Traction Control
 

Why do people say they turn it off does it rob HP or something?

In a word, yes.

Actually only when activated, to reduce the spin will lessen the spark or apply the brakes. Either way you lose when it kicks in. I don't have it on the 97, and would only use it in the wet if I had it anyway. A little oversteer can be a LOT of fun.:D

It most definitely cuts the power back. In the dry it typically only cuts in when you shift into second gear if you are really pounding it. Go for a very high speed run from a stand still and you'll feel it cut in as soon as you shift into second. The passenger might not notice, but you most certainly should. I think it officially cuts the power for 1 to 2 seconds. Even in the dry it will cut in based on how much power you are going to deliver going into second. In a straight take off in 1st gear it will not come on, you can roast the tires if you want with it on (I think Ford calls this power mode, stupid if you ask me), however if you get sideways, typically in the rain it will cut in, even in 1st. I wish I could have the function switched to always be off, unless you hit the switch. Right now it is always on, unless you turn it off and everytime you turn the car off your stuck turning it off. I habitually turn it off as soon as I start the car, always.

it uses the abs protion of your break system to apply braking power to the slipping wheels at the same time retarding the timinga nd cutting fuel pump signals it is only usefull in the winter or realy wet roads like they said traction control is bad ummm k:D

I wonder if there's a way to rewire it so that it's always OFF by default. Anyone brave enough to take this on? :)

Getting it to default off, may be as simple as changing the actual switch backing. Something tells me its part of the computer, and that a custom chip will be in order, if you want it to work at all.

I assume there is some liability in selling a car with traction control that you have to set yourself. If you think about it, it makes sense. My right foot is all the traction control I need.;)

I can't speak much on the subject, but I have a friend that converted an 01' V6 into one kick--- stang. He dropped a 351 Saleen engine in it, redid everything so the only stock component on it are the headlights and the floormats. I asked him about the traction control button, he said he rewired it and it now controls his NOS kit. I'm not sure how, but I know he conquered the traction control problem.