hello everyone,

Im relatively new on here and have a simple question....well maybe.

anyway my Z is the base model and therefore does not come with a traction control button...im not sure if this is an option available for the Z, and therefore i was wondering if this button could simply be added to my car, or would there need to be extensive modifications necessary to add this to my car.

thanks for any input, and if this has already been posted before i apologize i did a search but found nothing

 

If the difference was just a switch I don't think anyone would buy anything but the base. I believe there is more to it than that.

 

I highly doubt it would be a matter of adding the button and presto. You would likely have to add the TCS computer etc.

If you want better traction, the better route is to install LSD (not sure if the 06 base comes with that.....the 05s didnt.) There are a few threads on this install.

 

i just checked out the nissan website, and it showed the "enthusiast" model has a "Traction control System" but it doesnt explain in details what it is about. I am posting on here in hopes that somebody who is an Expert in Nissan might know exactly what is involved in this system. I realize that simply adding a button is not going to solve this problem. what my question truely is concering, is whether or not the LSD in the enthusiast model is only equipt to handle TCS.

 

can not be added

 

If you wanted TCS, you should have bought an Enthusiast or >. Adding all that is involved for TCS and/or VDC is going to be more expensive that returning your car and buying another model.

 

So - I'll repeat the question for anyone who knows. Exactly what does it entail to add TCS to a base model? I don't want to hear that it cannot be done - that's impossible. If the factory can do it - it CAN be done. So what exactly does it entail to make it so expensive/not worth it.

I have plans to upgrade my differential in the distant future. If I have a fairly aggressive LSD it would be nice to have traction control to go along with it.

I bought my car brand new, and taking it back to swap models would be a huge hit. Not to mention you're paying more for a differential that you will be upgrading anyway. I'd rather not have traction control than swapping models.

 

Look at TCS in the service manual. TCS involves wheel sensors, a TCS computer, and input from ABS. The wiring diagram alone gives me a headache.

 

If you think TCS will make your Z accelerate faster than you should drive a car with it first. Most of us disable our TCS/VDC during spirited driving.

When the TCS kicks in, it cuts your throttle which theoretically should make you accelerate faster, but the fact is it cuts your throttle in a very lumpy slow manner. You are able to accelerate quicker by managing the throttle with your right foot and allowing the wheels to spin a bit.

In other words, its nothing like BMW/Ferrari's launch control.

 

Like stated before. It would be a bigger "hit" as you put it to install all the components of the system than to just trade your car in for a model that already has it.

 

The easiest way would be to swap out the ECU, TCS and possibly the ABS modules from a smashed Enthusiast Z. The harness is probably the same in all trim levels.

That's just guessing...

 

maybe someone here knows, I certaintly do not.

it might be as simple as adding the module if the car is prewired with everything.

then again, it might not be.

 

This is where the aftermarket lacks innovation with these cars. Before Mustangs came with TCS, you could add it as long as your car had ABS. The ABS system gives you everything you need except throttle cut. The Mustang add-on was a few hundred dollars, and plugged into the factory harness. No hack-job required.

 

Anything is possible but I'll bet the cost is at least as much as the hit you would take for trading the Base in on an Enthusiast.

 

TCS (Traction Control System) & VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) are systems that are integrated into the fuel and braking . When slip at the wheels are detected by the car's gyroscopes they send signals to cut back the fuel and activate ABS braking on the drivers behealf. This is done to help prevent or minimize spin-outs. The systems are comprised of sensors that get information from the computer for throttle position, brake engagement etc. To add this feature to a car that doewn'thave it could be problematic. It seems the factory prewires the cars for the different options. If you don't have the option to begin with there may be several harnesses that were not wired up. You would have to confirm which harnesses were not wired up, obtain them ( junkyards perhaps??) and determine the wiring schematics. Can be done but involves a great deal of work. Just my

 

As mentioned above, MAYBE someone sells an aftermarket box you can hook up and this might perform better than the factory unit because I imagine you could adjust it to suit. To do this with factory TCS cant possibly come cheaper than trading your car in and getting another one (also already said).

The Base has a different wiring harness than the Enthusiast, and the Perf + are different as well. Heck, a car with Nav gets a different harness. It's not the good old days of one harness fits all.

So harness, TCS unit and ECU from an Enthusiast is a start. The sensors for TCS are there already at the wheels for ABS. Even from a wrecked car parts might end up being 2k then there is the labor of pulling all that wire and making it work. This is cheep if your time is worth nothing but in the end you may end up with a Z that wont run.

Chris

 

Just get an LSD...that'll likely give you the stuff that you're looking for. ie. traction.

 

Thanks hyper, that's what I wanted to know. An adjustable aftermarket unit would be nice! I was more or less just curious though, I won't be going this route for at least another 2 years, if at all. Hopefully a few people will go this route before I even get to that point.

Also, trading in is NOT an option. I'm not going to take a $10,000 hit for TCS, LOL. Not a chance!! I bought the car for 27k and the trade-in value is only 17k, and I could expect about 3k more if I sold it privately. Nevermind the fact I did a year of research before buying the car and would make the same decision if I had it to do all over again.

The TCS is just a whistle that would be nice to add along with the clutch-type LSD, but it is by no means necessary, or worth 10 grand to me. The car won't be a daily driver anymore by that point. Thanks again for the info.

 

Forum members with VDC/TCS are trying to disable it. Those who drive a Base want to add TCS. Who can figure?

 

You are comparing apples to oranges. TCS can be disabled at the touch of a button, vdc cannot. Base models also have open-end differentials and there is no good reason to have TCS unless the differential is upgraded. In the case that it is, it makes sense to have.