NefCanuck,Sep 4 2008, 09:19 PM Wrote:Here's the thing, honestly do any of us need a car that can exceed 150km/h?ÃÂ I can tell you that for 90% of the population this law would have zero impact and that's why its even on the table.
Now whether the auto manufacturers cry foul over having to build these things for Canada only (I know GM bitched WRT to the DRL's which was a lot less invasive to build in)
The catch is though, if they have to build in speed limiters, how long before the auto makers build 'em into cars destined for the US? (Easier to build cars all the same) and does it survive the US backlash?
NefCanuck
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Here's the rub:
We're enthusiasts. Perhaps we now tweak for torque (instead of speed), or fuel economy (as I'm doing right now with the Escape), or lower RPMs @ speed (kinda out in left field with that one but bear with me, it's getting good)... how do you dyno and tune so that your entire rev range is safe under load?
Most dyno pulls are in 3rd with a 4-speed auto and 3rd or 4th with a 5- or 6-speed manual/auto. How do you make a full pull when your limiter will kill your pull due to indicated road speed in above said gears? I know for a fact @ 6000 RPMs in 2nd gear I'm over 130 KM/H.
Indeed, how do new vehicles get tuned at the factory? Are the limiters programmed after the stock tunes are verified on the test mules? If so, we're no further ahead than where we are now.
The governors are already there, they're present in every car sold in Canada right now that doesn't have Z-rated tires and a true sports car heritage. My Escape is limited to ~ 160 KM/H. The governor can't be eliminated but it can be raised... so how will that be different than now? I'm sure they'll be circumvented in due course all over again. What's next - spot checks at the side of the road for emissions and a functioning and correctly-set limiter?
This is a step in against the freedom to do as you will with the product that you're sold, so long as you conduct your vehicle in accordance with the laws of the road. Notice that I didn't call it a right. Nor did I say it was perfectly legit. We're on the edge of a razor with this one and if this law goes through, we'll likely wind up falling straight back onto the sharp edge of the blade. If mods that bring power are next to be outlawed, "too much power" is next and we'll all have V6s at the absolute most with the exception of emergency services and the armed forces.
Where we go from there depends on whether or not you see that as a benefit to society. Personally, I'm so far from seeing that as a benefit they might try to declare me legally blind. :angry:
/end rant
Daily driver 1: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport "S"
33" BFG Mud-Terrain KM2s, lots of Rough Country gear - bumper, 2.5" lift, swaybar disconnects, Superwinch 10,000lb winch, Detroit Locker in rear D44 axle, custom exhaust, K+N filtercharger, Superchips-tuned.
Daily driver 2: 2006 Subaru Legacy GT
COBB Stage 1+ package - AccessPort tuner, COBB intake and airbox. Stage 2 coming shortly - COBB 3" AT stainless DP and race cat, custom 3" Magnaflow-based exhaust and Stage 2 COBB tune.
33" BFG Mud-Terrain KM2s, lots of Rough Country gear - bumper, 2.5" lift, swaybar disconnects, Superwinch 10,000lb winch, Detroit Locker in rear D44 axle, custom exhaust, K+N filtercharger, Superchips-tuned.
Daily driver 2: 2006 Subaru Legacy GT
COBB Stage 1+ package - AccessPort tuner, COBB intake and airbox. Stage 2 coming shortly - COBB 3" AT stainless DP and race cat, custom 3" Magnaflow-based exhaust and Stage 2 COBB tune.