Try this FWD launch method

[95GST]

launching a FWD can be fun, it's not like a AWD where you dump the clutch at 5k and tires chirp and you go.

I want to discuss my launch technique with you FWD guys, I'm not a 1/4 mile racer and I don't do this much because: it's my daily driver and stock clutch and I don't want to wear it out too fast (low on cash now). Also, FWD burnout draws a lot of attention :)

Anyways here it is, doesn't hurt to try.

1) get your RPM to 3000-3500, RPM is personal preference and depends on your car setup. Do not just hold it there, you flutuate the pedal so it hops around that RPM, so your car will now be doing whrooom, whrroom... rather than holding it at 3XXX RPM.

2) dump the clutch, just let it pop. your tires will spin like crazy, but at the same time also ease off the gas so your tires spin less and start to grip. You use your throttle to control the wheel spin. You can increase throttle once you feel you gain traction, this all happen very fast.

3) You should get some speed in first gear if you have launched pretty well and you can shift to second. You can speedshift to second and third. Your ET may be faster but of course not very good for your tranny.

A good launch is satisfying! Maybe with aftermarket clutch the dumping needs to slow down a little. Please let me know what you guys think and perhaps try it out.





[Edited by 95GST on 11-05-2000 at 05:05 AM]

[dsm4eva]

Similar to my method. I use 4500 RPM, most likely due to suspension mods and my tires. I maintain that RPM (no pumping), side step the clutch, and immediately try to maintain that RPM with throttle adjustment until the car has hooked. Once I've fought the torque steer and the tires have bit, I mash the pedal to the wood and hold on tight.

[greenstreak]

What kind of 60' have you guys seen using the throttle to control wheelspin after dumping the clutch?

[dsm4eva]

My best is 1.980, my average is 2.040. If I really hose the launch its 2.10s.

[90GSTforME]

Anyone have 60' times to compare this method with letting the clutch out more slowly?

[SPOOM]

My best 60 foot is 2.277 on a totally stock Talon TSi fwd with 80,000 miles and worn out 205/55/16 Goodyears. I bring the revs up to 3500...and quickly release the clutch while feeding in the throttle...trying to keep the tires right on the edge of adhesion. If you release the clutch too quickly, you will bog...if you release it too slowly, you will get a lousy time.

Regarding these sub 2 second 60 foot times, please post your relevant modifications so that I might understand how this is possible- slicks? limited slip? suspension set up? etc.? What about wheelhop?

[Frank]

i tried this method of launching today and it seemed that i left the line alot quicker. I was reving in between 3300 RPM and 4000 RPM and i popped it and there was a launch forward and some tire spin which was barely noticable that i also was able to keep in check. But i'm not sure if it was my imagination that i was going alot faster off the line.

[FIRESTARTER]

I try to do this technic but it dosen't work for me cuz I have have a good launch in first gear that's guaranntee that second gears will just have a big time tire spin. I am still experimenting with my launch tactics :) By the way I have a 17" w/ 225/45.

[4npower]

you guys ever tryed launching in 2nd gear?? i mean you'd have to be making alittle bit of power, but it wouldn't spin as much, or as long. i have seen alot of 10sec hondas doing this and they pull 1.5-1.7 60' times. and the ones that are launching in first are usually in 2nd before the 60' mark anyways. extreme was doing this in thier mirage at the very end and was having some good results doing it. you'd definitly need a good clutch like a act 2600 atleast. i tryed this in my old integra a few times with an act clutch, and at 6500 rpms it wasn't bad, granted i was only making like 130hp to the wheels, but the car didn't bog much.
just food for thought here :D

bill

[FIRESTARTER]

Hmmmmm intresting... I will try that technic. Do you guys think this is more abuse in the tranny????

[turbo=good]

2nd GEAR...
Its prolly more abusive to the clutch, but when your racing, do any of us think about that? Really?

I've actually tryed that on the street for fun and it seems like a slow launch, but I bet its faster 0-66mph beacuse of no gear change. I don't know.

We could try just reving to 7000 rpm, popping the clutch, Spin them all the way through 1st, 2nd, third, and maybe fourth. That would make pretty good trap speeds.
16.3@127mph. HEHEHEHE.

[Forsfed]

Well I am new to this board and I have to say it is a great board. Thumbs up!


I also have a GS-T and frankly racing at the track or on the street sucks, when all you do is spin through at least the first three gears and watching the other car just leaving you behind. Has anyone ever tried to mix methods of our brother the infamous GSX? I understand that there is no match between AWD and FWD, but if we incorporate some of the methods they use along with the methods posted on this thread, we might be able to put up some good 60 footers.

(This is all my thinking and maybe a stupid point)

Well first we practice with the second gear launch as mentioned above. Once this is down to a science when then incorporate the MSD DIS2, this is used by many AWD DSMs around my area and works very well for consistant launches, with impressive 60 footers! Well once we are staged at the tree or read light, we start the studderbox at about 3000-3500. This would build consist boost (5-8 pounds)for a powerful launch (not bogging down) popping the clutch spinning a little (since we are in second) catching a grip and baaam we are off to post some good times like these cars should be posting. Of course a upgraded clutch has to come into play, but most of us have one anyway =)

Here is a link of how to hook one up if interested:
http://rossl.home.texas.net/dis2install.htm

Like I said I have not tried this, but it does sounds logical (I think)! Let me know if this would be a good method or a waste of efforts!!!

Brian


[Edited by Forsfed on 11-10-2000 at 04:37 PM]

[dsm4eva]

I don't recommend launching in 2nd gear. Bogging occurs 90% of the time and when it does, guess what, you're in second and it takes a LOONNNGGGG time to build rpms to make any power. You need to launch with the RPMs high enough to make sure when the tires bite that you do not bog, and as a result have not improved the situation any. Trust me, stick with a 1st gear launch, and BTW, the TMO clutch sensor triggered stutterbox works with the FWD too, thats not an AWD exclusive item.

[eclipse98]

Can anyone tell me if this method would be good for launcing. I herd to have good launches on a eclipse gs-t rev it up to 3000-3500 rpms and ease out the clutch and at the same time give it more gas. Has anyone try this? what were your results?

[dsm1995gst]

seems like easing out on the clutch and giving it more gas will just make you spin more. alot more.

[DSMu4ia]

I have found the best launches with alot of practice. Once you get the launch down..you will KNOW it! My best launches on my old 1g with 17's was at around 3300-3500 rpm, letting the clutch out quickly (but not side-stepping it), and NOT letting the revs drop at all! Apply steady gas, and maybe increase it very slightly the whole .2 seconds the clutch is releasing. The weather has been too shitty to launch my new car...I tried one day, but the ACT 2600 was messing with me..but I know a 3700 rpm launch bogs a little with side stepping. I will learn come the 17th at the first track day!!

[95GST]

Hey I just want to mention what clutch you have also determines how you can launch your FWD beast. You can sidestep that stock clutch it is not bad at all. Not sure about the 2600 you probably want to ease it out or the pressure plate will hit hard.. not good for the tranny, etc.

[BrianM]

I was trying second gear starts this past weekend at our test and tune.Leaving at around 3500,it didnt bog but it did over power my 2600.it was slipping like crazy and dropped my 60ft times from 1.8s and 9s to 2.2s.It may just be my driving.....Im still going to try it some but Im having better luck with first gear.

[Jehu]

I'm not an expert on FWD launching by any stretch of the imagination, but I have a comment on launching in 2nd gear. The first thing that came to mind is that the cars doing it, eg the mirage, the top front drive civics, are pushing what? 500-700HP? That's why their engines don't bog when launching in 2nd. This, therefore, probably will not work very well for 95% of the FWDs on this board.

About the stutter box, I think that building MORE power off the line on an average street tired FWD is probably not a good thing. I mean, if you have problems putting the available power you have to the ground, the last thing you'd want is to make more power by making boost off the line isn't it?

[countersniper]

Well I just went racing for the very first time and it was only on an 1/8th mile track but I was suckin. 60ft time average was 2.2 with a best of 1.9, my reaction times were killin me though with an average of like 1.02. Horrible I know but this is the first ime that I have ever raced at track. I have the infamous FWD so I had a hard time with traction as you all know. But my best time of the night was a ET 9.1 at 79mph. I'll keep experimenting and I think before I make more power I'll by some slicks.

[widebody]

2.2 is average a 1.9 is really good on street tires, i wouldn't worry about your reaction times yes it may look like the guy your racing killed you if you had a slow reaction but it doesn't really matter your time doesn't start till you break the light so you could sit on the line all day. in truth for get about getting off the line right at the green and concentrate more on the launch and getting it down once thats comfortable and believe it takes awhile to get used to launching on the track, then start working on the reaction time, me i practice launching kinda in slow motion for the first couple of runs of the night to get the feel back then try to blow away the mustang next to me:)

[turbo=good]

I usually launch at around 3000(stock clutch/suspension)and give it only about 50% throttle in 1st to 5500rpms, shift and floor 2nd.

-widebody...what are your times?

[widebody]

hahahaha my times well i could give you all the excuses in the world but i won't last year on a CFDF i ran a 13.8 at 108, on this run i completely fried the clutch and had to have someone help me push the car off the track. Lucky for me the guy who helped happened to be the owner of clutchmaster and a week later i had a stage 4 and aluminum flywheel. I haven't run it at the track since just numerous mustang/camero/c5 beatings, it sure feels a lot faster i think my CFDF musta been slipping for awhile. Anyway we estimate the car pushs around 350hp but don't know for sure (no dyno time). Recently i picked up a sponsorship with dsm-performance and extreme turbo who are gonna set the car up with a stage 3 mutt, and external pump. so i'm gonna go with a monster intercooler some 720's and toyo is gonna throw some fat ra-1's my way and hopefully by this summer i'll have the car in the high 11's i think thats doable on the stock bottom end but i have a back-up motor just in case i grenade this one:) my sponsors aren't to happy about me running the car they see it as to risky but if i want to be differant i need to have everyone see it's as fast as it looks

[turbo=good]

350hp sound about right with a 20G. About the sponsers, how many cars are out there with an ALL SHOW, ALL GO set-up. Besides you know when you run your car, everyone within a 1/4 mile radius is staring at you! or at your wing!
Keep up the good work.

[BoostedAwd]

Hello everyone, I will like to add my point of view here in this topic, I think you are wrong if you think that launch an "All Wheel Drive" is just raise the RPM's to 5k and dump de clutch you are wrong, unless its BONE STOCK and the car still using the stock clutch, other than that you might be very lucky if you dont break anything with an aftermarket clutch by just dumping the clutch. On my experience i slip the clutch nice and fast, not to slow cause you might end burning the disc.

Slipping the clutch i got a best of 1.4 60 ft once and consistent low to mid 1.5's 60 ft in a car that weights over 3,400lbs with me in it. I know FWD are not easy at all to launch, but i was just making that point clear that its not just dump the clutch and thats all. You do that you will perform a lot of Drivetrain lose. Just my .02 :) :)

[4npower]

Originally posted by BoostedAwd
Slipping the clutch i got a best of 1.4 60 ft once

that's pretty good considering that the record 60' for a awd dsm is a 1.42 and that was done by lyle henry out of extreme motorsports. you should definitly get that 60' time up on the fastest dsms page.

back to the launching in 2nd gear thing. you obviously can't start out at 3500rpms and just slip the clutch, you WILL burn your clutch up. the cars that i have seen do 2nd gear launches pretty much leave the line on the rev limiter. it's also these cars that if they launched in 1st gear, 20' out they would be in 2nd gear anyways so they just use 1st to get the car rolling. also they all were probably making over 400fwhp and running race only clutches.
so guys unless your making some serious power or are full race, don't go out and try this. i'm sorry i even brought it up, like jehu said above, it probably won't work for most people on this board.

[BoostedAwd]

Well the time was posted for a while but then i improved my time and i changed it. ;)

[BoostedAwd]

That 60 ft was done in a street car with street tires, not a all out race car.