Active Handling
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 198
Likes: 1
From: Cape Coral FL
Active Handling
So today I took a quick, sharp turn (I was in a rush).
Thank god there were no other cars around, but I completely spun out, doing a 360.
My 1998 Corvette doesn't have active handling, and I understand that earlier models of that year didn't get it...is it possible to upgrade one's car with active handling if it didn't originally come with the option?
Just wondering, because I just about shat my pants doing that 360!
Thank god there were no other cars around, but I completely spun out, doing a 360.
My 1998 Corvette doesn't have active handling, and I understand that earlier models of that year didn't get it...is it possible to upgrade one's car with active handling if it didn't originally come with the option?
Just wondering, because I just about shat my pants doing that 360!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Hemet California
That's scary! Glad you're okay, and glad there wasn't anyone else around, or it could have ended a lot worse than it did....I have a '98 too. I asked this question a few weeks ago, and I basically got the answer of it's a lot more trouble than it's worth, unfortunately.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 198
Likes: 1
From: Cape Coral FL
Thanks! Yeah I lucked out a lot, especially when I drove by an officer just further down the street after stalling in the middle of it.
But dang, so it involves a lot of work and money pretty much?
But dang, so it involves a lot of work and money pretty much?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 4
From: Palo Alto CA
I am guessing you need new rear tires, or your driving skills need a LOT of work. Either way, I recommend you try autocrossing a few times. The best mod is the driver mod. I did that when I was 16 when I "borrowed" my father's Supra Turbo which had worn rear tires. I started to learn how to drive for real, after that. I also learned to respect a high powered RWD car at that point. A great learning moment in my life.
I know nothing about actually adding active handling, but based on other cars I would assume it is basically impossible to add. On my old car (Charger SRT8), the electronics that controlled the ESP was more expensive than the 6.1L Hemi. Not to mention, I think it would cost a TON to get it installed correctly. They said that the ESP module on the Dodge (which came from Mercedes) was the most expensive thing on the car!
So if you really want it, I expect it would be less expensive to just upgrade to a car that came with it. But as I said before, I would just try to improve my driving skills if I were you. And autocrossing is about the best way to do it cheaply. Or you could try a road coarse driving school. Also check those tires and tire pressure!
I know nothing about actually adding active handling, but based on other cars I would assume it is basically impossible to add. On my old car (Charger SRT8), the electronics that controlled the ESP was more expensive than the 6.1L Hemi. Not to mention, I think it would cost a TON to get it installed correctly. They said that the ESP module on the Dodge (which came from Mercedes) was the most expensive thing on the car!
So if you really want it, I expect it would be less expensive to just upgrade to a car that came with it. But as I said before, I would just try to improve my driving skills if I were you. And autocrossing is about the best way to do it cheaply. Or you could try a road coarse driving school. Also check those tires and tire pressure!
Last edited by Grimlock; Sep 19, 2011 at 09:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 198
Likes: 1
From: Cape Coral FL
I just bought new front tires, and the rear tires are a little worn.
However, I definitely need to improve my driving skills. I was in a rush (late for class an hour away) and took a quick, fast turn, and was a bit overzealous at that point.
I would like to learn how to drive for real...don't want to get a new car because this one has a lot of meaning to me being my passed away uncle's car and its still great! I'll have to look into autocrossing and that driver's mod.
However, I definitely need to improve my driving skills. I was in a rush (late for class an hour away) and took a quick, fast turn, and was a bit overzealous at that point.
I would like to learn how to drive for real...don't want to get a new car because this one has a lot of meaning to me being my passed away uncle's car and its still great! I'll have to look into autocrossing and that driver's mod.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,302
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From: Palo Alto CA
Anything is possible, but you would need to add all the sensors and whatnot. Sure it is possible but I bet it would cost less to just upgrade to a different car.
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Not trying to be mean, But it sounds like you need to learn your car's limit and also your driving limit, It seems like you went way beyound the point of no return.
Back in the day we had to drive our HHP cars, We didn't have all the nanny stuff to watch over us as the cars today have.
Just my 2 cents.
Mr.Bill
Back in the day we had to drive our HHP cars, We didn't have all the nanny stuff to watch over us as the cars today have.
Just my 2 cents.
Mr.Bill
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Yes, you could add active handling, but like has been mentioned, it won't be cheap. 