slalom44

If you've never experienced severe wheel hop, you don't know what the OP is talking about. Bad struts can give you poor handling or annoying bounce on less-than-smooth pavement but won't give you that dramatic bounce that feels like someone threw a switch and got your car to bounce like an unbalanced washing machine in spin cycle.

OP - Check all mounts. Motor, tranny and diff mounts with any extra free play could cause this. I wouldn't have made this suggestion if I hadn't experienced this firsthand (though not with an S2000).

Kmelthratter

Differential Mounts. I popped one of my at the drag strip, all 4 eventually went out due to age. They are relatively inexpensive from the dealership.

Kmelthratter

It is not a solid axle car, but it does have oil jets to cool the pistons. Just sayin.

starchland

I would look at alignment as well

zeroptzero

The only time I've experienced wheel hop was on front wheel drive cars, rear wheel cars should be much smoother to launch. It sounds like a mechanical issue, worn rear struts could definitely cause this. I don't have traction control on my ap1 so I can't say if that is a cause of your issue or not ?

Brian339

Even drag cars grenade clutches and break drive lines.
Any way you want to put it, driving any car in this manner is just wrong. You are not only asking for a break down you deserve it. Just because you can do it doesn't mean it should be done.
A lot of fun can be had in these cars just shifting in high revs. I am into spirited driving myself. I like spinning my tires around turns. I like shifting at 8k.
Not trying to be a ball breaker. Just think about it that's all.

Car Analogy

I'm the OP. I DO NOT LAUNCH MY CAR, ever, no matter what your definition of 'launch' is. I am familiar with VSA, what occurs when it engages, and how to disable it. The wheel hop I am refering to only occurs when VSA is disabled (otherwise VSA would kick in and prevent wheel spin, thereby obviating any possible wheel hop.)

The wheel hop occurs when I accelerate vigorously, and power overcomes traction. These are not 'off the line' scenarios (which would indeed be launching), they are low traction conditions encountered after already taking off or when performing sharp cornering in low gear while accelerating. In any condition when tires break traction, and wheel spin occurs, I get wheel hop.

Note its not like wheel spin is a daily occurance with my driving, but it has occurred, more than a few times, and each time wheel hop occurs.

My first question was if this is normal, I think we've established its not. Thanks all. Second was what could be wrong. So far I heard rear struts, and mounts, not just diff but also trans and motor.

I will investigate both, thanks. Other suggestions?

Brian339

Your obviously doing something wrong when you drive vigorously as you put it. Probably shouldn't do it anymore or you will break something for sure.

grubinski

Or else there is something wrong with his car. He is not "obviously" doing something wrong.

Brian339

Its obvious he is doing something wrong. If he is doing it and there is something wrong with his car thats even worse wouldnt you say?
So whats your point??