I'm not sure what ever happened with the cartek module debate on here, but a long time ago I asked someone to post/message me the installation instructions. I received a PM from someone and analyzed them based on service manual and came to the conclusion that it couldn't do much more than disable ABS/Traction control by making the ABS module think there was failure in the front left wheel speed sensor circuit. I forgot to post it and got busy at work, but the long version is below:

Cartek module connects to:

12 volts to activate
Ground
Speed Sensor(rear axle)
It splits the circuit going to the front left wheel speed sensor, which you cut
Tach Signal
Throttle Plate Sensor 1

It you look at once one by one:

12 volts to activate- this is power and on signal to cartek module, can not modify performance

Ground - this is gorund to cartek module, can not modify performance

Speed Sensor - this is input to cartek module, it could be messed with by the cartek module, but this would alter the speedometer readings in the HUD and IP as well.

Split the wire connected to the front left wheel speed sensor. What I mean by this is the wheel speed sensor has 2 wires that come out of it and connect to the abs module, when you install the cartek module you cut one of these wires and then connect a wire from the cartek module to the end of the wire that goes to the speed sensor and another wire from the cartek module to the abs module. This explains why abs is lost, it must connect these two wires when it is off, otherwise the system would not work normally ever. When the system is on, it most likely opens that circuit which causes the ABS/Traction control to turn off. It could be sending some kind of signal down this, but since ABS/Traction control off I can't imagine it could affect performance other than turning ABS/Traction control off.

Tach Signal - This is also an input to cartek module, if it messed with this it would alter your Tach reading in the IP/HUD as well

Throttle Plate Sensor 1 signal - This is also an input to cartek module. There are 2 signals sent to the ECM which compares them constantly, if they differ you will go into reduced power mode. Therefore, the cartek module must only use this as input since if it messed with it the vehicle would go into reduced power mode.

My personal opinion and conclusion: Best case is you have a fancy way to turn off abs/traction control by breaking the wheel speed sensor circuit, this has same effect of turning it off using the button. Or, you could simply unplug one of the wheel speed sensors for the same effect or cut the wire. Worst case is they modify the Tach and Speedometer to make it appear to be faster, but nothing they connect to could modify real performance (other than turning ABS off by making the ABS module think there is a problem with left fron wheel speed sensor). I was very disapponted to see that they didn't even tie into anything related to spark advance, the GM LAN, fuel injectors, etc...

Though there may be some merit in their other mods, this one in my opinion is a large paper weight....

 

Is this their torque management solution that everyone is bragging about?

 

yeah, it was debated a lot on here and no one knew how it was supposed to work. That was when I asked for installation instructions, I figured based on what it tied into I could tell something about it. I figured it out based on the PM I got, but never posted what I found. I guess I could still be wrong, but based on what it connects to, I don't see how it could do anything other than turn ABS/Traction off. Someone could argue that it is different when turned off from failure versus button, but I don't think so.

 

In my business if we put out something like that we'ed be sued so fast it would make your head spin.

 

Are you saying this because of potential safety reasons?

 

You advertise it as torque managment and all it does is reduce drag and if you deactivate the ABS what do you think the Insurance companies will do with that.

 

Yeah, I see your point.

 

I suppose they'll do the same exact thing they would do with those that drive pre ABS equipped vehicles and/or that turn off their passenger side airbags and forget to turn them back on. Or do they now simply refuse to insure/cover cars without ABS, airbags, alarms, 5mph bumpers etc?
Or better yet ABS or no ABS, what do you think the insurance companies will think of you racing your car at a track in the first place (which is the ONLY place one would really be using this module anyway)?
Bias ply drag tires?
Skinnies up front?
No cats?
Roll bars/cages?
This isn't the only performance modification that alters a car's stock functions (though it is one the very few that only alters it temporarily as needed, a very POSITIVE thing) yet I don't hear you crying about that stuff.

As I've said before, if you're not a true maximum performance kind of person than you probably shouldn't be modifying/racing your car in the first place.
I guess it's just kind of ironic to me that people with mere 12 second cars have the audacity to actually question the knowledge/skill/integrity of people building consistent 10, 9 even 8 second cars on a regular basis.

 

I always buy things without asking why or how they work....and I never try to think for myself....

I find is surprizing when people who have the money to buy a vehicle like the C6 will put mods into their vehicle without putting any thought into how or why they work...

trust no one, show me the data!

 

Fair enough, and I do agree that being an educated consumer is a good thing.
But still, you must be a regular riot for the plumber, HVAC repairman, telephone system installers etc that come to your house/business to perform their services, they must love it when you think for yourself and feverishly stand right over their shoulders asking why as they work LOL.
Hey it's ok, stock C6s run well too, hope you guys are quite happy running slower than the guys who sometimes choose to trust experts who are more qualified than themselves at certain tasks.

 

But again (and boy does this that's already skeletal remains):

1 - no one from CarTek has ever disclosed just how this affects TM, especially in light of the above info, and the fact that it neither sends to nor receives any input from the ECU. True, that part of the actions of TM might be to modulate the braking system (though that really wouldn't prevent the drivetrain from DEVELOPING the torque, just delivering it), but disabling a safety system is really not the smartest way to go about it.

2 - YOU have never disclosed whether or not YOU own a C6 with the Cartek module (whereby you are not speaking from personal experience), or any DOCUMENTED PERSONAL EXPERIENCE of the benfits of this module.

3 - No one has discussed the Cartek TM recently, because the learning curve for tuning TM out of the ECU has already been crossed - therefore it's been made useless/obsolete (or even more useless than it was to BEGIN WITH).

4 - No doubt, CarTek builds fast cars - using established technology and time-aquired expertise. I don't think anyone ever debated that fact - but - their lack of any proof/disclosure of any legitimate benefit of the CT/TM module has made it a non-issue long ago.

Yes, some people with too much disposable income will buy ANYTHING you tell them will make thier 'vette faster/prettier/better/etc., but for those of us looking for $$:Value - my $$ is better spent on a quality tune (even from CarTek) than a black-box that appears to only make us "think" our cars are faster.

The jury already retired on this case, as evidenced by the lack of recent discussion on this topic. CarTeks lack of "testimony" in their own defense, amounts to "taking the 5th", which is none to confidence inspiring in-and-of-itself. Not to say that I wouldn't patronize them, just that I don't buy black-boxes from people that have no real explanations as to how/why they work.

I'm sure they appreciate you're continued defense of them and this product - they would have done better with a Public Defender though...

Rick

 

What if, say, those "experts" you refer to can only run a ---oh, let's say 13.1 at 109 mph in a Z51 six speed Corvette. But some other member, who has only been to the drag strip 8 times in his life (first time at 48 years old) goes out and runs a 12.499 at 114.9. I don't know about you, but I would question why the experts were so slow but then come out with a device that is supposed to mysteriously make the car run faster.

I think the 48 (okay, 52 now) year old guy figured out how to completely turn off traction control and active handling without resorting to a $250 module!

 

Wait a minute now, are you saying the "experts" sandbagged and ran that 13.1 and then came out with this module and all of a sudden started running better times?????????

 

To answer your ever persistent need to know, no, I do not own a C6 with the Cartek Torque Management Elimination module installed for it does not work on automatics and that's what I drive.
For the record I've never been shot with a .357 Magnum either yet I'm pretty damn sure it's bullet can easily pierce the skin when fired at close range.
How often do college professors teach detailed information about things that they have NEVER actually experienced/lived? Are they suddenly not qualified to do so simply because YOU said so?

Yes, I have personally experienced this module in use, on the drag strip, at speed on more than one vehicle and it works. I cannot provide the DOCUMENTS or affadavits that you seem to require for proof but then again John Force doesn't provide them for his track times either, the time slips/track displays do that for him.

 

Oh yeah I forgot, they were the ONLY ones that ran a 13.1@109 and EVERYONE else easily ran a 12.49@114.9 like YOUR one individual car did.
Nice try.

 

Well, how about the GM "official" times, Car & Driver, Motor Trend and several other forum members? My car is not the outlier that you seem to think it is. Heck, several A4 cars (which actually DO have Torque Management) have run 12.7 bone stock. I'm damn sure not going to apologize or make excuses for the times I ran in my car.

 

YAWN...

Let me please try to help keep this thread from degenerating into another member-bashing hundred post session like the Cartek TM magic module thread did before. (ohhhh, I used the "m" word!!!!)

I think if all CF members will consider just a couple of basic things, we can start ushering people along with "nothing to see here, move along... nothing to see...."

Facts, as I believe have been established:

1. LS1LT1 is a shill (paid or unpaid) for Cartek. Just read his past posts, 'nuff said.

2. The $250 module they sell pretty much acts like a broken ABS sensor. By doing so, it MAYBE allows gaining a little E.T. under some conditions, but at the expense of trashing ABS, AH, TM functionality while it is engaged.... the promoter hisself sez: "...if it had other minor downsides (other than the obvious ABS/AH) then they wouldn't build/market it...."

3. Note that me including that quote doesn't mean I believe the effects would somehow be limited to just those he lists. Or that Cartek would not market a product that extended the deliterious effect further. Nope, I merely note he is acknowledging the effect on the systems that ARE mentioned. However, unless LS1LT1 is responsible in an offical capacity for making such decisions for Cartek, I don't know how he could justify making such statements as to what they will and won't disable in searching for lower E.T. (and, well, of course, dollars). Some people, for instance, market cat converter "test pipes" knowing full well that 99.9% of them are being used in an illegal manner... not impugning Cartek one bit, but I'm just curious how LS1LT1 knows their precise corporate ethos.

4. If you want to disable AH, ABS, and TM on a module (whose inner functionings and potential limitations have not been well-described; whether precisely, or even with a broad 'overview' by the manufacturer),'to try to get 0.2 savings in ET, spend your $250.

5. If you don't, then just, well.... don't.


Whew.

 

I actually quit reading once he stated that.

 

Smurfle...

 

Put your Kool-aid down for a minute and re-read this post and some of the others. He's not the only one that's in the 12's without the magic box. When someone creates a problem then as if by magic comes up with a solution to this problem one has a right to ask some questions. Also you don't need to know how everything works but some you do especially is there is question to the legitimacy of the product and to its impact on safety.