Perhaps it is my driving technique but...Whenever I hit the gas hard at the start ( 5 speed) I get alot of tire spin and rear sway, lousy traction. Can it just be tires or ? Anything to rectify this? I'd like to be exerting more energy forwards than sideways! thanks

 

Road surface?

 

Easiest and most apparent thing to check first... tires might be worn out
PS- Of course, if you're flooring it... no doubt the wheels are going to spin.

 

Exactly what do you mean by hard? Are you flooring it?

 

just punching it but not to the floor!

 

Tires not worn out significantly although i sense that these were the factory tires and may not bethe greatest perfomance tire. What tire do you suggest for fair amount of mileage but better traction?

 

What's 'fair amount of mileage' to you? When I got my Max in Dec., the tires had 42K on it, tires were worn out.
I am an avid fan of Yokohama tires. Mine cost $140 each. It depends on how much you're willing to pay for tires.. price ranges from $70/per to $200+. You can read all you need to know about tires at www.tirerack.com

AnGe

 

You arent dumping the clutch are you? Are you riding it out? How high of a rpm we talking about? It can be your tires or tire pressure as well.

I think you may be dumpin or letting go of the clutch too fast. How long you been driving stick?

 

First get some nice tires,I personaly use Yokohama A520's and I paid $122 a piece at tire rack,they work great compared to stock tires.

Next thing you could do is get a stiffer/sportier suspension such as Tociko shocks and eibach Springs{or something simalar} and this will reduce wait transfer from a hard launch and in turn increase traction.

You could also get some Cattman Engine mounts,these will keep your engine snug against your engine under hard throttle and help to keep more wait on your front end and in turn will give you more traction.

Next,{my favorite} is to get a I30 5spd{very rare} transmission or a Canadian spec 5spd transmission. These transmission's have a VLSD{much like the 20th AE max} which is designed to put more power to the front wheel with the most traction.

With all these add on's your car will launch with confidence. I have everything{except the mounts} listed above on top of a SC and I can really stomp on it and still have traction. Of course I could dump the Clutch and peel out to about 45mph{70mph on the speedo}.BTW It sounds to me you probably have to learn how to launch better,I used to peel out all the time when I first got my 95 Maxima{old car}.

 

Well if apply a lot of horspower at once that'll cause the tires to break. If you gradully put your foot into it then they won't.

 

Actually, I just came off of an automatic. I had a clutch previously but it has been a while. So you are suggesting a slower disengagement of the clutch?

 

I think it may be the launch according to the feedback from fellow enthusiasts, but I appreciate the info as in time I will want to enhance my ride. I guess I will be out there practicing a smoother takeoff and any advice is appreciated!! Thanks

 

It sounds like you might be on the right track. Let the clutch out a bit slower and it may solve your problem. Get a feel for where the friction point is (where the car starts moving under idle (no gas applied) while letting the clutch out slowly. This will help you to gauge how far you can let out the clutch before stepping on the gas. It may also help you to get a better feel for the clutch. Don't do this too much though, it can result in faster clutch wear.

If it does turn out to be the tires, I suggest Dunlop SP Sport 5000 Assymetrical. About $100 each. They seem to be a great all around high performance tire, and they look good. Just my two cents.