[Z06] Launching in second gear
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
From: Midland Texas
Launching in second gear
I have beed playing on country roads trying to figure out how to drive this beast I have a 2002 Z06 with a LS3 with a GM hotcam with 400RWHP when I launch in frist trying to keep from wheel spin down is tuff and when shifting into second gear you have to be nice with the clutch or your smoking the tires.
I can launch in second gear at 3000 rpm I get a slight spin and power shifting in third works really good but my question is will new tires change this so I can get more traction in frist gear or do you guys launch in second gear?
I can launch in second gear at 3000 rpm I get a slight spin and power shifting in third works really good but my question is will new tires change this so I can get more traction in frist gear or do you guys launch in second gear?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 939
Likes: 0
From: Clarksville TN
You're going to have wheel spin. It's just a fact of life. You need to figure out what method works best for you and your car to reduce wheel spin. I wouldn't do second gear starts at all. You will be faster launching in first, you just have to figure out what works.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
From: Midland Texas
I have been using a iphone app called boush lighten up and it is showing that my second gear launch has better 60' times but the tire I am running is 18-295-35 firestone firehawks with about 20% left on them. I am thinking about nittio 555 18-305-35
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
Get rid of the Firehawks and slip into something with a tread rating of 200-240. Nitto's NT05 is a great performance tire for a daily driver, assuming you don't see a lot of rain.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
From: Midland Texas
I wish we could get a drop or two but no rain here thank you for the info I will look at the NT05
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 633
Likes: 19
From: Richmond VA
St. Jude Donor '11, '14,’19
You won't slip the NITTO NT555 Extreme 2. 305/35/18. Maybe in the dead of winter, you will, but not on hot pavement. Just be careful not to hard launch every day, or some parts might get damaged. They stick like glue.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,308
Likes: 157
From: NJ
With stickier tires and a 2nd gear launch you can glaze the stock clutch especially on a drag strip with stock gears. i would get better tires, air them down some, and launch in 1st gear with some slip of the clutch. Also, Check out Ranger's tutorial on how to launch a c5Z.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
With stickier tires and a 2nd gear launch you can glaze the stock clutch especially on a drag strip with stock gears. i would get better tires, air them down some, and launch in 1st gear with some slip of the clutch. Also, Check out Ranger's tutorial on how to launch a c5Z.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Clarksville Tn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 163
From: Concord NC
At that speed,you would be running low-mid 11's. My C6 Z06 doesn't turn that MPH(it does 125ish) with a time of 11.43
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 99
From: Arlington Texas
Tires is what you need. If its not your daily driver go for some drag radials. If you are racing from a stop much or "playing around" look into the trans and trans/diff braces. Would hate for your next post to be you broke them both when playing around.
