launch techniques for automatic
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 55
From: PA
St. Jude Donor '21 thru '26
launch techniques for automatic
What would be the proper launch techniques for a C6 auto running at a quarter mile track? Is anyone going to Atco tonight? Thanks Leif
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,097
Likes: 5
From: Brentwood World's first A6 in the 9's (including N/A, blower, turbo and nitrous cars) 9.950@139.267 CA
I agree with the last post except for one detail – you don’t want to put your foot to the floor immediately since you’ll just end up spinning and losing time in the crucial first few seconds. If you look at some of Ranger’s posts he says that one of (if not the) worst thing you can do is hammer the pedal immediately.
I’ve got a 3000 stall converter now and even while the car was still stock I’ve found that the best technique is only to go about ¾ full throttle until the car is moving and then slam the peddle. This however does take practice because when you’re at the line and your adrenaline is pumping, the natural inclination is to immediately try and go as fast as you can.
The logic behind this is that although you might not be leaving the line with as much horsepower as you possibly could, that’ll easily be made up by the fact you don’t spend the first 20-100 feet spinning. This theory works both with stock runflats and the MT drag radials I’m running now.
Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.
I’ve got a 3000 stall converter now and even while the car was still stock I’ve found that the best technique is only to go about ¾ full throttle until the car is moving and then slam the peddle. This however does take practice because when you’re at the line and your adrenaline is pumping, the natural inclination is to immediately try and go as fast as you can.
The logic behind this is that although you might not be leaving the line with as much horsepower as you possibly could, that’ll easily be made up by the fact you don’t spend the first 20-100 feet spinning. This theory works both with stock runflats and the MT drag radials I’m running now.
Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
You want Traction System OFF. One push of the console button. That setting allows wheel spin without intervention by the computer, but retains the aggressive form of Active Handling to help you if the rear comes loose, in the instant before you lift the throttle for safety sake.
I agree that the throttle should be squeezed as fast as can be done without prompting new wheel spin.
Two methods of launch are:
(1) power braking to 1200-1300. Release brake and simultaneously squeeze the throttle.
(2) "flash the throttle," without power braking, and progressively press the throttle to the floor.
Both ways work, but require calibration. A good course of action is to perfect one method and establish a base-line of achieved 60' and 330'. Then try the other method for a few passes to see if improvement comes.
Ranger
I agree that the throttle should be squeezed as fast as can be done without prompting new wheel spin.
Two methods of launch are:
(1) power braking to 1200-1300. Release brake and simultaneously squeeze the throttle.
(2) "flash the throttle," without power braking, and progressively press the throttle to the floor.
Both ways work, but require calibration. A good course of action is to perfect one method and establish a base-line of achieved 60' and 330'. Then try the other method for a few passes to see if improvement comes.
Ranger
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,097
Likes: 5
From: Brentwood World's first A6 in the 9's (including N/A, blower, turbo and nitrous cars) 9.950@139.267 CA
I just thought of a couple additional things:
If you have an A6 trans, I would recommend running in Sport mode. Although I keep forgetting to get hard numbers to back it up, the car does feel a tad quicker than it does when I leave it in Drive.
I wouldn't recommend that you shift it yourself using the paddles however. I was going to try that one night but found that if you let the car shift on it's own, it consistently went almost to redline and then shifted properly every single time.
If you have an A6 trans, I would recommend running in Sport mode. Although I keep forgetting to get hard numbers to back it up, the car does feel a tad quicker than it does when I leave it in Drive.
I wouldn't recommend that you shift it yourself using the paddles however. I was going to try that one night but found that if you let the car shift on it's own, it consistently went almost to redline and then shifted properly every single time.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
2 options...
torque brake it a little... load the tranny by holding the brake.. and giving it a little gas to get some potential power built up.. take it to like 2500 rpms if you can
or..
spend a few grand more and trade for a manual
torque brake it a little... load the tranny by holding the brake.. and giving it a little gas to get some potential power built up.. take it to like 2500 rpms if you can
or..
spend a few grand more and trade for a manual
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: Annandale VA
IMHO, you do not really need to power brake. I have gotten fairly consistent sub 2 second short times just by getting on the throttle pretty hard right from idle. Very little wheelspin. My car has LG headers, TM removed by CoW, and runs 12.65 times. Runs were on the OEM runflats at 25 lbs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,838
Likes: 1
From: Valencia '32 Ford 3 window with 615 HP!!!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'09
I just thought of a couple additional things:
If you have an A6 trans, I would recommend running in Sport mode. Although I keep forgetting to get hard numbers to back it up, the car does feel a tad quicker than it does when I leave it in Drive.
I wouldn't recommend that you shift it yourself using the paddles however. I was going to try that one night but found that if you let the car shift on it's own, it consistently went almost to redline and then shifted properly every single time.
If you have an A6 trans, I would recommend running in Sport mode. Although I keep forgetting to get hard numbers to back it up, the car does feel a tad quicker than it does when I leave it in Drive.
I wouldn't recommend that you shift it yourself using the paddles however. I was going to try that one night but found that if you let the car shift on it's own, it consistently went almost to redline and then shifted properly every single time.
ps,..picking up My Vette tomorrow with the new 3.15 HH/D Diff!!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,885
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
I saw your awesome ride when I was at LAPD yesterday. Your gonna wear those pirelli's out quick with that power and those new gears!!
Sounds like you'll be ready to roll for the weekend! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,838
Likes: 1
From: Valencia '32 Ford 3 window with 615 HP!!!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'09
Sounds like You have an AWESOME Vette with those TT's!!
c u soon!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,582
Likes: 102
From: Flint, MI
I would always use the brakes to stall up the converter at the track...Stall the converter up to desired RPM, (usually as high as I could get it without any power braking in the case of stock tires or the car sliding forward in the case of ET street/drags. Release brake and full throttle immediately on last yellow.
I never had a lot of success with flashing the converter. I always saw slower 60' times.
I never had a lot of success with flashing the converter. I always saw slower 60' times.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 55
From: PA
St. Jude Donor '21 thru '26
Bone Stock C6, auto trans with OEM runflats at 25 lbs.
I ran 12.9 seconds in the 1/4 mile. First time ever at a track for me. This was after my second run.Thanks goes to Dennis (fdennis50nj) for his sound advice at the track. It was great talking with you. Leif
I ran 12.9 seconds in the 1/4 mile. First time ever at a track for me. This was after my second run.Thanks goes to Dennis (fdennis50nj) for his sound advice at the track.
It was great talking with you. Leif
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
see yea next time. practice makes perfect
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 5
From: stafford country, va. Avatar: Me on turn 3 @ Bristol (The World's Fastest Half-Mile)
depending upon your previous driving experience i would either say run in 'all off' mode or 'trac off' mode. it depends upon how you naturally react when she gets loose.
you could try this if you want;
front tire pressure 35 psi (measured when hot),
rear tire pressure 24/25 psi (hot),
1/8 tank of fuel,
engine running temps 180-195 (she'll heat up after the run),
windows up/roof on (prefer transparent top),
pull up to the line,
engage the emergency brake,
press the foot brake fully,
slowly bring up the rpm's until you feel the car lock in place,
continue to slowly bring up the rpm's until the first sign of wheel spin (note rpm's),
return the rpm's to idle,
release the emergency brake (continue holding the foot brake),
bring the rpm's just shy (-200(+/-)) of the noted rpm,
hold the car at that point for just a sec. or two,
release the foot brake and simultaneously, depressing the gas pedal as quickly as possible,
be on the watch out for the rear to come around, if she does, slightly correct and lift just a bit, then get back in it.
most of all, HAVE FUN, don't get too serious or you'll psych yourself out.
you could try this if you want;
front tire pressure 35 psi (measured when hot),
rear tire pressure 24/25 psi (hot),
1/8 tank of fuel,
engine running temps 180-195 (she'll heat up after the run),
windows up/roof on (prefer transparent top),
pull up to the line,
engage the emergency brake,
press the foot brake fully,
slowly bring up the rpm's until you feel the car lock in place,
continue to slowly bring up the rpm's until the first sign of wheel spin (note rpm's),
return the rpm's to idle,
release the emergency brake (continue holding the foot brake),
bring the rpm's just shy (-200(+/-)) of the noted rpm,
hold the car at that point for just a sec. or two,
release the foot brake and simultaneously, depressing the gas pedal as quickly as possible,
be on the watch out for the rear to come around, if she does, slightly correct and lift just a bit, then get back in it.
most of all, HAVE FUN, don't get too serious or you'll psych yourself out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 148
From: Sugar Land TX
I agree with the last post except for one detail – you don’t want to put your foot to the floor immediately since you’ll just end up spinning and losing time in the crucial first few seconds. If you look at some of Ranger’s posts he says that one of (if not the) worst thing you can do is hammer the pedal immediately.
For best et you always want to go full throttle immediately assuming you have the traction to hold.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 1,200
From: Ft. Myers FL
You have to remember that every car is different. As for me, I put it into "competetive mode". That's 2 button pushes. My tires are 30 fronts, 25 back. Keep in mind, any lower tire pressure & the computer WILL cut power! Then I do a short burnout, in S. Pull up to the line. Lock the brakes with my left foot. Tach it up to about 1200 rpm. When the 3rd amber is fully lit, I let off the left foot & stomp the right. I've tried taching higher, & I burned too much. I tried idle, & bogged. My best time with my 06 A6 was 12.48 @ 114.3 mph on street tires.