LAUNCH CONTROL - Virgin asking for advice.
04-19-2014, 03:27 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
LAUNCH CONTROL - Virgin asking for advice.
Itching to try out the Launch Control - but a bit unsure of what to expect.
So if you have done this before - PLEASE let me know!
Do the tires scream a lot - & is there a danger of the rear sliding out?
Do you shift into 2nd or end the launch when 1st tops out?
Is it any faster off the line - than flooring an auto with the nannies on?
Do you do this often - or has this been just a one time thrill?
Anything else I need to know - before I break my cherry?
So if you have done this before - PLEASE let me know!
Do the tires scream a lot - & is there a danger of the rear sliding out?
Do you shift into 2nd or end the launch when 1st tops out?
Is it any faster off the line - than flooring an auto with the nannies on?
Do you do this often - or has this been just a one time thrill?
Anything else I need to know - before I break my cherry?
04-19-2014, 04:54 PM
#5
Pro
Thread Starter
Thanks. I've had mine almost 3 years & at 8,000 miles (11,000km) - I figured was about time I tried it out. Let's hope I get some good advice.
04-19-2014, 04:55 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
Make sure you have enough room to spin the car in a circle. No narrow lanes for a first timer. Big empty parking lots with NO curbs are good. Remember there is proper 'correcting' and over correcting. Over correcting spins the car in the opposite direction too much causing you to try that again which usually means you've run out of road and are about to hit the ditch or curb or the car next to you or.....get the idea?
04-19-2014, 05:56 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Make sure you have enough room to spin the car in a circle. No narrow lanes for a first timer. Big empty parking lots with NO curbs are good. Remember there is proper 'correcting' and over correcting. Over correcting spins the car in the opposite direction too much causing you to try that again which usually means you've run out of road and are about to hit the ditch or curb or the car next to you or.....get the idea?
04-19-2014, 06:16 PM
#9
Racer
Member Since: Feb 2014
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St. Jude Donor '14
Itching to try out the Launch Control - but a bit unsure of what to expect.
So if you have done this before - PLEASE let me know!
Do the tires scream a lot - & is there a danger of the rear sliding out?
No and Yes. Tires don't scream too much, and there's not a huge chance of the rear kicking out but it's still possible.
Do you shift into 2nd or end the launch when 1st tops out?
Shift into second as normal.
Is it any faster off the line - than flooring an auto with the nannies on?
No idea, haven't seen the two compared side by side.
Do you do this often - or has this been just a one time thrill?
Every chance I get.
Anything else I need to know - before I break my cherry?
So if you have done this before - PLEASE let me know!
Do the tires scream a lot - & is there a danger of the rear sliding out?
No and Yes. Tires don't scream too much, and there's not a huge chance of the rear kicking out but it's still possible.
Do you shift into 2nd or end the launch when 1st tops out?
Shift into second as normal.
Is it any faster off the line - than flooring an auto with the nannies on?
No idea, haven't seen the two compared side by side.
Do you do this often - or has this been just a one time thrill?
Every chance I get.
Anything else I need to know - before I break my cherry?
Launch control rev-limits at around 4k RPM for the launch, which is the sweet spot for our cars. There's just enough tire spin to make you grab traction quickly and the RPM level is right at a good level for making speed. After you launch, shift as usual to maintain speed. Presuming you don't wildly jerk the steering wheel, the likelihood of you spinning out or otherwise losing control is pretty low. Think of it like a mild burnout into a sprint, no big deal.
The reason for the tire spin is speed, starting from dead stop or too low RPMs takes too long to get the tires moving so you're slower (regardless of the traction). Starting too fast makes the tires spin too much, without giving you any traction so you're slower (regardless of the higher RPM). Starting in a Corvette, thanks to the big fat tires, is best achieved with a small amount of tire spin into traction.
04-19-2014, 07:17 PM
#12
Race Director
Its big let down and I don't think its more efficient either...otherwise the biggest deal is will the rev limiter work lol which it won't of you don't do all the steps in the right sequence....after that its feels like the clutch is slipping as the nannies try and limit the wheel spin though I think it modulates throttle etc...
04-19-2014, 08:03 PM
#15
Pro
Thread Starter
04-19-2014, 09:27 PM
#17
Pro
Thread Starter
04-19-2014, 11:45 PM
#19
Pro
Thread Starter
04-20-2014, 12:07 AM
#20
Drifting
I have done the "Launch " with my '13 GS manual on deserted roads & vacant parking lots, it is somewhat safe as long as nothing is around you, I'm on my original Good Years & when I replace them I will probably no longer do burn outs "Launch Control" is a built in feature of the car but can become unsafe if you do not use common sense. the rear end does a pretty good job of staying straight but there is always the chance of fishtailing !!