Car shift's to the left when accelerating. Normal?

[reNeglect]

The thing is inconsistent. At times I mash on the gas and it goes straight. I'm starting to think it has to do with the road and tires. Either way, I've gotten better at managing, I just want to restore the trust and confidence I had when it was on stock tires.

Are you tuned as well? I assume the run of the mill bolt on’s, from DP, maybe flex fuel?

I’m having similar issues, but for example if you’re referring to like dead stop and basically launch it (just flooring it) that’s normal.

if you’re rolling at lower speeds then mash the gas and it pulls to the left, I experience this too. This is just how RWD is.

if you’re referring to doing a pull to high speeds then trying to lane change and you feel the front end sway left right left right... I think this is because the suspension is too soft...

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[underdonk]

The thing is inconsistent. At times I mash on the gas and it goes straight. I'm starting to think it has to do with the road and tires. Either way, I've gotten better at managing, I just want to restore the trust and confidence I had when it was on stock tires.

I hear ya. I would still recommend taking it to the dealer and asking them about it. It's not normal and may be something they can work out for you.

 

[Supbrah]

I didn’t see it in your original post but did you have the car aligned after the suspension and wheels? I’m on stock suspension with slightly lighter VS Forged wheels and am OTS stage 1 93 octane tuned. My car was stepping to the left pretty consistently, then I got the car aligned today and it doesn’t step out nearly as much as it did.

There was a little too much traffic to really get on it but the initial feeling is positive.

 

[ChrisD]

I get this a lot in mine as well as just general twitchy/wobbly weirdness in all sorts of other situations. It was noticeable when it was stock (I mentioned it in my first impressions review 2 days after I got the car). It does it even more now its lowered and has different wheels and tyres - even after trying two different alignments.

I've had a lot of high powered RWD cars and done a lot of drifting in all of them so I know what a car feels like when it is just breaking traction due to throttle inputs. That is not what is happening here and none of the other cars have ever felt anything like this.

It is NOT normal for RWD unless you're actually breaking the tyres loose and its pretty obvious when that is what's happening. That's not what is happening here.

 

[BMW_YOTA]

I get this a lot in mine as well as just general twitchy/wobbly weirdness in all sorts of other situations. It was noticeable when it was stock (I mentioned it in my first impressions review 2 days after I got the car). It does it even more now its lowered and has different wheels and tyres - even after trying two different alignments.

I've had a lot of high powered RWD cars and done a lot of drifting in all of them so I know what a car feels like when it is just breaking traction due to throttle inputs. That is not what is happening here and none of the other cars have ever felt anything like this.

It is NOT normal for RWD unless you're actually breaking the tyres loose and its pretty obvious when that is what's happening. That's not what is happening here.

Thanks for the feedback. Do you have a 21? I love the car but if this handling situation is not sorted out and oil burning probably going to get rid of it. I love how it looks and drives aside from the shifting but these two things are annoying.

 

[LcKenji]

Thanks for the feedback. Do you have a 21? I love the car but if this handling situation is not sorted out and oil burning probably going to get rid of it. I love how it looks and drives aside from the shifting but these two things are annoying.

You can cheat a little and air out the rear tires or soften the rear suspension so it sits better.

You can also toe in a little more so its more stable.

 

[BMW_YOTA]

You can cheat a little and air out the rear tires or soften the rear suspension so it sits better.

You can also toe in a little more so its more stable.

I have an appointment with an alignment guy. Let's see. I'll circle back.

 

[Paolo]

Mine shifts to the left and to the right and I love it. ?

Traction is a real problem once you start modding these cars. Wider tires will help for sure.

-RJM

Yes noticed the same today in cold 45F/8C temps.

Is lots of fun but watch it as the supra has silly amounts of power and will slip even going from first to second gear.

What I noticed that works well is a gradual initial acceleration and then move the pedal faster.

Any initial stomp and you'll spin unless tires are hot.

This car wants slow initial to get the bite and then go for it.

Safe driving supra owners.

 

[underdonk]

This is a very interesting conversation, especially in context of the suspension design issues that have been addressed between the '20s and the '21s. I've owned relatively stout RWD cars all my life and have never had the car feel like the front was pulling to one side under power. It interesting to hear that more than one of us (I am not on my '21) are experiencing it and that at least one of us are experiencing it to a greater extent after lowering their vehicle. I'm really interested to see if the alignment resolves the issue for the OP - I've heard some of the cars are coming from the factory with an alignment fairly well outside of spec.

 

[BMW_YOTA]

Update - I've visited an alignment shop and the guy seemed to know what he's doing. He did the alignment while I was in the car, adjusted the height slightly and seem to have made a significant difference but not perfect. I still tend to lose confidence at any speed over 100mph as the steering seems floaty and not planted as I'd like them to be. The mechanic did notice control arms do have some play in them so I'm wondering if that can be playing a role. Also, front tires are 275 /30 / 19. I think running 255/30/19 would have felt a bit better. I witness a buddy of mine crash his supra the other day, not much damage was done but he def lost control on a curve. Granted he was driving at high speed and not the best tires. I have a 328xi and do not feel nearly as confident in the supra as I do in the 328xi at high speed. Wheel base is different and 328 is an AWD but still. Anyway, I'm thinking about spending the money on some SPL control arms and camber kits to see if this would help with keeping the car straight and planted.

 

[reNeglect]

Update - I've visited an alignment shop and the guy seemed to know what he's doing. He did the alignment while I was in the car, adjusted the height slightly and seem to have made a significant difference but not perfect. I still tend to lose confidence at any speed over 100mph as the steering seems floaty and not planted as I'd like them to be. The mechanic did notice control arms do have some play in them so I'm wondering if that can be playing a role. Also, front tires are 275 /30 / 19. I think running 255/30/19 would have felt a bit better. I witness a buddy of mine crash his supra the other day, not much damage was done but he def lost control on a curve. Granted he was driving at high speed and not the best tires. I have a 328xi and do not feel nearly as confident in the supra as I do in the 328xi at high speed. Wheel base is different and 328 is an AWD but still. Anyway, I'm thinking about spending the money on some SPL control arms and camber kits to see if this would help with keeping the car straight and planted.

My Supra is aligned as well on KW V3's. Honestly the KW V3's helped a bit, but it was more so handling than anything. Today I got my front strut brace and after the install I went for a good drive and.... it made a HUGE difference. I would say at least 75% better.

 

[strohw]

Wanted to add to this thread. Mine would pull left or right during moderate to hard acceleration as well. I've had the car up to 135mph so far and it didn't feel too bad but there was some float to it. I've had my X3M up to 160mph and it fells more solid.

Took it in for an alignment today and toe was out like a lot of other peoples. I tested some pulls afterwards and the car tracks straight now under hard acceleration. I'm not sure on the 100mph+ experience yet though.

 

[BMW_YOTA]

Wait .. Does the supra have rear toe? The alignment guy said it didn't? Forgive my ignorance but something is not adding up.

 

[underdonk]

Update - I've visited an alignment shop and the guy seemed to know what he's doing. He did the alignment while I was in the car, adjusted the height slightly and seem to have made a significant difference but not perfect. I still tend to lose confidence at any speed over 100mph as the steering seems floaty and not planted as I'd like them to be. The mechanic did notice control arms do have some play in them so I'm wondering if that can be playing a role. Also, front tires are 275 /30 / 19. I think running 255/30/19 would have felt a bit better. I witness a buddy of mine crash his supra the other day, not much damage was done but he def lost control on a curve. Granted he was driving at high speed and not the best tires. I have a 328xi and do not feel nearly as confident in the supra as I do in the 328xi at high speed. Wheel base is different and 328 is an AWD but still. Anyway, I'm thinking about spending the money on some SPL control arms and camber kits to see if this would help with keeping the car straight and planted.

Interesting - thanks for the update. I've had the car up around 145mph plenty of times (factory alignment) and thought it felt fine for a short wheelbase car. Echoing what @reNeglect said, I installed the Cusco front brace on my '21 and it felt even better at speed, especially when the road was bumpy or I was taking a very gradual curve and the suspension/chassis was loaded up. I will say, maybe part of the light and floaty feel is coming from the typical Toyota over-boosted power steering? I would imagine the steering on that 3-Series is probably heavier and you get more road feel. As you mention, I'm considering a full SPL setup as well for the (significantly) additional road feel.

 

[reNeglect]

Interesting - thanks for the update. I've had the car up around 145mph plenty of times (factory alignment) and thought it felt fine for a short wheelbase car. Echoing what @reNeglect said, I installed the Cusco front brace on my '21 and it felt even better at speed, especially when the road was bumpy or I was taking a very gradual curve and the suspension/chassis was loaded up. I will say, maybe part of the light and floaty feel is coming from the typical Toyota over-boosted power steering? I would imagine the steering on that 3-Series is probably heavier and you get more road feel. As you mention, I'm considering a full SPL setup as well for the (significantly) additional road feel.

Do you have the sway bars? What’s your current setup? I’m thinking about get sway bars to see how much more reduction in swaying.

I’m on KW V3 with 275/305 tires they’re mismatched right now cause P4S are still hard to get (back ordered) but will be switching to 265/305. I’m about a one finger drop front and rear, and just added the blitz strut brace.

alignment is set to:
front: -2 camber, 0.11 toe in.
rear: -2.5 camber, 0.17 toe in.

as of currently the swaying to left or right under acceleration is reduced by at least 75% or so with the strut brace and I’m quite happy with it. Just a little more would bring it to where I want...

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