Faster with VCD off?

chubbs · 04-18-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeverianB

...If you are an average driver, going about your business...leave the VDC on. Of this there is no doubt. None.

Which leads inevitably to the question, "How many of you bought a 370Z because you aspire to being 'an average driver, going about your business...'?". A poll is probably not required.

Anyone who owns a Z wants to be able to drive it without VDC 'saving their life' - or maybe they should have bought a Volvo instead.

Anyone sensible person who is new to RWD will gradually get to know the character of their car over a period of time and train themselves to enjoy the possibilities it offers them - without nanny VDC sitting beside them all the time. I did.

Pushing_Tin · 04-18-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

This is just something you have to get used to in a rear-wheel-drive car with a good HP/Weight ratio. Find somewhere (without cars or curbs) to practice, and you'll learn to modulate the throttle to control the oversteer - either avoid it completely, or do a 180 if the situation calls for it (makes for much tigher U-turns

), or anything in between. Once you have a feel for that oversteer, it makes it much easier to ride the edge of it when going through curves, too.

All of my cars (15-20) except two have been RWD, so I know a lot about oversteer. My impression of this car is due to its very short wheelbase and light weight its difficult to drive it right up to the edge of a spin out like most RWD cars I've had. My other cars had a very large sweet spot that was fairly predictable the Z on the other hand will surprise you due to the sweet spot being very small before loss of control. I have not been to the track in this car yet, and I'm sure that will help.

How a track or sport setting was left off of this car is beyond me.

355890 · 04-18-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushing_Tin

My other cars had a very large sweet spot that was fairly predictable the Z on the other hand will surprise you due to the sweet spot being very small before loss of control.

However that so called sweet spot will take a lot longer coming than the other vehicles you describe.

tvfreakazoid · 04-19-2009, 03:31 PM

I see what your saying. But none of my previous cars that I had including the one i drive right now (98 saturn) doesn't have the VDC. But Then again I don't drive aggressive or fast with that car. And that may change when I get the 370z. I may want drive it a little harder then usual.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeverianB

Leave the VDC on at all times in your case... unless you want to do something that it prevents, such as doing a burn-out, getting the tail end out, etc. (you know, crazy bad stuff... FUN stuff)

Electronic stability control has been PROVEN to save lives. On every type of car that has had a version with VDC/ESC and one without, the number of fatal accidents is 50% less in the VDC version of the car. This has been proven time and time again.

If you are an average driver, going about your business...leave the VDC on. Of this there is no doubt. None.

meldazii · 04-20-2009, 10:46 PM

Anyone who owns a Z wants to be able to drive it without VDC 'saving their life' - or maybe they should have bought a Volvo instead.

hey dont hate on volvos

its a great first care to learn on. Also my
S60-R with all the computer aids off is a ball to drive especially in the wet and snow

but i know what you mean thats why im hopefully getting my soon to be 18yearold *** in the z and taking sum more advanced driving schools beacuse safty first lmao

frost · 04-20-2009, 10:49 PM

When I had my f-bods equipped with traction control, there were companies who sold "reverse modules" that made it so the car turned on with the TC off, and you actually had to press the button to turn it on. That was VERY handy. They ever make anything like that for the Zs?

Thechidz · 10-09-2011, 12:01 AM

I was getting so annoyed that when I would accelerate it felt like my car was not engaging the gear

I turned VDC off and it feels like I'm driving a different car, it's now doing what it's "supposed" to do

cossie1600 · 10-09-2011, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushing_Tin

This car really needs a sport or track setting for the VDC. It's way too intrusive on the normal setting. A few times I have tried to hit a gap in traffic and instead of rapid acceleration I get a bogged down engine.

Now a few times I have had it off during periods of "spirited driving" I have nearly spun the car out. The wheelbase is so short it has been difficult to control the oversteer without it snapping around like a bullwhip. You have to really watch it if you're driving hard with the VDC off imo.

try driving a corvette or s2000, the Z is nothing. Heck, the 350 was more prone to spins than the 370...

Pharmacist · 10-09-2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

try driving a corvette or s2000, the Z is nothing. Heck, the 350 was more prone to spins than the 370...

True. Actually the z seems to have too much understeer from the factory. And my aftermarket tires seem to have made it worse. I'd like to modify the suspension and dial out some of that irritating understeer.

Cell · 10-09-2011, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeverianB

Leave the VDC on at all times in your case... unless you want to do something that it prevents, such as doing a burn-out, getting the tail end out, etc. (you know, crazy bad stuff... FUN stuff)

Electronic stability control has been PROVEN to save lives. On every type of car that has had a version with VDC/ESC and one without, the number of fatal accidents is 50% less in the VDC version of the car. This has been proven time and time again.

If you are an average driver, going about your business...leave the VDC on. Of this there is no doubt. None.

Unfortunately a large percentage of drivers are bad drivers and unfortunately the average drive will fall into the large percentage of bad drivers.

With that being said, that is why VDC has saved so many lives...

cossie1600 · 10-09-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

True. Actually the z seems to have too much understeer from the factory. And my aftermarket tires seem to have made it worse. I'd like to modify the suspension and dial out some of that irritating understeer.

you can get a lot of it out by getting the same size front and rear tires, no need for suspension unless you really want to take it to the next level or you just want to spend the money. also the diff most of the time will do a one wheel spin a lot of time instead of getting into drift mode

Red__Zed · 10-09-2011, 10:43 AM

holy bump from the depths...this is an old *** thread.

wrt dialing out understeer, going square and tossing on a rear sway will help a lot.

Mt Tam I am · 10-09-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

you can get a lot of it out by getting the same size front and rear tires, no need for suspension unless you really want to take it to the next level or you just want to spend the money. also the diff most of the time will do a one wheel spin a lot of time instead of getting into drift mode

RE: you can get a lot of it out by getting the same size front and rear tires,...

Really! Do I get wider fronts or more narrow rears? I already played with my suspension so maybe it is too late, the understeer is gone already.

Red__Zed · 10-09-2011, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

RE: you can get a lot of it out by getting the same size front and rear tires,...

Really! Do I get wider fronts or more narrow rears? I already played with my suspension so maybe it is too late, the understeer is gone already.

Wider fronts / narrower rears.

You want to increase the amount of front grip relative to the rear

Snakes709 · 10-09-2011, 12:24 PM

Not sure what everyone else said since im not really every post.

Yes the car has more power with it fully off. If you dont want it on and you want the power increase (mainly the low end) pull off the center piece where your E-brake is and you will see the harness for the VDC. Disconnect the wire and it will be 100% off...unlike remaining on by 15-25% when you push the button) You will feel the difference in the low/mid range of the power band.

10-09-2011, 12:01 AM	#52 (permalink)
Thechidz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NY Posts: 1,009 Drives: Nissan 370z Monti Bl Rep Power: 16	I was getting so annoyed that when I would accelerate it felt like my car was not engaging the gear I turned VDC off and it feels like I'm driving a different car, it's now doing what it's "supposed" to do __________________ I <3 my car

10-09-2011, 12:24 PM	#60 (permalink)
Snakes709 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton Posts: 1,205 Drives: 2011 Evo-X GSR Rep Power: 18	Not sure what everyone else said since im not really every post. Yes the car has more power with it fully off. If you dont want it on and you want the power increase (mainly the low end) pull off the center piece where your E-brake is and you will see the harness for the VDC. Disconnect the wire and it will be 100% off...unlike remaining on by 15-25% when you push the button) You will feel the difference in the low/mid range of the power band. __________________ 2011 Evo-GSR AMS 2.4 stroker/ bore, FP Black build in progress. Sponsor: DSG Performance

04-20-2009, 10:46 PM	#50 (permalink)
meldazii Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: toronto Posts: 6 Drives: S60-R Rep Power: 16	Anyone who owns a Z wants to be able to drive it without VDC 'saving their life' - or maybe they should have bought a Volvo instead. hey dont hate on volvos its a great first care to learn on. Also my S60-R with all the computer aids off is a ball to drive especially in the wet and snow but i know what you mean thats why im hopefully getting my soon to be 18yearold *** in the z and taking sum more advanced driving schools beacuse safty first lmao

04-20-2009, 10:49 PM	#51 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	When I had my f-bods equipped with traction control, there were companies who sold "reverse modules" that made it so the car turned on with the TC off, and you actually had to press the button to turn it on. That was VERY handy. They ever make anything like that for the Zs?

10-09-2011, 10:43 AM	#57 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	holy bump from the depths...this is an old *** thread. wrt dialing out understeer, going square and tossing on a rear sway will help a lot.