C5 FRC traction control
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
C5 FRC traction control
So I’ve been doing some reading and it seems everyone else’s traction control button has multiple functions. Mine only turns on or off but even in the off position the ABS is still active; I can’t even do a sitting burnout. Any ideas?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 302
From: CSRA, SC
You can't turn off ABS with any button. I'm assuming your 99 has similar function to my 2002 but you have a different EBTCM than I do so that may be wrong to assume. If you push my button 1x that turns off both TCS and active handling. Push and hold it, turns on Competition Mode which is TCS off, AH on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
Last edited by turabo87; Oct 10, 2019 at 11:32 AM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
My 99 FRC has no competitive driving/active handling. So mine only turns TCS fully on or fully off. I personally like this simplicity. Less nannies, less headaches when they get old. ABS should remain on all time. That said, you should be able to do a sitting burnout with TCS off.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
YOU ARE CONFUSING TERMS AND FUNCTIONS!
ABS = Antilock Breaking System: Prevents the braking system from locking up any of the tires during a braking event. You can not turn that function off.
Traction Control (TC): That function can be turned OFF using the button on the console. TC, If active (When you do a burnout and it is actively preventing the tires from spinning) will display a message in the DIC that says Traction Control Active and YES, that will limit burnouts.
If you turn it OFF, and if the engine has the required Torque and Horse Power, you will break traction (BURNOUT) When you depress the button on the on the console, do you see a Traction Control OFF message? Do you see the messages and do you hear the BEEP when the system changes from ON to OFF and back to ON?
Not all C5s can enter competitive mode You have the have the EBTCM/BPMV that supports Active Handling RPO JL-4 The feature appeared in 98 as an option and became standard in 2001.
QUESTION.. What Transmission do you have & What Differential gear ratio do you have?? My guess is an A4 and the 2:73 ratio differential. Not very conducive for spirited burnouts.
Please let us know what you have..Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Oct 10, 2019 at 02:32 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 449
Likes: 158
From: Aiken, SC
Also as a side thought, how hard are you holding the brakes for the burnout? If ABS is kicking on, it sounds like you have them slammed on. If you can relax on the brake pedal a little without creeping forward, that may be all the change you need. Tires also play a big part in it if you have something pretty sticky out back
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 302
From: CSRA, SC
It's also worth noting, unless you're doing a competitive drag race with a proper race tire there's never any practical reason to do a brake stand unless you like evaporating money into grey smoke....
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
i do have a stock 6 speed but I have 3.73 gears.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
I have a 2000 FRC and I have to hold my AH/TC button at least 10-15 seconds to get to competitive mode--use it when it rains lightly or driving on a wet course. With stick autocross tires, I can slightly spin my rear wheels but only if I do not have my foot on the brake prior to acceleration.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
If you have 3.73 gears which are not stock you must have a tuner correct the peedo in your car otherise you may get a false trigger of the ABS system
same goes for aftermarket tire sizing this must be corrected in your tune
ALSO if you have aftermarket tires Tou must always retain the stock hieght differnece from back to front The rears being only 1 inch taller IF y ou alter too far away from this hgt differnece again your ABS and TC may false trigger
Has your car been tuned for the 3.73's
What are all your tire sizes ? measure the heights front and rear from the ground to the top of the tire ANY codes ?
same goes for aftermarket tire sizing this must be corrected in your tune
ALSO if you have aftermarket tires Tou must always retain the stock hieght differnece from back to front The rears being only 1 inch taller IF y ou alter too far away from this hgt differnece again your ABS and TC may false trigger
Has your car been tuned for the 3.73's
What are all your tire sizes ? measure the heights front and rear from the ground to the top of the tire ANY codes ?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 302
From: CSRA, SC
This is not true. Tons of people are running the same size tires front to back without issues including me for many miles.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
I did not make this up There was once a site online that was made specifically for C5/C6 's tire sizing where you would input your frnt/rear tire sizes and it would then tell you if your ABS system is in safe tolerance Granted a small change would not make much of a difference ---Typically any change over approx 1/3 of an inch +/-according to this chart was considered to NOT allow the ABS system to work at it's full potential and "could be" unsafe on a high speed hard stop--