A4 Launch Techniques?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
A4 Launch Techniques?
I have a 99 Vert, with an A4. I would like to learn the best way to launch for a drag run. I have purchased Drag Radials. I am thinking the next upgrade will be a 3.73 gear, and a new TC. Here are some questions that come to mind:
1. What is the 'stall speed' of a torque converter?
2. What should I get? My local shop is suggesting a 2300.
3. What is the best procedure for launching?
1. What is the 'stall speed' of a torque converter?
2. What should I get? My local shop is suggesting a 2300.
3. What is the best procedure for launching?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,622
Likes: 0
From: Savannah Georgia
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Most people are going tell you to go with a 3200 stall. I have a Vig. 2800 w/ 3:73's and think the setup work very nice. You will love the upgrade. 
For Launching I put it in 3 hold the RPM about 2grand. I don't have Drag Radials so I spin bad
For Launching I put it in 3 hold the RPM about 2grand. I don't have Drag Radials so I spin bad
Last edited by navy99vert; Dec 15, 2007 at 10:27 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
To launch my 2001 A4 I used the following process - short burn out to heat tires - running stock run craps not DR. Stage as shallow as you can. Turn off traction control and active handling, place trans in 3rd so it will always start in 1st gear. Foot on brake and raise RPM to about 2000-2100 loading the drive line. Last yellow light foot off brake and hard on the gas - feathering to maintain traction. Too much gas and the tires went up in smoke - the DR should help so higher RPM can be used. HAVE FUN !
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
What gears do you have 2.73 or 3.15 ? You will probably have to power brake the car off the line if you have the sluggo 2.73 axle.. As for me.. I have the a4 with the 3.15 axle ratio.. My best time slips have been achieved by simply turning off the traction control and flooring it at the last yellow light... Depending on temperatures (below 60 degrees) i will do a small burn out to heat the tires up a bit.. This keeps wheelspin to a minimum.. I have tried different launch techniques, as far as the powerbraking goes.. It's real tricky. Any thing more than 1500 rpm gives to much wheel spin, causing me to lose time ( .03-.06 ) . 2000 rpm launches are a joke.. This causes wheelspin all the way through 1st gear and part of second gear.. Yes .. you can feather it as stated above, however its a little tricky.. Keep in mind.. This is with a 3.15 axle ( I actually have a shorter tire making my ratio 3.24).. You may have the 2.73 gears... thats another story.. Others may chime in who have these gears
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
My vert has the factory optional 3.15 gears. I am wondering if the above suggestion is only for a high-stall speed coverter. Since mine is still stock, I think its stall speed is 1600 RPM.
What does stall speed mean, anyway?
What does stall speed mean, anyway?
Racer
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
From: Dallas,TX,USA
Hitting it from an idle or flashing it, worked best for me when I was stock. On a well prepped track with the stock runflats, I could hit it full throttle and it would hook and go. Even when I went heads and cam and still had the stock converter I could launch in the same manner and still hook. I got down to 11.98 with h/c bolt-ons, the stock converter and runflats before the tranny went. (3.15 gear btw)
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: exeter CA
"Stall speed" is the RPM at which the trans/converter will stall your car. Note that performance torque converters have higher stall speeds. And there are, of course, trade off using higher stall speed converters.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
So, If I hold the brake with the car in gear, and rev it up to the stall speed, will it kill the engine?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 2
From: port monmouth nj
launched at 2500 to 2600rpm with a 3200 t/c on bfg d/r's at 22 lbs after burnout. results were a 1.663 60 ft did not spin tires this was a very humid and cool night about 46 degrees 85% humidity
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 326
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
I have a 2600 stall with BFG drag radials and after a burnout it barely spins at all with 390 RWHP---With a basically stock motor with usual mods- stock type tires and a 3.15--you will spin the tires but with a good burnout and a prepared track you might beable to floor it -BUT you'll never know until you try flooring it at least once to see where you're at!!if you floor it & lift dontlift too much as it will shift into 2nd-and the run will be screwed---
I would recc. that if it spins horribly to only give it about 1/2 throttle when you leave--and after it has moved on somewhat then floor it--That always worked better for me before i got my DR's rather thanto floor it at leave and lift if it starts spinning--
I would recc. that if it spins horribly to only give it about 1/2 throttle when you leave--and after it has moved on somewhat then floor it--That always worked better for me before i got my DR's rather thanto floor it at leave and lift if it starts spinning--
