fastyz400

I use to own a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP, FWD 323 ft/lb. of torque. It had very minimal torque steer. I came across a write up from car & driver as to why.

This is a radical departure from conventional wisdom, and the idea proved out in initial testing. But there was a nasty side effect: Increasing the contact patch at the front amplified torque steer. However, after experimenting with a number of different tires from a variety of manufacturers, Minch and company decided the problem lay in the tire's construction-the way the plies were wrapped-and not the footprint. With sufficient application of power, the tire sidewalls distort, thus affecting directional stability.

Bridgestone, the supplier of choice, was initially reluctant to accept this theory, but when the GXP team achieved improved results using an off-the-shelf tire from another maker, the Bridgestone people got to work and developed a tire that delivered the desired performance.

For the full article: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/..._test/(page)/1

Would be intresting to try a set of the Bridgestone Potenza RE050As, if they made it in our size.

jstabreadwgn55182

That's pretty interesting man i would like to try them out as well once my stock tires get beat ...

GreaseMonkey

It's not the tire's traction ability that makes torque steer. It's uneven suspension angles which creates uneven driveline angles. Tire width and wheel width also plays a part too.

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'08 Caliber SRT4

fastyz400

Grease,

I don't know about all that, but I do know that my GXP had very minimal torque steer compared to my CSRT4.

I remember when I first punched it in 2nd (CSRT4), I almost went off the road. lol.

My GXP gave a small tug off the line, then just went straight.
- It had a custom tune
- Cat back exhaust
- k&n

So, I'm sure it put more power down than stock, and still very minimal torque steer compared with my CSRT4.

I'm just saying the article mentioned sidewall distortion on the front tire during acceleration. It does make sense. You see the sidewall distortion on a Top Fuel dragster when taking off. Sample principle.

GreaseMonkey

That car has a different suspension and driveline setup. The tire itself has very little to do with it. You're talking about rotational force and how it affects side to side pull, which it really doesn't do.

With the drag tires, you're comparing super soft rubber compounds with almost 0 pressure in the tire compared to a much harder street tire compound with 32 psi or more in the tire. The sidewall on the CSRT4 do not deform much, there isn't much sidewall there to begin with.

Main things that cause torque steer are uneven and unequal length drivelines or driveline angles, along with engine/transmission movement, and suspension flex.

If you notice with this car, it's virtually nonexistent on a flat even road with the steering wheel straight. Hit a slant or dip in the road and it yanks it one way or another. That's because of those drive line angles. If you turn the wheel, you're changing those angles and will get torque steer.

Changing tires/wheels to a lighter package may help, along with changing wheel width. Major ways to upgrade is to stiffen up the front suspension, go to solid engine and trans mounts. The driveline angles you won't be able to do much with.

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'08 Caliber SRT4

PTPerformance

Great read, thanks for the informative post.

platinm

Ya, good post. Switching back and forth from the STI to the SRT is different to say the least. I would like to cure this problem as well.

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2008 SRT-4 (Sunburst Orange)
2006 Subaru STI (20 G Turbo, Meth Injection, etc.)

PTPerformance

I will be working on something that I hope cures the torque steer or a least makes it more manigable (sp).

08S-R-T-4

I found it a little bad at first but I dont even notice it anymore. You just get use to it after a while.

devildog89

Same here, not so bad after you get use to it.

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2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4, black, MS1, K&N Drop-In