at what RPM do you guys launch at? with just bolt ons and a tune. No FI or internals.

 

With my automatic I launch off idle.

With my manual tranny I plan on launching at 2000rpms like I do with all my manual tranny street tired cars.

Howard

 

Well there are a few good ways to launch. Depends on a couple of things though. For one M6, A4 or A6?

 

I had a hamburger for launch today... Just kidding, but a great deal depends on not only what tires (ie: drag redials, stock, etc) but tire pressure as well.

 

BTW...Welcome to the forum

 

2007 z51 m6 stock z51 tires 31psi, launching recommendations?

 

Go to the C5 Z06 section and look up Ranger launch techniques would be good for starters.

I am an A6 guy so I can not help beyond that.

 

I always put my tires at 26-27# rears and 35# fronts for the track.

Manual tranny

Do a quick burnout to clean the tires.

Hold rpms at 2000 and as soon as you get the light let up on the clutch fast.

As soon as you feel it hook, go full throttle.

If you feel any hop, backpedal and nail it again.

Hope this helps.

It is not a perfect technique, but it should be good for 1.9s-2.0s.

Howard

 

i forgot to mention, it is a 6 speed. the first time i launched the car, i reved it to 2000 rpm. (cars stock) and i was there burning my tires. i called a friend up and asked him, he said he launch's at 1300 rpms. anyone else launch around that number?

 

The FRC I had I launched at approx 1,500 rpm and floored it GRADUALLY (sort of, I didn't just slam the pedal to the floor because it would go up in smoke). Then, when power shifting to 2nd, I pedaled (feather the throttle about 1/2 inch) right after the shift and then floor it again. Many times I had to pedal twice in very rapid succession for the tires to hook. I should mention that my C5 was supercharged and heavily modified. I was using 315 Pirelli rear tires which were not the best. Before the Pirellis I had Dunlops 900s and they hooked like drag radials. I just bought a supercharged C6 today and when it is delivered I will start with the same technique and go from there.

 

My launch:

Very gently let out the clutch with engine at about 800 rpm or so, barely opening the throttle. Once the clutch is fully engaged, gently and slowly accelerate to about 1,800 rpm or so and then roll the pedal down to the floor if you wish to take off fast.

Seriously... don't mean to be a wise guy, but after many years of learning that hard launches from a stop only serve to BREAK things, or at the very least beat the heck out of your entire driveline, I have now "seen the light" and arrived at an ingenius launch technique... and that is to basically NOT launch.

You won't win drag races this way, but at least you will keep your drivetrain in mint condition for the life of your car as opposed to wrecking everything in a short period of time. And changing drivetrain parts (clutch, etc) in a C6 is a serious pain in the shorts.

I drive my C6 a lot, and I drive it hard. But, you can drive hard in a drivetrain-friendly way, or drive hard in a totally destructive way. I love to take off fast and feel that torque pulling like a rocket... but I get the car in gear with clutch engaged FIRST.... then slowly roll into the pedal until it is down to the floor. You still get all the thrill but without the massive clutch wear, potential broken differential, etc, that a hard off-the-line death launch will yield.

I know this info is useless to racers, but just wanted to mention it for any non-racers reading this. It's a nice thing to actually get over 100k miles out of a car without having to replace the drivetrain one or more times... means less time getting your hands dirty and blowing tons of $$$ on parts, and more time to actually DRIVE and enjoy the car.

Flame suit on... it's all good. After years of spending more time in the garage than on the road, I simply wish to share my new found "enlightenment" regarding launching.

 

what rpm really depends on how well the track is prepare and how you comfortable are you with slipping the clutch. you need to play around different rpm to see what works for you. i am you will get many opinion on this question. good luck.

 

3000 rpm and slipping the clutch.....

tried to burn out the other day..... i had a hard time..... didn't know how to "pop" the clutch.... i guess i got problems.....

gotta get that leg fixed one day....

 

Practice, practice, practice.

I have been trying all sorts of techniques. Its a feeling you gotta have for yourself.

For me, its instant 3000 rpm and slipping the clutch to traction and away we go.

BTW, on a mn6, replacing the clutch pedal spring with the spring from the c5 is a huge improvement in clutch feel.

 

Some of the posts above have already alluded to it. The launch RPM is not the only factor. First, many people bring the rpms up to a point, but when the light turns green, they let out the clutch and floor it at the same time. The idea behind a launch RPM is to hold it there until the car hooks up.

Which brings us to the second point. How you let the clutch out has an effect. As stated above, dumping it will give you different results than "feathering" it.

Finally, you have to take into consideration the conditions at the track - different levels of stick at different tracks (or same track on different days).

This is why the pros make the big bucks. They know how to make it all come together even with varying conditions.

Good luck

 

The pro's use auto tranny's like I do.

 

I agree with Vet....it's a personal call but for me it's not worth loading-up too much off the line and blowing your drive-line. I'm not a serious drag racer but I've been practicing my launch prior to going to a test and tune night at the local drag strip (since modding my C6 I'm curious what'll do in the 1/4 mile).

Without reinforcing the driveline, I was cautioned against loading-up too much off the line and especially about using slicks. It's hard to get hooked up with the stock runflats so I'm having to feather the throttle to limit tire spin.

I hope to get to the drag strip in the next couple of weeks. I'll concentrate on making a smooth run and get more aggressive from there. It should be fun.

 

At the track on BFGoodrich KDW's, I launch between 3500 and 3700 rpms slipping the clutch with a dead hook! I got my best 60 with doing this which was a 1.92 I believe.

 

I would sidestep the clutch @2500, ease momentarilly to hook, then stuff it. That's with Supercar tires. Others, probably would go lower because you can expect more slip.

 

My C6 auto launches with run flats at just under 1800rpm holding the line lock.tires are just on the verge of breaking loose.then nail it........1.9 60....12.41 1/4 115 mph.......