How do you launch?
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: San Francisco
How do you launch?
Can someone write a few steps on what they do before they launch for a race? ie..when to step on gas, how fast they drop the clutch....etc?
Also, how bad is this for a clutch?
Would it reduce clutch lifetime by half if you do it too often?
On a perfect launch, should the wheels spin a little?
Thanks!
Also, how bad is this for a clutch?
Would it reduce clutch lifetime by half if you do it too often?
On a perfect launch, should the wheels spin a little?
Thanks!
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,115
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From: Guilford, CT
Though a little wheel spin is fine... perfect to me means no spin and no bucking. people say it's really bad on the clutch but i've been doing it a long time and my clutch is perfect.
Here's what i do:
1. hold the clutch down and rev to 6000-6500rpm
2. let up the gas half way, and the clutch halfway
3. press in the gas all the way and get off the clutch (do these 2 steps really fast, btw)
From my experience I found doing this method instead of just dropping the clutch right away yields better results launching. You have to do it right or you'll end up burning your clutch like crazy. You'll need to practice to get it right and fast. which brings me to another point... practice makes perfect... find what RPM is right for you. A little too high you'll spin em', a little too low you'll buck. And if this method doesn't work for you, just drop the clutch.
Here's what i do:
1. hold the clutch down and rev to 6000-6500rpm
2. let up the gas half way, and the clutch halfway
3. press in the gas all the way and get off the clutch (do these 2 steps really fast, btw)
From my experience I found doing this method instead of just dropping the clutch right away yields better results launching. You have to do it right or you'll end up burning your clutch like crazy. You'll need to practice to get it right and fast. which brings me to another point... practice makes perfect... find what RPM is right for you. A little too high you'll spin em', a little too low you'll buck. And if this method doesn't work for you, just drop the clutch.
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,288
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From: Nashville
depends on the surface you are racing on. On a hot day, I cannot break the rear tires loose on concrete (even a 9000rpm clutch drop didn't do it). At the drag strip I did some burnouts and launched at 6500-7000rpm for some spin but not too much. Got 13.99 and 13.98 so i did something right. 
I have done lots of "dropped clutches" and nothing has broken (yet). I did the same stuff to my old S2000 and nothing broke in 24k miles on it.
Yes, the wheels should spin, otherwise you burn clutch or bog.
Scot
[QUOTE]Originally posted by LostWaffle
[B]Can someone write a few steps on what they do before they launch for a race?
I have done lots of "dropped clutches" and nothing has broken (yet). I did the same stuff to my old S2000 and nothing broke in 24k miles on it.
Yes, the wheels should spin, otherwise you burn clutch or bog.
Scot
[QUOTE]Originally posted by LostWaffle
[B]Can someone write a few steps on what they do before they launch for a race?
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,641
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From: West Hartford, CT
opinions differ and so do the conditions. You wouldnt rev to 8k and clutch dump in the cold because you will end up in some other lane. Some people say 5k and others say 8k. Any type of harsh launch will hurt your clutch/tranny/differential. Its just a matter of mow much.
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