I just put my cat-back exhaust last week and I notice that off the start I fish tail a lil' and the low traction light comes on. I was just wondering if this was normal. All of my friends have 3.08 gears on their camaros, so I was wondering if the 3.42's on mine may cause it. Before the exhaust was put on I had this low traction issue happen a few times before. Just curious if this was anything worth worrying about. Thanks!!

 

The 3.42s make it easier for you to break the tires loose from a standstill because it takes less power to turn the axles with a steeper gear like that. 3.08s are tougher to turn. Anyway, the Low Trac light is perfectly normal; it means your ABS system is working/engaged when you lost traction. Notice it only comes on when you are braking. So don't worry

 

Yeah dude, that's a good thing!! It means you're getting some good power to the rear wheels.

 

That or its time for some new tires

 

I prefer to believe it's more power. So how much to the rear do you think the exhaust gave? It's a 3 inch cat-back by the way.

 

well, actually, off the line, you would have a slight decrease in power if any change at all (down low due to the lack of backpressure from the new exhaust). the gains you will see will come higher in the powerband

 

That's true Loochy. So then what the hell is up with the traction control? I figured that off the start, the gears caused it before, but is there any reason that the gear/exhaust combo would make it looser off the start?

 

Time for some new tires...

I know before I got my new tires and right after I got my exhaust put on, it was harder for the tires to hook and hold.

 

This is not a traction control related problem. If you are just seeing the "Low Trac" light, that just means your front and rear tires are going different speeds (from the spinning rear tires ). My 96 V6 firebird would turn that light on when I did powerslides, my 98 T/A does the same thing.

If traction control was engaging, your foot would be physically pushed up off the gas and you would definitely know it. Also, if you don't have an ASR or TCS button on your center panel, then you don't have traction control to begin with.

 

Well I have the ASR button and it's always activated. If I had no ASR or TCS button then there would be no point for this question. So now that we are both at an understanding that I have traction control, is there anything you can suggest?

 

So, if you've got the button why don't you just flip it to turn the ASR off?

If the button won't flip, then I suggest taking your car to the dealership to get looked at because something is wrong.

 

Just wanted to let you all know, I had a problem with the
"Low Trac" light coming on, ( I don't have traction control) I read up on this forum and was informed that this was the ABS system. The brake pedal would come up slightly when the car came to a stop, like no brakes for a second. Then when you would take off the light would go out. Read up in my manual (Haynes) about ABS.
It just said to check wires, etc. Which I did, I also disconnected and reconnected front wheel sensor wires. That was a week ago and the "Low trac" light hasn't come on again and the brakes are working normal. It appears that it was just a bad connection. Just wanted to pass this informaiton on you all you guys. And say thanks for all the info. It certainly has helped me.
Thanks again,
David

 

Hey thanks Dreamweaver. That sounds like something worth trying.