03 Matrix, wont go past certain speed ?

[trixareforme]

I have a XR 2003 matrix, and it pisses me off that i cant go faster then 95, whats going on with it ? whats stoping me, i totally feel like i have more power to go faster but it wont let me ? is it my ecu or what ?

[TheSilentChamber]

Its either a factory set speed limit or rev limit, more than like speed limiter. On chevy stuff we used to get by this by splitting the VSS (speed sensor) wire into two, running one lead back to the speedo and running the other one a switch then tieing it back into the ecu plug. When you get to the speed right before the speed limitor kicked in you could turn the switch off, stopping the VSS from sending the signal to the ecu, eliminating the speed cutoff. A check engine light will come on, but once you slow down and flip the switch back on it will go off again. I dont know if this trick still works on stuff or not, I havnt never did it to anything that new, or to a ford. I'm not sure how its all tied in together on it and if going that route would effect anything. Try posting on the focus boards and see if anyone knows.

[CBFryman]

or you can get one of thoes programers. there are tons of them out there. dont even have to add power. most have a speed limitor remover on there. also, if you just remove the speed sensor all togather and put an aftermarket speedometer this will no longer hapen. check engine light will come on but that is easily fixable by taking it down to a mechanic and having them remove the code with an OBO II code reader or if you know someone who has one.
Oh but, ehhhh get better tires before trying to go over 95. the manufacturer doesnt put speed limiters on there just to stop you from speeding. they are covering their ass agianst lawyers. sure your car is capeable of 130mph...but that doesnt mean the cheapo daily driver $50 a pop tires can handle it. get some higher speed rated tires and you will be good to go. dont try it with factory tires or factory reccomended speed rating tires. a blow out at 110mph wont be fun, trust me.

[-Jayson-]

well the VSS mod on cavaliers isnt the greatest thing. They have it all tied into one wire now. So when you flick that switch you lose your dash. Speedo, tach, odometer all stop working when the switch is set. And the odomtere not work, thats illegal and instantly gives your car a 0$ resale value. Yes check to make sure your tires can handl those speeds. My car comes with a 105MPH speed limiter, but H rated tires, they are good for 130MPH i believe.

But why do you need to be going faster than 95MPH?

[TheSilentChamber]

Originally Posted by -Jayson-

well the VSS mod on cavaliers isnt the greatest thing. They have it all tied into one wire now. So when you flick that switch you lose your dash. Speedo, tach, odometer all stop working when the switch is set. And the odomtere not work, thats illegal and instantly gives your car a 0$ resale value. Yes check to make sure your tires can handl those speeds. My car comes with a 105MPH speed limiter, but H rated tires, they are good for 130MPH i believe.

But why do you need to be going faster than 95MPH?

Note that I said split the wire, sounds like your also switching the power to the VSS and dash and everything and not the VSS signal wire.

[drdisque]

that limiter is put there by the manufacturer for a reason, they're not the "fun police", they're just letting you know that your car isn't built to go any faster than that and going faster than that can cause things to break, often in a spectacular and dangerous fashion.

[curtis73]

Well, I don't know if I'd go that far. My Impala SS was electronically limited to 120 with factory Z-rated 255 rubber. The police versions were not limited at all with 225 V-rated rubber. Some police models were limited to 140 or 155, but only a few. Its politics, not actual safety involved.

Speed is dangerous on an exponential level, and I'm not speaking of the car. I'm speaking of the driver. In the same car, a terrible driver at 50 mph is worse than an excellent driver at 100 mph. Auto manufacturers know this, and the target buyer for a matrix is very different than the target buyer for a Corvette. Speed limiters are 20% based on the car's ability, 30% based on target buyer, and 50% based on corporate stiffs covering their ass.

I'm just impressed that any matrix owner has discovered that there IS a speed limiter.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by curtis73

Well, I don't know if I'd go that far. My Impala SS was electronically limited to 120 with factory Z-rated 255 rubber. The police versions were not limited at all with 225 V-rated rubber. Some police models were limited to 140 or 155, but only a few. Its politics, not actual safety involved.

Speed is dangerous on an exponential level, and I'm not speaking of the car. I'm speaking of the driver. In the same car, a terrible driver at 50 mph is worse than an excellent driver at 100 mph. Auto manufacturers know this, and the target buyer for a matrix is very different than the target buyer for a Corvette. Speed limiters are 20% based on the car's ability, 30% based on target buyer, and 50% based on corporate stiffs covering their ass.

While I agree, I would say it's 100% ass-covering on the part of the manufacturer, mostly tied in to product liability vs buyer appeal.
The vast majority of buyers will never see the potential top speed of a car, but the appeal, especially for a performance car is that the limit is there.
I would never in my right mind drive faster than 100 mph, but if I plunked down $60 large for a Vette, I would not want to see a 110 mph speed limiter on it.
However, I think its the potential exposure to liability that is the prime motivator for speed limiters. Chances are, if the manufacturers didn't volintaritly install limiters on many cars, the NHTSA folks in the government (at least in the US) would make them manditory across the board.