So, what's the best launch technique? I'm personally driving a 6MT, but my wife drives a 5AT, so discussion for either tranny is just fine...

When I went to the track, I was a complete novice and I found myself just dropping the clutch. Unfortunately, I can't give you a rev range, mostly because I was concentrating so hard on the tree I didn't know what the rpms were when I let loose. I know I was all over the place on my 6 runs, because my 60 foots were between 2.5 and 2.29. My best launch, at 2.29, had quite a bit of wheel spin. The other launches had much less, so I do think a *bit* of spin might be best.

Other thoughts?

DaveB, in particular, I would like to hear your suggestions. You've mentioned in other threads that as a group, the majority of g owners are ignorant as to the best launching techniques. I agree. Now is your time to educate us.

 

I'm interested too. Though i don't know if i would ever be able to bring myself to launch my G!!

 

I've found that the best results for me on the street (completely different animal from the track, I know) tend to come from clutch feathering at around 3000 RPMs. You just modulate the clutch and gas for the best hookup so you don't just spin through first.

 

wat about for G35x? do you think brake torque'n it is bad for the car? havent tried yet since my car is new. but torque braking my sc400 helped the launch alot. i would assume the same for 4 wheel drive, except it would launch like a bat out of hell instead of spinning the wheels.

 

No spin, but a nice 2.11 60'

Foot-to-the floor with both pedals....side step the brake and go!

 

I have a 5at and i usually just rev up to about 1500 rpm's (depending on your tire and tire tred and the gravel you might be able to hit 2000 rpm's) and let go of the gas and punch it at green. Many others have been surprised by my car off the line cause its auto others think its a stick!

 

rev it to 2500-3000 rpm let the clutch half way out then feathering it till u feel it has grip. It is fine for the car to burn out but not too much.
I havent used this technique at the track yet.
Can't wait till december.
After 9 months of owning this car finally i can do consistant good launches.

 

First off, don't worry about reaction time. It has absolutely no influence on ET/MPH. You could sit for 24 hours at a green light and then launch and run a 14.2@100mph with 24 hour reaction time. The timers don't start until you move. Learn to launch then work on R/T.

5AT Launch

1) Shallow stage your car
2) With your foot firmly on the brake, press down on the gas so that the rpms are at 1000-1100rpms.
3) Once the yellow lights come on, mash the gas while holding the brake. The rpms should shoot to 2000rpm and then build to 2400-2600rpms.
4) The very second you see that third set of yellow lights come on, release the brake and keep the gas to the floor. This should net a good reaction time.
5) Manually shift the 2-3 and hold 3rd gear. You should tap the rev limiter in 3rd shortly after finishing the line.
6) Stay in the gas until you're way clear of the finish line.


6MT Launch

1) Shallow stage your car
2) Put the car in 1st, rev up to 3000-4000rpms (experiment), and release the clutch just to the point of where it would engage. Hold it.
3) The very second you see that third set of yellow lights come on, release the clutch a little and the second you feel the car move, quickly release the clutch as your feeding the car gas. The goal is to stay above 3500rpms coming off the line. You cannot, I repeat cannot, go full throttle until the tires are hooked up. If you blow the tires off, you're getting too greedy with the throttle and/or clutch release. If you bog, take those pink panties off and give that car more rpm next time. A perfect street tire launch will result in some chatter of the tires and no bog. That's all.
4) Shift at just before the limiter in all gears.
5) Stay on the gas until you're way clear of the finish line.

 

How fast does the 3rd gear go in 5Ats?

 

I'd venture to say 100-101mph. The gear calculator says 103mph, but it can't account for torque converter slippage. I know that I tag the rev limiter about 50 feet past the finish line. Since my trap speeds are close to 98mph and since the last 66' of the race is average MPH not actual MPH, I'm inclined to believe topspeed is just north of 100mph. If you let the tranny shift itself, it will grab 4th at ~90mph. Not good. The extra shift and the reduce gear multiplication will slow you down. I think that's a primary reason why some guys aren't running the times they should in the 5ATs.

 

Went to the track again last night. I had a total of 13 runs. Discount two(one run in the wife's car, and one run where the tree got messed up). Out of the remaining 11 runs, here are my launch times in order:

1: 2.299
2: 2.293
3: 2.278
4: 2.482
5: 2.233
6: 2.381
7: 2.286
8: 2.370
9: 2.350
10: 2.154
11: 2.235

Honestly, for the first 8 or 9 runs I was concentrating on the tree and r/t's instead of my 60'. Then when I specifically ignored the tree, I got my best 60' of the night: 2.154. On that particular run, I had the tach at a steady 3k, and let go.

The few times that I actually did try to feather the clutch and not just romp on the accelerator I got 2.3's and a 2.4.

So I can now consistently get 2.2's, and with a little work, dip into the 2.1's.

Note - stock 05 18's on goodyear NC5's

 

Let us not forget the time you ran up to second gear before you ever left the line! I know you had to burn at least 1k of tread off those tires - but it was one hell of a burn out. LOL

 

Thats so0o0o0 cool how u and ur wife both drive G's!! haha i deff envy u!! watch out u better not let her pass u!!! has she ever beaten u in a race? haha good luck.... i dont have tha cojonas to launch my car yet... the first time i did it i bogged down and was dissapointed and didnt try it agian

 

Yes I have beat him - once but I hope that not to be the only time. Mine is an '04 and an auto SO he has the advantage. Soon I am going to start running in his car some so he will have some real competition then.

Why the apprehension to try to launch again? Got to practice if you want to get good at it.