idk about you guys... But in my experience VDC off + SynchroRev off = Z drives 100x smoother

:iagree:

When I attended the Skip Barber High Performance driving school at Road Atlanta a few years back, the instructors echoed that sentiment.

Perhaps the confusion stems from the fact that there's the 'ABLS' component of the VCD system. Either can trip the 'VCD' light. VCD being full-blown traction control with power cut, whereas ABLS just pulses brakes in an attempt to mimic a LSD (at least, for those of us with non-Sports... not sure about those with VLSD's). At least, that's my understanding. Different situations might invoke just ABLS, where you don't get the power cut.

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...ht-blinks.html

Mine did not. It cut power by about 10-20% for a quarter second or so. Very nice on a slightly overzealous corner exit.

VDC is not too intrusive to me either, just another safety net when spirit driving on the public streets.

It all depends on when/where/how you are driving. Most find it to be intrusive when driving hard, or driving rough. It won't be too invasive if you are not at the limit and driving smooth.

that wasnt VDC that kicked in it was traction control. VDC has to do with the way the car accelerates. With it on my car revs to red line before really taking off. with it off I get a much better shift dynamic

This. Which means street driving should be unobtrusive for the most part. But there are situations where it becomes a PITA, like Mike mentioned earlier.

I was driving smooth, not pushing the car. Exiting a banked corner in 3rd gear and rolling onto the throttle while straightening the wheel. I rolled onto it just fast enough to try to move the back end gradually. I felt it more 1-2" or so it felt, and VDC prevented any more. For the street, this is just fine, if not preferable, for me.

BTW: in answer to a side-point above: ABLS is active even on Sport/Nismo models with VSLD from the factory.

My experience has been that VDC is very intrusive if you're trying to slip the wheels and drive at the sweet spot right on the edge of good traction. You definitely want this car's VDC off for track stuff, even low-level HPDE. It won't save you, it'll just screw you.

I keep it off most of the time on the street as well, because in the rare circumstance you want to push the rear end a bit (e.g. hard accel coming out of a corner or onto a freeway, etc) you don't want it killing your acceleration.

What it's nice for on the street though is unpredictable traction situations where you're *not* trying to push traction limits intentionally. For example, if you're driving in decently-heavy rain and/or on a dusty/gravelly section of road. There are definitely situations there where you might hit a puddle or a slick spot out of nowhere and VDC can react faster than you can if you're not being 100% attentive.

Heck, the car will cut power when I pull out of the parking lot at work because the bump is too high and the system doesn't like it

Year model has to be considered. We know that nissan is forever tweaking there cars in general and not making any announcements. You feel difference when you had time in each car. For example: salesguys that take Z's home feel the difference from year to year. Or like I did going from an 09 to an 11 on the suspension. 11's spring response is more refined in absorption of bumps.
Its possible to VDC has been mildly tweaked enough not to be as intrusive in 11-12???Which are the cars you are familiar with. 09-10 basically went untweaked except for some TSB's, small feature upgrades like brighter nav, screen, backup cam heated mirrors and air filter. 2011 marked subtle tweaks to improve overall ride and drive quality that weren't made known to the gen-pop, like sound deadening added. But most dealers and car reviewers do know of the mild refinements which occured. That's why the 2011 was re-reviewed by a few car mags.

dang, we're still talking about this? lol...

Cos they haven't turned off the VDC yet... you know what I mean Mr.kenchan :icon18:

sorry, i havent read all 58 post to this point and here is my 2 cents.

with VDC on, if you try to accelerate hard and turn hard the VDC will shut you down and say nooooooo.

it feels to me, on long sweeping turns under hard acceleration that VDC will slightly cut power to keep things under control. Or maybe I dont try hard enough on the long sweepers.

I think it's fine on, but I hate the fact that the electronic system can't be turned 100% off. I know it's 'helping me' by causing my brakes to fake it as a differential, but it's my brakes, not a differential.

I wish VDC off was "Sport Mode" and ALL electronic throttle and brake oversight plus ABS ice mode disabled was "Off."