Originally Posted by iwant_Z

ever watch tokyo drift?

Originally Posted by KwanZito

Ha ha yes, then immediately email Vin Diesel for tips on Double Clutching!

Originally Posted by SteveZ

Now I see what you were referring to, I think. When I said VDC doesn't know lateral, that is not correct. What it picks up is Yaw, which to me is lateral movement of one end or the other of the car relative to the center. My observation is in relatively uniform 4 wheel drifts, VDC does not appear to kick in in the form of engine management, brakes, etc. unless there is a significant difference in the steering direction of travel and the 4 wheels. Also kicks in if there is a rotation around the center axis (over-simplified).

What I have never seen in print is the following situation:
1) Got into some deeper snow than expected (have Pirelli Snowsport 240 dedicated snows)
2) With VDC on, appears that as the rear spins the wheels and there is yaw to the driver's side, there is braking on the front - w/o my foot on the brake. The way I could tell is my limited forward progress showed the front wheel was not turning but pushing through snow, aggravating the impact of VDC because the front tire was meeting resistance.

I got out, very puzzled as have driven through much worse, and note the sliding of one or both front tires - not sideways but as if they were locking due to braking. Turned off the VDC, which to my understanding also cuts the TCS on the G Coupe at least, LSD is of course still working, instant forward progress. I was spinning both rears but the drivers' side a bit more which caused the yaw, slippage to the left. The difference was dramatic. I used the same approach anytime starting up in deeper snow and the tires would bite down, find traction, and I'd move. Turn on the VDC, and I felt like I was plowing the fronts even though pointed in the direction of travel.

My 350Z came with no TSC, no VDC, and an open diff (2003 Base, my understanding is today the Base comes with TCS). Life is much simpler in that case - you cannot back out of the driveway with frozen dew!

As I head into Winter #3, I know a little bit more than before, I refuse to park for the season. Even when I head out for overnight trips the threat of snow alone would cause me to forgo the Z or the G, then I'd see three days of dry pavement. The Pirellis make surprisingly capable studless tires and you definitely get a feel for throttle, brakes, and traction aids when there is a LOT less friction available

Again, thanks for the great info, happy driving. I am jealous of NoVa track above, nothing close here in Winter that isn't closed. Lime Rock is in the NW CT hills where I live, usually the area of heaviest and longest snow pack. No track for me in 200-300 miles