly suggest to check / inspect the rear suspension and chassis, for example under load the control arm may be shifting due to a worn bushing or several other reasons including cracks in the frame, welds, cracked control arm, etc..

Regards,
Mike

This is what I'd check first. If its not tire speed dependent but rpm/accel-load dependent, then its more likely a suspension element that's acting strangely as its loading up.

 

[EllowViper]

Wait until you put that blower on it if you want to experience a a squirrley rear end at high RPM. Might want to set the shock setting a bit stiffer too. I can feel the rear of my GTS squating/shifting..kinda slushy at WOT/redline as the load shifts front to rear to front based on aceleration and all...its actually kind of neat to think about how much torque it takes to make a car do that. Its there...just keep it pointed straight as others have learned.

 

[KNG SNKE]

Wait until you put that blower on it if you want to experience a a squirrley rear end at high RPM. Might want to set the shock setting a bit stiffer too. I can feel the rear of my GTS squating/shifting..kinda slushy at WOT/redline as the load shifts front to rear to front based on aceleration and all...its actually kind of neat to think about how much torque it takes to make a car do that. Its there...just keep it pointed straight as others have learned.

I don't have an ACR, is it possibly to adjust factory shocks? It feels like the rear is not squatting that much honestly, feels like it is slightly lifting. I will post back when I have a chance to get it on another road and test it out.

 

[dave6666]

I don't have an ACR, is it possibly to adjust factory shocks?

Koni North America - ITT - Adjustment

 

[KNG SNKE]

Koni North America - ITT - Adjustment

Interesting. So do you think I should possibly soften it so the vehicle squats more? My ride on this Viper is a heck of a lot better then the old one.

 

[2001 GTS]

Too much POWA!!! lol

 

[KNG SNKE]

Today I had the chance to get out there and give it a test again and nothing at all. Felt stable as hell. Had to of been that crappy road. Thank you all for your advice. Most appreciated.

 

[agentf1]

My guess is you were losing traction. Happens all the time to me in both the GTS and Z06 when the car is making good power or under not so ideal road conditions.

 

[KNG SNKE]

My guess is you were losing traction. Happens all the time to me in both the GTS and Z06 when the car is making good power or under not so ideal road conditions.

Was definitely making good power, was a nice temp in the air .