Best way to launch an A8 Z06 at the drag strip
05-05-2015, 03:55 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Best way to launch an A8 Z06 at the drag strip
Hey guys,
My Torch Red A8 Z06 (stage 1 aero) is being built the first week of June, and I'd like to get some pointers on the best way to launch the stock MPSS tires at the drag strip. I've now seen several people turn in some pretty decent 60' times on stock rubber and I'd like to know the tricks. I keep hearing that launch control doesn't seem to help much at the track, but I'm open to any suggestions. Especially from the few that have actually put up decent times with these stock Michelin tires.
Thanks!
My Torch Red A8 Z06 (stage 1 aero) is being built the first week of June, and I'd like to get some pointers on the best way to launch the stock MPSS tires at the drag strip. I've now seen several people turn in some pretty decent 60' times on stock rubber and I'd like to know the tricks. I keep hearing that launch control doesn't seem to help much at the track, but I'm open to any suggestions. Especially from the few that have actually put up decent times with these stock Michelin tires.
Thanks!
05-05-2015, 04:46 PM
#3
Drifting
Thread Starter
05-05-2015, 04:53 PM
#5
Drifting
Thread Starter
05-05-2015, 06:42 PM
#6
Team Owner
Member Since: Apr 2001
Location: Elmhurst, IL (West Suburb of Chicago) & Home of MEGA Horsepower
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St. Jude Donor '06
Put it in track mode and put the car in drive and bring up the rpms to about 1,300 and mash the pedal. If the tires don't get good traction lower your rpm from stopped position and see what rpm your car and tires like the best for the track you are at on any given day.
Play around with air pressure in the rear and testing from launching it from a dead idle, 1000 rpm, etc., etc, and see what technique yields you your best times.
That being said the entre time put and keep it in track mode and the shifter in drive!
Good luck KILLER CAR (I want one)!!
Play around with air pressure in the rear and testing from launching it from a dead idle, 1000 rpm, etc., etc, and see what technique yields you your best times.
That being said the entre time put and keep it in track mode and the shifter in drive!
Good luck KILLER CAR (I want one)!!
Last edited by Mopar Jimmy; 05-05-2015 at 06:45 PM.
05-05-2015, 06:47 PM
#7
Drifting
Thread Starter
Put it in track mode and put the car in drive and bring up the rpms to about 1,300 and mash the pedal. If the tires don't get good traction lower your rpm from stopped position and see what rpm your car and tires like the best for the track you are at on any given day.
Play around with air pressure in the rear and testing from launching it from a dead idle, 1000 rpm, etc., etc, and see what technique yields you your best times.
That being said the entre time put and keep it in track mode and the shifter in drive!
Good luck KILLER CAR!!
Play around with air pressure in the rear and testing from launching it from a dead idle, 1000 rpm, etc., etc, and see what technique yields you your best times.
That being said the entre time put and keep it in track mode and the shifter in drive!
Good luck KILLER CAR!!
05-06-2015, 08:28 AM
#8
Race Director
Member Since: Dec 2006
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
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Wonder what it'd 60' on drag radials if you revved it to 4k in neutral and then slammed it into drive, is that how launch control works on the auto?
Last edited by PRE-Z06; 05-06-2015 at 05:18 PM.
05-06-2015, 08:45 AM
#9
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: Cedar Rapids Iowa
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Watch out going too low on the tire pressure. If you get below 25 psi and the system picks up a low pressure alert, it can be hard to get it to clear. I had mine do that and even after running the pressure up to 27 it did not want to clear. Once I went to 30 psi the warning went away. In the mean time it can drop into some sort of limp mode if the alarm stays too long.
Also most believe that there isn't much to be gained by running the pressure too low. The sidewalls are stiff and it's important to get the flattest contact patch.
Also most believe that there isn't much to be gained by running the pressure too low. The sidewalls are stiff and it's important to get the flattest contact patch.
05-06-2015, 10:06 AM
#10
Instructor
Hey guys,
My Torch Red A8 Z06 (stage 1 aero) is being built the first week of June, and I'd like to get some pointers on the best way to launch the stock MPSS tires at the drag strip. I've now seen several people turn in some pretty decent 60' times on stock rubber and I'd like to know the tricks. I keep hearing that launch control doesn't seem to help much at the track, but I'm open to any suggestions. Especially from the few that have actually put up decent times with these stock Michelin tires.
Thanks!
My Torch Red A8 Z06 (stage 1 aero) is being built the first week of June, and I'd like to get some pointers on the best way to launch the stock MPSS tires at the drag strip. I've now seen several people turn in some pretty decent 60' times on stock rubber and I'd like to know the tricks. I keep hearing that launch control doesn't seem to help much at the track, but I'm open to any suggestions. Especially from the few that have actually put up decent times with these stock Michelin tires.
Thanks!
First pass left lane with mild burnout 5-6 sec, shallow stage. Power brake to 1800 RPM until 0 boost psi. Car left easy but throttle was delayed until 30 mph as seen in graph. Looks like TQ management even with TC off. Have to live with it since I will not tune ECM or void warranty. 1.71/60 ft 10.90/130.
Second pass left lane, longer burnout, shallow stage. Power brake to 2 psi boost. Car left easy 1.67/60 ft 10.85/130.
Next time will use Halltech air box, 4 gallons of fuel and power brake until boost pushes front tires to second stage light.
Hope this helps you get started.
05-06-2015, 01:00 PM
#11
Drifting
Thread Starter
Watch out going too low on the tire pressure. If you get below 25 psi and the system picks up a low pressure alert, it can be hard to get it to clear. I had mine do that and even after running the pressure up to 27 it did not want to clear. Once I went to 30 psi the warning went away. In the mean time it can drop into some sort of limp mode if the alarm stays too long.
Also most believe that there isn't much to be gained by running the pressure too low. The sidewalls are stiff and it's important to get the flattest contact patch.
Also most believe that there isn't much to be gained by running the pressure too low. The sidewalls are stiff and it's important to get the flattest contact patch.
05-06-2015, 01:04 PM
#12
Drifting
Thread Starter
Went to Palm Beach International Raceway May 1. Temp 82F and DA was ~ 1800 Ft. Car is completely stock, 510 miles with first oil change. Rear tires are 18x10.5 C5s with Et Street Radials 305/35/18 at 23 psi to avoid limp home mode. Traction control off in Sport Mode with Sport steering, track exhaust mode. 8 gallons of Shell 93 premium. ECT 192F, IAT2 at line 127F
First pass left lane with mild burnout 5-6 sec, shallow stage. Power brake to 1800 RPM until 0 boost psi. Car left easy but throttle was delayed until 30 mph as seen in graph. Looks like TQ management even with TC off. Have to live with it since I will not tune ECM or void warranty. 1.71/60 ft 10.90/130.
Second pass left lane, longer burnout, shallow stage. Power brake to 2 psi boost. Car left easy 1.67/60 ft 10.85/130.
Next time will use Halltech air box, 4 gallons of fuel and power brake until boost pushes front tires to second stage light.
Hope this helps you get started.
First pass left lane with mild burnout 5-6 sec, shallow stage. Power brake to 1800 RPM until 0 boost psi. Car left easy but throttle was delayed until 30 mph as seen in graph. Looks like TQ management even with TC off. Have to live with it since I will not tune ECM or void warranty. 1.71/60 ft 10.90/130.
Second pass left lane, longer burnout, shallow stage. Power brake to 2 psi boost. Car left easy 1.67/60 ft 10.85/130.
Next time will use Halltech air box, 4 gallons of fuel and power brake until boost pushes front tires to second stage light.
Hope this helps you get started.
05-06-2015, 01:18 PM
#13
It is dependent more on track prep then driver with these Autos. So one persons perfect technique used in getting the good times you hear about from up north tracks won't do anything to help you at another track where prep is not as good.
Just get out there and start playing with it. Unless you are going to (hero-time) track with amazing prep I would get some drag radials on order if it is something you are set on doing (mid-upper 10's)
Jason
Just get out there and start playing with it. Unless you are going to (hero-time) track with amazing prep I would get some drag radials on order if it is something you are set on doing (mid-upper 10's)
Jason
05-06-2015, 05:20 PM
#14
Race Director
Member Since: Dec 2006
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
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Went to Palm Beach International Raceway May 1. Temp 82F and DA was ~ 1800 Ft. Car is completely stock, 510 miles with first oil change. Rear tires are 18x10.5 C5s with Et Street Radials 305/35/18 at 23 psi to avoid limp home mode. Traction control off in Sport Mode with Sport steering, track exhaust mode. 8 gallons of Shell 93 premium. ECT 192F, IAT2 at line 127F
First pass left lane with mild burnout 5-6 sec, shallow stage. Power brake to 1800 RPM until 0 boost psi. Car left easy but throttle was delayed until 30 mph as seen in graph. Looks like TQ management even with TC off. Have to live with it since I will not tune ECM or void warranty. 1.71/60 ft 10.90/130.
Second pass left lane, longer burnout, shallow stage. Power brake to 2 psi boost. Car left easy 1.67/60 ft 10.85/130.
Next time will use Halltech air box, 4 gallons of fuel and power brake until boost pushes front tires to second stage light.
Hope this helps you get started.
First pass left lane with mild burnout 5-6 sec, shallow stage. Power brake to 1800 RPM until 0 boost psi. Car left easy but throttle was delayed until 30 mph as seen in graph. Looks like TQ management even with TC off. Have to live with it since I will not tune ECM or void warranty. 1.71/60 ft 10.90/130.
Second pass left lane, longer burnout, shallow stage. Power brake to 2 psi boost. Car left easy 1.67/60 ft 10.85/130.
Next time will use Halltech air box, 4 gallons of fuel and power brake until boost pushes front tires to second stage light.
Hope this helps you get started.
It is dependent more on track prep then driver with these Autos. So one persons perfect technique used in getting the good times you hear about from up north tracks won't do anything to help you at another track where prep is not as good.
Just get out there and start playing with it. Unless you are going to (hero-time) track with amazing prep I would get some drag radials on order if it is something you are set on doing (mid-upper 10's)
Jason
Just get out there and start playing with it. Unless you are going to (hero-time) track with amazing prep I would get some drag radials on order if it is something you are set on doing (mid-upper 10's)
Jason
can't compare test and tune to rental prep
05-06-2015, 05:46 PM
#15
Put it in track mode and put the car in drive and bring up the rpms to about 1,300 and mash the pedal. If the tires don't get good traction lower your rpm from stopped position and see what rpm your car and tires like the best for the track you are at on any given day.
Play around with air pressure in the rear and testing from launching it from a dead idle, 1000 rpm, etc., etc, and see what technique yields you your best times.
That being said the entre time put and keep it in track mode and the shifter in drive!
Good luck KILLER CAR (I want one)!!
Play around with air pressure in the rear and testing from launching it from a dead idle, 1000 rpm, etc., etc, and see what technique yields you your best times.
That being said the entre time put and keep it in track mode and the shifter in drive!
Good luck KILLER CAR (I want one)!!
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Nite RNR (10-25-2023)
08-06-2015, 03:24 PM
#18
Racer
I'm not sure if anyone here remembers but a while back i saw a c7 that had the tires break loose and crashed in to a tree when it shifted gears. Now with that in mind my question is.. If i have the auto and i go in to track mode aren't the nannies for traction control going to be off? Also i remember reading some where that when you use the launch control and the second you lift your foot off the gas to shift that it becomes disabled. So what happens on the auto when you launch and dont have to take your foot of the gas to shift? I know i might sound a bit paranoid but i was driving my z06 on the highway at about 75mph hit the gas pedal too hard and actually had traction control kick in to save my ***. Just want to make sure that it wont go sideways when going at higher speeds during shifts.
08-07-2015, 06:22 PM
#19
Tech Contributor
Went to Palm Beach International Raceway May 1. Temp 82F and DA was ~ 1800 Ft. Car is completely stock, 510 miles with first oil change. Rear tires are 18x10.5 C5s with Et Street Radials 305/35/18 at 23 psi to avoid limp home mode. Traction control off in Sport Mode with Sport steering, track exhaust mode. 8 gallons of Shell 93 premium. ECT 192F, IAT2 at line 127F
First pass left lane with mild burnout 5-6 sec, shallow stage. Power brake to 1800 RPM until 0 boost psi. Car left easy but throttle was delayed until 30 mph as seen in graph. Looks like TQ management even with TC off. Have to live with it since I will not tune ECM or void warranty. 1.71/60 ft 10.90/130.
Second pass left lane, longer burnout, shallow stage. Power brake to 2 psi boost. Car left easy 1.67/60 ft 10.85/130.
Next time will use Halltech air box, 4 gallons of fuel and power brake until boost pushes front tires to second stage light.
Hope this helps you get started.
First pass left lane with mild burnout 5-6 sec, shallow stage. Power brake to 1800 RPM until 0 boost psi. Car left easy but throttle was delayed until 30 mph as seen in graph. Looks like TQ management even with TC off. Have to live with it since I will not tune ECM or void warranty. 1.71/60 ft 10.90/130.
Second pass left lane, longer burnout, shallow stage. Power brake to 2 psi boost. Car left easy 1.67/60 ft 10.85/130.
Next time will use Halltech air box, 4 gallons of fuel and power brake until boost pushes front tires to second stage light.
Hope this helps you get started.
Do you have any launch control passes/scans? It's also interesting that you didn't have the huge timing decrease like he did. Have you tried your haltech yet?
I see we're local, I'd love to drive up and say hi and watch some passes if you're interested.
BTW I got a call today from Redline, Howard wants to start some new performance social events in Sfla, perhaps you'd be interested in joining.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1590222676
Let us know if you don't mind, and hope to meet you soon in person.
08-07-2015, 06:31 PM
#20
Supporting Vendor
Slow Poke, thanks for this post - my buddy theSubfloor out in CA just got a new c7Z A8 and took it to the track, temp tags and all, on Wednesday. He tunes like we do and was having terrible bog issues, with timing going to -8 degrees at launch. I'm thinking it was torque management kicking in. We were in touch via text with him at the track. I came across your post and the tips above helped. Later he tried launch control and that made a huge difference.
Do you have any launch control passes/scans? It's also interesting that you didn't have the huge timing decrease like he did. Have you tried your haltech yet?
I see we're local, I'd love to drive up and say hi and watch some passes if you're interested.
BTW I got a call today from Redline, Howard wants to start some new performance social events in Sfla, perhaps you'd be interested in joining.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1590222676
Let us know if you don't mind, and hope to meet you soon in person.
Do you have any launch control passes/scans? It's also interesting that you didn't have the huge timing decrease like he did. Have you tried your haltech yet?
I see we're local, I'd love to drive up and say hi and watch some passes if you're interested.
BTW I got a call today from Redline, Howard wants to start some new performance social events in Sfla, perhaps you'd be interested in joining.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1590222676
Let us know if you don't mind, and hope to meet you soon in person.
Not sure if you saw the PM I sent, but I would REALLY appreciate it if you could email me some scans from the track so I can compare them to the one I was able to get.
Thx,
Christopher