Traction Control

[David Long]

Anyone ever fitted traction control on a Caterham? OK, I'm probably going to get some abuse here, but quite fancy doing it as a technical exercise and a bit of fun.

[Cock Womble 7]

When I was shopping for a 7, there was one on my shortlist that had TC fitted. I know no more about it than that, but I guess it proves it can be done.

[iain a]

There was a turbo JPE at one point that had Racelogic electronics. That included traction control. Then a sensible person bought it and converted it back to a more standard spec.

Traction control in a 7 is managed by the nut behind the wheel... or not as the occasion demands

[normalbloke]

iain a said:

There was a turbo JPE at one point that had Racelogic electronics. That included traction control. Then a sensible person bought it and converted it back to a more standard spec.

Traction control in a 7 is managed by the nut behind the wheel... or not as the occasion demands

I had the chargecooler system and exhaust from that car to add to my YB Turbo Caterham.
Traction control?Pah!

[mickrick]

Isn't it just a case of having an ecu that has it, and a couple of wheel speed sensors?
I know the Motec M800, and DTA S80 pro has it, as I was looking at them myself.
But I don't think I'd want TC personaly.

Edited by mickrick on Sunday 22 August 09:34

[nigelpugh7]

Mr R500 Duratec has Launch Control, but its not the same as Traction Control.

It was a fairly Cheap option at £350 when specced on my new build, so I thought why not try it.

I am off to Curborough for a test day soon and intend to play with is then.

Hope to have some video to post on YouTube when finished.

[fergus]

mickrick said:

Isn't it just a case of having an ecu that has it, and a couple of wheel speed sensors?
I know the Motec M800, and DTA S80 pro has it, as I was looking at them myself.
But I don't think I'd want TC personaly.

IIRC Karl was looking to add TC on the latest Emerald? I think MoTEC charge a fair amount to unlock the TC feature on their M800. I think the more sophisticated TC devices allow you to set the degree of variance between the wheels.

PS you need more than 2 sensors, as unless your car has a solid diff, the two back wheels turn at different speeds, which when the diff is ramped up and partially locked (or 'limited slip') then both rear wheels may be going at different rates relative to each other and also at different rates to either of the fronts. Therefore 4 sensors required and some maths channels.... There is then the subject of what steps you take to cut the power and by how much to ensure a relatively seamless cut.

To most drivers TC will offer the edge in terms of outright speed in a lap.... You can always turn it off if you have it, but in the wet, or slippery conditions a well calibrated TC will react faster than your ar.se gyro and right foot

[David Long]

I think most ECUs are able to do some form of traction control but I was looking at the Racelogic setup which is a little more sophisticated. It uses 4 wheels sensors and it can work out whether you going straight or round a corner and adjusts the slip accordingly. There are options for launch control and full throttle shift.

As I said in the original post, I like the challenge and I'm curious about what difference it'll make to lap times - but it's not really in the spirit of Caterham

[iain a]

Just athought... A basic traction control system will cut back power if it detects wheel slip, but to have a full stability control system your ECU would have to be able to modulate brakes at each corner independantly as well as moderate power... so that means speed sensors on each wheel and a 4 channel ABS system and fly by wire throttle to do it properly... and and oops it isn't a 7 anymore!

All good fun if it is just brain excercise

[Jack_and_MLE]

I have 4 sensor and bracket for sale in you are interested.

The systm was fitted to my 21 but some water ingress damaged the control unit which could be repaired.

Jack

[RobM77]

iain a said:

Just athought... A basic traction control system will cut back power if it detects wheel slip, but to have a full stability control system your ECU would have to be able to modulate brakes at each corner independantly as well as moderate power... so that means speed sensors on each wheel and a 4 channel ABS system and fly by wire throttle to do it properly... and and oops it isn't a 7 anymore!

All good fun if it is just brain excercise

Servo brakes and a drive by wire throttle... Ironically the very things needed to give a Caterham full stability control would remove the driveability from the car and make stability control essential It's a vicious circle!

I've currently got two road cars with similar performance - one with cable throttle and non assisted brakes, and in that car driving aids don't even cross your mind, and the other car has a DBW throttle and servo brakes, and in that car driving aids are a lifesaver!

Interestingly, the Lotus 2-11 (sort of like a different and more modern take on a Caterham 7), has DBW with variable traction control and servo brakes with ABS fitted. I haven't tried one, but they're supposed to be really good to drive, which from driving the rest of Lotus' range I don't doubt. I think if everything's carefully tuned and switchable it can actually enhance the car. Most companies tend to make a complete hash up of it though.

[David Long]

Jack_and_MLE said:

I have 4 sensor and bracket for sale in you are interested.

The systm was fitted to my 21 but some water ingress damaged the control unit which could be repaired.

Jack

Thanks for the offer but an order has already be sent

Thanks anyway,

David.

[EFA]

I had the Racelogic system on my car for a while. Never got it working so it was of any real use. Steve Mell (Harriet Flatters on BC) has a Racelogic system on his car IIRC.