Practicing launches. Tips and advice? - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

Sirfallsalot243 · 07-20-2007, 03:05 PM

For a guy like me, who lives out in the middle of nowhere, it isnt too often you have the opportunity to make the 2 hour trek to the nearest drag strip. In my case, that opportunity is, well... never (so far). But I would like to go in the future. Problem is, I suck at launching, and dont want to make a fool out of myself. I want to practice before I go. But I also dont want to do it at redlights, or anyplace dangerous. A deserted road is kind of out of the question, because my car is still relatively loud, and Im sure the cops would show up. I thought about trying a school parking lot, but thats good for a felony if a cop happened to show up. Where do you guys go to practice launching? Ive only launched my car twice, and once it bogged, once it spun- so I definetly need practice before heading out to Englishtown. (hoping for a 13.9 et, but expecting a 14.5-14.9 due to lack of driver skills)

ATISTANG · 07-20-2007, 04:09 PM

back country roads, but don't just dump the clutch, if you slip the clutch just right you can leave the line hard

Sirfallsalot243 · 07-20-2007, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATISTANG

back country roads, but don't just dump the clutch, if you slip the clutch just right you can leave the line hard

Yeah, I ride a bit of motocross, its really the same thing. I just need to get used to in in a car. Ive been driving stick for 3 years now (since I got my lisence), but I dont have much experience launching. The problem isnt HOW to do it, its finding a place that I can practice doing it.

ATISTANG · 07-20-2007, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirfallsalot243

Yeah, I ride a bit of motocross, its really the same thing. I just need to get used to in in a car. Ive been driving stick for 3 years now (since I got my lisence), but I dont have much experience launching. The problem isnt HOW to do it, its finding a place that I can practice doing it.

gotcha, just remember a dirt bike has a wet clutch with what like 7 fiber discs, they will still grab when hot, after a few couple time in your car if it seems to start to slip then let it cool off

iLLeFFeKt CiViC · 07-20-2007, 04:52 PM

if you have a decent driveway you might want to try this

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1sJJipbNZ4Q

BurntRubber87 · 07-21-2007, 03:53 AM

Yeah..deserted road is pretty much the best place. You want to get alittle wheelspin so you don't bog, but not too much so you blow the tires off it. I recommend...slicks or DR's..because its crazy dumping the clutch off rev limiter and taking off like a bat of hell(1.9-2.0 60 foot)..i've used slicks on my old integra once or twice and its alot of fun..yeah..and that dsm is sick.

ATISTANG · 07-21-2007, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurntRubber87

Yeah..deserted road is pretty much the best place. You want to get alittle wheelspin so you don't bog, but not too much so you blow the tires off it. I recommend...slicks or DR's..because its crazy dumping the clutch off rev limiter and taking off like a bat of hell(1.9-2.0 60 foot)..i've used slicks on my old integra once or twice and its alot of fun..yeah..and that dsm is sick.

I pulled a few 1.8's on 225/ 55/ 16 bfg street tire with no wheel spin till 2nd gear

rwd ftw

but yeah if you are gonna just dump off the clutch and not feather it any then like he said above, you will probably notice the times you take off with a little spin your 60ft times will be the best

Brad98_teg · 07-25-2007, 12:03 PM

practice preloading

gsrhunterinlv · 08-01-2007, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad98_teg

practice preloading

This is by far the best advice. To load your car simply pull up the e-brake and bring your rpm up to about 1500 above your desired launch rpm. Slowly let out the clutch until you feel the car squat and try to go forward. This will bring your rpm down to your desired level and your car is now loaded. To launch simply side step the clutch and take off the e-brake as close to simultaneously as you can, but in that order. This will pull you through to good 60fts and R/T's and is also much less harsh on driveline parts as opposed to dumping or trying to slip the clutch.

Contrary to popular belief... slipping a clutch is very bad. This creates heat... and heat is a clutches worst enemy..... well heat and too much power.... but no one will ever say that too much power is a bad thing. LOL

TayloMade07 · 08-03-2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsrhunterinlv

This is by far the best advice. To load your car simply pull up the e-brake and bring your rpm up to about 1500 above your desired launch rpm. Slowly let out the clutch until you feel the car squat and try to go forward. This will bring your rpm down to your desired level and your car is now loaded. To launch simply side step the clutch and take off the e-brake as close to simultaneously as you can, but in that order. This will pull you through to good 60fts and R/T's and is also much less harsh on driveline parts as opposed to dumping or trying to slip the clutch.

Contrary to popular belief... slipping a clutch is very bad. This creates heat... and heat is a clutches worst enemy..... well heat and too much power.... but no one will ever say that too much power is a bad thing. LOL

when preloading... wont you be slipping the clutch? or this all happens quite quick? rev up, let out then side step(??... basically drop?) let off the brake?

i never heard of that before, quite interesting... repped

hobie237 · 08-04-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsrhunterinlv

This is by far the best advice. To load your car simply pull up the e-brake and bring your rpm up to about 1500 above your desired launch rpm. Slowly let out the clutch until you feel the car squat and try to go forward. This will bring your rpm down to your desired level and your car is now loaded. To launch simply side step the clutch and take off the e-brake as close to simultaneously as you can, but in that order. This will pull you through to good 60fts and R/T's and is also much less harsh on driveline parts as opposed to dumping or trying to slip the clutch.

Contrary to popular belief... slipping a clutch is very bad. This creates heat... and heat is a clutches worst enemy..... well heat and too much power.... but no one will ever say that too much power is a bad thing. LOL

You are 100% correct- this is the fastest way to launch a FWD car.

However, it is somewhat stressful to the clutch to have it slipping while you're holding the brake, but you are correct, it's less stressful than straight up dumping it and having a complete shock load, and less stressful on the clutch than slipping it the whole way through the 60'.

I'd add that it is important to actually get to a track and practice this. The reason is simple- sometimes what feels like your fastest 60' really isn't, something that feels slow may actually be super fast. So figure out a few good ways, and then try them out on the track. There is no substitute for a timeslip.