[Tony]

No not retarded as in stupid cars, but retarded as in they have a retard programed into the computer. I was told that this retard keeps the rear wheels from slipping while at WOT. Is this true? A friends dad told me this because we were talking about how I can floor a 96 4.6L and not even make the tires slip or chirp from a complete stop at WOT, but if I push the throtle like 1/2 to 3/4 the way from a complete stop they'll spin like crazy and sometimes make a bit of smoke! So are Thunderbirds retarded?

Thanks for any info!

 

[JoelBender]

correct

without a chip they are retarded during the shifts at WOT, to soften the shift, and keep the rear wheels from spinning.

 

[Robinson]

if you mean an active monitoring system that will sense wheelspin and pull back the timing to stop the spinning, no. it will retard the timing during shifts to soften it up, but the system that you may or may not have that prevents wheel spin is traction control. it senses wheel spin and either applies the brakes or lifts the throttle automatically. im not sure exactly how it works since i dont have it, but it definetly does not pull timing to get it done.

 

[Aaron K.]

I was told that this retard keeps the rear wheels from slipping while at WOT.
Thanks for any info!

LOL

 

[TurboBusa]

I know what you mean. My 99 Ranger did the same thing. Floor it from a stop, and it would just go, no wheelspin. Next stoplight (meaning same air temp, same road surface, same tire temp) I would do a 1/2 throttle and it would spin that right rear EASY. I don't know why it did it, I'm just backing you up that it DOES happen. My friend's '01 GTP does it too.

Are you guys SURE there is no computer shenanigans going on at WOT, regardless if shift time or not? I was always under the impression car computers went to closed loop (or is it open) at WOT, and the opposite loop at anything less than WOT. So maybe the loop it uses at WOT isn't quite as efficient.

Hey I'm just throwing it out there for some feedback, I'm not claiming to know it all

 

[Robinson]

the difference you are seeing can only be caused by road conditions or launch speed. there are no programs that stop wheelspin except traction control.

 

[Tony]

I guess some of you think i'm retarded! lol

But i'm serious. I've messed with this over and over again. No I don't have traction control either. Had 1 passenger in the car also. It was even wet out and when I floored it from a complete stop and got this wierd hop but no or little wheel spin. Then I drove around the block and pulled up to the same stop sign and the same spot. Pushed the throtle like 3/4 and the wheel(s) spun for quite a while. Remember this is on wet pavement. Whenever at WOT from a complete stop you can feel the it kick in at about 2500 RPMS, but before that it feels slow.

*Sigh* I guess some of you think this is funny, but all I did was ask a simple question. O well!

EDIT: I forgot, you think there might just be something wrong with the car?

Thanks!

 

[Robinson]

i dont really think its funny, you just asked if there was a function of the car that would retard the timing when you got wheelspin. the answer is no. next time you try that, pay attention to how high your torque converter is stalling. it could simply be that at half throttle its loading up to a higher speed than it would at WOT, which doesnt make any sense to me, but i suppose it is possible.

 

[Tony]

I'm not asking if there is a function to prevent wheel spin (like traction control), I was just wondering if like everytime the car is at WOT and within the first couple of thousand RPM's that the power might be automatically reduced every time no matter what. So this way a 60 year old woman wouldn't go out of control if she decided she'd floor it...lol. I thought it might be a safety feature since these cars aren't made to be race cars. So anyways thanks for the feedback.

 

[JoelBender]

yes

the computer is programmed to cut back the timing at WOT shifts, it does it for one prupose, to soften the shifts for families, older people, anyone who doesn't want a neck snapping shift.

 

[Robinson]

thats just during shifts though. hes convinced that the timing is backed out at launch at WOT. im having a hard time believing that

 

[JoelBender]

correct

the timing is not pulled at launch, ONLY at the shifts, you are correct there J-Rob, might be another problem if you have no power at a WOT launch.

 

[Robinson]

btw, hows the head swap going?

 

[Tony]

Okay, I understand!

I guess it just might be my imagination then. Thanks for setting this straight for me guys. Maybe the reason there is no wheel spin at WOT because there is alot more wieght transfer! And when 3/4 the way there is less transfer which then makes wheelspin. Who knows, maybe there is something wrong. I also got to remember that it is a heavy car too. Anyways thanks again!

 

[JoelBender]

heh

I wish, I am just gathering parts now, I don't think I noted that properly. I have the heads, which is of course the major part, I was going to get the bullitt intake, but won't now because of that price hike.

 

[Robinson]

i had some parts lined up for the swap through some people at corral.net before i sold the heads to you.... they might still have some intakes and valve covers around.

 

[JoelBender]

ahh

I'll go check, I have the upper intake, so only need the lower, need both valve covers, and gaskets, and what seems to be about a billion other parts, and I been contemplating just waiting and having the entire motor torn down when I do the swap, and replace everything with forged goodies

 

[A-Train]

Here is the correct info...

As someone who knows once told me, at any shift above 15% throttle, the EEC pulls timing out to make the shift smoother. At WOT, the EEC takes the timing to 10 degrees AFTER top dead center. Some heavy part throttle shifts can also see negative spark advance.

He also told us that when you modify the engine, the triggers for the spark retard will be off.

A-Train

 

[JoelBender]

Thank you A-Train

I knew the timing was cut back from a previous conversation with someone, but I could not remember how much it was cut back

 

[AverageJoe]

Would a chip from , oh say Dennis, override the timing pull on the shifts for a better shift and a stronger run down the track?