Conservative Drag Launch?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 383
Likes: 86
From: Northeast Ohio
Conservative Drag Launch?
86 Z51
Stock Engine
4+3
80K miles
Mickey Thompson Street Comp tires 275's
So...we're having an employee day at a race park and get to make multiple 1/4-mile passes in our cars.
I have done a bit of road racing in this car, but no drag racing. Looking for launching suggestions that will be mildly aggressive and not start popping parts loose.
Example: "Hold at 2500 RPM and dump the clutch in 2nd"
Stock Engine
4+3
80K miles
Mickey Thompson Street Comp tires 275's
So...we're having an employee day at a race park and get to make multiple 1/4-mile passes in our cars.
I have done a bit of road racing in this car, but no drag racing. Looking for launching suggestions that will be mildly aggressive and not start popping parts loose.
Example: "Hold at 2500 RPM and dump the clutch in 2nd"
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 339
From: Simi Valley CA
2nd only has a 1.91 ratio so if you have the stock 3.07 rear that would be a slow launch. Can you power shift? I would launch around 1700 rpm or find the sweet spot where it will grip with minimal wheel spin. When you shift leave your foot on the gas at WOT. Be sure to shift faster than you can. Barely tap the clutch pedal. Get the shifting down and you'll take a good 1/4 to 1/2 second off your 1/4 mile time. Bang shifting, power shifting, call it what you want but that is the way to shave time. Done right it is not too hard on the trans. If you miss a gear you over rev and grind at high rpm. So there is that risk. I power shift my 93 jeep all the time and it is no problem. I haven't tried it out on my 92 vette as I'm still working on getting it running 100%.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 1,487
From: New Jersey
I get decent launches finding where the clutch just starts to bog the engine down at idle slightly then feeding it gas and off the clutch at about 2000 rpms. It'll kind of just float there until you're in it and with a little practice feels smooth. There are better ways to launch, I just won't do it on a Dana 36...
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 96
From: Magnolia Tx
Lift your foot off the clutch when you leave. Don’t slide your foot off to the left and dump it. I have dozens of passes on the 4+3 and even more on the transplanted T56. Check all your U-Joints before you go. Leave on the last yellow. 😎
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 765
Likes: 49
From: West Palm Beach,Florida
2nd only has a 1.91 ratio so if you have the stock 3.07 rear that would be a slow launch. Can you power shift? I would launch around 1700 rpm or find the sweet spot where it will grip with minimal wheel spin. When you shift leave your foot on the gas at WOT. Be sure to shift faster than you can. Barely tap the clutch pedal. Get the shifting down and you'll take a good 1/4 to 1/2 second off your 1/4 mile time. Bang shifting, power shifting, call it what you want but that is the way to shave time. Done right it is not too hard on the trans. If you miss a gear you over rev and grind at high rpm. So there is that risk. I power shift my 93 jeep all the time and it is no problem. I haven't tried it out on my 92 vette as I'm still working on getting it running 100%.
