Grip or rather lack of

**CHR15E** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 12:38

Hi guys, I have a 98 V70R that I love very much but I have a huge problem with standing start traction in the wet.

In the dry it's fine, it chirps a little when being very stupid but nothing to concern me. In the wet however sometimes moving forwards in third is hard if I don't use the throttle gently.

So it prompts me to ask a few questions.

- My car should have an LSD as far as I'm aware? Could the box have been swapped for a non LSD one? How can I check it?

- Is TRACS working? What should happen if it is? I've never seen any lights coming on when driving. However about 4 times in the last year when I've started the car the light for it being off has come on.

- The car has a Rica chip fitted, I've read about a few different maps/chips. Mainly the nature in which the power/torque is setup. Could this be my problem?

- I'm using what I consider to be good tyres. Toyo Proxes T1-R's. Should I be looking at something dearer?

- Or is just that it's a powerful FWD and I have to live with it?

Is there anything else I'm over looking? Any input would be greatly received.

Thanks Chris

**WOODY T5** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 12:48

dont we all mate got a gripper diff and some maxx rt tyres on my car much better grip still not great tho

**stephenevans99** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 12:53

300bhp +\- a few horses, combined with fwd = wheel spin. Nature of the Beast unfortunately

**darzmat** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 12:57

My 850 was the same.

T1r's are probably one of the worse tyres ive ever used.
I had them on a 306 gti6 and I couldnt get grip so I would never bother fitting them to the volvo

**T5RatherAmusin** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 13:03

I use vredestein vorti and the grip is just ridiculously good! it could grip on the Thames I bet lol

they really do surprise me. my old tyres would spin as soon as boost would come in. that's no fun!

**wegal** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 13:08

vredstiens sasanta is probably the grippiest tyre wet or dry ive ever used. I had them on my 300 whp s60 and it didn't spin up much wet or dry. I now have them on a 400+ bhp XKR and they don't spin up on that either.

**Shinsplintz 101** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 13:54

Suspension is an important factor, too soft eg knackered old dampers & it's gonna make the front spin even easier. Good stiff front will help keep the powe down & aid traction. Good tyres also help as stated above!

**Saaamon** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 14:10

What suspension have you got?

**stribo** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 14:15

My traction improved when I fitted coilovers, but as said above that much power in a FWD car is only going to end one way. I don't think the P1 Rs had an LSD, though I could be wrong.

**Redbrick** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 14:39

Originally Posted by CHR15E

- Is TRACS working? What should happen if it is? I've never seen any lights coming on when driving. However about 4 times in the last year when I've started the car the light for it being off has come on.

- The car has a Rica chip fitted, I've read about a few different maps/chips. Mainly the nature in which the power/torque is setup. Could this be my problem?

Welcome to the wonderful world of piss poor throttle mapping. Makes people think wow look at all the power I have but is just fooling them. Makes it hard in the wet and snow to get a good traction on take up. TRACS is a waste of time in my opinion.

**CHR15E** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 15:48

Originally Posted by stephenevans99

300bhp +\- a few horses, combined with fwd = wheel spin. Nature of the Beast unfortunately

Definitely the case for me at the minute.

Originally Posted by WOODY T5

dont we all mate got a gripper diff and some maxx rt tyres on my car much better grip still not great tho

Anything has to be better than mine now.

Originally Posted by darzmat

My 850 was the same.

T1r's are probably one of the worse tyres ive ever used.
I had them on a 306 gti6 and I couldnt get grip so I would never bother fitting them to the volvo

I've used Toyo's for years on different NASP cars of 150-200BHP and always been fine. In this though they're terrible.

Originally Posted by T5RatherAmusin

I use vredestein vorti and the grip is just ridiculously good! it could grip on the Thames I bet lol

they really do surprise me. my old tyres would spin as soon as boost would come in. that's no fun!

How much are they mate?

Exactly what mine does and around the peak torque area.

Originally Posted by wegal

vredstiens sasanta is probably the grippiest tyre wet or dry ive ever used. I had them on my 300 whp s60 and it didn't spin up much wet or dry. I now have them on a 400+ bhp XKR and they don't spin up on that either.

Any ideas on cost mate?

Originally Posted by Shinsplintz 101

Suspension is an important factor, too soft eg knackered old dampers & it's gonna make the front spin even easier. Good stiff front will help keep the powe down & aid traction. Good tyres also help as stated above!

Originally Posted by Saaamon

What suspension have you got?

Stock as far as I know, maybe even original?

Originally Posted by stribo

My traction improved when I fitted coilovers, but as said above that much power in a FWD car is only going to end one way. I don't think the P1 Rs had an LSD, though I could be wrong.

Oh, sure I read somewhere they did?

Originally Posted by Redbrick

Welcome to the wonderful world of piss poor throttle mapping. Makes people think wow look at all the power I have but is just fooling them. Makes it hard in the wet and snow to get a good traction on take up. TRACS is a waste of time in my opinion.

Bought it like it unfortunately. It was done in 2006 I think. I've only had it 2 years.

Not even sure mine's working? How would I know?

**T5RatherAmusin** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 15:58

The vred vorti cost me 112 each the sessanta where 108
but the vorti are the ones to go for

**Saaamon** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 16:25

Originally Posted by CHR15E

Stock as far as I know, maybe even original?

Theres your problem.

**CHR15E** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 18:47

Originally Posted by Saaamon

Theres your problem.

So should I just replace like for like or go for something better?

It does have a strut brace on if that makes any difference?

I've just had a read on a few tyres and it does seem that there's better tyres out there than the toyos. Think I need to go and see my tyre man.

**Saaamon** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 19:31

I replaced like for like with lowering springs and to be honest it made little to no difference, then fitted KW v2s and the difference was amazing. I have Kumos and find them to be more than up to the job.

**merc85** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 19:37

Tracs only works below 30mph, Since fiiting my coil overs grip is soooo much better, and its also improved with fitting the 18's. Tyre wise im on Hankook v12's

Tbh fwd and 300bhp its always gonna spin in the wet

**JamesT5** · Sunday 23rd February 2014, 19:55

Get some Goodride SW608 winter tyres like I have, very well priced and I've had no wet grip problems.

**CHR15E** · Tuesday 25th February 2014, 06:44

I think tyres will be my first port of call. Then I'll look at the suspension.

I'm going to be ready for some soon anyway.

Thanks all.

**jamesy12345** · Tuesday 25th February 2014, 08:21

Originally Posted by Redbrick

Welcome to the wonderful world of piss poor throttle mapping. Makes people think wow look at all the power I have but is just fooling them. Makes it hard in the wet and snow to get a good traction on take up. TRACS is a waste of time in my opinion.

My phase 2 '98 V70R was like that, loads of power straight away so I thought it was great until I tried a one with an accelerator cable!

Looking on the net those are pretty good tyres......are the tyres worn or old maybe?? Made get a 4-wheel alignment done?

**Shinsplintz 101** · Tuesday 25th February 2014, 11:00

These came on the front of my 850 R when I got it before xmas:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Neuton/NT5000.htm

Got to be honest, once my front dampers were turned up to hard, these have been brilliant - never even heard of them before! I've given the car a good thrashing in both wet & dry & found them great. The wheels are always going to spin on a powerful FWD car but grip through the twisties on hard acceleration with these has been very good. Good luck as tyre choice is a very dark art.......