silver1.3

What RPM do you launch under normal takeoff and performance takeoff.

I always seems to take off normally around 2k-2.5k and performance around 3.5k - 4k.

When I normally take off and if Im not paying attentions its like the clutch grabs just after I get moving and bogs the car down for a second and then it rockets off. I chaulk that up to low torque.

When I performance take off I tend to vasilate between holding the revs and letting the clutch engage as required to rocket it of and bringing up the rpm to say 4k while releasing the clutch as the rpms build. Im not sure which one is better yet.

How do you all shift?

StewC625

Everyday driving:

Launch with about 2000 rpm, each gear about 5000 rpm up to the speed I want.

Performance: Launch with 4000 - 5000 rpm (like SERIOUS launch performance - not often in my world), redline each gear.

rx8wannahave

I test drove, LOL, don't laugh cause I don't got an 8 yet...LOL

I know I felt like shifting at 3K (to the next gear) was a little too low but 3.7-4K would make the car move along alot better.

Performance wise I heard mag's say that to get the best times you need to launch it at 7-8K and anything less than that saw significant drops in 0-60 & 1/4 mile times.

Is that true?

yamajj

my takeoff rpm ranges from 1k to 2k. i usually shift around 5k. no "sport" launches yet and i've only had mine for two months. (it has nothing to do with break in.....it's done) i leave my sport attitude to my bikes.

yamajj

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

i launch between 1-2000 in normal slow start, for quick launch to merge with traffic i launch at 3000-ish (more or less)

i don't plan to do 7k clutch dumps on this car, EVER :D

shift point varies widely from 4000 to 8500 depends on situation :o

bigblockbeater

the 8 can be tough to launch. especially when you get a lot of excessive wheel hop (i find that around 4k to 6k). once you find your perfect launch then you shift at the beep!

Gambit

usually launch @ 2000 rpm's, and shift somewhere between 4 and 5k...the salesman told me that mazda wants you to shift between 5 and 6 though

futureownr4sure

you guys lauch at 2k rmps on everyday driving? wow, that's way too high.

93rdcurrent

I usually shift between 4-9.5k rpms. If I'm babying her I will shift at 3k rpms but that would be rare. Even in my 6k redline M3 I didn't usually shift until I was at 4-5k rpms.

silver1.3

are you being funny or serious. IF your serious then what do you shift at. Hell, you barly touch the throttle and your at 1.5k.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

the torqueless wonder needs extra rpms to get moving from a stop :o

93rdcurrent

Hell 2k for a launch in a Honda Civic is nothing. The 8 requires a bit more.

moRotorMotor

You got to be one heck of a driver to launch at 2k rpm. The car shakes and stutters whenever I try to get it moving with just 2k to work with.

NomisR

I don't usually pay attention to what RPM I'm at for normal launches as long as its enough where I don't stall which should be around 1+k or so.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

practice makes perfect :D

in this case the art of clutch/throttle modulation on a low torque car like the 8 :D

oh you'll be slow off the line when launching at 2k, but you can still be smooth while being slow :o

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

i "launch" in everyday traffic just off idle and shift at about 3k... anything higher in heavy traffic is truely pointless IMO

...now open back roads can be a different story

stanfordcole

You guys talking about launching at 1k. Good grief the thing idles at that almost. Maybe I'm mistaken, I'll pay more attention next time I drive it. I'm sure I'm at about 2-2.5k. I check next time though, I don't really watch it unless I know I'm revving it out, I just go with what feels good.

army_rx8

for every day driving i slip the clutch at 1k and is total off of it at about 1.5k.....nice and smouth:D only went to the strip a few times...8k cltuch drop is worthless....wheel hop through all of first gear and most of second.....better to slip the clutch at around 5k (max torque is around that rpm) got my best time launching at 3k lol too funny (but the track sucked no traction at all, on a good surface a 5k would've been heaven)

Racingwhore

every day driving i would launch about 2-3k....And i switch Gears b/w 3-6k.....
it's my first car in Stick...so.....The heavy launches i havnt done yet...

I have a question...Sometimes when i go from 1st gear to 2nd...the car jerks a lil....like..its not a smooth transition....any1 have any idea whY???
someone told me i gotta ride the clutch a little bit more..but..i dunno....

beachdog

Exactly.

For driving in traffic, it's all that's necessary. I release the clutch until it just barely engages, without adding any gas at all. As soon as the engagement starts I gently, progressively add some gas. Foot is completely off the clutch between 1200 and 1600 rpms.

In traffic, 1-2 and 2-3 shifts are usually 4-6k, higher gears at 4-5k.

For agressive launches it's fairly similar. The difference is that everything is done quicker. As soon as the clutch is at initial engagement I quickly bring the revs up to about 4k while lifting off the clutch. If you've never tried this, give it a try. You'll pin your passengers to the seats like you have a v8.

Have never done a clutch drop with the 8 and never will.

DMBfan

Since a rotary does not have a lot of rotating mass to keep everything going like in a V6 or V8, Ive found you have to be more percise every shift to get that seemless feel. Ive driven a standard tranny my whole life and it took me a few months to get that smooth shift down to a science. I dont have to ride the clutch I just match RPMs for the next gear.

AF-RX8

I launch around 1800 - 2000 rpm's and then normally shift around 6000 rpm's


I never have launched higher then 2500 - 3000rpm, I drive aggressively but I never race ... my car is 10.5 months old and just hit 4000 miles

TODreamer

Ok that explains why everyday launch goes as high as 3k. For everyday driving you souldnt launch taht high... keep it 2 and under...

well..... from 1st to 2nd you gotta ease the clutch a little for a smooth ride... don't just dump it... after a while, you'll learn to rev match

dont worry, you'll get it with time..... I remember when I first picked up my very first manual car and had to drive it home in the midst of a snow storm in stop n' go traffic on the hwy... that was HAIRY..... I got used to manual driving in no time after that

army_rx8

WOW AF-RX8 your car is 10.5 months and only 4k miles...dang. maybe i shouldn't drive as much i am at 13.5 months and i just went over 27k :D

TODreamer

When I test drove the 8, my first time in there and I was driving it smooth as silk.... I found it very easy to drive in that "seemless" fashion