DSC On/Off Comparison During Autocross (Vids Included)
 

So... First day autocrossing my RX-8. I had previously done 5+ events in my Tiburon, and it went well.

I found myself faced with one challenge. DSC on, or off.

Coming from a FWD car, autocrossing is a whole other world when you step into a RWD. So... I opted to keep it on for the first three runs, and turn it off for the last one.

The first three runs were clean. Aside from hitting a cone on the first two, the third one was perfectly clean. I still need to learn where to track, and how to brake before a turn. The 8 has AMAZING braking power - and I need to learn to use the brakes to go faster. I first thought that the 8 had an understeer issue, however - I later learned that it was just the way I was driving it, causing understeer.

2nd run: http://www.silverstangs.com/autocros...%20run%202.wmv
3rd run: http://www.silverstangs.com/autocros...%20run%203.wmv

There were many times, I felt that the DSC was holding the power back, as I was trying to come out of a turn. So, I got gutsy and turned DSC off. My one flaw? I drove the 8 the same way as if it was on. I spun out. On the 1-2 shift, soon as I got in 2nd and punched it... I was gone. DSC sure does help on that 1-2 shift. DSC will never replace an intelligent driver... but then again, the only reason I had it on in the first place, was to get used to the car.

Resulting 4th run: http://www.silverstangs.com/autocros...%20run%204.wmv (Crazy.)

There you have it. From here on, DSC is going off and staying off - and I am learning to control the car, instead of the car controlling me.

My recommendation to others in the future: Keep DSC off, even if it is your first time. DSC will be helpful if you are on a wet surface autocrossing - but thats it. Push and hold the DSC button in for 8 seconds, and turn DSC/Trac completely off.

Great post! I've done a couple of runs with dsc on and about 100 runs with it off. It is best to leave it off for an autox. Otherwise unless your playing around in a big parking lot, leave it on at all times. My main complaint when autox with it on was not cornering, but taking off at the start and getting back on the pedal after a tight turn. It was too quick to stop the spinning.

Good tripple cone kill! Definately leave it off for auto-x. DSC will let you develope some bad habbits. And don't think it will give you better times when slick - on a wet course it cost me 1.5 seconds on my last run. I forgot to turn it off. Make it part of your mental checklist before you get to the line.

OH yeah, and put your sunroof down. That drag will cost you like 0.000256 seconds. :)


You are right, I lose it too after getting used to a course with DCS. I need to start off slowly with it off. It will slow down a good driver.

Imadzole, did I hear correctly that off the line you had axle/wheel hop/bounce?

How did the 8 compare to your Tiburon? Tell me there was no contest!

When you just press DSC off, and when you hole it for 8 seconds,

Whats the big difference? I know I can still trow the car in any direction (expecially snow/ice) with just DSC off, but how much will it impact the car if i hold it for 8 seconds?

-Bindon

holding the button get rid of the DSC (dynamic stability control)----limiting power when wheels break loose......holding it down turns the DSC off and it turns the Traction control off....so there is not help when wheels come loose

so is it better to turn the traction off too? i mean if i really really wanted to train myself to be a good driver. or should i mix it up with todays technology.

Nice video! You should play some cone death music when you pummel those guys :).

Shamblerock - As far as handling, there is NO comparison between the Tiburon and The RX8.

The Tiburon, being FWD, I had learned how to manage understeero, how it tracks (very lazily, you better point past where you want to go) - But if anything that I miss in my Tiburon would be all of the times I got up on 3 wheels!

Minor Example - http://www.desolateflux.com/albums/a...on_Jackson.wmv
I've got some videos that demonstrate it better... as much as 3-4 inches off the ground. Just cant seem to remember which race.
http://www.desolateflux.com/albums/a..._BCC_10_12.wmv
http://www.desolateflux.com/albums/a...test_1_001.mpg

And for your entertainment: http://www.desolateflux.com/albums/j...one_Killer.wmv (Very wet course!)

What makes you think an RX8 always corners on 4 wheels? With the Racing Beat front bar and 275 Hoosiers, I often lift the inside *front* wheel as much as 3-4 inches in tight turns. I did not realize it until a friend mentioned it after watching my runs. :)

Imidazole - Good to see another Tibby out there!

I have a '97 Tibby FX that I've autocrossed since it was broken in. It's quite the fun car to throw around the courses. My first year with it I went without any mods, but I knew that wouldn't last for long, as I was hooked. The next season was a set R compounds at my first National Pro Solo 2 event in Jacksonville. That's when I first experienced the dancing Tibby syndrome I grew to love! Although after I threw a set of Konis on there the wheel lift was a bit less severe because I was able to get the car to reset a bit quicker on the sweepers.

I'm just hoping the ol' Tiburon doesn't get jealous because I'm going to be putting the new 8 through the same paces it went through. I need her to keep running for those snowy winter months. :)

(btw, sorry to hijack the thread)

Hehe, I've seen many a Miata's front wheel up, too. Must be the Hoosiers. ;)

That's how I drive every day. You get better gas mileage too, and the car is a lot more fun. All the people who say the car understeers really aren't laying on it - its more than willing to break the rears loose, even with DSC on, but yes, DSC sucks.

Here's one with a front wheel clearly off the ground:

http://www.kcprod.com/photography/images/P4141884.jpg

Here's a pic witha car that almost has a wheel off the ground (but in a nice slide):

http://www.kcprod.com/photography/images/P7072063.jpg

--kC

I've seen a few pics of my car with the inside front in the air just a tad bit with the OEM front bar and 245 Hoosiers too. We should be getting more air this year. ;)

Oh...about lifting the iniside front...this is one of my favorite pics:

http://www.solo2.org/i/photos/2002/S.../gary_car2.jpg

:D

Wow! That car looks like it ate a mini at the start gate. Its ginormous!

dude why did you flip the bird after the 4th run lol

dammit now i HAVE to autox the 8 come spring, fedex here i come!

This picture always cracks me up:

http://www.sirota.org/josh/images/2000nats/787X2592.JPG

Can I get some pictures of your cars with those Hoosiers on? Are you using stock rims? Are the hoosiers really good for autocrossing?

You don't really get better then hoosiers. Most people call them cheating. :) (Mainly the people who are still running street tires)

I'll probably see you there some time (child situation permitting). Gotta see what this baby can do on a course. :)

Some pics of my car with Hoosiers on at the top of this thread.

Hoosier and Kumho have good tires for autocrossing...but they aren't cheap...and even more expensive if you try to learn to autocross with them becuase you'll wear them out a lot faster than if you know what you're doing...and even if you know what you're doing, they don't last long.

Anyone know anything about the rumored A3S05? Availability? Sizing?

As long as we're posting up ridiculous pictures:

http://vorlon.cwru.edu/~jpv/M3/liftin.jpg
http://vorlon.cwru.edu/~jpv/M3/liftin2.jpg