OK, I got into it, now what does it really do for me?

 

Turns traction control off but keeps active handeling on.

 

Allows you to spin the tires but helps keep you pointed in a straight line.

 

Which years can you do this with?

On my '97, I have traction control only.

 

99 or newer.

 

Later model '98 cars had Active Handling (option JL4) available - mine is one of them. It was on the 1998 Pace car. It was available on 1999 cars and newer and became standard equipment (I believe) in 2002. It was redesigned at that point to be less intrusive.

The intent is that if you are driving in a competitive driving scenario, you can "hang the tail out" - induce oversteer but still control wheelspin.

 

Randy,
you are the man!

 

Thank you all, as always I knew you would have the answers..

 

They always seem to don't they!

Thanks, guys!

 

So how do you turn it on, I would like to experiment with it too. (I just bought my vette, so sorry about the noob question).

 

Push the traction control button and hold it down for about 5 sec. you will see Competative driving show up on your display.

 

Thanks.

 

Redesigned in 2001.

Competition Mode just allows you to spin the rear tires but Active Handling is till Active. That means the car will work to control both understeer and oversteer. It does this through activating the brake on a single wheel. If the car is understeering the outboard rear brake is applied and if it is oversteering the outboard front brake will be applied to yaw the car toward the direction you are pointing the steering wheel. At higher speeds it also can activate rear brake stability control at both rear wheels on corner entry. On the drag strip it serves to keep your butt safe as it will inhibit unexpected swerves if traction is lost on one side of the car or the other.

Bill

 

Now if we can just figure out a way to have the car default to Competitive Mode..... cheaply.

 

www.laptrax.com

The Laptrax unit will set the car to competition mode or tc/ah off at startup. Very easy to install, and only 40 bucks if my memory serves. I have it in my car and love love love it. I have a 2000, so the car has to remain at rest until it's in competition mode, but it's only 5 sec. Usually, by the time I have my seat belt on, the car is ready.

My only complaint came after I installed HID's. The laptrax unit sees the drop in voltage from the HID's firing up and thinks I restarted the car.

I highly recommend the Laptrax.

EDIT: I just went to peek at their website, and it appears to be down. 858-597-0070 is their Phone number, they're in San Diego. I ordered mine when the fires were ablaze, and it took a few exta days because of it. I suppose they may have moved, or something. There may also be a vendor that sells the unit, I'm not sure of any of it.

I'm just very happy with the product, and hope it's still available in the future.

 

Excellent explanation and a good speller too. (Competition)

 

It's a nice feature.
Remember, hit the re-set button on your DIC to remove the "competition mode", and revert back to the display you want.

 

When you turn the engine off it defaults back to AH/TC on the next time you start the engine.

 

when you are sitting there holding the button it feels like you are holding it for a minute before it actually switches to comp mode.

another thing to keep in mind is that early C5's need to be stationary to go into comp mode. I have no idea why, but that's the way it is. newer ones (01+ I think?) you can go into comp mode at any time. this causes some problems with the laptrax unit. I have one which it currently disabled. you can hit the TC button at any time to turn off traction control and AH. but go turn AH back on and just keep TC off in my 99 I have to hold the button while sitting still with the engine running (because if the engine is not running it will reset to all on when I start the car) for 5 seconds (which again feels much longer when you are holding the button) the laptrax has the same limitation, it just holds the button for you. if you start moving within the first 5 seconds of starting the car the end result is TC and AH off, if will turn the systems off but it can't go into comp mode so it can't bring AH back on. at first I thought it wouldn't be a big deal, but in practice I find that it catches me alot. sometimes I roll the car down the driveway before starting the engine, when that happens I get no TC&AH, no comp mode. my routine for getting in the car puts my belt on and parking lights on before I turn the key. when I turn the key I'm ready to start moving 1-2 seconds later. its harder than I thought to break that habbit! so I ended up with TC&AH off more than I wanted.

how can I fix this problem? replace the BCM with a 2001+ version? are the pinouts the same so its just a plug and play and program for my car's options replacement?

why on earth didn't GM design the button the way it should have? pressing should go into comp mode instantly, holding the button for 2 seconds (maximum, 1 would also be ok) should turn off the AH also. plus the TC off indicator should turn on in comp mode also. after you clear the DIC comp mode message, there is no indication whatsoever that your TC is off.

 

I feel your pain, it catches me every now and again too. My routine on entering the car is to start the car, then put on my belt and do whatever else I need to, so it's less obtrusive to me than you. I just drive with it all off til I get where I'm going, or catch a stop light if I roll before it's set. Add to the mix that my HID's cycle the Laptrax, and it gets worse. All the same, I just learn to avoid the actions that lead to the laptrax re-setting, and I'm waaaayyy happy I have it.