What RPM do you launch
02-22-2004, 10:48 AM
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What RPM do you launch
I just got my new RX-8 three days ago and can hardly wait till it's fully broken in, but I don't want to BREAK it. My other car is a 69 Mustang that was practically born drag racing. It's nearly impossible to kill because the tires will just go up in smoke. How strong is the RX-8's tranny and clutch? What about wheel hop? I want to learn the easy way!
05-26-2007, 04:25 AM
#4
Hey MCC,
I have done a bit of launch experimentation in stock trim and here is what has worked for me: First, locate your DSC button, push and hold it for 5 seconds, or so. The dash will respond with the traction control and DSC lights coming on steady. Then shift car into second gear(yes, while at a standstill). Then bring the rpm's up to 6,000. Then while quickly releasing the clutch pedal, but not necessarily "dumping it, floor the gas pedal. A number of things should happen. You will notice no wheelhop. You will notice that the vehicle accelerates more smoothly and stays near the horsepower peak. I spun my tires to 40 mph where the car hooked up at which point I was still at 6k rpm. The thing about this type of launch is that it doesn't have that neck-snapping feel that you would get by using first gear. At the same time, it doesn't subject the real differential and axle set to the higher torque levels that it would be by using first gear. With a 4.44:1 ratio, 1st is useless on the street because any launch higher than 3k just smokes the tires. I used to have a Nova with the same problem so I switched from a Turbo 350 to a Powerglide and 10" converter. I gained 1.3 seconds in the 1/4 mile with this change alone. Try this method and let me know how you like it.
Charles
I have done a bit of launch experimentation in stock trim and here is what has worked for me: First, locate your DSC button, push and hold it for 5 seconds, or so. The dash will respond with the traction control and DSC lights coming on steady. Then shift car into second gear(yes, while at a standstill). Then bring the rpm's up to 6,000. Then while quickly releasing the clutch pedal, but not necessarily "dumping it, floor the gas pedal. A number of things should happen. You will notice no wheelhop. You will notice that the vehicle accelerates more smoothly and stays near the horsepower peak. I spun my tires to 40 mph where the car hooked up at which point I was still at 6k rpm. The thing about this type of launch is that it doesn't have that neck-snapping feel that you would get by using first gear. At the same time, it doesn't subject the real differential and axle set to the higher torque levels that it would be by using first gear. With a 4.44:1 ratio, 1st is useless on the street because any launch higher than 3k just smokes the tires. I used to have a Nova with the same problem so I switched from a Turbo 350 to a Powerglide and 10" converter. I gained 1.3 seconds in the 1/4 mile with this change alone. Try this method and let me know how you like it.
Charles
outside the box again.. nice. kills my old dirt bike feathering trick... lots of smart... and the not breaking stuff is a +. not that i have broke stuff... brain hurts.
beers
05-26-2007, 03:18 PM
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I probably should have been launching in 2nd when I was stuck in the "parking lot", a.k.a. bumper-to-bumper stop-an-go traffic. Probably would have saved my clutch a *lot* of pain.
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