Awesome. It should work with an AEM EmS, correct?

 

Yup. We started out with OEM ECU and it still works now that we're AEM EMS'd.

 

Exactly. So it seems like if I can swing for AP2 it would be safer in the winter but Race Logic is 90% there... Also what else makes the AP2 less twitchy? Steering rack and alignment?

 

Well, IMHO stability control is more than a 10% improvement over traction control. If you're concerned about it get an 06+ if possible.

 

My understanding is that the stability control system requires a whole bunch of parts/sensors. I have not yet come across any add-on, plug-and-play products.....

 

But a decent driver may never hit that hairy 10% that VSA would have spared a ham fisted driver from.

I'd rather have an AP1 on snow tires and without traction control than an 06 AP2 on all seasons (because the newer car ate up the tire budget).

 

I don't buy the decent driver VSA argument. No one is on top of their game 100% of the time on the street, and there are tons of variables with the other yahoos out there.

 

I agree with you.

I think TC / VSA is very useful, even if you're a good driver.

What I was saying is:

The times during Winter (assuming snow) that TC is helpful. You're rolling on the throttle gently on a left-hand, off-camber turn. There's a patch of slush hidden beneath the surface snow. As you crest the center ridge, the weight offloads from the rear at the same time you hit the slush. You were driving 10mph under the level of grip for the regular snow, but the combination of the weight transfer and the unseen slush causes the rear to break free. You were mid-turn and with the slush, you were only 5mph over the speed in which you'd regain grip.

Scenario #1: No TC, good driver. You realize that the rears have broken through (the rpms shot 2000 past where they needed to be) and your reaction is good enough to save it. You steadied the throttle without lifting too much or gassing too much. Car wiggles a little.

Scenario #2: TC, good driver. The little patch of slush goes basically unnoticed. The TC prevented the rears from revving past the point of regaining grip when you hit the slush. Your car was pointed in the correct direction to start with and you weren't driving too fast for conditions (except for the patch of slush... which you couldn't see).

Scenario #3: VSA, inexperienced driver. Came in too hot. Wasn't on the right line. Pulls the wheel over and the car starts plowing forward. VSA kicks in and helps reorient the car.

So while VSA can do things that TC cannot, I think a good driver won't necessarily need the added functionality of VSA over TC.

That was the point I was making. That VSA can do a lot of things... but a good driver may never need more than basic Traction Control (which I think is immensely helpful in low-traction conditions).

 

If youre not expecting a spin, at 2am while driving normally and unexpectedly hitting a slippery patch of road, you gotta be some kind of god to have the proper reaction in a split second.

 

I'm not a godly driver. I don't have that much experience spinning out and correcting it.

I will be taking winter driving courses and going to HDPE's soon but like one of the previous posters said thats not going to save me all the time.