Hey Guys,

If I start out at zero then gun it to 60, every time I have a huge loss of control on my front end. It seems like it never wants to stay on the ground. and my tires spin which kicks in the traction control which makes the whole car "Get traction" which shakes the hell out of the car. I really hope there is a possible fix or something to deal with this as I feel very unsafe if I want to have a little fun! Thanks for any help

 

Welcome to torque steer! You can fight it or you can modulate the throttle better (don't WOT it from a stop). Or you can mod it to minimize torque steer, but if you just want "a little fun" that might be too involved.

 

You need to learn how the Mini handles and how to get the most out of it. The car can be driven fast, but you need to understand how to drive it. This isn't just a point and shoot performance car, it needs to be handled deftly.

 

Ok, It just seems like if I pull out and need to not "gun" it but accelerate normally it does the same this i just don't feel safe sometimes under normal conditions that my car wont stay on the ground. But thanks for the tips

 

Modulate the throttle. Take it out and practice. You'll eventually learn how the car handles. I make it a point to take all my cars out when first purchased and learn what they can and can't do. That's why I've been driving my Suzuki Sidekick like a Porsche for 13 years and never once have close to flipping it. Be patient, and you'll be fine.

 

Then once you get used to it install the pulley and CAI, and repeat (LOL)...

The shake when traction control intervenes might be a failing motor mount...

 

at what rpm range, in what gear is this happening?

we are assuming the car has no maintenance faults, but perhaps that is not the case?

i would expect a MCS to take wide open throttle in 2nd if the road is dry and the car is pointed straight. and i mean with no drama at all.

certainly no drama in 3rd, regardless of throttle opening.

so is this throttle induced wheelspin, or something else?

 

Uh, R53's don't torque steer. Unless you are making ridiculous horsepower or your alignment is bad, the car should go perfectly straight on a flat road when you gun it. My car can go perfectly straight at full throttle (rolling along) with my hands hovering over the wheel.

On a related note, turn off the DSC/ASC.

 

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, fast sets off ASC.

Try for smooth. When you accelerate try it on clean pavement (a little spray of gravel off the shoulder will kick the ASC on), roll your foot onto the pedal instead of mashing it.

 

Before you go off half cocked, you a most likely just feeling the front end hopping a bit..., perhaps some sand on the road, or other imperfections...it happens if you don't modulate the throttle right as previously said. Simply too much torque/power, not enough traction, the reason why so many high performance cars are rear wheel drive. The R53 MINI should go pretty straight once it is moving...The advantage of the GEN1 MINI. If it is pulling to one side you might have some type of mechanial issue.
If it is going straight after it is moving, maybe it is time to get tires that are a bit more sticky.....if you want to drive the way you are trying too!!
Like stated previously, a mechanical issues could be getting exacerbated by you hot launches....a worn motor mount, worn half-shafts/CV joints, etc.
I'd turn of the traction control, and play around in a safe place....like a private parking lot, etc....It sounds like this car has signafigantly more HP than you were driving before.....so take it easy till you learn what your car does, or you might end up in a ditch, or hurting somebody.
The MINI can be a very precise tool, and if you know what you are doing, launches can done with surgical precession. Good luck!!

 

Make sure you have a good alignment, if the toe is off it may do this, or worn front end bushings, or even just junk tires.