drag racing with traction control ON?
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2013
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drag racing with traction control ON? What effect will leaving the traction control on have? Better traction on a suspect surface I would hope but what about once the car got moving? Does it pull timing and/or fuel on the whole pass and kill power?
I ask because of a unique situation. Yes, when we race it's always in competition mode. However, we ventured to the NASCAR facility in Fort Worth this weekend to watch their Friday night drags. We only watched but it was a pretty cool deal and something we'd like to try. On the bottle we make enough power and would be quick enough to be competitive in their quickest class which is Outlaws. However, there is no track prep so we couldn't leave like we normally do. I'll set the progressive controller to come on later down the track but even leaving NA would blow the tires off since there is no rubber down.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Scott
I ask because of a unique situation. Yes, when we race it's always in competition mode. However, we ventured to the NASCAR facility in Fort Worth this weekend to watch their Friday night drags. We only watched but it was a pretty cool deal and something we'd like to try. On the bottle we make enough power and would be quick enough to be competitive in their quickest class which is Outlaws. However, there is no track prep so we couldn't leave like we normally do. I'll set the progressive controller to come on later down the track but even leaving NA would blow the tires off since there is no rubber down.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Scott
I don't know any science to it, but I've always felt like the car was faster if I just worked the pedal to keep from spinning, rather than leaving TC on.
Now if you have a top of the line computer to manage things, that's a different matter (Holley, haltech, etc..) but I don't think the stock tcs would work that well.
I usually have mine off, unless I get stuck in the rain.
Now if you have a top of the line computer to manage things, that's a different matter (Holley, haltech, etc..) but I don't think the stock tcs would work that well.
I usually have mine off, unless I get stuck in the rain.
On DBW throttle bodies you can use the computer/tune for a semi-launch control feature. For example, in the stock tune the computer pulls timing, fuel and feathers the throttle when detecting spin. By eliminating the fuel and timing restrictions, you are left with just the throttle to control spin.
So instead of you having to feather the throttle for the best launch, you can just mash the pedal and the computer will work the throttle however it feels to control spin. Much easier than having to do it yourself and it's not a complete show stopper as with timing and fueling cut in the stock tune.
I always leave TC on when launching and get near perfect launches everytime without much thought. Same with low highway rolls where sometimes it spins and you have to back off then get back on...that **** is slow. The computer does it much faster when it stops detecting spin, so you can keep your foot mashed and let the TC do the work controlling the throttle for traction.
It's not perfect or as good as say modern launch controls, but works well for not having great launch skills.
So instead of you having to feather the throttle for the best launch, you can just mash the pedal and the computer will work the throttle however it feels to control spin. Much easier than having to do it yourself and it's not a complete show stopper as with timing and fueling cut in the stock tune.
I always leave TC on when launching and get near perfect launches everytime without much thought. Same with low highway rolls where sometimes it spins and you have to back off then get back on...that **** is slow. The computer does it much faster when it stops detecting spin, so you can keep your foot mashed and let the TC do the work controlling the throttle for traction.
It's not perfect or as good as say modern launch controls, but works well for not having great launch skills.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From experience, running with TCS on will not do you any favors. I forgot to turn it off on my Ws6 before a pass and the car kicked the pedal back on me until half track. Went 13.1 with a 8.95 1/8 mile where it normally went 8.30 1/8 mile. So yeah, definitely will not help you.
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Yeah, unless you are a hoooooorrible driver, TCS is never faster. Even the new launch control features on cars like the ZR1 and the ZL1 can easily be outlaunched by a good driver. Just keep your wheelspin to an absolute minimum.
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