Hello, track junkies,
I am wondering about folks experiences running with DSC on and off? Ride characteristics? What mods are you running? etc.

Thanks,
Gary

 

There have been several threads about DSC (and ASC) in the past few months. Here's one where a number of posters discussed the performance aspects of DSC.

Do a search on DSC and more will show up.

 

I've had my MCS on the track a few times, some wet and some dry and I've always driven with the DSC off and the car drove very well. I really don't like suprises from traction control system while at the track and when these things kick in they always take away power and make the car do odd things; I'd rather deal with slipping and sliding on my own.

But, my advice is to try both and see which you prefer, you are the only one that can really make that judgement call. Have fun and be safe :smile:

BTW - You can view some in-car movies from a few of my track days by clicking the "more" link in my sig. I also wrote up some track driving impressions here.

 

Always off

 

I think it really depends on what kind of racing you are doing. For Autocross, extremely tight turns are prevelant, and it seems like accelerating out of these is what causes the most wheel spin, ie DSC turns on frequently. Therefore it should probably be turned off. However, I have done a couple of track days at Road Atlanta, and both times been instructed by VERY knowledgeable racers to keep the DSC on and it will show you where you are making your mistakes. The object on a road coarse is to hold the line and aviod all wheel slip. Although even with DSC on, I have found that the back end can indeed step out slightly without turning on. Just my 2 cents :smile:

 

What I have noticed driving around the canyons (no chance for autox's yet), especially on the successive-tight roads, is that DSC keeps the car safer and turning it off will make you faster. If your goal is to go fast as possible and focus on correcting any slides yourself, dsc has got to go off or else it will activate, slow things down and take control if your tires spin pulling out a turn, if you are accelerating and your wheel falls in a small hole, or if you're simply on a very rough road that's causing the ride to be bumpy while you are going through a turn pretty quick.

 

tried it on during a rainy autocross in a cold Utah asphalt (E Center) on brand new Hoosier 205/50-16's, X-lite wheels, Koni adjustable rears and the SS+.

Did nothing but slow me down. Haven't tried it since. I agree with the one poster that says if you are driving correctly you aren't going to benefit from it. Disagree with the other poster who's instructor said to leave it on to show you where you are screwing up. In autocross at least things are happenning too fast, and there aren't really enough runs IMHO to rely on DSC to point out you screwed up.

Slip angle of the tires and scrubbing off speed and seat time/driving school should tell you more quickly when you've overcooked a corner and what to do about it.

I do turn it on when I'm commuting in lots of rain, snow or ice.

Now hopefully the next generation MC and MCS will come stock with Limited slip, that would be helpful...

My 2 cents

SundanceAUgs

 

>>I think it really depends on what kind of racing you are doing. For Autocross, extremely tight turns are prevelant, and it seems like accelerating out of these is what causes the most wheel spin, ie DSC turns on frequently. Therefore it should probably be turned off. However, I have done a couple of track days at Road Atlanta, and both times been instructed by VERY knowledgeable racers to keep the DSC on and it will show you where you are making your mistakes. The object on a road coarse is to hold the line and aviod all wheel slip. Although even with DSC on, I have found that the back end can indeed step out slightly without turning on. Just my 2 cents :smile:


I agree. Until you are familiar with how the MC/MCS handles in an AutoX, leave the DSC/ACS on. That little light will help you figure out where you're getting on the gas too much and where you're slipping. I ran with it on for 3 autocrosses. I run with it off now. Having said all that, once you figure out the handling, and turn it off... you are essentially the DSC....

 

I'm a novice with a Cooper and have done only two autocrosses. On the first, I kept the DSC on 100% of the time. But on the second, I experimented with it on and off and had a bit more fun with it off, yet my times were consistent regardless.

 

off, off, off... Now I am about as far from an expert as you can get, but in my experience I decided to run one run with ASC on. The run was as fast as my previous run, but I could tell I was loosing a ton of speed. I turned it back off and gained over 2 seconds on a 45 second course. What I have to learn is allowing the abs to work. The mini will almost slow too fast. I can't wait till the next event.

 

Sleepless, Thank your for the great posts and video. It was a blast to watch, I bet that 911 driver was sick of seeing you lap after lab in his rear view... :smile:
>>
>>BTW - You can view some in-car movies from a few of my track days by clicking the "more" link in my sig. I also wrote up some track driving impressions here.

 

100% off. Its really intrusive. Whenever I forget to turn it off, it surprises me and it feels like my feet are being knocked out from under me. I can't get to the toggle switch fast enough to turn it off.