What would cause a Starquest to get sideways when accelerati

Post by **AustinTSI** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:32 am

So I've been told that when a Starquest starts getting a lot of power it will start having problems staying straight when accelerating even from 40mph.

Specifically, it was mentioned that in 2nd gear with an HX40 turbo that if you floor it then the car will get sideways.

I haven't had this problem myself since I am still working on my build but I have heard of it in the past about other cars.

So my questions are:

1. Does this happen to the Starquest ?
2. What causes this ?
3. What can be done to stop this ?

Thankx.

Tank · Post by **Tank** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 3:13 pm

1. Dunno
2. Torque
3. Bigger/Better rear tires, upgraded diff.

screemin eagle · Post by **screemin eagle** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:54 pm

When I put slicks on my car for the first time it would dog tail very bad. Poly suspension bushing fixed most of the issue. It would load the pass side suspension so bad the slick would rub the front of the wheel well. One of the many joys of IRS.

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:05 am

posi traction always causes some sideways motion, the rear wheels are pushing forward and the front wheels havent got the message yet, so the rear wheels are trying to find an alternative to forward motion ( thats the physic's of it) its a paristic drag to speed

some circle track cars dont use a posi track because the car will track better through the curve and reduce sideways push

the tires absorb the inpact of the clutch hitting the driveline hard, Dave is correct in using the poly mounts, because they are allowing movement in the chasis instead of all the work being done by the tires

Post by **AustinTSI** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 9:29 pm

This actually explains something else that was mentioned on another forum.

It was mentioned that in drag racing it is preferable if the front tires are off the ground by a couple of inches so as to reduce the drag. It doesn't seem that there would be that much drag from those skinny front tires that I'm sure have the best bearings on the market. But it would make a lot of sense if being off the ground reduced the chance of the back end getting sideways. Just wondering?

Bill Hincher · Post by **Bill Hincher** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 8:47 am

yeah, that would be correct and it includes 'max traction'

ever see a guy at the starting line with his rear wheels painted white halfway across? ( old school here)

he has a pit crew member watch him launch and count the revelutions of the rear wheel at start

the driver wants the rear wheels to spin about 6 revilutions before the front wheels lift just about two inches and then carry the front wheels about 20 feet

how ever, I have had a short wheel base corvette that almost took out a whole row of motorcylces one time
I revved the 427 big block and threw the clutch out the window, she spun the rear wheels until they got hot and hooked up,then the front wheels lifted and it made a left hand turn and it was one of those deals ( should I hit the brakes or the gas?) I just barley got it straight
Garlets explained how to drive the wheely, he said to use the brake, it needs to be disc brakes and you just touch them and the car will straighten out
so the correction is in the rear wheels and proper alignment ( which may not be directly straight)