C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

Traction problems, what should I do?

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Old Dec 13, 2017 | 12:30 AM
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From: Anthem, AZ
'03 C32, '14 Durango R/T, '10 Touareg TDI
Traction problems, what should I do?

I have a 2003 C32 that I have owned about five years and has only 80K miles. It is my weekend fun car. I have the following mods: Eurocharged shorty headers and 62 mm pulley, needswings style intake, and a tune. The pulley was added last so probably could use another tune for best performance. That being said, the car runs very well! I have never taken it to the strip but may in the future. The problem I have, its whenever I accelerate from a stop with more than about 1/2 throttle, tire(s) spin then traction control kicks in. Kind of annoying but good problem to have I guess. Here are what I think my options are:
(1) ease into the throttle and live with it
(2) wavetrac limited slip?
(3) 18" wheels and tires? I like the OEM 17" wheel set up for their lightness. If I go for 18" they will be heavier and ultimately slower but maybe faster off the line.

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
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Old Dec 13, 2017 | 08:06 AM
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2006 E55, 2012 GLK350 & 1992 190e sportline
What tires do you have now?
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Old Dec 13, 2017 | 09:11 AM
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From: Anthem, AZ
'03 C32, '14 Durango R/T, '10 Touareg TDI
Michelin Pilot super sports with about 5k miles.
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Old Dec 13, 2017 | 01:16 PM
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2006 C55
Larger diameter wheels will make wheelspin worse. The shorter side wall tire will have a harder time with straight line acceleration. The Mich are good tires but they're not drag radials.
These cars are geared steeply with that low first gear. You're at the point where you have to learn to drive the car. After you start making a little power, throttle modulation is just as important as knowing how to stay on the driving line.
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Old Dec 13, 2017 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by feets
Larger diameter wheels will make wheelspin worse. The shorter side wall tire will have a harder time with straight line acceleration. The Mich are good tires but they're not drag radials.
These cars are geared steeply with that low first gear. You're at the point where you have to learn to drive the car. After you start making a little power, throttle modulation is just as important as knowing how to stay on the driving line.
It's actually much easier to spin up smaller diameter combos and he's owned the car for 5 years now. I'd hope he's figured out the go-pedal by now.
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Old Dec 13, 2017 | 06:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Accidental L8 apex
It's actually much easier to spin up smaller diameter combos and he's owned the car for 5 years now. I'd hope he's figured out the go-pedal by now.
It's actually much easier to get traction with a taller sidewall tire. If you could run a drag radial on a 15" wheel it would hook harder than an 18" wheel with the same diameter tire. The taller side wall helps transfer the torque without blowing the tire off. It can wrap up like a coil spring and take the hit better.
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Old Dec 14, 2017 | 02:39 AM
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C55 AMG
Originally Posted by steverwrx
Michelin Pilot super sports with about 5k miles.
How old are they, as in the date stamp, when tyres are old they go hard and give little grip, are you running correct pressures, how is the wheel alignment?
Does it spin one or two?
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Old Dec 14, 2017 | 09:45 AM
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b5 a4
You need a LSD. Wavetrac wont work though, only option for us is quaife.
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Old Dec 14, 2017 | 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by feets
It's actually much easier to get traction with a taller sidewall tire. If you could run a drag radial on a 15" wheel it would hook harder than an 18" wheel with the same diameter tire. The taller side wall helps transfer the torque without blowing the tire off. It can wrap up like a coil spring and take the hit better.
Very true, but I thought you meant it was easier to spin up a larger overall diameter wheel/tire combo. My mistake.
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Old Dec 14, 2017 | 04:06 PM
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From: Tucson, AZ
'20 X5 M50i; '17 Ram 3500; Golf Cart; Bikes; Scooters
Move to Colorado where the thin air makes only 75% of sea level HP.

Just kidding, but it is true. I'm moving to sea level again soon and can't wait to have your problem once more.
I would get a 255 width rear in a sticky tire. The Mich PSS are pretty good for stick, can't understand why they break loose.
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Old Dec 14, 2017 | 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by steverwrx
Michelin Pilot super sports with about 5k miles.

had my c32 for 12 years man and nearly same mods as you and same tires.... it wants to just spin like crazy unless you know how to play with the pedal to avoid spin which is an art. Starting in 2nd gear can help. from a stop mine will spin the tires from 1'st to 3rd gear up to about 60+ actually and thats with Pilot Sports on.

something to check - not sure if your accelerator pedal is going out, but i was getting a pending code of p0120 Throttle/Pedal position sensor and just replaced the accelerator pedal and the modulation is much better control.
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