Can we get Traction Control in our 08 Legacy 5MT using an 09 ECU?

[stepinrazor]

It seems that Subaru is now offering Traction Control on their 09 Legacy 5MT. So can we just swap in an 09 ECU and get traction control or are there other things we need to swap or other problems?

 

I really want traction control on my car if I can get it. I'm sure someone is gonna post you dont need it or something to that affect, please resist the urge to post that opinion.

[flakeyblakee]

are you talking about VDC?

[Guest]

It's still slushbox only. No love for 5MT.

[Scotty]

Why do you need traction control driving around in SoCal?

[blackfang]

It seems that Subaru is now offering Traction Control on their 09 Legacy 5MT. So can we just swap in an 09 ECU and get traction control or are there other things we need to swap or other problems?

 

I really want traction control on my car if I can get it. I'm sure someone is gonna post you dont need it or something to that affect, please resist the urge to post that opinion.

Not likely being you will need a various of sensors(steering angle, G sensor, etc) installed so that the system works correctly. On top of that you would need a warning light indicator and other components to make it compatible.

[05GT Guru]

A on/off switch, probably not the hardest part of the install but a nessecary one. A legacy with VDC all the time would suck. Infact a legacy with VDC or TCS anytime sucks.

[Throttlejockey]

A on/off switch, probably not the hardest part of the install but a nessecary one. A legacy with VDC all the time would suck. Infact a legacy with VDC or TCS anytime sucks.

 

VDC isn't bad. It is fun to keep it floored on an on ramp and not even break traction.

[DiscoWagon]

It's still slushbox only. No love for 5MT.

 

Dont forget the 6MT has it!

[Beanboy]

Outback XT has it with the 5MT

[f1anatic]

on the 5 speed, it is a matter of whether it has LSD differentials or not. The Forester that we are getting has VDC / TC and a 5MT. But the TC is a surrogate for the LSD rear axle. I bet you the WRX 5MT has it, but does not have the LSD rear. The difference on the Spec B 6 speed is that it uses Torsen technology not visco-coupling in its limited slip differentials.

[edkwon]

It's still slushbox only. No love for 5MT.

 

yep, its avail on the 6MT manual like previously mentioned, So no reason they couldn't put it in the 5MT cars, they just chose not too.

[Beanboy]

Repeat, Outback XT with the 5-speed manual and rear viscous limited slip has it.

[sdvictor]

i was just wondering about that. if it's that easy in the OB, why not the 2.5GT MT?

[05GT Guru]

But why do you want it, because you can floor it on an on ramp but not spin the tires well then you also not getting your full amount of power so its pointless to floor it, you might aswell just half throttle it and get the same results. Its for people who cant control there car correctly or are too lazy to learn how

[Throttlejockey]

But why do you want it, because you can floor it on an on ramp but not spin the tires well then you also not getting your full amount of power so its pointless to floor it, you might aswell just half throttle it and get the same results. Its for people who cant control there car correctly or are too lazy to learn how

 

Oh that's right, it's Mr. Know It All again.

 

Have you even ever driven one with VDC under those conditions?

 

I'd like to see you keep up at 1/2 throttle and go the same speed. I don't do it all the time, but did try to see what would happen. Haven't been back to the same on ramp to try it with it off.

 

Last winter when I had my 3.0R I pulled out of a street to pitch it sideways in the snow. When the car got sideways it immediately snapped back, almost like I hit a patch of dry pavement. It does help in adverse conditions. especially if not everyone is an expert driver such as yourself. This is my wife's car and I'm glad it has it.

[05GT Guru]

Actually last winter i drove a 03 or 04 350z with VDC in the snow often, so yes i know how it feels. I had the VDC off the whole time because it was useless. Im not saying that average people who just use there car for point a to b driving woulndt benefit from these systems but a real enthusiast should be in control of his own car and know how to handle it.

 

I also had 2 trans ams with TCS which i had off at all times whether it was raining or snowing(only drove one of them in the snow) or sunny.

 

I suppose you a fan of launch control aswell lol

[Spec B]

Im not saying that average people who just use there car for point a to b driving woulndt benefit from these systems but a real enthusiast should be in control of his own car and know how to handle it.

 

The same can be said for AWD..and ABS.

[05GT Guru]

Not AWD, its a form of drivetrain not a component that takes control of the car away from the driver it doesnt limit you in anyway. ABS i agree, i have been know to disconnect it on many of my cars, even the legacy for a short time.

[Spec B]

I think if it makes me safer I am all for it...be it traction contral ABS or the "blind spot" mirror I have that everyone hates.

[05GT Guru]

I never felt safer with VDC on though, thats my point.

[Spec B]

I think it adds safety..especially in foul weather.

 

My wife has VDC on her tribeca, it definatley makes the car easier to control in the snow IMO.

[Throttlejockey]

Actually last winter i drove a 03 or 04 350z with VDC in the snow often, so yes i know how it feels. I had the VDC off the whole time because it was useless. Im not saying that average people who just use there car for point a to b driving woulndt benefit from these systems but a real enthusiast should be in control of his own car and know how to handle it.

 

I also had 2 trans ams with TCS which i had off at all times whether it was raining or snowing(only drove one of them in the snow) or sunny.

 

I suppose you a fan of launch control aswell lol

 

So you've never driven a Subaru with it. I'm sure they aren't all the same.

Besides that, there is a button to turn it off.

 

I wouldn't consider myself a car enthusiast anyway. I have other hobbies besides cars that only have 2 wheels.

[BernardP]

Last winter when I had my 3.0R I pulled out of a street to pitch it sideways in the snow. When the car got sideways it immediately snapped back, almost like I hit a patch of dry pavement. It does help in adverse conditions. especially if not everyone is an expert driver such as yourself. This is my wife's car and I'm glad it has it.

 

Let's make things clearer. Please correct me if I am wrong. Subaru's Vehicle Dynamics Control comprises two systems: Electronic Stability and Traction Control

 

Electronic Stability applies brakes on one or more wheels to get the car in line with the direction of the steering. It is ES that provides the kind of behavior described above. ES has to do with direction control. It tries to keep you from going into the ditch.

 

Traction Control tries to reduce wheelspin by reducing throttle and applying brakes to a spinning wheel. It has to do with...traction and not with direction. Proper, delicate, yet firm, application of throttle by drivers used to snowy or icy conditions beat traction control any day.

 

My wife had TC on her previous 2002 Passat and has it on her 2006 Passat. It has often to be disabled to be able to get out of the driveway on winter morning, because it tends to keep the car from moving forward, by applying the brakes and choking the engine.

 

On the 2002 Passat, there was TC only, without ES. The 2006 has both ES and TC, and they are coupled. To turn off TC, you have to turn off the whole ES+TC system (called ESP by VW, similar to Subaru's VDC). So after getting out of the driveway, ESP has to be turned on again to regain the ES safety feature.

 

Overall, I think TC is worthless in itself. When having to disable it also turns off the very useful ES, TC has a negative impact on safety. With AWD, TC is even more useless.

[05GT Guru]

So you've never driven a Subaru with it. I'm sure they aren't all the same.

Besides that, there is a button to turn it off.

 

I wouldn't consider myself a car enthusiast anyway. I have other hobbies besides cars that only have 2 wheels.

 

You have other hobbies besides cars that only have 2 wheels, wtf does that even mean?

[Beanboy]

VDC rocks. Wish my 05 had it. No matter how great of a driver you are, you can't brake individual wheels like the car can.

 

For something that is defeatable and adds next to nothing in terms of weight or complexity other than some software, I'm glad the government is requiring it for all cars starting in what, 2010?