[QUOTE]Originally posted by Pixsurguy
[B]

 

The short answer is that I don't really know, but that was my theory behind getting the new clutch/pressure plate.

I just got my Star Stage II disk and Star pressure plate installed. Picked up car from dealer on Wednesday. They were doing warranty work on the transmission and it only cost me $35 bucks for the clutch/pp installation.

Have not really tried to launch so far, but on asphalt I can get at least a minor chirp even in third gear. Once I even heard it on fourth gear. Had to listen closely tho. This is not w/ SO2s, but KDWs, which are not as sticky as the OEMs.

 

Hey I'm new as you can see. Someone said if they could just get a stronger clutch and slip it. ( I dont know how to use the quote function)...

Well it's my understanding that "better" clutches don't allow for much slippage. It's either engaged or disengaged. Not much play inbetween. That's why they launch so much better.

Of course I'm not a super mechanic so if I'm wrong someone correct me.

 

If anyone is still checking this thread, I would really like to know more about launching and what you can do to improve it without destroying the drivetrain.

-Nix

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Nixlimited
[B]If anyone is still checking this thread, I would really like to know more about launching and what you can do to improve it without destroying the drivetrain.

 

Qphox, that is kinda what I figured, although it is dissapointing because I really want to launch it a few times just for fun. Are other cars better designed for this type of abuse. I never here anyone complaining about tearing up their Mustang (etc.) rear end. Is it perhaps because those cars have enough torque to easily spin the rear tires which reduces the impulse time on the rear end? Or is it just equally as bad for all cars?
Thanks, Nix

 

OK - as I've tried to point out, I'm ANYTHING but an expert about this matter. However, I have read a bunch on this board about launching and also have checked into it from other sources.

Our car simply is NOT a dragster!! The entire drive line apparently was designed with road racing and normal street operation in mind. It seems that the design goals were to optimize the car for that kind of use while at the same time emphasizing reduced weight.

Thus, our drive line is not made to the same beefy standards as say the typical Mustang. Yes, apparently there are after-market fixes available. I understand that Comptech makes a "girdle" for the differential case to hold things together better and also there is an all round stronger diff. available from Kaz (spelling?). One of our members has that, Wesmaster I think.

No doubt about it; side-slipping the clutch has damaged many of our cars up to and including broken axles, differentials, half-shafts, CV joints, prop shafts, and transmissions. Can it be done w/o massive parts destruction - clearly yes as shown by the many members who reguarly launch in that fashion.

I'm told that there really is no effective middle ground between high rpm side-slipping and normal launch. If you are at 5k or above and fail to release the clutch fast enough, you get massive clutch slippage.

Bottom line is that eventually damage of some level can be expected from high rpm side-slipping. I suppose it depends on the car and the circumstances of the launch(es) as to when disabling damage can be encountered.

Ain't no way I'm gonna do it.

 

The more that I read and think about it, I think that the safest launches are sidesteps at high RPM. Initially I didn't think so, but thinking back on my college physics days, damage is all about impulse, or the time over which a force is applied. With less RPM's at launch, you are actually increasing the impulse time because the tires are not broken loose from the pavement as quickly (if at all a.k.a worst case scenario). I think a good analogy is someone karate chopping something in half. The reason the person's hand doesn't get hurt is because they minimize the impulse time by applying the maximum force the quickest. When the board breaks instantly, there is no force left to cause damage to the hand. Any of you who have tried to punch through something (for whatever reason) and didn't break it instanly, know that it hurts a hell of a lot worse than when it snaps. IMO, when you get those tires spinning instanly with a high RPM side-step you are doing less damage following the same hand logic. Just my opinion, but I personally think that if I launch, it is going to be with a high RPM sidestep.

 

I think "when it snaps" is the key phrase here . The S2000 has a range, below 3K, the clutch grabs and bogs the car. 3K-7K, the clutch spins helplessly and above 7K with a side step the clutch will grab and the tires will spin. Anything besides a gentle launch will cause wear and tear. If you repeatedly side step the clutch, something will snap. How many times it takes will vary and you can press your luck as much as possible.

The S2000 was designed to be as light as possible and this includes the drive train components. Weight is not as much an issue for a Mustang, so the drive train is built heavier and stronger.